The Black Angels (1908-1927)

The Black Angels were a group of young women who were often accused and arrested in the period 1906-1927 - for prostitution in both Perth and at a house used for ‘immoral’ purposes, or brothel, at the corner of 38 Sewell and 78 George Street, East Fremantle, in 1912. The Webb sisters and the Connor sisters were known to police for over 30 years…

Possible members of the Black Angels:

• Maude Mary Webb (born 1881) and her sisters, all daughters of William Heaton Webb and Lucy Mew, Albany WA:

• Alice Mildred ‘Milly’ Webb (born 1887)

• Bella Webb ( born 1890- Elfreda Isabel Webb) aka “Belle Moora”?

• May Mueller (Marjorie) Webb ( born 1.5.1893)

• Mary Ahern, Aka May Ahearn

• Bertha Connor, pregnant in 1908

• Myrtle Connor aka May Connor

• May Perry

• Vera Matson, pregnant in 1908

• Nita Russell

The Truth and The Mirror carried out a consistent campaign against the ‘Black Angels’. The Court Sessions provided ample opportunities for news reporters to focus on scandalous cases and the repeat appearances of individuals committing offences. They wrote a series of long and outraged articles describing the behaviour of the Black Angels, associated women and members of the Chinese community. However in 1919 they also identified the hypocrisy of the Evil Fame Act. See abridged articles below:

1908 " BLACK ANGELS." Street-strolling Strumpets Safely Stowed Away and Debarred From Further Disease Dissemination ... The police authorities were long ago cognisant of the concupiscent capers carried on by these shameless harridans; members of the force knew full well that these seeming innocent school girls were morally and physically corrupting the impressionable youths and men of maturer years with whom they came in contact … A further batch of four were presented at the City Court on Tuesday, charged with being idle and disorderly persons. Their names were Bertha Connor (20), Myrtle Connor (18), May Ahern (19) and Vera Matson (19); all were exceedingly well dressed and the eldest Connor was a remarkably fine-looking girl. Since their arrest they had been medically examined and the result evidenced a revolting condition of affairs. Bertha Connor and Vera Matson were pregnant and the other two girls diseased. The police evidence was that some time ago the Connor girls arrived from Fremantle and started a brothel in Roe-street, and the other two girls visited the place. In the day time it was visited by Chinese and Afghans, but the landlord, on finding what the girls were doing, turned them out. Then they took furnished rooms in various parts of the city. In the evening, well dressed, they would SAUNTER THROUGH THE STREETS and take men to the Esplanade, the Cathedral grounds or any other vacant block… Then Bailey went on, "I may tell your Worship that four years ago when I was stationed at Plympton I knew these girls well” ... Bertha Connor and Vera Matson, who said her father was a cook at East Fremantle, were sent to the Home of the Good Shepherd until their confinement is over. Mary Ahern said her parents were dead and Mr Roe, describing her as the worst of the lot, sent her to gaol for six months, and Myrtle Connor for three months; at which sentence May and Myrtle burst out crying. The police have to be warmly congratulated on their recent action. Eight well-dressed girls, the eldest 21, arrested for patrolling the streets, and six of them an a dreadful state of disease. Heaven alone knows how many of these "Black Angels" are still peregrinating the streets. (reference)

1908  May Ahern was 19 in 1908 and the courts pegged her as the worst of the lot. Apparently she was ‘brought into the game’ by a French prostitute named Amelia (or Amy) Basuto (various spellings)

Constable Fox told Mr. Roe that some ten months ago Ahern was leading a respectable life in service in Brisbane-street, but she got in tow with a girl named Basserta. Interpolated Mr. Roe: "She's inside, isn't she?" "No," replied the constable, "she's just out." The magisterial "umph" showed plainly his displeasure at knowing that Basserta was once more on the streets. (reference)

A self proclaimed prostitute - Nita Russell - taking a pimp to court, (mentions Myrtle Connor and May Perry) (reference)

1910 A WELD CLUB WAITER. At the Perth Police Court last Saturday morning a chinaman named See Wee appeared to answer the charge- that he being the occupier of premises in Garland Terrace frequented by prostitutes, was an idle and disorderly person... Houston deposed that for the past three weeks See Wee was a tenant of portion of the notorious premises and Myrtle Connor lived there with him. Passing along James-street  he saw two-well-known prostitutes, May Webb and May Ahearn of the Black Angels push leaving the premises ... He warned See Wee that if he permitted prostitutes to visit the place he would be prosecuted. In consequence of a complaint received from one of the neighbors, the two officers visited the place on the 4th inst, at 11 o'clock at night. There they found the accused, two other Chinamen, Myrtle Connor, May Ahearn and Vera Matson, the latter being in bed with one of the Chows. There were beer, bottles some empty, and some half full, on the kitchen table. The next day he obtained a warrant for the arrest of the lot, and went there about noon. Vera Matson and Myrtle Connor were there with two Chinamen on his arrival. While the girls were getting dressed, Nita Russell came to the place with the Chinaman robber, Jimmy Broad, for whom there was a warrant out. All these persons were arrested. (reference)

1912 Jollifications or Orgies - May Ahern was, at the Fremantle Police Court the other day, charged with being an idle and disorderly person. Mr Dixon Hearder appeared for the accused, and pleaded not guilty. The court was practically crowded, and several women, friends of the accused, were present. May appeared to be a young woman of about 23, was nicely dressed, and with features a good deal above the average. In short, at 18, she must have looked decidedly attractive, and even now her appearance belies the evidence tendered against her and her gaol record.

Constable O'Shea, the East Fremantle sleuth, and terror of evil doers, opened the attack. He said he arrested the accused on Saturday (9th inst). She had been knocking around East Fremantle off and on since October 5, frequenting a house there at the corner of Sewell and George streets. During her visits there, THE PLACE WAS FREQUENTED BY OTHER IMMORAL WOMEN and undesirable characters, including half-drunken sailors from Fremantle.

In consequence of complaints which had been made to him by respectable people in the vicinity, he visited the house on October 29. Besides Ahern there were three, Daisy Stabler, Bella Moora, Annie Douglas and a women named Callaghan; all were of ill-fame. He warned them to leave the house or there would be trouble. Ahern then left, but returned on the 6th inst. On the night of the 7th a disturbance occurred, in which Ahern, Stabler, May Franklin, Moore, Douglas, Mary Delaney, and a number of half-drunken sailors were concerned ... Constable Richardson said he knew accused for the last three years. During the past three weeks he had seen her on the streets on several occasions. On one occasion he saw her at the Oceanic Hotel with, some drunken sailors. SHE WAS IN A DISREPUTABLE CONDITION, partly intoxicated, and with her hair hanging down her back. He had seen her in company with other low women late at night. At no time had she any fixed place of abode, and she did not do any legitimate work. She lived in immoral life ... In Perth she had been convicted for frequenting Chinese dens.

For the defence, May entered the witness box, kissed the court Bible, and said she lived in Perth with her married sister, who resided near the Bunbury Bridge. It was not true that she frequented the streets of Fremantle. A few days ago she came down to visit some of her friends in East Fremantle. SOMETIMES THEY HAD A JOLLIFICATION. It was not immoral at all. and she had not been prostituting herself ... Mr Hearder addressed the bench, and said that the police did not know where accused was and what she was doing for a living from October 29 to November 6. Furthermore, the evidence went to show that she had been living with her sister, a married woman, and at the time of her arrest she was staying with a friend, also a married woman. the bench, thereupon decided to dismiss the case. (reference)

(The lawyer Dixon Hearder was born in Wales in 1879. He completed his legal training in Western Australia and had been practicing as a barrister for 12 years when he enlisted in early 1915, part of the second reinforcements for the 11th Battalion AIF and was commissioned as an officer. He served at Gallipoli, and was evacuated in July 1915 (reference)

The Webb Sisters

The Webb Sisters came from Albany- their father was William Heaton Webb, and mother was Lucy Mew. William Heaton Webb, was a transported convict who arrived in WA aboard the “Lycelles” in 1862. He eventually gained his freedom and married Lucy Mew-a local first nations woman, in Albany in 1875. Lucy was a minor and she was variously described as “Black Lucy”, “Half-caste” etc. William Heaton Webb became a respected member of the community in Albany and was highly regarded as a naturalist, botanist & taxidermist. Lucy was very involved in helping him collect specimens. They had 8 children; two sons and six daughters. He died in 1897 and is buried in the Albany Pioneer’s Cemetery.

Unfortunately, after his death, and without his protection against racism, it appears Lucy had some difficulty keeping her children – particularly the girls – on the straight & narrow.

The first time they are mentioned in the press was in February 1899 when Mildred Webb and Ralph Mason, described by the chairman of the Albany school board as wayward children, incorrigible truants, and beyond parental control, were committed to the Industrial School. (reference)

In 1900 Bella Webb (10 yrs), May Webb (8 yrs) & Florrie Dick were charged with desecrating a grave in Albany cemetery.  (Albany Advertiser, 16/10/1900 p 2) (reference)

In August 1901 the first of the sisters Mildred Webb (said to be 17- but more like 14) was found in the home of Mr and Mrs Burke (a brothel) in East Perth. She had come up from Albany nine weeks before and been 'in service’ ( reference) They were charged, on remand, with having no lawful visible means of support. Webb had already come to the attention of police and an endeavor had been made to keep her in a respectable home, but she would not stay. Magistrate Roe said “'I'm going to separate these girls- Webb, you can go to the Salvation Army Home until a- place is found for you. If you clear out, I'll send you to gaol”. TWO YOUNG GIRLS. STARTING BADLY. (reference)

In Jan 1908 Millie (18) and Bella (17) Webb were first picked up and charged with being idle and disorderly (read prostitution). They were also called ‘'Depraved women’'. (reference) and were given very harsh sentences- six months hard labour in Fremantle Prison (reference). this was probably more to do with Magistrates Roe’s horror of their consorting with ‘coloured’ men (reference), and especially, with Chinamen (the Chinese curse) - thereby becoming a ‘menace to white men’. (reference)

IMMORALITY- FOUR GIRLS SENTENCED. In the City Police Court, before Mr. A. S, Roe, P.M., this morning the four girls— Millie Webb, Bella Webb, Daphne Brown, and May Connor — who were remanded yesterday on the charge of being Idle and disorderly persons, once more appeared. The evidence tendered yesterday by the police and detective farce disclosed a shocking state of affairs, The four accused, it was stated, had been seen visiting the houses of Afghans, and consorting with Chinese in different parts of the city. The four girls yesterday were remanded till today to permit their being medically examined. This morning, when they filed into the dock, Mr, Roe announced that he would not disclose to the court the result of the medical examination. Taking their condition and everything else into consideration, he considered that the best treatment for the accused and the community would be to send the accused for a spell to Fremantle, The four accused burst into tears when Mr. Roe sentenced each of them to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. The Daily News, Wednesday 8 January 1908 p8 (reference)

The girls were released on June 15 1908 and there was a bizarre arrangement that they should leave town. (reference) However the girls did not have the cash for a steamer fare and were told to raise the money without going back on the streets. They were forced to go back before the court In July 1908… (reference)

The ALLEGED UNDESIRABLE WOMEN- Mildred, Bella, Maud, and Daphne Brown -stylishly dressed- found themselves released for 8 days then (reference) they were quickly charged again with being idle and disorderly women. (reference)

Frail Flossies have another Fly- Mildred Webb, Bella Webb and Daphne Brown, three members of "the Black Angels" push—each of them being fashionably attired and got up like pretty picture post cards—appeared in the Perth Police Court on Friday morning... (reference)

Mr. Hare, who appeared for the defence, pointed out that the Salvation Army was willing to take care of two girls, whilst the other two could get situations. Mr. Roe said he understood the police only wanted to keep the girls away from their old haunts. Mildred Webb and Bella Webb would be remanded till next week, and if they were taken care of by the Salvation Army nothing further would be done and Daphne Brown would also have a chance if she left for the country. Maud Webb would be- discharged. (reference)

30 Oct 1908 Hearing evidence that the girls ‘‘would not work, but frequented the houses of Chinamen, and smoked opium with them, Magistrate Roe did not believe the girls should be given another chance and all were given another 5 months sentence with hard labour. (reference)

1910 May Webb was named as a “'well-known prostitute’’ in the James-street area and one of the ‘‘Black Angels push’’. (reference)

1911 At the City Court today Violet Galvin was cautioned, Mildred Webb fined 15s., and Euphemia Fraser 10s. for having yesterday created a disturbance in the city, (reference)

1912- May Mueller Webb married William Herbert Lionel Hanstead in Perth.

May Hanstead (21) was fined £1, in default seven days' imprisonment, at the City Court to-day for having created a disturbance at her husband's shop in Beaufort-street yesterday (reference)

May bore a son Ronald in 1912. As his mother and father were regularly in prison he was probably given up for adoption and sent to the Swan Boys Orphanage. He was recorded there in 1926 ( reference)

It was difficult for May to escape the notoriety of having been a ‘black angel’ and in June 1914 May, now May Hanstead, was again charged:

Cleaning Up, BATCH OF VAGRANTS. These families have 'got books for themselves' remarked Sergt. Smythe as he handed to the Bench at the City Court today bulky records, In scheduled form, the history of May Hanstead (22) and Bella Webb (23). They were two of a number of vagrants who were arrested by the police last night in one of their periodical cleansing the streets campaigns. The Bench, Messrs, Hawkins and George, satisfied that the women were of the undesirable type, sentenced both women to three months' hard labor. (reference)

May Hanstead (22), Bella Webb (23). and Richard Biltson (23) were charged with being idle and disorderly persons. The evidence showed that the accused were living an immoral life. Hanstead and Webb were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour, and Biltson to four months imprisonment, with hard labour… (reference)

Dec 1915 Wm. H. Hanstead was charged with having assaulted May Hanstead, his wife, living at 80 Lake St, Perth, accusing her of taking his money and getting drunk and May was charged with vagrancy. He paid a fine and she was sent to prison for 2 months. (reference)

In May 1916 May (Marjory) Hanstead was involved in a case of robbery with violence when three young men, were charged with stealing £14 from Patrick Joseph Connolly, with violence, on April 22nd in Northbridge. May picked up the ‘innocent abroad’ and after having sex with him at the Tower Hotel, may have lured him into an place behind the Albany Bell tearooms on Melbourne Road, where he was bashed and robbed. May might have been under the influence of one of the men Frank Dixon who threatened her saying- "If I thought you told her anything I'd knock you out”… (reference)

William Herbert Hanstead enlisted in Nov 1916 to served during WW1 and was wounded in 1918. ( reference)

In an article in the Truth ( 14 June 1919 p 8) called ‘'A Black Angel’ a journalist questions the re-introduction of the EVIL FAME ACT- As an example he brings up a recent case at Fremantle:

A young woman, Marjorie Hanstead, otherwise May Webb, was brought up before the police court and charged "with being a person of evil fame, and therefore required to find sureties to 'be of good behavior." She was not charged with being a prostitute, a thief, or even a vagrant. She said she wasn't an evil person—not within the meaning, of the Act. anyway… (reference)

April 1920 ‘Herbert Hanstead’' was given two months imprisonment for stealing clothes from a Hospital. (reference)

November 1920- At the instance of the prosecution (represented by Sergeant Simpson) in Fremantle- the charge preferred against May Hanstead of having on October 30 attempted to commit suicide was withdrawn. (reference)

In March 1921 William Herbert Hanstead ( 22) -motor mechanic, was charged with stealing horse and cart. (reference) Hanstead pursued a long record of convictions until the early 1940s ( reference) In 1939 a judge said of Hanstead:

You have a record of convictions on all sorts of charges from 1922 to the present day-your offences Including larceny, theft, obscenity, disorderliness, stowing away, forgery, assaulting, unlawfully wounding, and resisting arrest. And now you have added to these offences perjury in your defence to the present charge. You are sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with hard labour. (reference)

1 May 1925 on the occasion of May Webb’’s birthday a fight broke out between the sisters and a Mr J Fallon, which they carried into the street:

Perth has many well known characters, as well as criminals, but-perhaps Melrude (Mildred?) Webb and (Mrs) Marjory Hanstead, who are known as the "Black Angels," can hold their own, at least in police circles. The "Black Angels" have made many an appearance at the City Courts during the last few years, and they again bowed to acting P-M. Kidson on Monday morning last, when they were charged with having, on May 1 last, at 48 Fitzgerald-street, used obscene language…Black Angels" have been known in Perth for just on 30 years. The "Black Angels" are appropriately named, for they are a long way from being full-blooded Britishers if the color of their skin can be taken as any criterion. (reference)

In 1927 Alice Mildred Webb died aged 40. In May 1933 May Mueller Hanstead died aged 41 years, in Perth. May Hanstead (nee Webb) died and was buried in an unmarked “paupers” site at Karrakatta.

The Friends of the late May Hanstead, late of 45 Fitzgerald-street, Perth, dearly loved mother of Ronald Hanstead are respectfully informed that her remains will be interred in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Karrakatta… (reference)

In 1947 Sister Robina Hall, of the Kalgoorlie District Hospital staff, married Mr. R. Hanstead, at Wesley Church, Kalgoorlie. (reference)

May 1913 It is a long while since the notorious Webb sisters, known more familiarly at one time as the "Black Angels," made such a showing* in the dock as they did at the Perth Police Court on Friday last. Three of them, Bella, Maud, and Mlliy were brought before Mr. Roe for being idle and disorderly persons. (reference)

1913 “Three Sisters charged. Bella (Mabel) Webb (22), Maud Webb (28), and Millie Webb (24), on the same charge, were stated by plainclothes Constable O'Donoghue to live on the proceeds of their immorality, and to conduct themselves in so disorderly a fashion in hotels in the city that the police had been forced to take action. Mr Hill, who appeared for Bella Webb, produced a man named Herbert Simon, who said that he had been keeping the accused for years.

“It wants some nerve to come forward and admit that one is keeping a woman of this class,” said Mr Roe to Simon. ''Not at all," rejoined Simon, "I have been keeping her straight." "It is not playing the game to carry on like this,” said Mr Roe, appealing to Bella Webb, when you have a chance of leading a comparatively respectable life. You are nine years older than you were twelve months ago. You are going fast to the dogs."

Plainclothes Constable Foley said that the women made hotels their rendezvous for vicious pastimes. He would describe all of them as highly dangerous. Simon, in the witness box, said that he was a scientific instrument maker, and earned from £3 15/ to £5 per week. 'Why don't you pick up a respectable girl, and get married?' asked Mr Roe. Simon said he had kept the girl straight, and did not see anything was to be gained by sending her to gaol. He would enter into a bond for her good behaviour in the future. Mr Roe said that he would give Bella Webb a chance, though he did not think she deserved it, and he was doing it for Simon much out of kindness. If she were found on the streets again she would be arrested and sent to gaol. The other accused would go to gaol for six weeks”. (reference)

Dec 1917 Bella Webb, 25 years old, told Police Magistrate Davies this morning at the City Court, that she had been trying to be good during the last few weeks. Webb was charged with vagrancy. She is said by the police to be ‘'one of the 'Black Angels,' She lived with her family in a house in Cole St, West Perth. She was kept by Roger Morrison (sic)

'I took a liking to the girl,', witness said, 'because she is a good-spoken and well-mannered girl. I told her that if she left her life behind I would keep company with her. She promised to go straight and cut out the drink. The clothes she wears, the bed she sleeps in, and the food she eats have been paid for by me.' (reference)

In 1918 Bella was named in Divorce proceedings between Violet and Roger Morrissey. Roger was said to have lived for about six weeks with Bella.

In December last a woman of the unfortunate class named Webb was proceeded against in the Police Court on a charge of vagrancy; and during the hearing of the case the respondent appeared in the Court as her "guide, philosopher and friend." He said he had taken a fancy to the woman, and wanted to reform her. Evidence in support of counsel's statement' was given by the petitioner. Sergeant Leen, who conducted the Police Court proceedings, said that the woman Webb, was of very bad character, and was known as one of the "Black Angels’’. (reference)

1921- Disorderly. Mary Hockley (36). Maud Webb (29), and Ellen Quinn (42). were charged with having caused a disturbance in William street, Perth. on Wednesday last. Webb was fined 40s. in default three days imprisonment, while Hockley and Quinn were sent to gaol for 14 days and one month Respectively. (reference)

The Connor Sisters:

Dec 1904 FREMANTLE POLICE COURT— ON THE ROAD TO RUIN. Bertha Connor and Myrtle Connor, aged 15 and 17 years respectively, were charged with having no visible means of support. PC Bailey stated that he had known both of the accused and their parents for the past five or six months ... For the past six weeks both accused had been about the streets, day and night, in company with two young men. The girls had called at the police station on several occasions, at one time at 1.30 in the morning, and asked the police to take them home, stating they were afraid to go home by themselves as they dreaded their father's displeasure ... About 3.30 in the morning of November 29 he found the two accused with two men in the scrub. They refused to go home. Sgt O'Halloran stated that as regarded the younger girl, he had been informed that she was under 16 years of age. He therefore asked leave to amend the charge as regarded her to one of being a neglected child. An officer of the Salvation Army expressed her willingness to take charge of the elder girl if the bench would permit her to do so. William Connor, the father of the girls, stated that the elder of the two, left home to go to a place about six weeks ago. Instead of doing so, however, she had 'knocked about' with a young man. On being told this by the police he got her another place, but she only stayed there a week, and then induced her sister to accompany her in her rambles. The girls were always well treated at home. The bench ordered the elder of the two, Bertha Connor, to be imprisoned for three months, but to be handed over to the Salvation Army if they would take her. Myrtle was ordered to the Industrial School until 16 years of age. On hearing the decision of the bench the two 'accused' sobbed bitterly.” (reference)

Jan 1908 IMMORALITY- FOUR GIRLS SENTENCED. In the City Police Court, before Mr. A. S, Roe, P.M., this morning the four girls— Millie Webb, Bella Webb, Daphne Brown, and May Connor — who were remanded yesterday on the charge of being Idle and disorderly persons, once more appeared. The evidence tendered yesterday by the police and detective farce disclosed a shocking state of affairs, The four accused, it was stated, had been seen visiting the houses of Afghans, and consorting with Chinese in different parts of the city. The four girls yesterday were remanded till today to permit their being medically examined. This morning, when they filed into the dock, Mr, Roe announced that he would not disclose to the court the result of the medical examination. Taking their condition and everything else into consideration, he considered that the best treatment for the accused and the community would be to send the accused for a spell to Fremantle, The four accused burst into tears when Mr. Roe sentenced each of them to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. The Daily News, Wednesday 8 January 1908 p 8 (reference)

March 1910 A WELD CLUB WAITER. At the Perth Police Court last Saturday morning a chinaman named See Wee appeared to answer the charge- that he being the occupier of premises in Garland Terrace frequented by prostitutes, was an idle and disorderly person... Houston deposed that for the past three weeks See Wee was a tenant of portion of the notorious premises and Myrtle Connor lived there with him…. the two officers visited the place on the 4th inst, at 11 o'clock at night. There they found the accused, two other Chinamen, Myrtle Connor, May Ahearn and Vera Matson, the latter being in bed with one of the Chows. There were beer, bottles some empty, and some half full, on the kitchen table… (reference)

For a great article deconstructing the criminalisation of women such as these read:  Straw, Leigh 2017, 'Outcast women: offending the good order in Fremantle, 1900-1939, Fremantle Studies, 9: 88-106. https://fremantlestuff.info/fhs/fs/9/Straw.html

Photo of Bella Webb, May Ahern and Amelia Basato from the WA State Records Office (Fremantle Prison Register of Female Prisoners 455F) thanks to Aidan Kelly

Thank you for fqmily information on the Webb Sisters from May Webb’'s grandson Garry Hanstead 2021. Garry hanstead <hanstead@ozemail.com.au>