Murder accused Anders Andersen of Westport

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DescriptionMurder and Tragedy - Who was Anders Anderson?

Why did Westport citizens erect a gravestone for Anders Anderson in 1908? Who was he and why was he described as a 'Victim of Injustice'?
Graveyards can offer us a window into the lives of people long passed. We can discover a lot about a region. What were people's hardships, beliefs, origins, and ends. Who did they love and what lives did they lead. And sometimes we can find truly interesting tales.....

A Tragic Circumstance
When Anders Anderson, a Norwegian Sailer passed away it was written in the Marlborough Press . Oct 21st 1908 "no man in the dominion of New Zealand ever suffered more undeservedly". His last words were "Have you proved me innocent yet?"
He was said to have had a marvellous vitality and made a galliant battle for life. He had been affected with a continuation of epileptic fits, and for much of it he had been unconscious. The medical attention had been unceasing and his companion had been continuously at his side. Anderson had no financial means, but this mattered none to those who held him in esteem, and people had been generous with deep pockets in aid of the dying man.
The news of his passing was met with great sorrow throughout town and country.
His death was in part regarded as a result of a false accusation of murder held against him, and the strain of his subsequent dreadful experiences. With no prior condition he developed epilepsy while in Westport jail and medical opinion was that the fatal illness was the result of shock and suffering.
"It is not often that frail humanity is put to the test that Anders Anderson was subjected to and retains sanity" said the article.
Anderson had been born at Arendal, Norway and had taken a 4 year sea apprenticeship with 9 months at navigation school, he then passed his chief officers certificate. He commenced to roam the world never to return home.
On the day of the murder Anderson was ashore from 'The Canopus' for a short holiday when Ernest John Bourke was found beaten to death.
William Connelly had been implicated and pointed to Anderson as being responsible. Anderson was arrested and as Anderson watched the coils of his circumstances wrap around him he met it with repressive calm. He wrote to his Aunt saying "I'm in serious trouble but I'm sure everything will be alright". However he was to receive a long delayed manslaughter verdict in Nelson.
Later in events following the trial Connelly could not keep his stories straight and was to confess to the Chief Dectective on the case. He had beaten Bourke to death with the intention of robbing him.
As a result of the false accusations and charge, it was said, Anderson died at age 35 of a broken heart.
William Connelly was charged with the beating to death of Ernst John Bourke. Anders Anderson was orginally charged and imprisoned for the murder, but I was unable to find out if he was ever officially declared innocent.
By Roberta JacksonDate of PhotoBetween 1st January 1908 and 31st December 1908Map^[1]ContributorYoung Geologists New Zealand

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Location (city or town)WestportPersonAnders AndersenEventMurder accused Anders Andersen of Westport

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Murder accused Anders Andersen of Westport

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