Do you have any ride-or-die friends?

Ride-or-dies are a rare breed of mate.  They’ll stand between you and any threat. 

They’re also willing to call you out when your behaviour is problematic, or downright risky. (Love you guys!)

I don’t know if Bridget had any ride-or-die mates.  I hope so.  She certainly had a woman who was prepared to stand for her on the last day of her life.

I stumbled across Christina Jeffries in Bridget’s murder file.

“Yesterday, [Saturday 17 January], the deceased [Bridget] spent the day with a Mrs Jeffries of Markwell Street Bowen Hills.” [2]

Christina also testified to Henry’s state of mind on the day before Bridget’s murder when he was remanded for trial in late January in 1914. [3]

Apart from Bridget’s murder file and media references, the only other times I can find Christina in the records is on the Australian Electoral Roll in 1913 and 1914.  She’s living with her husband, Arthur Jeffries, in inner city Brisbane. [4]

She’s listed as performing home duties, while her husband, Arthur, is described as a “horse trainer”. 

It’s not a lot to go on but it means I can give you a sketch of the woman who was the only light part of the darkest day of Bridget’s life.

She’s older than Bridget – she’s over 21 as she’s registered to vote. [5] Her husband and Bridget’s husbands share the same job – they’re both horse trainers.  

Christina’s home is also ten-minute walk away from Bridget and Henry’s rented rooms in Prospect Street. [6]

I’d bet good money that Henry and Arthur (Christina’s husband) were work besties. Both Bridget and Henry chose to spend their Saturday with one, or both, of the Jeffries. [7]

Still, Christina can’t have known Bridget very long, or very well.  Barely two months, if you presume Bridget moved from Hendon to Brisbane after her wedding in November 1913. [8]

I think Christina knew Bridget was in danger from Henry. She spends Bridget’s last Saturday with her, keeping her away from Henry.  Later in the day, it’s Christina who accompanies Henry to the doctor to investigate the ailments Henry is sure he has. [9]

When Hugh comes to try to convince Bridget to come home to their parents, it’s Christina’s place where he finds his sister and Henry. [10]

And it’s Christina, brave Christina, who tells Bridget that she needs to go to speak to the police about the threats Henry’s making against her.

“Mrs Jeffries then advised the deceased by saying, “If I was you, I would go and see the detectives.” [11]

I can’t imagine walking around Bowen Hills became much fun for Christina after that January.  Too many memories of bad things that happened in her suburb…

#Wild Bridgie

End notes

[1] B Moulder. 'Aesthetic Vintage Frames with Personal Photographs.' Canva, 2024

[2] ITM665959, Hopgood, Bridget Mary, 18 January 1914 – 1 April 1920, Queensland State Archives, Runcorn, Brisbane. Murder file (administrative).

 [3]"A BIT CRANKY."" Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936) 28 January 1914: 4 (SECOND EDITION). Web. 5 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180935418.

[4] Commonwealth of Australia, State of Queensland, 1913 Joint Electoral roll for the Subdivision of Fortitude Valley, Division of Brisbane, State Electoral District of Queensland, p. 185, col 1, entry for Christina Jeffries; imaged from “Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980,” Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 April 2024), image 185; citing "Australian Electoral Commission".

[5] White women over the age of 21 were granted the right to vote in 1902. "Women Granted the Vote in Federal Elections." Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom, National Museum of Australia, https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/women-granted-vote-federal-elections. First Nations people and non-European migrants were excluded from this progressive act. I exhibit no surprise.

[6] Map of Brisbane and Suburbs. Gordon & Gotch, 1912. https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE423906 , (Annotations added by author in Canva, 2024).

 [7] "MAYNE MURDER." Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936) 27 January 1914: 5 (SECOND EDITION). Web. 7 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180935167.

[8] Marriage Certificate of Bridget Mary O’Callaghan, 17 November 1913, Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Brisbane, Queensland. Marriage Certificate.

[9] "MAYNE MURDER." Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936) 27 January 1914: 5 (SECOND EDITION). Web. 7 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180935167.

[10] "MAYNE MURDER." Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936) 27 January 1914: 5 (SECOND EDITION). Web. 7 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article180935167.

[11] ITM665959, Hopgood, Bridget Mary, 18 January 1914 – 1 April 1920, Queensland State Archives, Runcorn, Brisbane. Murder file (administrative).