David Johnston

In 1888 a new lockup was built at Mackay to house the increasing number of prisoners; its five cells and other buildings were surrounded by a high fence. In 1893 it was declared a prison by Queensland Legislation. In 1898 Acting Sergeant Johnston, sometimes known as Johnson, was gazetted Superintendent of the jail and was responsible to the Controller of Prisons.

On Sunday 26 October 1902, 12-year-old Alice Gunning disappeared on her way home from Mass. When her body was later found her head had been crushed with a rock. Suspicion for the crime fell on Sow-Too-Low, a Malaitian labourer who worked and lived at Habana. On the 29th he was arrested as he returned home. Sow-Too-Low was taken to the murder scene where he confessed to the crime and, after the committal proceedings, he was remanded in custody to stand trial and was put in the Mackay Prison. He mixed with other prisoners and it wasn't long before trouble began to brew. Sow-Too-Low's aversion to soap and water led to loud complaints from his fellow prisoners.

At 2.15pm on Sunday 29 March 1903, Sow-Too-Low attacked John Martin, a prisoner, with an axe, killing him with a vicious blow to the head. Acting Sergeant Johnston was called and came running into the yard; he was unarmed. When Johnston stooped over the body of the dead man with his back to the wood heap, Sow-Too-Low rushed him from behind and buried the axe into his head. Sow-Too-Low retreated to his cell after attempting unsuccessfully to attack another prisoner. Sergeant Ferguson and Constable Clulow managed to contain him there. On 12 May 1903 Sow-Too-Low was found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of Sergeant Johnston and John Martin. He was hanged on 22 June 1903 at Boggo Road Jail.