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FACTFILE
Minnie Dean
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she was married and had
two children, although no one knows whatever happened to
the children.
1868,
She emigrated to New Zealand, settling in Southland.
Here she lived with on old woman known as Granny Kelly.
1872,
She married Charles Dean ,
1886
they moved to a 22 acre farm estate in East Winton,
known as The Larches.
Minnie Dean
set up a 'Baby Farming' business, popular at the time.
She would take in children for adoption, as having
illegitimate children at the time was very frowned upon.
It is claimed
that Dean may have looked after unto one hundred babies
and young children.
May 1895,
Dean boarded a train, she was seen with a baby and a hat
box, when she got off the train she had the hat box but
no baby. Police were led to a Mrs Hornsby, who confirmed
she handed over her one month old grand-daughter to Mrs
Dean.
Police took
Mrs Hornsby to the Larches, where she identified Dean
and some clothing belonging to the baby.
Minnie Dean
was arrested and taken to Dunedin to await her trial.
Police
searched the flowerbeds on the Deans property and found
two babies bodies, as well as that of a toddler. Charles
Dean was also arrested and the six children in their
care were taken away by police.
The babies
bodies were identified as Eva Hornsby (Mrs Hornsby's
grand-daughter) and Dorothy Edith Carter handed over to
Minnie by her grandmother.
In Court Dean
protested her innocence, they jury however found her
guilty and she was sentenced to death.
8am 12th
August 1895, Minnie Dean was hanged at the
Invercargil jail
She was, and
still is the only women to be hanged in New Zealand.
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