Newspaper archives can uncover many aspects of a person’s life, but they can also uncover stories that are a surprise and even national news. Norman Niddrie married into the family in the 1940s, but it was his earlier life that was splashed across the news.
On the night of 28 January 1939, the small town of Tumut, New South Wales, was shaken by a violent incident resulting in the death of Michael Joseph “Dixie” Downing, a well-known local figure. Earlier in the evening, Downing was seen around town, including at the Woolpack Hotel. Witnesses last saw him alive around 10.20pm at the Excelsior Cafe. Around 10.50pm, William Thomas, owner of a nearby fruit shop, heard a commotion behind his store. When he walked out to investigate, Thomas found Norman Niddrie attempting to lift an injured Downing. Sergeant Nightingale was called to the scene, where Downing, barely conscious, stated someone had hit him but couldn’t identify his attacker. Dixie was taken to Tumut hospital and died from his injuries the next morning.
As the investigation unfolded, conflicting accounts emerged. Niddrie initially claimed he had found Downing injured and tried to help. However, under further questioning, he changed his story, admitting to an altercation with Downing. According to Niddrie’s second statement, Downing had attempted to pickpocket him. In response, Niddrie pushed Downing, causing him to fall against an iron fence. Niddrie maintained that he had no intention to seriously harm Downing and tried to help him afterward.
Dr. John Wharton Mason, who examined Downing, found extensive injuries including fractured jaws, bruising on the skull, arms, and chest, and a ruptured lung. Dr. Mason testified at the inquest that the injuries were consistent with multiple kicks and were too severe to have been caused by a simple fall.
The case went to trial at the Central Criminal Court in Sydney on 17 March, 1939. Norman Niddrie, aged 24 at the time, was charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty. In the opening statement, the Crown Prosecutor presented the events of the night, including Niddrie’s drinking at the Woolpack Hotel and the subsequent encounter with Downing in a back street near the hotel.
A key piece of evidence was Niddrie’s statement to the police: “Dowling went to put his hands in my pockets, and I swung hard, knocking him against an iron fence. I had no intention of hurting him.” This statement aligned with Niddrie’s earlier claim of self-defense against an attempted pickpocketing.
After the case concluded, the jury considered the evidence and returned a verdict of manslaughter, rather than murder. Mr. Justice Maxwell, presiding over the case, sentenced Norman Niddrie to three years imprisonment for the manslaughter of Michael Joseph Dowling.
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