The number of 1-3 Highett Place, was originally 1-2 Highett Place
William Parker (Bootmaker)
In number 2 Highett Place (now number 3), William and his wife Sarah Margaret lived. On 8 April 1912, the two sons of William and Sarah had dinner at their parents in Highett place and left about 7.30pm. The two were walking along Greeves St when they got into a fight. William Hughes (laborer 22 years old, who also lived at 2 Highett Place) knocked his brother (Frederick John (23 years)) down and kicked him in the face. Shortly after the two scurried away separately. Frederick apparently went to the hospital to have his lip stitched. Mysteriously, William returned to the same spot where he collapsed having being stabbed in the abdomen and neck. He was taken to hospital but died of the injuries (Weekly Times, 13 April 1912, p35).
The case is strange. While the fight definitely occurred and was witnessed by two girls, they indicated that they saw no knife and that it was the deceased that did all the punching and kicking, not the other way around. Both boys were boxers and well known as such. Both had also had lots to drink at the Highett Place residence prior to heading out. After the fight the deceased then walked off with two other men. The article indicates he walked along Smith and back onto Greeves where he collapsed outside a shop with blood coming from his neck, while the Weekly Times suggested this was after 11pm, the Age doesn’t mention the time difference. At the hospital he refused to say who did it but clearly said that it was not his brother. Despite there being no clear evidence, Frederick was found guilty of wilful murder (The Age, 24 April 1912, p.11).
