Category: Article

Article, Michael Howe, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

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)

Article, New South Wales Bushrangers, SpotlightLeave a comment

Spotlight: Trial of Sam Poo for Wilful Murder (13/10/1865)

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John Clough was called, and deposed: I am in the employ of Mr. Plunkett, at Talbragar; I remember the day that constable Ward was shot; I saw the prisoner in that neighbourhood the day after Ward was shot; I was coming through the scrub, and I saw him covering me with a gun; he asked me where I was going, and on my telling him that I was going to Mr. Plunkett’s, he said, “Go on, or I will give you one too,” Pointing to the gun and a pistol that was lying near him on a log. The gun shown me (one that had been cut down in the barrel) is the gun he had; it had a piece of leather near the nipple like that now on the gun; I did not notice the pistol-could not swear it was a pistol; the prisoner was dressed in a serge shirt and corduroy trousers like those worn by the prisoner now; he had a hat like the prisoner’s.

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Article, Captain Thunderbolt, New South Wales Bushrangers, SpotlightLeave a comment

Spotlight: William Monckton (various excerpts)

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Among visitors at the Howell races on Monday last was Mr. William Monckton, interest in whose earlier career has been revived of late by the publication of his Narrative “Three Years with Thunderbolt’ in a city paper. It was a long while since our repre sentative had previously seen Mr. Monckton. Mr. Monckton informed us that a book dealing with the history of his adventures whilst with “Thunderbolt” will shortly be published. A sensational drama founded on the outlaw’s career is shortly to be staged at the Theatre Royal-Sydney, and it is not improbable that Mr. Monckton will add to the realism of its production by representing in his own person one of the characters in the play. Mr. Monckton looks well. He has led an uneventful life for a long time now, but we could not help observing that his old love for the race meeting is still uppermost, and he was an interested spectator at the good sport provided by tho Howell Jockey Club in celebration of Eight Hour Day.

Continue reading Spotlight: William Monckton (various excerpts)

Article, Daniel Morgan, Spotlight1 Comment

Spotlight: The Bushranger Morgan (23/09/1864)

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A party of police, consisting of Senior Sergeant Smyth, Senior Constable Baxter, Constables Connor, and Maguire, and a blackfellow named Jimmy Reed, were camped on Sunday night at Dougal’s Swamp, near Keighran’s station. They had just got tea, and were lying in the tent yarning, as is usually done by persons camped out. They had no sentry on guard – that duty being delayed until they “turned in” for the night. Suddenly their discourse was cut short by a volley being fired into the tent amongst them.

Continue reading Spotlight: The Bushranger Morgan (23/09/1864)

Article, Captain Thunderbolt, SpotlightLeave a comment

Spotlight: Capture of Mason, the mate of Thunderbolt (21/09/1867)

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It seems that when constables Lynch and McCausland came upon Ward, Mason, and the mistress of the former on the Borah Ranges, they directed their efforts almost exclusively to the apprehension of Thunderbolt, but he managed to escape with the loss of the spare horse he was leading. Mason could have been then arrested had the police been as anxious for his apprehension as for Ward’s, but as he was not such a dangerous character, he was temporarily allowed to escape.

Continue reading Spotlight: Capture of Mason, the mate of Thunderbolt (21/09/1867)

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Spotlight: Extracts from Australian, (10/09/1830)

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It does not appear to be as yet quite certain, whether the man shot dead last week, by one of the mounted police, and reported to be Donohoe, is, after all, the real Donohoe, as several persons, of tolerable veracity, who say they knew Donohoe well, having inspected the corpse, do not hesitate to affirm that he is not the man some people would take him for.

Continue reading Spotlight: Extracts from Australian, (10/09/1830)

Article, Spotlight, Victorian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: The Melbourne Private Escort Robbery (03/09/1853)

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R.— Intelligence reached Melbourne, yesterday of the self-destruction of John Francis, the approver in the Escort robbery. The affair occurred yesterday morning at the Rocky Water Holes, a few miles from Melbourne, and from what can be as yet ascertained, it appears that Francis and the other persons in custody on their way to Melbourne, stopped at the Water Holes on Monday night.

Continue reading Spotlight: The Melbourne Private Escort Robbery (03/09/1853)

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Spotlight: The Private Escort Robbery. Examination of the Prisoners. (30/08/1853)

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Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 – 1856), Tuesday 30 August 1853, page 1 THE PRIVATE ESCORT ROBBERY. EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS. The following prisoners (handcuffed) were placed at the bar, viz.:—George Elston, George Melville, George Wilson. William Atkins, Edward McEvoy, and Robert Harding. Agnes Atkins, charged as an accessory, was allowed a chair. Mr. Read complained to the court that his clients were placed at the bar in shackles, which was a breach of the constitutional laws of England. The bench declined to make any order with reference to Mr Read’s remarks. Mr. James Ashley, sworn — From … Continue reading Spotlight: The Private Escort Robbery. Examination of the Prisoners. (30/08/1853)

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Spotlight: “Mr. Speaker’s” Reminiscences (27/08/1907)

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“Bushrangers! Yes, I had to see Power, the notorious bushranger, on one occasion. There was a dispute, as to who captured him, and I represented Mr. Charles Hope Nicholson in the matter, I saw Power at Pentridge. When first he was pointed out to me I thought he was a small man, whereas I always understood he was very big. But when I got close to him I discovered my mistake, for he towered over me. His enormous breadth detracted from his height. He told me that Ned Kelly deserved to be taken, as he ‘peached’ on him.” Continue reading Spotlight: “Mr. Speaker’s” Reminiscences (27/08/1907)