Category: Michael Howe

Articles pertaining to the Tasmanian bushranger Michael Howe and his confederates.

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Spotlight: Inquest on William Drew and other news (18/10/1817)

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On Wednesday sailed the ship Pilot, Captain PEXTON, for Port Jackson, having on board Colonel DAVEY, late Lieutenant Governor of the Colony, Mr. O’CONNOR, Lieut. STEWART, and Mr. WINDER. The following prisoners, lately committed to take their trial before the Criminal Court at Sydney, were sent up in this Vessel:- Collier, Hillier and Watts, the bushrangers; Clarke, Scott and two Crahans, for sheep stealing. A number of evidences on behalf of the Crown also went up in this vessel, amongst whom is Black Mary, a native of this Colony, who some time back was an active guide to the military parties in quest of the bush-rangers. Continue reading Spotlight: Inquest on William Drew and other news (18/10/1817)

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Spotlight: Execution of Richard Collyer (1818)

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The offence for which Collyer suffered, and the general outrage committed by the bush-rangers are too well known to need any retrospection or remark. That banditti is exinct, and will in future exist only in the recollection of the settlers whose peace and property they invaded. Continue reading Spotlight: Execution of Richard Collyer (1818)

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Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 8)

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In the epilogue of his biography of Michael Howe, James Calder sets the record straight on some of the falsehoods peddled by other writers, and goes into more detail about some of the other figures that appeared in Howe’s story such as Black Mary and James Geary. He concludes with a reflection on the nature of crime and punishment in colonial Australia, and its impact on crime. Continue reading Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 8)

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Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 6)

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In this installment we learn of Michael Howe’s solo career following his escape from Hobart, and the fatal incident involving his old companion Watts, and their mutual associate Slambo. We also learn of Howe’s brush with bushranger-to-be, Musquito. Continue reading Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 6)

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Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 5)

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In this installment, the gang continue to move in an effort to evade capture. We also learn more about “Mad Tom” Davey, the eccentric lieutenant governor, and the introduction of his successor, Sorell. Continue reading Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 5)

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Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 4)

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In this installment we learn of the death of Whitehead; Howe’s rise in the ranks; the gang on the run in 1816; gentlemanly (and not-so-gentlemanly) behaviour by the bushrangers; Colonel Davey’s direct pursuit of the outlaws in the bush; and the robbery of Stocker’s carts at Bagdad. Continue reading Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 4)

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Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 2)

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In part two of James Calder’s account of the life and times of Michael Howe, we learn about Howe’s time in the armed forces, which eventually led to his transportation as a convict. We also learn of how Howe fell into the bushranging game, the depredations committed by the bushrangers, and the government’s response. Continue reading Spotlight: EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 2)