Embedded Files
Men like Squizzy loom large in the history of places like Richmond and it is easy to form too pleasant an impression of them. For a while Charlie is taken in. When he first meets the gangster Charlie ‘found him not in the least bit unsightly. However on the canvas, he looked like a weasel, cunning and beady eyed’ (p.9). Charlie admires him, and this opinion is improved when Squizzy fixes the race so Charlie wins. He ‘was one of them’ (p17). Squizzy can fix Charlie's absence from school, and fix up Mr Peacock, but as the rivalry with Fitzroy gang leader, Snowy Cutmore intensifies Squizzy's other side emerges. He is frequently drunk, short tempered and vindictive. ‘Suddenly, as quick as someone flicking a switch, Squizzy turned nasty’ (p.168), and very nearly shoots Charlie in anger. Charlie is released and is now able to run for himself, not for Squizzy.
Taken from: Taken from Watts,R (2016). [online] Available at: https://cdn.penguin.com.au/747/document/robert-newton-runner-9780143302070.pdf
Who was Squizzy Taylor?
Who was Squizzy Taylor?
Joseph Theodore Leslie "Squizzy" Taylor (29 June 1888 – 27 October 1927)was an Australian gangster from Melbourne. Born to parents Benjamin Isaiah Taylor, a coachmaker, and Rosina Taylor (nee Jones)'
Taylor first came to the attention of police at the age of 18 when he was convicted of assault. Many other minor charges followed (usually theft). Between 1913 and 1916 Taylor was linked to the murder and robbery of Arthur Trotter, the burglary of Melbourne Trades Hall and the murder of William Patrick Haines, for which he was found not guilty.
Taylor's income was derived from shady sources- armed robbery, prostitution, the sale of illegal liquor and drugs (cocaine), race-fixing, two-up, and protection rackets.
Taylor was heavily involved in the 1919 disputes between rival racketeers which resulted in the "Fitzroy vendetta" in which several men were shot. He was charged under warrant for a 1921 theft from a city bond store, eluding the police for 12 months, he then turned himself in but was acquitted (perhaps because he was also involved in rigging juries!). In 1923 he was involved in the murder of a bank-manager at Glenferrie train station, but was again acquitted. Although he was eventually found guilty of harbouring Murray (who was charged with the murder), and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
Squizzy and his second wife, Ida Muriel Pender, co-starred in a film in 1923 about Taylor's life. It was banned by the censor and was released in Brisbane in 1925 as "Bound to Win". The film is considered lost but you can read about it by clicking on the link.
Taylor continued thieving on his release from prison, especially around race-tracks. His involvement in selling cocaine embroiled him in conflict with several Sydney gangsters and he was eventually fatally wounded in a gun fight when John "Snowy" Cutmore shot him at a house in Barkly St, Carlton. Taylor later died at St Vincent's Hospital in Fitzroy on 27th October, 1927. He was buried in Brighton cemetery.
Taken from Wikipedia, and the Australian Dictionary of Biography
Primary Sources
Primary Sources
Documents have been collated to link with a television program. The documents show a history of criminal activity.
Trove is an amazing resource of historical artefacts and media. This search for "Squizzy Taylor" yielded these amazing photographs.
Ergo
Ergo
Ergo is an online learning space provided by the State Library of Victoria. This page has lots of information about Taylor and links to primary documents.
Page updated
Report abuse