Category: Article

Spotlight: William Monckton (various excerpts)

Manilla Express (NSW : 1899 – 1954), Saturday 7 October 1905, page 4

WILLIAM MONCKTON.

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. — Inverell Times.

Warialda Standard and Northern Districts’ Advertiser (NSW : 1900 – 1954), Tuesday 10 October 1905, page 3

WILLIAM MONCKTON.

Among visitors at the Howell races on Monday last, (says Wednesday’s “Inverell Times”) 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 representative had previously seen Mr. Monckton. He was then under arrest, having surrendered to the police voluntarily. Now he is a well-respected resident of the district, a man anyone would trust with their last coin. Mr. Monckton informed us that a book dealing with the history of his adventures whilst with Thunderbolt would shortly he 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 the Howell Jockey Club in celebration of Eight Hour Day.

Uralla Times (NSW : 1923 – 1954), Thursday 8 October 1931, page 1

THUNDERBOLT.

LECTURE BY WILLIAM MONCKTON.

His first public speeches in a life of almost 80 years were made by Mr. William Monckton on Saturday last, at Uralla Picture Theatre.

Mr. Monckton, who, as a boy, spent years with Thunderbolt, consented to lecture on his experiences, to help the funds of Armidale hospital, and accordingly addressed gatherings during the afternoon and night.

The addresses were given in conjunction with a splendid, educational film, “The Romance of the Reaper,” showing the amazing development of harvesting machinery in the past hundred years.

The Secretary of the hospital, who was introduced by Mr. A. L. Munro, thanked Uralla Pictures Ltd. and the I. H. Co., and McRae’s Ltd., for assistance in connection therewith, the Uralla Workers’ Union for foregoing their weekly dance, and last, but, not least, Mr. Monckton for giving his address.

“I am glad to be here to show appreciation on behalf of the hospital,” said the Speaker. “It exists for all those who can’t pay, as well as those who can — and so far it has paid its way, but now it needs assistance more then ever before.”

Mr. R. G. Crapp as chairman, in his usual breezy style, referred to the wide spread interest in Uralla on account of its being the centre of many of Thunderbolt’s exploits and of his death. Visitors from all parts left notes, many of them in terms, of endearment, on Thunderbolt’s grave. “You couldn’t apply them to the bushrangers of to-day”‘ added Mr .Crapp.

Mr. Monckton’s story, which in the main followed that given by him to Ambrose Pratt for the book “Three Years with Thunderbolt,” threw fresh light on various incidents during those three years, but chiefly on the animosity between him and his stepfather and on the identification of Thunderbolt’s body at Uralla after the outlaw had been shot by Constable Walker.

Mr. Monckton told how his father died when he was but five years of age, and some time later his mother married again, more for the children’s sake than her own. From the first his stepfather treated him with the utmost harshness and, failing to enforce obedience otherwise, tried to do so by claiming that he was really his son. This final insult, hotly resented, also failed and acts of fiendish cruelty followed. Several times he ran away, only to be dragged back and flogged. In his last attempt to escape, his father learned of his hiding place, and, with capture imminent he fled for protection to Thunderbolt, who was camped in the vicinity.

Thus began his three years career of adventure, which ended when he left Thunderbolt, gave himself up, and was released for good conduct after serving fourteen months of his sentence of three years.

Stories circulated at the time of Thunderbolt’s death (1) That the man shot was not Thunderbolt, (2) that Mr. Monckton was a prisoner when he identified him, were given the lie direct. He was on his way home, a free man, when Supt. Brown, of the Armidale police galloped up to ask him to view the body, which he did. At his direction the police looked for and found certain old bullet wounds and he further identified the dead man by marks on his hat. “If anyone still maintains that Thunderbolt was not shot, let them tell us where he is, or what became of him,” he challenged.

“Finally, if anyone thinks I have been in the slightest degree a desperate character since that time, they are invited to make inquiries in the Inverell district centres I have lived in ever since,” said Mr. Monckton.

Rousing applause greeted Mr. Monckton at the close of his address.

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

McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 – 1918), Friday 23 September 1864, page 3

THE BUSHRANGER MORGAN.

The following more detailed accounts of the shooting of Sergeant Smyth by Morgan is from a Gundagai paper:— 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. Sergeant Smyth immediately jumped to his feet, calling on his men to follow him – he firing two shots in the direction he fancied the volley came from. The men who rushed out of the tent immediately after him, scoured the bush in every direction, as well as the darkness would allow them, but failed to find any traces of the ruffians; but, from the tracks discovered at daylight next morning, they must have overrun the bushrangers in the dark. They remained in the scrub about an hour, when they, after some consultation, deemed it better to return to the tent, which, considering that the night was dark, and the surrounding scrub would completely shelter the attacking party, was, to say the least, attended with some danger. Baxter and Connor crawled on their hands and knees to the tent, and found Smyth lying on his back dangerously wounded, and fast bleeding to death. They took everything out of the tent; and, having covered poor Smyth up in the few blankets they had, they managed to convey him to Keighran’s station, he still bleeding and suffering great pain, where they remained until day light. Constable Baxter and the black fellow then took up the track near the tent, and started to follow the ruffians up. The other two constables proceeded to the Ten Mile Creek, to give information and obtain medical aid for Smyth. Superintendent McLerie who was proceeding to Sydney on sick leave, happened to be at that place; and he immediately ordered his buggy to be taken off its springs, and the body to be used as a stretcher to convey Smyth to Ten Mile Creek. From the position of the bullet holes in the tent, there cannot have been less than five bushrangers. There are seven bullet holes in the tent; the bullets were picked up inside of it, some of them belonging to a large bore pistol. Constable Connor had a very narrow escape. He was lying down, leaning on his elbow, in the tent, when one of the balls went through the sleeve of his coat, inflicting a slight wound about two inches above the elbow joint. Superintendent McLerie has deemed it necessary to return to Albury for the present. Sub-inspector Morrow and a party of police have started from Albury in pursuit of the bushrangers; and Sub-inspector Zouch has left Wagga Wagga on similar duty. A strange incident occurred in connection with this cowardly attack. Shortly after the party were camped, two men came up and were admiring the site chosen for the camp, remarking that they could not have chosen better. They are well known as bush “telegraphs,” being the two men to whose house Sergeant Carroll traced Morgan some time back. Sergeant Smyth’s wound is a very dangerous one. The ball entered immediately above the nipple of the left breast, following the course of the ribs, and came out under the left shoulder-blade; so that, while the wound may not be considered mortal, yet fatal results may ensue from it. The people are greatly excited on this muderous attack, which in cold-blooded treachery far surpasses the Lachlan escort robbery. — Age.

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

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 – 1861; 1863 – 1889; 1891 – 1954), Saturday 21 September 1867, page 4

Epitome of News

CAPTURE OF MASON, THE MATE OF THUNDERBOLT.

(From last Saturday’s Tamworth Examiner.)

The mate of the notorious Thunderbolt, the youth Mason, has fallen into the hands of the police, and is now safely lodged in the gaol at Tamworth.

In a late issue we gave some of the particulars of a chase by the police of Ward and Mason in the Borah Ranges, and expressed an opinion that the pursuit would probably result in the capture of either one or other of these worthies, and such has proved to be the case. 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. During the pursuit Ward and Mason got separated, and from that time until the latter was arrested, they did not again meet. Mason, believing his mate had fallen into the hands of the police, started off as rapidly as possible from the scene of the encounter, and made his way to Bunnawannah station, and thence to the station of Mr. William Dangar, and the Old Oreel, about thirty-five miles from Millie. He was riding a horse of Mr. Pringle’s, and on reaching Millie the animal knocked up, and Mason then threw away his arms and the saddle and bridle, and proceeded the rest of the distance to Oreel on foot. He got to the station on the morning of the 3rd inst.

In the meantime the police had received information of his presence in the neighbourhood of Millie, and Senior-constable Connerty, of Narrabri, and other members of the force, started in pursuit.

On reaching Millie they separated, Connerty taking the bush in the direction of Oreel. He camped some distance from the station on the evening of the 3rd, and early next morning proceeded up to the station, and seeing Mason there, at once arrested him. He admitted he was the person the constable was in search of, and also that he had been engaged with Thunderbolt in a mail robbery. On searching him, cheques to the amount of upwards of £99 were found in his possession, which had been taken from the Merriwa mail. He was conveyed to Narrabri, and from thence to Tamworth, where he arrived on Sunday last.

His name is Thomas Mason, and he seems to be about 16 years of age. He is of slight build, fair complexion, and not by any means tall for his age. There does not appear to be any trace of insanity about him, as was at one time reported, nor any-thing in his outward appearance to indicate criminal propensities. He states that he was apprenticed out of the Orphan School to a Mr. Shaw, in the employment of Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., of Sydney, at the age of 12 or 13 years. He remained with him some time, when he left and proceeded up country. He changed his employers frequently, the last he had being Edwards, and with whom he says he was engaged fencing, when he took up with Thunderbolt. He says be did not at first know who Thunderbolt was; that the latter represented himself as a squatter, and engaged him (Mason) to assist in taking a mob of horses overland. He soon, however, became aware of the character of his new employer, and after having witnessed the first robbery, did not have any compunction at adopting a bushranger’s life.

He was brought before the Police Court on Tuesday last, and remanded on five charges of highway robbery.

We compile the following from the various journals to hand :—

[…]

The ‘ Yass Courier’ reports the capture of three of the “Blue Cap” gang of bushrangers, namely Jack-the-devil, Duce, and an aboriginal named Jemmy. This leaves two others at large. The gang, after the attack on the Narrandera mail, near Nariah, were so closely persued by the police that they took to the “Levels,” where they know the country well. Here, on Saturday, 31st August, senior-constable Usher, and constables Little and White, after a long gallop, succeeded in getting up to them, and the three bushrangers, on being called on to surrender, immediately did so, without attempting any opposition.

[…]

The ‘South Australian Register‘ says: —Captain Barber, of the steamer Providence, reports being stuck up by three bushrangers near one of the sheep-stations on the Darling. He had come on shore from the steamer, and was proceeding to the station for the purpose of transacting business, when he was stopped by three fellows who were splendidly mounted. One of them demanded whether he was the captain of the steamer, and whether they had any money on board. They went on board the vessel, but would not go below, and left without any booty.

[…]

Bromley, the victim of the Rokewood outrage in Victoria, has died of the injuries received. His dying deposition accused Whelan, the man now in custody, of having committed the offence.

[…]

The ‘Braidwood Dispatch‘ says:— We understand that James Clarke, the only surviving brother of the outlaw, and who was convicted at the March Sessions in 1865 for passing notes stolen from the Queanbeyan mail, and who was sentenced, by his Honor Judge Meymott, to three years’ hard labour on the roads, has been discharged from custody.

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Spotlight: An Interior Settlement of White People (19/09/1828)

Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 – 1842), Friday 19 September 1828, page 2

With the following article, an intelligent Correspondent, who was himself one of the victorious party, as well as among the sufferers by the late robberies in the New Country, has obligingly favored us. The same Correspondent most solemnly assures us, that he is quite convinced of the existence of an interior settlement of white people!!! The blacks speak of it with certainty. We shall now give the account in his own words:—

During the last month, a desperate party of bushrangers has been committing a series of depredations in the neighbourhood of Bathurst, and among the out-stations of the settlers. The establishments of Messrs. Arkell, West, Armstrong, James Hassall, Dr. Harris, H. O’Brien, and T. Mein, have been respectively plundered. The party, at the robbery of Mr. Hassall’s station, were five in number, and all well armed. Before the stores were surrendered, three men inside the hut defended themselves to the last shot, and were at last obliged to surrender, on account of the bushrangers placing the other men belonging to the station opposite the door, and daring the offenders to fire on their own men.

Stores to a very considerable amount were then taken, consisting of sugar, tea, tobacco, soap, clothing, fire-arms, &c. &c. The men were obliged to wait upon the banditti, making tea, cooking mutton chops, and bringing up the horses, three of which, together with a servant, they took away. The next morning the servant and one horse returned; and a stockman of Mr. S. Hassall was pressed to assist in driving the two horses, and two of Mr. West’s bullocks. Information was immediately sent to Bathurst, distant 70 miles from the station, to inform the Police. Serjeant Wilcocks, Corporal Prosser, and four privates, were immediately dispatched by Lieut. Brown, to pursue the robbers. Mr. H.’s robbery took place on the 22d of August.

On the 27th the soldiers were on the spot; and were joined the same evening by Messrs. Hassall and Walker, who had returned from a sheep station, about 80 miles farther in the interior. The next day the Police, Messrs. H. and W. with two servants, began the pursuit. At the same moment Mr. S. Hassal’s men, with the two horses returned. The bushrangers had now got six days start; but from the returned man the Serjeant learnt the spot on which the robbers encamped two nights after the robbery. An aboriginal was now wanted to track them; and on the second day’s march one was found. On the 30th the track of the bushrangers was frequently met with; and in the afternoon of the 31st five additional aborigines joined the party to track “the croppies.” The tracking now proceeded at the rate of four miles in the hour, till sun-down. Being near Mr. Hassal’s outermost station, fresh supplies were taken in, and the number of guides reduced, in order to furnish the means of longer pursuit. The Police gained only a few miles this day, on account of the difficulty of tracking over Dr. Harris’s cattle run. After ten hours incessant work the party encamped.

Early on the 2d Sept. the march commenced, and in proceeding over Cunningham’s Plains to the sheep station of Dr. Harris, all hopes of finding the tracks were nearly lost. Success, however, at length crowned the assiduous labours of the natives, who followed the tracks to the hut of Dr. Harris’ men. From this station three men joined the bushrangers, who took the liberty of tasting a sheep of the Doctor’s flock. The Police party recruited their stock of flour; and after gaining all the information the men were willing to give, continued the march to Mr. H. O’Brien’s station. Here the bushrangers had made free with three sheep, three men, one pack bullock, and some sundries, and made a promise to be considerably more free with some fat oxen and dairy cattle. Night prevented a more continued march.

On the 3d, breakfast was over, fresh supplies taken in, and all ready to march at the first dawn. Mr. Gregson, Mr. O’Brien’s overseer, here joined the party. An aboriginal belonging to this part of the country happened to meet with “the croppies,” and took the Police, and their black guides, to the place where he saw them; and by this opportunity a day’s march was gained. About noon a recent encampment of the bushrangers was discovered; the ashes were warm; a kangaroo dog, stolen from Mr. O’B. was also found lying beside it. The tracking operations were continued in the greatest possible silence; not a word spoken but in a whisper. About three in the afternoon, the blacks passed the word – “smoke” – “bullo bullock” – “make a light, croppy sit down.” Serjeant Wilcocks gave them the orders for the attack, expecting to meet with eleven, but only two were at the fire, playing at cards, and cooking a pot of mutton, upon whom a charge was made. They ran; and before they surrendered were both slightly wounded with balls and sword cuts in several places. The prisoners informed the Serjeant that the party was reduced to nine, and that the other men were then on a robbing expedition to Mr. Mein’s station. Serjeant Wilcocks then divided the party; him-self, two privates, and Mr. Hassal, took a station where they could at the same time keep an eye on the property that had been retaken, and on a passage that led to Mr. Mein’s. Corporal Prosser, two privates, Mr. Gregson, and Mr. Hassal’s servant, were stationed convenient to the route the bush-rangers had taken in the morning. Mr. Walker and servant had the custody of the two prisoners. About an hour elapsed when Mr. Hassall discovered the captain of the banditti, six others, a small pack of kangaroo dogs, and a bullock laden with the spoils of the expedition. The captain, soon perceived the Serjeant’s party, called his men together, threw up his hat, and called to the Police that they were ready. “Surrender” was out of the question. Hard firing commenced. The Police were soon together; but could not prevent the bushrangers ascending a very steep rocky precipice. Shelter was at once secured to the bushrangers behind the rocks, where the horses could not reach. Beaten from one fortress, another presented itself immediately; and retreat and fight was the order of the evening, till the want of day-light, and perhaps of ammunition, produced a cessation of hostilities. All the bushrangers escaped; none of the Police were hurt.

Soon as the party had boiled some tea, the fire was put out, some refreshment was hastily taken, the property and horses secured, the sentinels placed at a convenient distance, and “all hands on the look-out” for morning, or an attack from the bushrangers. At midnight it began to rain which was the first wet lodgings for the party. Early the next morning a party of the Police and a black ascended the hills, in order to secure the tracks, but the rain had effaced all traces of them. It was then agreed to find Mr. Mein’s station; and in search for it the party met the captain; a ball had passed through both thighs in the previous engagement. The trowsers, waistcoat, coat, and hat he wore, belonged to Mr. Hassall, a silk handkerchief to Mr. H’s servant, and shirt to Mr. Walker.

“The most notorious “Donohoe” is one of this party. During the engagement one of the bushrangers was seen to fall by three of the party that went with the Police, who, at that time, was wearing the hat and coat taken upon the captain. It is thought, from this fact, that one was killed, and removed by his companions. These mistaken and dangerous men were going to make an establishment of their own, about 300 miles in the interior, where, they maintain, exists a settlement of white people.”

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

Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 – 1848), Friday 10 September 1830, page 2

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. Others maintain a contrary story.

The facts of the rencontre seem to be these:—A part of the mounted police, under Sergeant Hodgson, 57th regt. with two constables, who, were beating about the bush on the first instant, perceived three men and a pack horse, about a mile and a half distant. They pursued, the sergeant and two men taking a direction to the left, and the others to the right. The latter party got within a hundred yards of the trio unperceived, when one, the reputed Donohoe, started up, exclaiming “Come on ye cowardly rascals, we are ready, if there is a dozen of you.” The three bushrangers then entrenched themselves each behind a tree, and challenges mutually passed between the soldiers and them. It was half an hour or nearly before one of the soldiers fired, the ball from his piece shivering the bark of the tree behind which Webber, one of the bushrangers, stood. Another shot was fired, and two of the bushrangers fired also. In about a minute more, John Maclestone, one of the mounted police, fired, when the reputed Donohoe fell. On seeing the fate of their comrade, the two survivors beat a retreat, leaving behind their pack horse and baggage, which contained about 1 cwt. and a half of flour, some meat, wearing apparel, transfers, grants, and deeds of land, and a watch. The papers had been stolen from Pegley, a settler at Prospect.

The reputed Donohoe, was reckoned only to be 23 years of age, when he received the fatal ball, low of stature, but with limbs thick set, and a countenance bearing the impress of strong passions, and a determined spirit. His accomplices, who were stated to be Walmsley and Webber, it is reported, in the retreat, committed a house robbery, and on Monday afternoon, stopped Messrs. Erskine and Scott, as they were driving in a gig towards Parramatta, about a mile beyond longbottom; but on discovering Mr. Scott, Webber saying he was once his assigned servant, allowed them to go on. A strong party of police was immediately despatched, but they scoured the road during a good part of that night and Tuesday, without success.

A hut on the Dog Trap farm was on Wednesday reported to, the chief constable at Parramatta, to have been broken into and robbed by two men, one of them answering to the description of Webber. It is about this part of the road soldiers and constables should keep a good look out, and along the less frequented parts of the Liverpool-road, instead of the vicinity of government stations and public houses.

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

Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 – 1860), Saturday 3 September 1853, page 1

THE MELBOURNE PRIVATE ESCORT ROBBERY

From our Melbourne exchanges we extract the following, having reference to the progress of the investigation pending before thc authorities:—

SUICIDE OF FRANCIS, THE APPROVER.— 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. About eleven o’clock yesterday morning, Francis, by some means not yet ascertained, picked up a razor at the lock-up, which he appears to have secreted on his person, and having occasion to visit the water-closet, got in behind it, and there cut his throat. Two constables were supposed to have charge of him at the time, and the first intimation they had of the occurrence (though they were within a few paces of him at the time), was suddenly hearing a gurgling in the throat, and on running to ascertain what was the matter, found Francis with his throat cut almost from ear to ear. He walked about 12 paces and then dropped dead. How his death will affect the prosecutions for the Crown, is more than we are at present in a position to say. — Melbourne Herald, August 25th.

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS. — Yesterday at the District Police Court, the following prisoners charged with being concerned in the robbery of the Private Escort Company, were brought up handcuffed for examination:— George Elston, Robert Harding, Edward McEvoy, George Wilson, George Melville, and William Atkyns. Agnes Atkyns, his wife, was also accused of being an accessary after the fact. The female prisoner was greatly excited, and was accommodated with a seat under the Bench. She frequently interrupted the proceedings by her sobs, when the evidence was such as to affect her husband.

Mr. Read appeared for the prisoners, and applied to have their handcuffs removed, which was immediately done. He then stated that he had been refused all intercourse with his clients, and prayed for permission to put himself in communication with them, which was granted.

John Francis, brother to the suicide-approver, was admitted as evidence on the part of the Crown, and after a long examination, the Bench remanded the three prisoners Harding, McEvoy, and Elston, for one week, but would allow them bail, themselves in £200, and two sureties in £100 each. The rest of the prisoners the Bench did not feel the least hesitation in committing to take their trial in a higher Court.

When the prisoners were about to be removed, the wretched woman made an attempt to reach her husband, but was prevented by the constables. She pleaded hard to be allowed to speak to him for one moment, saying she would then go where they liked, but the indulgence was not allowed her.

THE PRIVATE ESCORT ROBBERY. — There is something extraordinary connected with this affair, as it now turns out that all the information given by the suicide approver (George Francis), proves to be pure fabrication, and the four men arrested by the detective police at the diggings are supposed to be quite innocent of the crime imputed to them. We may, however, state that Francis’s brother (John) has now, in his turn, become informer, and by means of his evidence it is supposed five men will be convicted. Four of them are now in custody in Melbourne, and the fifth, named Sam Grey, is reported to have been arrested in Portland where he was committed for another offence, but confessed his participation in the Escort robbery. It is now ascertained that the gang originally consisted of only six persons, and should such be the case, the five men above mentioned and the informer will be found to make the whole. — Melbourne Herald, August 26th.

THE PRIVATE ESCORT. — We regret to learn that this enterprising little company is about to be wound up, in consequence of a want of a sufficient support from the public. By the way, the £6,000 in hard cash found upon the men in custody for robbing the Escort, will, it is supposed, in the event of their conviction, (of which, we are glad to hear, there can be little or no doubt,) be handed over to the Company, who would rateably divide it among the parties who had sent their gold down on the occasion of this robbery. — Ibid.

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

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 information I received, I proceeded on board the barque Collooney, and I made a search in one of the cabin’s, where I found a leather trunk which contained two parcels of sovereigns, viz.:— one containing £103 10s in gold; the other containing 720 sovereigns; amongst other things I found several papers and receipts, bearing the name of George Melville; on the 12th August, I went to the house of a man named John Atkins, where I saw the prisoner, William Atkins; I arrested him and told him the nature of the charge against him; searching him I found a draft on the Bank of Australia (Sydney) for £400; we went into an adjoining room, where we saw the female prisoner; I asked if she had any money, and she admitted having some, and I took from her pocket a parcel containing £81 10s. in gold and a dress lying over a barrel. I took hold of it, when she snatched it out of my hand; I snatched back the dress, and on searching I found, in the lining, a draft on the New South Wales Bank, (Sydney) for £700, payable to Agnes Mclaughlin; on searching Atkins, the male prisoner, I found on him a receipt for money paid for cabin passages of Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, in the Hellespont, steamer, to Sydney; about eight o’clock the same evening I went to the North Star Hotel, where I arrested George Melville.

Hindle Thompson sworn — I am a detective policeman; and on the 11th August, I was aboard the ship Madagascar where I arrested prisoner George Wilson; I found 302 sovereigns on his person.

Samuel Davis, sworn — I am a trooper in the Private Escort; yesterday, the 24th August, I went to the Melbourne gaol, I recognized two men whom I believe to have been amongst the parties who attacked us; the prisoner Melville, and the second approver.

Mr. McMahon, deposed as follows — On or about the 12th August, I sent for the younger Francis, in order to hold some private conversation with him; when he came to my office, I told him, as he might see by the notices posted on the gates, that one of the parties concerned in the outrage would receive a free pardon, a passage out of the colony, and £500, on turning approver; after considerable hesitation he admitted that he was one of the party who attacked the Private Escort, and also informed me of the names of the others who were his companions on that occasion, and he assisted in their apprehension; the names of the whole party, as he gave them, were:— George Francis (himself), John Francis. Joe Grey alias another named Billy, Bob Harding, George Elton, George Melville, George Wilson, two others, names unknown; I promised him that I would not use his evidence against his brother.

At this stage of the proceedings, the second approver was introduced into the court, and as may be expected, was an object of universal attention. Dark and bitter were the scowls of hate and vengeance darted at him by some of the prisoners; but he appeared comparatively unmoved, and gave the following evidence in a calm and firm, though low tone of voice.

My name is John Francis, and I arrived in Van Diemen’s Land under a sentence of ten years’ transportation. My sentence has not yet expired, but will in September. On the 20th July last, I left the McIvor in company with my brother, George Wilson, George Melville, William Atkins, and Joseph Grey. Of these I now recognise Melville, Wilson, and Atkins, as three of the party named. We went through the bush towards the Mia Mia Inn, and stopped on the side of the road a few miles from the inn. We soon after heard the Private Escort coming up, and it was now between ten and eleven in the morning. The Escort troop was coming up from McIvor, and (I believe) going towards Kyneton. Previous to this we arranged a few branches of trees, and placed two men behind, the rest of them (and I) being stationied behind trees about thirty yards higher up the road. I heard some person of the Escort cry halt; and on looking out, I saw some of the troopers firing at the two men behind the branches. We then, the rest of us, rushed down to their assistance. We all challenged the Escort men to stand, when they refused, and fired on us, when a general fight commenced. I fired at the Escort troop, and observed four of the troopers wounded; two of the latter escaped, and were followed by two of us. viz., myself and the prisoner Wilson, calling upon them to surrender. They replied by shooting at us, and galloping away. I and Wilson then went down the road, and gathering up all the fire-arms we could see, we followed Atkins, Melville, Grey, and George Francis, who preceded us in the bush, whither the boxes of gold had been carried, and we then took the gold out of the boxes. It was whilst I and Wilson were after the two men that the gold had been removed from the dray. Where the gold was taken out of the boxes was some 20 yards from off the road, in the bush; and after doing so, we travelled about seven miles through the country that day, and camped in the bush. We resumed our route on the following morning, having first divided the gold. We passed the second night by a river’s side, on Mollison’s run, and continued our route in the same direction, always keeping the bush and avoiding the road. The next night we passed in the bush, near Kilmore, and then, on the Sunday morning, we all left together for Melbourne, but separated on coming to the Rocky Water Holes, Grey and George Francis accompanying me into Melbourne. That night we reached town, and proceeded to my house, at Collingwood Flat, where I saw Wilson and Atkins, it being previously arranged that we were to meet there. They remained at my house all night, and on the Tuesday after Atkins left for the digging, Grey and Wilson remaining with me. On the day before I was apprehended, I saw the prisoner Melville in Melbourne, when he told me he was going to the Mauritius; about seven days after leaving town, Atkins returned from the diggings, and I saw him in town; he told me that he had been to the McIvor; the last time I saw Grey he said he was going to Adelaide; the prisoner, I, and my brother were to have started for England in the Madagascar, and we had accordingly engaged passages in that vessel; I was soon after apprehended on a charge of stealing a pistol, and was subsequently remanded for robbing the Escort; the last time I saw George Francis was in this court; since which time I have had no communication with him; I sent a message to Captain McMahon, from the gaol; and I subsequently told him all the proceedings; the confession was voluntary on my part, and there was no inducement held out to me: after the confession, Captain McMahon told me that he would send me a free man from the colony, with my wife; on arranging for this attack we had resolved, if possible, not to take human life; for we thought we could get the gold without firing; I did not see any of our party shoot at the men in advance; the first firing was commenced by the escort party.

Mr. Read submitted that there was no case whatever against Mrs. Atkins; then, as to the prisoners McEvoy, Elson, and Harding, that there was not a particle of proof against them.

Captain McMahon was informed that the man Grey had been arrested in Portland, and confessed the crime; as to Harding, Elson, and McEvoy, he thought there must be some mistake; they had been taken into custody on the statement of the former Francis, and he (Capt. M.) did not believe them to have been implicated in the robbery. The Bench decided upon remanding the prisoners, McEvoy, Elson, and Harding, for one week; and committed Melville, Wilson, and Atkins, to take their trial for shooting at and robbing the private escort, and Atkins’ wife as an accessory after the fact. The prisoners were then removed in custody. — Herald.

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Spotlight: Suicide of this notorious Captain Melville (29/08/1857)

Note: The following article discusses suicide in a frank and forensic manner. Some readers may wish to avoid reading further if they are sensitive to such topics. – AP

Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 – 1861), Saturday 29 August 1857, page 4

SUICIDE OF THIS NOTORIOUS CAPTAIN MELVILLE.

This notorious criminal committed suicide on Wednesday morning last by strangling himself in his cell with a handkerchief. We quote from the Herald of the following day :—

“There can be very little doubt that Melville was Francis McCullum, though he always disputed the identity, who was transported to Van Dieman’s Land by the Minerva, in 1838, having been convicted at Perth on 3rd October, 1836, of house breaking, and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. He had been previously convicted. On the 3rd February, 1853, Melville was found guilty at Geelong before Mr. Justice Barry of highway robbery, and sentenced to twelve years’ hard labor upon the roads, the first three in irons. At the same time he was found guilty of a second and third offence of a similar character, and for the second was sentenced to 10 years’ hard labor on the roads, to take effect from the expiration of the former sentence; for the 3rd offence he was sentenced to 10 years’ hard labour on the roads, the first two in irons to date from the expiration of the previous sentence. Upon entering the cell in which Melville had been confined, we discovered some writing in pencil upon the white-washed wall, and there is every reason to believe this was written by the unhappy man shortly prior to committing suicide. It was as follows :—

“I am to suffer nothing. My name is not T. Smith, but McCullum. I intend to defeat their purpose and to die in my bed with a smile by my own hand, and thus by my keeneys to defeat their most secret intentions, and these steps were taken to give me an opportunity of doing so, as it is in my power to prove that I am not the man I am taken for.—F. MELVILLE.”

Nothing extraordinary was observable in Melville’s manner on Tuesday night when he was locked up. Dr. Youl, coroner of the city, held an inquest upon the body. We abridge the evidence :—

Dr. Maund stated: I have made a post-mortem examination of the body of the man known as Captain Melville. There are externally some slight scratches in the shape of a cross upon the left arm, apparently made with some blunt instrument. Frothy blood was oozing from the mouth. There was a handkerchief about two yards in length twisted very tightly round his neck, the first turn being made as a slipknot. It was afterwards turned round very tightly, and the end tucked in under the folds. The cause of death was suffocation caused by the handkerchief round the neck. There is very little doubt that the handkerchief was applied by the deceased himself.

By a Juror: Strangulation would not cause greater distortion of the features than was perceptible. There is no indication of insanity, but it would be difficult to detect.

Mr. George Wintle, governor of the gaol, stated :— I held the deceased under a warrant, dated 5th May, 1857. His name was Captain Melville, alias Thomas Smith. He was convicted as Captain Melville. I should think he was about 35 years of age. He has not suffered any punishment since he has been in gaol. He was confined in a cell by himself after he made an attack upon me on the 28th of last month. About a quarter past seven this morning, I was called by a turnkey who said he wanted to speak to me. I found the deceased lying on his left side. I though he was asleep. The handkerchief was round his neck. I touched his forehead and found he was dead. I should think he had been dead 3 or 3½ hours. I desired that the body should be left as it was. The key of the deceased’s cell was in my possession last night, and remained so till about half-past six this morning.

By a Juror: He was put under medical observation to ascertain whether he was insane or not. There was no extra punishment for his attack upon me.

Dr. McCrae, the medical officer of the gaol, stated: I have had the deceased under my charge since 28th July. He was kept in a cell by himself by my directions. He was not ill, and nothing was the matter with him. I think he was feigning excitement peculiar to madness. On the occasion after he had refused to eat his food for three days, I had a long conversation with him. I pointed out to him forcibly that he had been all his life fighting against the world, with little success on his part, and that it was nearly time for him to bear his punishment quietly, as all his violent ebullitions had only increased the extent of it. At first he was very sulky and would not speak, but after a little, he conversed with me, and seemed impressed with the truth of what I stated. He said he would eat whatever food was given to him, and bear his punishment like a man. The next time I saw him, two or three days afterwards, I found he had been eating his food, and he said he had been guilty of every crime that could be named; that he had brought his punishment on himself, and would in future bear it quietly. He said he was convinced what I told him was true, and that it was for his good. On Tuesday last, 11th instant, I was entirely convinced of his entire sanity. I have no doubt the handkerchief round his neck was put on by himself. He was cold and had been dead some hours when I saw him.

By a juror: I have not seen the brain since death. I could not get the point of my finger between the handkerchief and his neck. I saw him about a quarter past eight this morning.

James Rowley, chief turnkey at the gaol, stated: I locked the deceased up last night, between eight and nine o’clock. He had his supper at five o’clock, and answered his name as usual at mustering. That was the last time I heard him speak. The turnkey on duty during the night did not report any noise in his cell. I was called this morning to his cell by one of the turnkeys. The deceased’s head was a little to the left side. He was lying calmly with his arms across his chest. There was no appearance of a struggle, and the clothes were over him.

One of the jurors asked if it was not singular that the hands of the deceased should have been placed across his breast after strangulation?

Dr. Youl said it was not singular, as the process of strangulation would be slow. It was, in fact, a portion of the vanity of his life. There was no doubt upon his mind that the deceased was perfectly sane. His whole life had been devoted to crime; he envied notoriety: whilst amongst prisoners he was regarded as their captain, but when confined to his cell his vanity was ungratified.

The jury, after a short consultation, expressed an opinion that the deceased strangled himself, being perfectly sane at the time; in other words, the verdict was felo de se.

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

Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 – 1918; 1925), Tuesday 27 August 1907, page 27

“MR. SPEAKER’S” REMINISCENCES.

GOSSIP ABOUT EARLY DAYS.-JUDGE AND BUSHRANGER.

Arrival In Melbourne.

Gifted with a splendid memory, endowed with a particularly alert and observant mind, and possessing the Irishman’s natural knack for telling a tale well, no one can gossip more interestingly about the early days of Melbourne than Mr. Frank Madden, Speaker of His Majesty’s Legislative Assembly of Victoria, whose activities exactly cover the span of “Punch’s” existence.

“We came to Melbourne in 1857,” he said, when asked to recall some early impressions. “I was then a very dedicate boy. I nearly died on shipboard. I have thrived in Victoria. My first recollection of Melbourne is that we could not land at Sandridge — why, I do not know. We came up the Yarra in a barge towed by a steamer. The wharf accommodation was very meagre, and the south side of the river was covered with a ti-tree swamp, gridironed with little, rivulets. When we got off the barge we went to the Yarra Hotel, which looked on an open space, since filled with the Customs House. We had hard work to find somewhere to stay. Not a single place would take us in — there were ten of us. For the first two nights we slept in Temple Court, where a relative gave up his chambers to us. Finally we had to choose between a little shop in Smith-street and a tiny cottage in Richmond, behind Wren’s Racecourse.

“Of course, we got very familiar with the Survey Paddock, which reminds me that not many of the present generation know how it came by its name. It was due to the fact that the pegs employed in surveying the whole of the colony were cut in this paddock. Near it was Sir James Palmer’s house. It still stands on the top of the hill, midway between the Hawthorn Railway Station and the Richmond Bridge. Meetings of the Legislative Council were held there, and he had specially substantial furniture made for it. The streets of the infant city were terribly low lying. There was no gas — just oil lamps here and there. The paths were only partly made, and it was no unusual thing to sink up to your knees in mud. The centres of the roadways were cut into deep channels, and there was a regular river in Elizabeth-street, after rain, which was spanned by a Bridge in Collins-street. When this hollow was filled in they covered up bridge and all, and years afterwards, when the tramway track was laid, I saw that bridge, which I crossed so many times when a lad, dug up from the excavations.

Iron Houses Imported.

“The Crimean war was just ended, and much of the materials which were made for the Crimea were purchased by long-headed Jews and brought out to Melbourne. The bridge across the Yarra at Church-street, with the high sides, was specially constructed for use in the Crimean War. It was to be thrown across a Russian river, and the high sides were to serve as a screen for troops marching across. Such a bridge could only be put where it was not exposed to the full force of the wind. If it were swept by a gale the sides would offer so much resistance that it would be smashed. Down where it is now it is protected from fierce winds. Officers’ quarters — there were British regiments in the Colony then — were built in Clarendon-street and Albert-street, and they have just recently been removed. They were constructed of iron, all the parts being made in England and then shipped to Melbourne. Several other houses of a similar class were put up. Mr. Francis’ (once Premier) original house in Albert-street was one of them, and that which Mr. James M’Kean lived in for so many years, and which still stands though hidden in modern improvements, was another.

A Practical Joke.

“Most of the buildings in the city were considerably above the level of the paths. The Bank of Australasia, for instance, was high up. M’Cracken’s Brewery stood back also, and in front of it was open land. I remember that about this time some wags in Temple Court collected some gold-bearing quartz and put them conspicuously on Flagstaff Hill, which was then a popular rendezvous because shipping was signalled from it, People found this quartz, and getting the gold fever pegged out the ground one Sunday morning, and promised to dig pits sufficient to give the hill the appearance of a man whose face is pock-marked. But the practical jokers relented in time, and let it be known how they had humbugged the amateur diggers.

Dare-devil Horsemen.

“Bourke-street was a very lively place, because there were four or five horse bazaars in it — Kirk’s Yard, at the corner of William street; Kirk’s Bazaar, where it stands to this day; M’Caw’s yard, where Morris and Meeks’ place is now, and a couple of others which I forget. It was the regular practice for horses to be brought in and sold unbroken, and it was most interesting to see these horses taken away afterwards, with an ordinary halter. John Abbott, a daredevil fellow, bought seven colts one morning — all raw. He ran one of them into the crush, got on him, and rode, him there and then. When it stopped bucking he got the lot together and drove them off to Heidelberg as if it were a most everyday feat.

The Coaching Days.

“The Albion Hotel was another fascinating place, for the coaches started from it for Bendigo, Ballarat, Mansfield, and other long journeys. They had grand horses then, the very type which we want to-day and can’t get, arched necked, round-barrelled, splendid shoulders, high-spirited, and with plenty of courage. You know, the roads were very rough and ready, but the teams pulled the heavy coaches over them long distances, and delivered their freight to time. The drivers were wonderful whips — Cabbage Tree Ned, John Peck and Billbow, to mention only three. In Bourke-street, too, were the big shops. Copper coins were unknown in those days. Big firms like Hyde and De Carle, grocers, issued tokens, which were accepted in circulation, and which were taken by the Post Office for stamps. They were a good advertisement for the shops and a considerable convenience to the public. Only when the Government Departments refused to honour them was the present copper coinage introduced.

Processions of Bullock Waggons.

“Of water supply as we know it to-day there was none. Water was drawn from the Yarra, and it cost 2/6 a barrel. Subsequently a pumping station was built at the foot of Spencer-street, and two huge tanks were constructed close to the Eye and Ear Hospital. Well do I recall when the water from the Yan Yean was first started flowing at the corner of Bourke-street and Elizabeth-street. The first results were not altogether pleasing. The reticulation pipes were not properly cleaned. Several people died, and inquiry revealed that they had been killed by lead poisoning. The pipes were then thoroughly overhauled. It was a picturesque period. The great rush of diggers had ceased, but there was still a steady stream of men to the great mining camps, and they mostly travelled in bullock drays, which all passed up Elizabeth-street.

“You would see dozens of these drays crawling and creaking along, carrying men and machinery, with twenty-four bullocks constituting a team. Then there were the coaches running between the distant suburbs and the city. In particular there was the Brighton Coach, which Jack Martin drove. Many people lived in Brighton just because they enjoyed the wit of Jack Martin. He was one of the wittiest Irishmen I ever met, and when he gave up the reins and became a horse clipper at Kirk’s Bazaar, he used to maintain a running fire of raillery and badinage, which hugely entertained a large crowd every day. Peter Hanslow — Collingwood to the city — was another noted driver, and he kept going until the cabs spoilt his business. The cost of living was very high, and prices varied most curiously. A grand big schnapper could be bought for a shilling, whilst eggs were priced sixpence a piece.

Riot Against Parliament.

“I shall never forget my first visit to a court. Convicts tried to murder Col. Price, father of Colonel Tom Price — who had charge of the convict hulks. They killed him with shovels, and the case was tried in the court which is still being used for the City and District Courts. And my first peep of Parliament was also pretty early, when a no-confidcnce motion had been tabled against the O’Shanassy Government. I was greatly impressed with the debate and the proceedings. Some time afterwards there was a great riot in Spring-street, intended as a demonstration against Parliament. Round Parliament House was a low fence, and behind this Captain Dana and about twenty troopers were stationed. Dr. Eades read the Riot Act to the crowd, and as this did not disperse them, the order to charge was given. The troopers smashed down the fence, and were soon amongst the rioters. They were told only to use the flat of their swords, but I saw many people carried out with blood streaming from their wounds.

Flemington Rabbits and Flash Squatters.

“In 1859 I made my first acquaintance with the Flemington course. Flying Buck, a three year-old gelding, ran away with the Champion Stakes. Yeend rode him, and he is still a hale and hearty man. Amongst others who I recollect were there were L. L. Smith, Herbert and Robert Power, Reginald Bright, J. Cleland, J. Carter (who was a jockey then, and is now one of the assistants employed on the course), and Squire Austin, (who died some little time back). Squire Austin used to dress in typical John Bull style, just as you see him in old prints.

He was a good patriot, and in his scheme of importing English ways and things to the new country he conceived the idea of bringing out rabbits. He thought they would be kept in check, as in England, and provide both sport and food. Charles Fisher knew them better, and the moment he heard of Austin’s intention he had Corangamite Station fenced with heavy pickets to save the property from the plague which he was certain would follow. Portions of that fence are still in position, and testify to his sound judgment. It was amusing to see some of the men who called themselves ‘squatters’ in those days. They were chiefly cattlemen from the Northern districts. They wore red shirts, riding pants, bushmen’s boots, and had coloured handkerchiefs round their necks, and wore cabbage-tree hats, with the string caught under their noses instead of their chins. We used to call them ‘flash squatters.’ Thinking of Flemington reminded me of them. The stand looked as if it were made of derelict gin-cases. People could go anywhere except on the course proper, and all sorts of amusements were provided, including Aunt Sally and Doodleumbuck. There was a rail round the course, and men with fast horses often followed the races in this smaller circle. The Champion in Flying Buck’s year was rendered notable by the wreck of the Admela. There were interstate entries as far back as 1859. Horses were being brought round from Adelaide for the race, and Hurtle Fisher asked the captain if he could not alter his course a little, to save the horses feeling the full strength of the sea. The captain complied with his request, and had cause to regret it, since the Admela was wrecked. One of the horses, The Barber, managed to swim thirteen miles to land, and actually took part in the race. Mr. Fisher was imprisoned on the wreck for a week, but was ultimately rescued after suffering fearful privations.

Sixpence to Cross Collins Street.

“There were great floods in the Yarra. I was not snagged. I remember a contractor erecting a bridge at the end of Victoria-street across to Studley Park. I asked him if it was high enough. He replied that it was higher than any flood had ever reached. When fishing in the river I had noticed debris caught in a corner just below, and I pointed it out as likely to mean trouble at some time. Within a week of the completion of the bridge there was a big flood; the water got penned up at this very spot, and the bridge was swept away. In the city bridges were just as dangerous. There were little, curved structures over the rivulets in Elizabeth-street. One day a woman fell into one of these streams. A policeman tried to fish her out, and fell in himself. He was swept under one of the bridges, and before he was rescued everything he had on, except the leather collar then worn by members of the force, was torn off. Things were so bad in Collins-street, too, that people wishing to cross from one side to the other paid sixpence to be driven, and thought it cheap at the money. When you walk down the Block to-day, think of that, and you will realise why Melbourne is marvellous.

A Popular Tenor’s Ill-luck.

“The theatres were good. At any rate, the principals were. I can remember Brooke, Jefferson, Squires, Lyster, and many others. And we got in the pit for a shilling, what you can’t get to-day, because neither in drama or opera is the standard as high as it used to be. Well do I recall one day that I was fishing on the Saltwater near the Flemington Racecourse. Some sportsmen were shooting quail on the other side. One of them — Lyster —- accidentally shot Armes Beaumont in the face. I got across as fast as I could when I saw that something was amiss, and found out what happened.

A Notable Surgeon’s First Chance.

“Returning to the city, the Cattle Market was at the top of Elizabeth-street, alongside the old cemetery. There were wild and savage beasts, and dangerous to any people on foot who might be walking along the stock route. This was realised by the powers that be, and retreats were made into which pedestrians could go for shelter. They were V-shaped pens, with the apex of the V outwards. Men could get in, but the cattle could not follow. It was a Cattle Market accident which gave Sir Thomas Fitzgerald his first big lift. A drover was rushed by a bullock at Newmarket, and its horn thrust into his neck severed the jugular vein. The man was taken to the Melbourne Hospital bloodless, and apparently lifeless. The other doctors would not give him a chance of living, but Sir Thomas Fitzgerald took the man in hand, attended him continuously for two days and two nights, and pulled him through. The drover lived for many years afterwards — a fine advertisement for the young surgeon’s resource and skill.

Priceless Wine for a Song.

“Curious things happened in those times. We had been hunting one day near Laverton, and when we got to Williamstown we determined to return by boat, and made ourselves comfortable at an hotel. I did not like the idea of drinking waterside public-house draught stuff, so I asked the landlord if he had any colonial wine. ‘I have some sour stuff in the cellar,’ he replied — ‘claret.’ He brought it up, and the minute the cork came out with a pop I smelt the aroma of a first-class wine. I found that he had ten cases of this claret, told him I was partial to that kind of wine, and offered him 15s a case for the lot delivered on board the steamer. He jumped at my offer, and I got the wine, than which I have never tasted better, though it had no label. Talking about this incident with Mr. Alston, of Alston and Brown, he told me that when things were booming in the early fifties wines and other commodities of great value were shipped to Victoria. When the steamers reached the bay the seamen deserted, and the ships were left without adequate protection. Those left on board, or thieves from the shore, used to get the fine wines, which were not to their taste, and exchange them for raw spirits which they enjoyed. The Williamstown publican did not know where the claret came from, and probably this was the explanation.

Power, the Bushranger.

“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, (Power). I said I knew how he (Power) was captured. He had a gunyah on the far side of a clearing, and was surprised when asleep. A man ran across the clearing and grappled with him before he could get his gun, which was slung within reach, and he was brought to justice. I asked, ‘Who was that man?’ and he replied, ‘Nicholson; and it was lucky for him I couldn’t get my gun, as I would have shot him to get away.’

Sir William Stawell’s Courage.

“Talking about his life he said that the bravest, man he ever knew was Sir William Stawell the Chief Justice of the Colony. The Chief Justice gave him a very heavy sentence at one time, and Power nursed a bitter resentment and swore to revenge himself. When Sir William Stawell was on Assizes in the country he had a police escort, but he was a man entirely without fear, and frequently went on ahead of his guard, despite the desperate men abroad. Power said, ‘I reckoned on his carelessness, and plotted to catch him unawares on a bit of the road where he would be at my mercy. On a lovely morning, deep in the heart of the Gippsland bush, I pulled my pistols out of the holsters cocked them, and held them in readiness. By and bye I heard a horse cantering quietly along, and a man singing merrily in the pure morning air. As he came round a bend I knew it was Sir William Stawell, and gripped my pistols tighter. As he neared me Sir William shot a swift glance at me from his eagle eyes, never moved a muscle, although he must have guessed my purpose, said “Good morning, Power,” and cantered on. I could not shoot.’

Ned Kelly’s Mistake.

“Power held that Ned Kelly made a fool of himself at the end. ‘Thank God!’ he exclaimed, as he rapidly sketched his life, ‘I never killed a man. Kelly ought to be hanged. If he had had any sense he would not have shot Sergeant Kennedy, but have bided his time, caught him, tied him up, and put all the troopers in the pub, and have left them until called for. That would have covered the force with ridicule, and have gained him great public sympathy.’

The Brave Man’s Silence.

“A brave, taciturn man was C. H. Nicholson. When he was a cadet he went to the Kilmore district with a warrant to arrest a noted Tasmanian bushranger. He lost one of his men in the first attempt, got assistance from the Kilmore police, picked up the bushranger’s tracks and went after him armed with one of the old pepper-box four-barrelled pistols. When he overtook the desperado, the latter, resting his pistol on the pummel of his saddle, fired at Nicholson. The bullet cut obliquely across his cheek, severing the nerve which connects with what we call the eye tooth. From this wound Nicholson suffered for many a year. But to continue, Nicholson fired and missed. The chase commenced again, and Nicholson fired two more shots without result. The bushranger, finding that he was still followed, lifted his jacket to show that his waist belt was studded with pistols. But Nicholson was not to be frightened away. He determined to get to close quarters before using his last barrel. Getting on the left-hand side of his quarry, so that he could not use his pistol-hand freely, he rode right up to him, pulled the trigger and it missed fire. Letting it drop, he threw his arm round the bushranger’s neck, and both rolled to the ground. After a struggle, Nicholson took him prisoner. Except to his family, who got it out in bits, Nicholson never told how he risked his life in this venture. I looked up the court trial in the papers to learn something about the adventure, and all that I read was — ‘Charles Hope Nicholson, a cadet in the police force, duly sworn, said, “I arrested accused on a warrant near Kilmore.”‘”

Old Government House, 1854
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Spotlight: COUNTY OF BOURKE POLICE COURT (26/08/1853)

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), Friday 26 August 1853, page 6

COUNTY OF BOURKE POLICE COURT

Thursday, August 25th.

(Before C. Payne, N. A Fenwick, R. A. Balsirnie, A.F.A. Greeves, William Thomas, and Charles Vaughan, Esqrs., J.P.’s.)

THE PRIVATE ESCORT ROBBERY — EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS. — It being generally understood that the examination of witnesses would be today proceeded with in this long-pending and highly-interesting case, the Court was densely crowded, and very many could not be accommodated with even standing room. About eleven o’clock 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, the wife of the male prisoner of that name, charged as an accessory, was allowed a chair on the floor of the Court. Mr. Read appeared for the prisoners.

Mr. Read complained to the Court that his clients were placed at the bar in shackles, which was a breach of the constitutional law of England. The accused should be allowed to come up free in mind and in body, and he hoped the bench would not permit such a violation of what was the privilege of every man previous to conviction. He also com-plained of being prevented from communi-cating with his clients, as otherwise he could not undertake to do justice to their defence.

The bench declined to make any order with reference to the first portion of Mr. Read’s remarks, but allowed him to hold communication with the prisoners. The Inspector of police conducted the prosecution.

Mr. James Ashley sworn. From information I received, I proceeded, accompanied by detectives Murray and Simcock, on the 11th of August on board the barque Collooney, then lying in Hobson’s Bay, and from further information I there received, I made a search in one of the cabins, where I found a leather trunk, which I opened. It contained two parcels of sovereigns, viz., one was a small leathern bag, containing £403 10s in gold; the other was a sort of reticule, containing 720 sovereigns. Amongst other things in the trunk, I found several papers and receipts, bearing the name of George Melville. I took possession of the property, and left the vessel. On the 12th August, with the same officers and a man named George Francis, I went to the house of a man named John Harris, hay and corn dealer, in Little Bourke-street, where I saw the prisoner, William Atkins, who was immediately pointed out to me by Francis as one of the men who made the attack on and robbed the Private Escort. I arrested him, and told him the nature of the charge against him. Searching him, I found on his person £3 10s in gold, and a draft on the Bank of Australasia (Sydney) in favour of William Atkins, for £100. We went into an adjoining room, where we saw the female prisoner, and asking her name she told me “she was Agnes Atkins, the wife of the man whom we had in custody.” I intimated to her that I should arrest her, on suspicion of being implicated in the same charge; and I did so. I asked if she had any money, and she admitted having some, and I took from her pocket a parcel containing £81 10s., in gold. I questioned her closely if she had anymore money, and she replied she had not. I then left the room for a very short time, leaving her and Francis together. In about two minutes the latter came out, and told me to go in and search a plaid dress of Mrs. Atkins, that I should find in the room. I did so, and finding the dress in question lying over a barrel, I took hold of it, when she snatched it out of my hand.

(The female prisoner here burst out crying, and it was some time before she could be quieted.)

Examination resumed. I snatched back the dress, and on searching I found in the body lining, a draft on the New South Wales Bank (Sydney), for £700, payable to Agnes McLaughlin. I omitted to mention that on searching Atkins, the male prisoner, I found on him a receipt for £24 for money paid for cabin passages for Mr. and Mrs. Atkins in the Hellespont steamer to Sydney. I then had the parties removed to the lock-up. About 8 o’clock the same evening I went with the same two officers and Francis to the North Star Hotel, where I arrested George Melville. I told him the nature of my charge against him, and on searching found on him £100 10s. in gold, silver and notes, a silver watch and guard, a six-barrelled revolver and an American gold dollar. Him I also confined in the watchhouse. I should have said that when we first entered Harris’s house, Francis pointed to Atkins and exclaimed, “he is one of the men, seize him.”

Cross-examined by Mr Read: I arrested three other men after Atkins was taken, on information received from Francis. The latter is now dead. Two of the men so arrested are now before the Court, and the other was discharged yesterday. Melville’s wife was possessed of some property when she married him, and they then resided opposite to me, when they carried on the business of a fruit and oyster shop in Little Bourke-street, near the Theatre. They were married about twelve months ago.

Hindle Thompson sworn — I am a detective policeman; and on the 11th August I was aboard the ship Madagascar, then lying in Hobson’s Bay, where I arrested prisoner George Wilson on suspicion of being one of the Escort robbers. I informed him of the charge against him, and then took him into the captain’s cabin, where I searched him. I found 302 sovereigns on his person. Going below with him into his cabin, the prisoner got hold of a pair of trowsers, in which I found 56 sovereigns, and then bringing him ashore, I confined him.

Mr. Read intimated that he had no questions to ask.

Samuel Davis sworn — I am a trooper in the Private Escort. On the 20th July last, our party left the McIvor Diggings about 9 a.m. The party consisted of a superintendent, a sergeant, three troopers (including myself), and the cart driver. We were escorting gold and specie from McIvor to Kyneton, via the road to Melbourne. When we reached about four miles on McIvor side of the Mia Mia Inn, I saw Sergeant Duins, who was then riding in advance, motion with his hand to the right side of the road. I followed his motion, and that moment we received a volley of shots from a sort of Mia Mia on the side of the road. I was not shot down in the first instance, and drawing my pistol, fired at a man, who fired at me at the same time. I received his discharge in the neck, jaw, and nose, and tumbled from my horse. When on the ground I noticed two men, one on each wheel; they drew the boxes (containing the gold and specie) out of the cart, when some other men lifted them up and conveyed them into the bush. Looking around I saw Fooks, the driver, and trooper Froaswater lying on the ground. I asked them whether they were hurt, when Fooks replied, “I am a dead man.” The other asked me “if I could get up to get a knife and cut his trousers, as he was shot through the thigh.” Not having a knife on my person, I looked round to see if I could find one, and immediately beheld a blue coat near me on the ground. It did not belong to our party, and on searching the pockets found the knife produced. Whilst cutting the trowsers from Froaswater, I saw Morton, another of the troopers, stretched on the ground, and his horse dead and lying on him. He begged me either to remove or shift the horse off him, but I found I could not do so. Considering what I had best do, I walked some distance along the road, towards the Mia Mia Inn, and met a man coming up as if making for McIvor. I asked him to lend us assistance as we had been stuck up, and he did so, and lifted the wounded men into the cart. I mounted one horse, leading two others, and proceeded towards the McIvor. After going about a quarter of a mile, we met Mr. Warner (the Superintendent), returning from the direction of McIvor, with a party of men. He took my horse from me, and mounted

man who was on foot. I then walked on to Patterson’s Station, where I was placed upon a horse, and taken to the Government camp. Yesterday, the 24th August, I went to the Melbourne jail, where a number of men were in a line before me, and in them I recognized two men whom I believe to have been amongst the parties who attacked us. (The witness was here directed to look towards the dock, and point out the two men referred to if he could, which he did, and immediately identified the prisoner Melville; the second he declared he did not see; for a very good reason, because, being the second approver John Francis, he was not arraigned.) I swear to Melville, to the best of my belief.

Cross-examined — I should imagine that the party attacking us consisted of nine or ten men.

Captain McMahon, the Inspector of Police, tendered his evidence as to a statement made to him by Francis, the suicide approver, to which Mr. Read objected, as it was not a dying deposition, or made in the presence of the prisoners.

Captain McMahon, in reply to a question from the Bench, said the statement in question was made to him in his own office after the discharge of Francis from the Police Court. His reason for wishing to make it public was to explain certain circumstances which induced the arrest of certain of the prisoners, for which he had been threatened by Mr. John Stephen with an action for false imprisonment.

The Bench, under such circumstances, decided on hearing the statement, and Mr. McMahon deposed as follows. On or about the 12th August I sent for the younger Francis, then a prisoner in the Swanston-street watchhouse, in order to hold some private conversation with him. When he came to my office, I told him, as he might see by the notices posted on the gates, that one of the parties concerned in the outrage would receive a free pardon, a passage out of the colony, and £500, on turning approver. After considerable hesitation he admitted —

Mr. Read. — Capt. McMahon, were the prisoners present?

Capt. McMahon. — No, they were not.

Mr. Read should now very strongly press his objection, which was founded on every principle of law. Statements could only be given and received in evidence when a party was in extremis, and fully sensible of his approaching death, and even then it should be properly reduced to writing.

The Bench overruled the objection, and on the application of Mr. Read, the clerk was directed to note the objection on the margin of the deposition.

Captain McMahon. — After considerable hesitation, Francis admitted that he was one of the party who attacked the Private Escort near McIvor, and also informed me of the names of the others who were his companions on that occasion, and he assisted in their apprehension. The names of the whole party, as he gave them, were thus:— George Francis (himself), John Francis, Joe Grey alias McNutty (who could be found at Tommy Coulon’s house, in Little Bourke-street), another named Dilly, boarding at the house of the brother of the proprietor of the Bush Inn; Bob Harding (at McEvoy’s tent, opposite the Private Escort Company, McIvor); George Elston, (a fighting man, with one tooth out, to be found at McIvor); George Melville, George Wilson, two others, names unknown (one of them very much pockmarked, dark-brown hair, 5ft. 7 or 8 in. in height, and about 30 years of age); the other man, with light brown hair, 5 ft. 6in., about 27 years of age, and went by the name of “Little Billy,” who lived with a woman called Kitty, down the road on the left hand side near the Bald Hill, McIvor. I then handed over the prisoner (Francis) to the chief detective officer, and desired the latter to take Francis about with him for the purpose of assisting in the apprehension of the remainder. I also promised him that I would not use his evidence against his brother, and would exert myself to have him included in the pardon.

At this stage of the proceedings, the second approver was introduced into the court, and, as may be expected, was an object of universal attention. Dark and bitter were the scowls of hate and vengeance darted at him by some of the prisoners; but he appeared comparatively unmoved, and gave the following evidence in a calm and firm, though low tone of voice:—

My name is John Francis, and I arrived in Van Diemen’s Land under a sentence of ten years’ transportation. My sentence has not yet expired, but will in September. On the 20th July last, I left the McIvor in company with George Francis (my brother), George Wilson, George Melville, William Atkins, and Joseph Grey. Of those I now recognise Melville, Wilson, and Atkins, as three of the party named. We went through the bush from the McIvor towards the Mia Mia Inn, and stopped on the side of the road a few miles from the inn alluded to. We soon after heard the Private Escort coming up, and it was now between ten and eleven in the morning. The Escort troop was coming from McIvor, and (I believe) going towards Kyneton. Previous to this we arranged a few branches of trees, and placed two men behind, the rest of them (and I) being stationed behind trees about 30 yards higher up the road. I heard some person of the Escort cry halt, and on looking out, I saw some of the troopers firing at the two men behind the branches. We then, the rest of us, rushed down to their assistance. We all challenged the Escort men to stand, when they refused, and fired on us, when a general fight commenced. I fired at the Escort troop and observed four of the troopers wounded; two of the latter escaped, and were followed by two of us, viz., myself and the prisoner Wilson followed them, calling upon them to surrender. They replied by shooting at us and galloping away. I and Wilson then went down the road, and gathering up all the fire arms we could see, we followed Atkins, Melville, Grey, and George Francis, who proceded us into the bush, whither the boxes of gold had been carried, and we then took the gold out of the boxes. It was whilst I and Wilson were after the two men that the gold had been removed from the dray. Where the gold was taken out of the boxes was some 200 yards from off the road in the bush, and after doing so, we travelled about seven miles through the country that day, and camped in the bush. We resumed our route on the following morning; having first divided the gold. We passed the second night by a river’s side, (I believe) on Mollison’s run, and continued our route in the same direction, (always keeping the bush and avoiding the road. The next night we passed in the bush near Kilmore, and then on the Sunday morning we all left together for Melbourne, but separated on coming to the Rocky Water Holes, Grey and George Francis accompanying me into Melbourne. That night we reached town, and proceeded to my house at Collingwood Flat, where I saw Wilson and Atkins, it being previously arranged that we were to meet there. They remained at my house all night, and on the Tuesday after Atkins left for the diggings, Grey and Wilson remaining with me. On the day before I was apprehended I saw the prisoner Melville in Melbourne, when he told me he was going to the Mauritius. About seven days after leaving town, Atkins returned from the diggings, and I saw him in town. He told me he had been to the McIvor. The last time I saw Grey, he said he was going to Adelaide. The prisoner Wilson, I, and my brother were to have started for England in the Madagascar, and we had accordingly engaged passages in that vessel. My wife and George Francis’s wife were to go with us. I gave my share of the gold to George Francis and he had it in his box; I was soon after apprehended on board the Madagascar on a charge of stealing a pistol, and was subsequently remanded for robbing the Escort. The last time I saw George Francis was in this Court, since which time I have had no communication with him. I sent a message to you (Captain McMahon) from the jail —.

Mr. Read objected to the reception of this evidence, but was overruled.

Examination resumed — I sent a message to Capt. McMahon from the jail, and I subsequently told him all the proceedings.

To Mr. Read — The prisoners were not then present.

Examination resumed. — The confession was voluntary on my part, and there was no inducement held out to me. After the con-fession, Captain McMahon told me that he would send me a free man from the Colony, with my wife. On arranging for this attack, we had resolved, if possible, not to take human life; for we thought we could get the gold without firing. I did not see any of our party shoot at the men in advance. The first firing was commenced by the Escort party.

Mr. Read said he should not ask the witness a single question, as he was satisfied that the magistrates might take the statement for what it was worth.

Trooper Davis recalled and re-examined:

I now recognise the second man I saw in the jail here (pointing to Francis). The firing I am certain commenced on the part of the robbers. I swear there was not a shot fired until the volley came from the Mia Mia. I was the first of our men, I think, who fired; and before I did so, I saw three of the latter shot down on the road.

The approver (Francis) was now recalled: I believe what led to the attack on the part of the Escort was their seeing the two men behind the bushes. The latter were placed in ambuscade, to allow the troop to pass, and then block up their way at the rear. I believe, however, that the troopers saw the guns of the two men through the bushes, and then fired on them. I was about thirty yards from the bushes at the time.

Alexander Eason, sworn: I belong to the Detective Police; on Wednesday the 10th August, I went with Detective Thompson, on board the Madagascar, for the purpose of apprehending two men named Francis on warrant. I accordingly arrested John Francis, George Francis not being there. Incoming from the ship to the beach, John Francis re-quested me to allow him to steer the boat, and I did so. His wife was in the boat with us at the time, and Francis brought us along side the barque Collooney, and whilst along side, the prisoner Melville came down the ship’s side, and sat for some time in the boat with us, Melville offered to come ashore and bail Francis out, but the latter declined the offer, and requested Melville to return on board the vessel with his (Francis) wife, who went on board, and remained there. Melville did so; I brought Francis ashore. He was charged next day with stealing a pistol, but was discharged, and subsequently re-arrested for the Escort robbery. (We may here remark, that the issue of a warrant, for the apprehen-sion of the Francises, on a charge of pistol-stealing, was a mere ruse to get hold of them on suspicion of the greater offence.)

William Symons, a cadet in the Mounted Police, deposed: On Friday last, the 19th inst., I apprehended George Francis, in the station of Mr. Jefferies, on the Campaspe. I last saw him in the Rocky Water Holes when he was dead.

Captain McMahon said this was all the evidence he was then prepared with.

Mr Read submitted that there was no case whatever against Mrs. Atkins, and endeavoured to show that the Bank draft found sewed up in her dress had been put there by the deceased approver (George Francis). Then as to the prisoners McEvoy, Elson, and Harding, there was not a particle of proof against them.

Captain McMahon was informed that the man Grey had been arrested in Portland, and confessed the crime. This he could scarcely believe, but if so, it might in some way alter the case. As to the men Harding, Elson, and McEvoy, he thought there must be some mistake. They had been taken into custody on the statement of the former Francis, and he (Capt. McM.) did not believe them to have been implicated in the robbery.

Mr. Read remarked that the three men last referred to, had already been apprehended at the McIvor, confronted there with the Escort troopers, and discharged.

The Bench, through Mr. Fenwick, the chair-man, decided upon remanding the prisoners McEvoy, Elson, and Harding, for one week; and as to the course they ought to pursue with reference to Melville, Wilson, Atkins, and the latter’s wife, they entertained no doubt. They should therefore commit Melville, Wilson, and Atkins, to take their trial for shooting at and robbing the Private Escort, and Atkins’s wife as an accessory after the fact. As soon as this decision was made known, some of the prisoners cried out shame, and the female rushed for-ward to speak to her husband, but was pre-vented by the police from doing so.

Mr. Read hinted something about bail, to which, as far as the remanded prisoners were concerned, Captain McMahon had no great objection; but in the case of those committed, it would not be listened to.

The prisoners were then removed, in custody.

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