In this article, it lists the people who died and on this 8th day of September, we remember them.
“Also in the building was the editor of the Otago Witness, Robert WILSON and his family, as his wife owned a shop there. Of the twelve people who lost their lives, the Wilson family of Robert, his wife and four of his six children made up half the total.”
OCTAGON BUILDING FIRE
DUNEDIN
MONDAY 08 SEPTEMBER 1879
In the early morning of Monday 8th September 1879, fire broke out in the Cafe Chantant in the Octagon, Dunedin. The cafe, a rough and ready dive, had earned a bad reputation and the Dunedin police has threatened to take proceedings against William WATERS, the operator.
More than 50 people were asleep in the building that night, some drunken patrons, others innocent tenants. Most were on the upper floors and completely cut off from escape since the central (and only) stairwell was one of the first parts of the building to be engulfed.
Also in the building was the editor of the Otago Witness, Robert WILSON and his family, as his wife owned a shop there. Of the twelve people who lost their lives, the Wilson family of Robert, his wife and four of his six children made up half the total.
William WATERS was later charged with setting fire to the building for insurance purposes. He was also charged with the murder of Robert WILSON, but was found “Not Guilty”. Setting a fire was a felony but the deaths were not intended. The coroner was Dr Hocken who later left his extensive collection of books and papers to the University of Otago. These became the nucleus for the Hocken Library.
THOSE THAT DIED
MARTIN George Augustus Asst Librarian – Athenaeum
McCARTNEY Margaret Maidservant
SWAN John W
TAYLOR John Bootmaker
WILSON Frederick 19
WILSON Lawrence Oliphant 4
WILSON Robert 59
WILSON Robert 10
WILSON Sarah 8
WILSON Sarah Ann 41
Two bodies unknown
SOME OF THE SURVIVORS
BRODRICK John
DEANS John
GRANT Peter
JENKINSON Edward
WILSON Lillie
WILSON Louisa
On this day, we remember you.
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