Winthrope Mark Larkinson

   Another name for Winthrope was Winthorp Mark Larkinson.

  General Notes:

Previously engaged to a girl at Bournemouth.
Left England on the Runic on 01/06/1912 and arrived in Sydney on 23/07/1912.
Was the Circuit Evangelist at Wollongong Methodist Circuit 1912-1913 Went to Teacher's College at Glebe and taught at Fifield near Condobolin, Bathurst & Orange
Also worked on the railways, machine fitter, and as a piano tuner & piano teacher
Lived with Susan at 34 Robertson Street, West Kogarah
This block is now parkland.
Also had 3 other children who died in infancy:
Thelma Evaline Irene 24/11/1920 - 07/05/1921 (aged 23 weeks)
Allan who died 7 months old on 14/04/1930
& Dorothy

They also lived at 77 Belmont St Sutherland
They are buried in the same plot, along with Allan in the CofE section of Woronora Cemetery Portion 376 section A>F

  Research Notes:

This is an article from the Rockley News Mon 21st July 1913

Mr. W. Mark Larkinson has arrived to take charge of the Rockley-Burraga circuit of the Methodist Church. Mr. Larkinson served 12 months in Wollongong, going there direct from London.

The drastic method of teaching is now recognised as most successful in its results. The pupils of the local school presented a representation of Shakespeare's "Winter's Tale," on Friday afternoon. The weather shed was the stage, and the play was much appreciated by the parents present. Master G. Atkins was stage manager, the duties of which he carried through with marked success. The cast included Misses Churchill, P and M. Golsby, O'Neill, Brynes, Rainger and Taylor; Masters Edward Rainger, Atkins and Taylor. Proceeds are to be devoted towards prizes.
This article is from an Orange newspaper about the altercation between James Sheppard and Winthrope Larkinson. It has several sections which were indecipherable but I have left them as I found them.

Winthrop Mark Larkinson on remand, appeared belfore Mr. Marriott P.M, at yesterday a sitting of the local court, charged with maliciously shooting James Sheppard, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. Inspector Bear prosecuted, and Mr. Casey defended Larkinson 18 a young man of rather smart appearance, but from his demeanour in the dock he seemed to treat the charge lightly. Sergeant Byrne said that on the 21st inst at 7.45 he saw the accused near Sheppard's residence in Orange East, at Endsleigh. Witness asked, "Is this Mr. Sheppard's residence?" He replied: "Yes; I'm the man you're looking for." Witness said: "Did you shoot Mr. Sheppard?" His answer was "Yes; I did it in self-defence. He assaulted me in a public highway." At Constable Boon's request accused produced a revolver, now in court. Accused was confronted with Sheppard, who denied the charge of assault, Sheppard had a wound in his hand, which WAS bleeding. Larkinson was taken into custody, and Sheppard to the doctor's surgery. On the way to the lockup accused said "He kept objecting to me keeping company with his daughter. He sent messages to me that I was not to see her, I had no Intention of shooting him, I wanted to frighten him, and I fired the re. When asked whether he said "I suppose I could have." He could not get away from Sheppard, the revolver contained five large cartridges and an empty shell. Larkinson in answer to a question, stated that he had a revolver ever since he came to the country, and had previously carried it. The last occasion being on the 17th inst. He was sober, cool and collected. There was blood on accused's collar.

To Mr. Casey: Sheppard was bleeding, but Larkinson not. Witness did not ask either Mrs. or Miss Sheppard as to whether Sheppard had attacked the accused. It took 10 or 15 minutes to get to the place after information was received. Accused was waiting then for the police. And it might be said that he did not seem to realise his position. And his demeanor had been the same in the lockup. He said he was fond of Miss Sheppard.

Dr. C. B. Howse deposed that when Sheppard was brought to his surgery he had a wound be in the palm of his left hand, and there was swelling and pain in the left forearm. The wound was like that from a bullet and was not dangerous.
He advised the patient's removal to the hospital To Mr. Casey: The bullet had not been located in the forearm. The Arm was probably extended in a horizontal position when it entered the arm. James Sheppard deposed that he was an iron founder by trade and resided atter accused at was for Orange 15 keeping to East. 18 company He months. had with known The daughter Susie. ever since witness mad known him, and with witness' consent until last Saturday week (the 17th). On Wednesday last accused came to the house at 7 p.m., and was leaning against the front fence.

Witness approached him and as he did so (and was getting through the fence) Larkinson pulled out a revolver and said: "Keep back; don't come too; Someone called out: "He's got a revolver." Witness put his hand in front of his face and made a rush for him, to take the revolver from him." There was then a report, and he felt a stinging sensation up in the hand. He and accused ciosed simultaneously with the report, but witness did not speak to aim or strike him.

They were close for only two or three seconds for the shock threw witness to his knees. Larkinson stood over him with revolver in his band at his side. Accused appeared to be in his normal state. Witness gave Larkinson no provocation for the assault. He was still a patient at the hospital.

To Mr. Casey: If Larkinson had any intention of killing him he could have done so while he WAS on his knees.

Before witness came out of the house on the occasion he had been talking in a loud voice with his wife and daughter about accused. Susle opened the door and called, "There he Is." and he rushed at Larkinson. As he did so he raised his hand perpendicularly, not horizon, revolver with one hand, and tried to grab bum with the other.
To Mr. Casey: The correspondence between his daughter and accused bad been going since November 1913. that was when they first met and before Larkinson left Orange temporarily witness gave his consent to the correspondence. Accused went to Trundle, and came down here last Christmas to spend his holiday with the family. Some time ago he might have told his daughter that he could kill accused.

He would not say that he had taken a dislike to Larkinson. They were courting with his consent and he did not try to come between them. The difference with his daughter on last Wednesday was concerning Larkinson, and was due to witness having found one of the most disgusting letters which it was DOB. sible for a man to write.

He found it at Parramatta. Larkinson was recently a school teacher at Bathurst. and was transferred to Orange, coming here on April 17. Larkinson was of a studious disposition, and witness kept him for fifteen weeks, assisting him in his studies till he got into the Education Department.

Until recently they were on friendly terms but he had reason for objecting to the Intimacy being continued. To Inspector Bear: The letter referred to was addressed to his daughter, and it was in consequence of that that he became cool towards the accused.

Elizabeth Sheppard, wife of the last witness, deposed that when she first saw Larkinson on Wednesday last her husband was inside the, house. Subsequently her husband, daughter and herself came out of the front door to go to church. Larkinsop was then standing outside the fence. Her husband went towards him, and she heard accused say Stand off!" Next she heard a report of firearms. to Mr. Casey: Just before they came to the door her husband was chiding Susie over Larkinson, and he was naturally very excited. When her husband saw Larkinson at the fence he went quickly towards him.

She saw nothing more of what happened, Robert McGarrity, laborer, residing at Orange East, deposed that he was a son-In-law of Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard, and lived opposite their regidence: He heard the shot, and went to the scene. Sheppard was lying on the ground, and accused was about two or three yards away. To Mr. Casey: Witness always looked upon accused as a quiet chap. Susan Caroline Sheppard deposed that her age was 18 years and 7 months. She "and known Larkinson for 19 months. They kept company. "Are you engaged?" asked the inspector "by father's consent," was the significant reply. Witness continued: On Wednesday last site saw secured, through the IT COMBINES HAPPILY WITH AERATED WATERS WOLFES SCHNAPPS A MEDICINAL TONIC BEVERAGE front window, near the fence, She said to him "Don't come In go away." He did so but returned in two or three minutes, and walked up and down the fence. It about a quarter of an hour afterwards that the shooting occurred.

When her father was challenged by accused to stand back, he was not a yard away. Her father caught Larkinson round the neck, using both arms. Her father then went as if to grab the revolver, and a couple of minutes afterwards she heard a shot. Accused fell to the ground, with her father on top of him.

She did not speak to either of them, but called McGarrity. To Mr: Casey: She met accused in November. 1913. Until the following January he visited their house and walked out with her. Then he lost his employment and went to the place to reside and study. Next he went to Sydney to the Training College, and subsequently was sent to Trundle, On his way there he visited them. During his absence they kept up an affectionate correspondence. They were engaged between themselves and Larkinson would have married her had she not been under age. Her father once said he would kill accused and spoke of him a disparaging way. She wrote and told Larkinson of this: When he returned to Orange on the 17th Inst he came to the house: She told him her father said he would pitch him out if he came in. and that was why he did not enter.

Her affection for him had not changed. They went for a walk on the Sunday. On the Tuesday she sent him a note to the school but that was not delivered. It had reference to going to the show. She and her father had words on the Wednesday night, the latter being very excited.

These were over accused. Before the shooting her father who appeared to be in a temper, rushed and grappled with accused. Accused had never shown of a violent temper.

On the 17th she told Larkinson he might expect trouble when he saw her father: To Inspector Bear: She first heard her father threaten to kill Larkinson August last and several times since: Her mother told her "Father says he'll kill Mark and take what he gets. This closed the evidence for the prosecution and when asked if he had anything to say. Larkinson replied "I wish to say I had no intention whatever of wounding him and reserve my defence." He was committed for trial at Orange Sessions on Tuesdav June 22. Bail was fixed at self In 100 and two sureties of each
After the witnesses had been hound and were leaving the court the -fel suddeniv turned round and the eve of Larkinson who was watching her intently and put gently ernestantle and they warpd to one another and exchanged pleasant smiles.

Friday 7th May Winthrop Mark Larkinson in the Molong Argus newspaper
The shooting sensation in Oragnge last week was the centre of interest at the Orange Police Court today when Mark Larkinson was committed for trial to the Quarter sessions at Orange on June 22nd as a charge of shooting John Sheppard with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Evidence was given to the effect that teh accdused was paying attentions to Sheppard's daughter which Sheppard resented. The latter forbade accused to visit the house, notwithstanding whcih
Larkinson continued his visits. Sheppard told him not to come whereapon it is alleged, Larkinson drew a small revolver and shot Sheppard but without serious effect.
Larkinson was granted bail is $100. It is understood that miss Sheppard returned accised's affection.

Friday 25th June 1915 Leader, Orange, NSW
When Larkinson entered the dock, he said, "All I want to do is to ask that I be given the benefit of the First Offender's Act, and say that I am innocent"
His Honor requested that Mr Sheppard be recalled. In answer to questions that witness stated that the objectionable letter which had been handed in was in Larkinson's handwriting and was addressed to his (witness') daughter. It was dropped by her at a neighbour's house, and handed to him about a week before the shooting took place. He first saw Larkinson two days after his daughter met him, when he gave his consent to their keeping company. He refused to permit an engagement, because his daughter was then three months under 17 years of age. Larkinson was not in work, and spent most of his time at the house. He asked permission to occupy a tent in the garden, and that was granted, and when witness' wife saw no evidence of food at the tent she took pity of him and asked him to their table. For several months they kept him until he succeeded by study in getting into the Education Department. when witness found the letter he forbade him coming to the house.

Constable Morris deposed that Larkinson was in the Orange lockup from 21st to 29th April, and during that time he heard him indulging in very objectionable conversations with other persons who were incarcerated regarding a certain young woman with whom he had had improper relations. He also had in his possession when arrested a diary which was written up in grossly filthy manner in other ways his behaviour was alright.

In passing sentence His Honor spoke in a very impassioned manner. The crime of maliciously wounding, he said was an exceedingly serous one. The jury rightly disbelieved the prisoner's story. They believed that he intended when he fired to hit Mr. Sheppard. Why? Larkinson has met his daughter and had been conceded the privilege of keeping her company. Subsequently, with very good and sufficient reasons that privilege was withdrawn. He was no allowed to continue doing so. If Mr. Sheppard had not acted as he did, after the knowledge which had come into his possession, he would not have been fit to live amongst decent people, and if Larkinson had been a decent man he would have obeyed the behest and kept away from the girl. He did not do so but hung about the place and carried a revolver. He said he brought the revolver when he came to Australia because he was going out for the Methodists as a bush missionary, and he was warned that he would need it for self-protection. In one way that might seem to show a certain weakness of mind but there were other things to consider. The letters he had written were filthy, and showed how he had let his morbid passions lead him away. He was a man who could only do harm in this community, and a disgrace to it. His letters purported to evidence his intention of marrying the girl, but they were calculated only to defile. The only conclusion which is (His Honor) could come to was that he was a sexual pervert. Mr. & Mrs. Sheppard had treated him kindly - even generously - and what did they get in return" If he had been found guilty on the major count the sentence would have been exceedingly severe and it would be a s severe as it could be made now.
"Your sentence is three years' penal servitude." His Honor concluded. "That is a big sentence, but if you like you can appeal to the Criminal Court and see what they think of your filthy letters, and what animated you when you fired at this old man"

And another article from the Orange Leader on Friday 13th August 1915

APPEAL DISMISSED
Winthrop Mark Larkinson, who was convicted at the last Orange Sessions of shooting with Intent, and sentened to three years' imprisonment, has unsuccessfully appealed against the conviction.

He was officially discharged from gaol on 14th November 1917

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Methodist Missioner & teacher/ railways.

• fact.

• Emigration.

• Property.

• Illness.

• connection.

• burial.

• connection.

Winthrope married Susan Caroline Sheppard, daughter of James Edwin Sheppard and Elizabeth Page Fisher, on 15 Feb 1919 in Goulburn Methodist Church Vestry, NSW Australia. (Susan Caroline Sheppard was born on 23 Sep 1896 in Werrington, near Penrith, Sydney, NSW Australia, christened on 9 Sep 1903 in St Marys, Werrington, near Penrith, Sydney, NSW Australia, died on 24 Mar 1975 in Macquarie Salvation Army Lodge, Arncliffe, NSW Australia and was buried in Woronora Cemetery, near Sutherland, Sydney, NSW Australia Portion 376 Section A>F.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• fact.