In this episode we head back to earlier and perhaps simpler times to 1854 and Little Bourke street in Melbourne.

Luke and Mary Lucas had immigrated to Australia in 1849 with hopes of a better life.

In 1852 the Lucas family moved to the Little Bourke Street area of Melbourne.

But by November 1854, both Mary and Luke would be dead leaving three children as orphans.

What happened to cause Luke to take up an iron bar against his wife resulting in Mary’s murder and Luke’s execution.

Was it the debauched life they both led in keeping a brothel or the intemperance pointed out by Judge Redmond Barry.

Join Deb on Locked up with History for the story of Mary and Luke Lucas