The Pomahaka Mystery
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The Pomahaka Mystery was a sensational story throughout New Zealand in 1896, it involved the disappearance of Mary Matson. Her Husband Carl Matson was later charged. His house keeper at this time was Hannah Bertha Clark who as a young 18 year old woman was unwittingly caught up in a series of events leading to this tragedy. Hannah was arrested along with Carl Matson, but was discharged after the Coroner`s Inquest. Carl Matson was convicted and received 12 years hard Labour. Carl and Mary married 13 March 1893 initially lived in Rankleburn and separated after 18 months , approx 5 months later Hannah was employed as a housekeeper. Shortly after Mary returned, at this time Hannah went home to her mother Kjaersti`s house in Walker Street Dunedin, but returned shortly after as Mary had disappeared. Several stories were told by Carl Matson as to her whereabouts. There were also searches as there were many eyewitnesses to events leading up to this time creating much suspicion. It was several months later that Mary`s body was found washed up in the Pomahaka River. Mary`s maiden name was O`Shea, she also had a sister who lived in Wellington and came from Ireland. She was buried as Mary Matson age 42. Grave site unknown as yet. Carl Matson was born in Finland it is not known where he served his sentence or what became of him. With over 100 newspaper articles ranging from brief comments to full articles, it gives a unique insight to events over 100 years ago of what is part of Family History. No doubt a contentious issue, after reading most of the aricles and producing a timeline from the events, in the short period of time before Carl Matson and Hannah Bertha Clark arrest they lived alone 9 months later Hannah Christina was born in 1897. Three years prior to the marriage of Albert and Hannah Bertha 3 January 1900. The dates and records are held at the New Zealand Government Archives and the National Library in Wellington. Based on this Hannah Christina is not the daughter Albert but of Carl Matson. I don`t know whether Hannah Christina was formally adopted but she has been considered the daughter of Albert and Hannah. |