Tag: 1840s

Spotlight: Jackey Jackey at Glenorchy (09/08/1845)

Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 – 1880), Saturday 9 August 1845, page 57

“JACKEY JACKEY.”

The inhabitants of Glenorchy have been kept in a state of doubt and anxiety for the last few days and nights by the absconding of the notorious Sydney bushranger, known by the epithet of “Jackey Jackey” from the “station” situated between the 6th and 7th milestone from Hobart Town. This notorious ruffian had only been recently drafted, in a company of about 40 other prisoners, from Port Arthur, where for nearly three years he had contrived to conform himself to the rules of the place, with only three attempts to escape! and had upon one occasion distinguished himself it is said, by saving the lives of two officers from drowning. He took the bush with two other prisoners on Thursday last, from the Glenorchy “station.” On Friday evening he robbed a shepherd in the employ of Mr T. Y. Lowes, taking his gun from him, which, however he politely promised to return after he had robbed some party who could better afford to lose.

“Jackey” then proceeded with his comrades to another hut, occupied by a man named “Jones,” also in the employ of Mr. Lowes; here “Jackey” pointed the gun in at the door, while the other two, armed with long knives (which had doubtless been made at the station,) ransacked the cottage. They obtained a small quantity of powder and shot, a leg of mutton, and 10s. in money. The alarm spread like wildfire through the settlement — all were on the alert anticipating a visit, divested however, of the usual forms of introduction, and prepared to give their distinguished visitors a becoming reception. Meanwhile, it appears, that “Jackey Jackey,” with his comrades, was proceeding nearer to Hobart Town. They attacked the residence of Mr. White, near the Franklin Museum, on Sunday. Here they succeeded in carrying away a single and double-barrelled gun, a brace of duelling, and a brace of short pistols, a silver watch, gold guard and seal, a suit of wearing apparel, a bag of flour, meat, tobacco, a pair of blankets, shot-belts and shot. The police who are after them in strong numbers, have been once or twice close upon them, but they have hitherto escaped. The Government have offered the reward of a conditional pardon for their apprehension. — Courier, August 6.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: The Man Whelan and Convict Discipline (28 May 1855)

Tasmanian Colonist (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1851 – 1855), Monday 28 May 1855, page 2

THE MAN WHELAN AND CONVICT DISCIPLINE.

This celebrated man will be put upon his trial for not only absconding, but for robbery with force and violence. An offence for which in this colony, if convicted, his life is forfeited. We have seen Whelan before to-day, or before his apprehension, and we cannot accord with those who would represent him as a ferocious looking man, whose very appearance would strike terror into the mind of the way farer. If he were one of those blood-thirsty beings which some would represent him, he would not have been apprehended as easily as he was. We do not regard him as a man of ordinary courage. We would put the term courage out of the question when speaking of such a man. He is the mere creature of a system, which never ought to obtain in any country, where pretensions to civilisation have been made. He has been for years the play-thing and sport of officials, who scarcely deserve the name of men. Many years ago he was sentenced to transportation beyond the seas for a limited period. That sentence did not say one word about the petty tyranny which has been practised upon him and upon his fellows, under the name of prison discipline. Those who are conversant with the history of Botany Bay, at the time when Whelan was sent there, will be free to acknowledge, that it was not a convict paradise. We have conversed with many men who were transported to New South Wales, and although some of the convicts became wealthy, others had to endure great hardships, and the most downright tyranny which could be practised. When this tyranny was exercised by the master to whom the convict was assigned, there was no redress for the unfortunate. The magistracy always upheld the masters in their cruelty. If a prisoner happened to get into good employment and turned out successful, this fact was blazoned forth in England, and transportation was thus held out as a boon to the young thief at home, to induce him to become bolder and more expert in his profession. This operated differently in the colonies. Whelan like others, saw that some of his copartners in crime got on well, while he was enduring tyranny. His uncontrolled spirit rebelled against such a state of things. Some of his comrades escaped to the bush, and remained away from the townships until their periods of transportation had expired, and then returned to claim their freedom and to settle down quietly to the ordinary business of life. Whelan made his escape in Sydney, and was taken sentenced, and sent to Norfolk Island. He was there in the days of Captain Maconochy, and any person who knows anything about convictism must know that if that excellent man was allowed to exercise his own judgment in the management of the prisoners, he would have carried out a system reformatory in its nature; but he was not permitted to do it, so far as Sydney prisoners were concerned. Whelan was in Norfolk Island in the days of Major Child, who was no more fit for the situation in which he was placed, than a child of ten years old, if what we have learned respecting him was true. Whelan was in Norfolk Island in the days of John Price. In a word he was there in the days of the Spread Eagle, the period of diurnal flogging, and of repeated gagging. He was there when those scenes occurred, to which the Rev. Mr. Rogers referred, and for doing which, that poor man endured a fearful amount of persecution from all parties in this colony who were in the receipt of large government salaries. There was not, to the best of our belief, any description of punishment practised on Norfolk Island from which Whelan escaped. He must be a very bad fellow indeed! is the exclamation of those who know nothing about discipline at a penal settlement. We have ourselves seen men sentenced to two or three months’ imprisonment to hard labour in chains, for having in their possession a bit of tobacco, not one-fourth of a fig. We know that convict constables have been instructed to open the mouths of the men working in chains, to ascertain whether they had been chewing tobacco, and if they could scrape a bit off a man’s tooth, that was a good charge against him. When once we begin to think over this system, we feel indignant at the men who carry it out, and at the parties, whoever they are, who can in any way sanction such refined cruelty. When we see men like Whelan and Driscol take to the bush, we do not wonder at it. We only wonder the number of bushrangers is not larger. When we see a man like Whelan easily arrested, we do not wonder at it. Tyranny and slavery make men cowards; they do not reform them. The system of discipline adopted by the present convict authorities cannot be known in England; it is such, that if we were to return and lecture there on it, we are confident we should raise such a storm of indignation against the government which could tolerate it, as would be astounding, in any country where the English language is understood. By facts and figures we have proved that convict labour is the dearest that can be obtained, and we are prepared to prove that convict discipline is a tissue of cruelty from beginning to end; yea, that the most refined cruelties have heen practised in the name of the late Lieutenant-Governor, whether with or without his consent we will not pretend to say. We mention this to put Sir H. F. Young on his guard.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: Westwood writes to his parents (29 April 1847)

Britannia and Trades’ Advocate (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1846 – 1851), Thursday 29 April 1847, page 4

NORFOLK ISLAND.

Recent arrivals from the Ocean Hell have put us in possession of most astounding information on many points connected with that depôt of crime, injustice, and misery. It appears that, much credit was given to its present Civil Commandant for the manner in which he, it was said, had put down the spirit of insubordination, whereas the following facts will prove that to circumstances alone may be attributed the change. Mr. Price arrived when one great source of discontent had expired. The Indian corn meal had all been used, and within a day after his arrival, wheaten flour was necessarily again issued. An extra company of soldiers had arrived from Sydney, thus placing the power of the military beyond all dispute. The great body, of the mutineers were in close and safe confinement, and the sentences passed upon many of them, relieved the mass from the fatal consequences of their example. The resident police magistrate was removed, and human blood no longer flowed in streams from the triangles. In a former number we gave the copy of a letter written by William Westwood, better known as Jackey Jackey, and at the time of its appearance an attempt was made to shew that he had died breathing a spirit of bitterness very unsuited to any man at the last hour of his existence. What the motives for doing Westwood such an injustice, it is not our present purpose to inquire; certain however it is, that such was not the fact, as the following copy of another letter will show. “Justice to free and bond” is our maxim in such matters, and we see no reason why the last dying thoughts of the malefactor should not be as fairly represented as those of him whose life has not been forfeited to the offended laws of his country.

Westwood, although an illiterate person, was a man of strong natural abilities; those enabled him to dictate every word of the following address, to a fellow prisoner, who wrote them down for him, as his (Westwood’s) thoughts flowed; but the signature, and what may be considered the postscript, were written by himself. At an early opportunity we will return to the present state of affairs at Norfolk Island; in the meantime, we have quite enough before us to show, that Mr. Gilbert Robertson, Lieut. Butler, R.N., and others, have been victimized in a manner which will assuredly bring with it, its ultimate reward.

The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Norfolk Island, South Pacific Ocean, 12th October, 1846.

My dear Father and Mother, — Heaven knows I have neglected you, to whom I owe so many kindnesses, and have in my youth acted contrary to your wishes, and parental instructions; thus it follows, that it is now my lot to address you whom I love dearly, under such distressing and to you as well as myself, such painful circumstances. You have, I am sure, had many unhuppy moments respecting me; but I now must endeavour to prepare you for a shock, which I am afraid will be almost more than you can or will be able to endure. But, my dear parents, brothers, and sisters, mourn not for me, I who long before you can possibly receive his will have been ushered into the awful presence of his Maker, and will have appeared before that great Tribunal of Justice, where all must render an account for their actions, where all hearts are open, and where all secrets are known: — therefore I say, my dear relations, mourn not for me, but let my unfortunate lot be a lesson to the living, let the younger branches of our family, and the offspring of them, learn to honour their fathers, and mothers in their youth; for neglecting those precepts, these holy and heavenly laws, has brought me to the situation I now am placed in; but it is, it must be the work of that great God who made heaven and earth, and all that therein is, and who knows all things; for it is now, and only now, that I see my error; it is now only I can see and know the multitude of God’s mercies towards me, it is now I am brought to a right sense of my duty towards Him, and it is now I can repeat, as applicable to my own case, these beautiful words of the Psalmist—

The wonders he for me has wrought shall fill my mouth with songs of praise and others to his worship brought, To hopes of like deliverance raise. 40th Psalm, 3rd verse.

No sooner I my wound disclosed; The guilt that tortur’d me within, But thy forgiveness interposed, And mercy’s healing balm poured in. 32nd Psalm, 5th verse.

I can now, my dear and beloved parents, withhold the truth of my fate no longer from you; for an outbreak took place at this ill-fated settlement on the 1st day of July last, when some lives were lost, for which I have been tried and condemned to die, — which sentence will be carried into effect before the setting of tomorrow’s sun. Bear this with humble fortitude, for I at first made up my mind not to write at all, but then I thought you might perchance see the account in the public press, and I know it would be a great satisfaction to you, even under such trying and truly heart-rending circumstances, to hear, and that from myself, that I died as a Christian, embracing the same faith as I was taught when a child, putting my whole trust and confidence in Christ Jesus, who shed his blood in ignominy for me and all repenting sinners; through his blood alone I can and must be saved: he heard the prayers of the dying thief upon the cross, and through his faith forgave his sins even at the eleventh hour. During this time or trial and affliction, I have been attended by the Rev. Thomas Rogers, of the Church of England, to which gentleman I owe everything; his attention to me has been unceasing; night and day has he laboured to bring me to a right sense of my duty towards an offended Maker. May that God whom he has taught me to fear and love, reward him ten thousand fold!

Dearly beloved parents, give my kind love and affection to my dear brothers and sisters; tell them, I trust and earnestly hope my disgraceful and unfortunate untimely end will be an everlasting barrier against their ever doing evil; tell them, with you to bear up against this unhappy occurrence, and endeavour to spend their lives in such a way as will ensure a peaceful death.

I again entreat you all not to mourn for me, for through Christ Jesus, and a hearty and sincere repentence; I hope to meet you all in the realms of everlasting bliss. May God bless you; may He be with you, may He guide your steps; direct your hearts, and in the end may he receive your never-dying souls into his mansion of everlasting happiness and peace, is the earnest and sincere prayers of your unfortunate and dying son.

William Westwood.

Dear pearants, I send you a piece of my hear in remberance of me, your son, Wm. Westwood. Good Bye, and God Bless you all.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 3

Spotlight: Cash and Co. near Richmond (14 March 1843)

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 – 1857), Tuesday 14 March 1843, page 3

Domestic Intelligence.

BUSHRANGERS.— On Sunday last the township of Richmond was put into great excitement by a report that Cash, Kavenagh, and Jones were in the neighbourhood. “What is to be done?” was the general inquiry, there being only two or three constables at the place. These, with the Police Magistrate and Captain Forth, were soon in pursuit, and in the end two men with a woman were apprehended ; the latter being an assigned woman from a farm near the township. It appears that being in want of wine or spirits, they sent a pressed man for a supply, who very properly laid the necessary information. We have not heard full particulars, but a report that they were armed with one old musket, a pistol without a lock, and a mopstick. In consequence of such a formidable demonstration, so near the district town, it is expected that it will be forthwith garrisoned by one wing of a regiment, aided by two of the long guns laying at the New Wharf, and that the gun-boat is to be anchored off the town, so as to cover its approaches. Several instances of great bravery, we understand, were exemplified on the occasion, and that it was with the greatest difficulty some of the volunteers were prevented from shooting each other in their praiseworthy anxiety to secure the outlaws. The country is really in a dreadful state when runaways have the audacity to think of drinking wine on a Sunday, and that, too, directly under the nose of a Police Magistrate. We thought something extraordinary would soon occur when we first saw the comet, but never did suppose that Major Schaw would so soon be called upon to act personally so far from his own Court-house. The brigands were captured, after being surrounded in a most masterly manner, about one mile from Richmond bridge. They surrendered without firing a shot, and are now safely lodged in the large stone building appropriated by the Government for such purposes. We must also congratulate our readers on another gratifying piece of information. A double-barrelled gun, which positively did belong to the firm of Cash, Kavenagh, and Jones, has been found in the bush, and forwarded to the Hamilton Police office. We regret that the report does not state whether it was loaded or not, or whether it was with or without a ramrod. This is, however, something done at any rate, and no doubt so essential a service rendered will be properly appreciated!

POLICE.— Joseph Pratt, and Eliza Cash (wife of the bushranger Martin Cash), were brought up yesterday, charged with having stolon property in their possession. It appeared information had been received that a correspondence existed between the bushranger and his wife, in consequence of which her house was searched at an early hour yesterday morning, when a considerable part of the plunder taken from Mr. Shone and others was identified, Mrs. Cash being at the time occupied in secreting a pair of stays taken from Miss Shone. It is said that a boat has been captured near Green Point, the conductor of which, there is strong reason to believe, has been the medium of communication between the bushrangers and Mrs. Cash and Pratt.

BUSHRANGING AT BROWN’S RlVER.— Not having time or space to do any more than notice the attempted robbery at Brown’s River last week, we give the particulars now, which are as follow :– A short time since, three men from the Prisoner’s Barracks absconded – one of them said to be an old servant of the Rev. Mr. Gibbs, at that settlement, induced his two companions to try their luck where he was acquainted. Accordingly they started, a large axe being the only instrument of destruction they had then been able to procure. Their first attempt was made on Mr. Manley, another gentleman at the Brown’s River settlement, but his servants (three in number), one of them a young lad, would not yield to the system, and they found in their attempt there, would be, as they said “no go.” They then went off towards Mr. Gibbs’ farm. After examination of the premises and believing the servants had retired to rest, the old servant rapped at the door, and on Mr. Gibbs’ son asking who knocked, the answer was “it is me Henry, open the door.” The young man opened the door, the party entered, one of them bound the old gentleman and eased him of his gold watch, while the others went to the servants’ place, tied them, and commenced plundering a variety of valuable and useful articles. Soon after they had left Mr. Manley’s house, his three servants requested that gentleman to give them leave to follow the bushrangers, which being readily granted, they armed themselves, one with a long barrow tire, one with the handle of an old frying pan, and the third with some other iron weapon, and started in pursuit. Judging that their next attempt would be on Mr. Gibbs. They proceeded there, and arrived just as the robbers were preparing to start with their spoil. The first salutation one of Mr. Manley’s men received from Mr. Gibbs’ old servant, was a knock down blow. He did not lay long, but was up and to it again. A general engagement then took , place, soon after which Mr. Gibbs’ old servant took to his heels and was soon followed by his antagonist, but it being dark, and the villain well-acquainted with the locality, he escaped. The other four continued the battle, and although the barrow tire and frying pan handle were well-applied, victory was rather doubtful until their companion had returned from his vain pursuit. He soon settled the difference; the two were secured and brought to town next day, one of them is in the hospital, his head it may be supposed being too frequently visited by the barrow tire, he was not in a fit state for examination at the Police-office, and it may be desirable to find the third to complete the transaction. Let us now call attention to Mr. Manleys’ servants. If the servants of the settlers were to act in a similar way, there would be an end to bushranging, and we have no doubt his Excellency will at once appreciate such meritorious conduct, by granting each of them a free pardon, which will be the very best inducement for others to follow so laudable an example.

THE BUSHRANGERS.— Information has been received in town, that Cash, Cavenagh, and Jones, visited the residence of Mr. Thomas Triffett, at the Ouse, on Saturday night last, and robbed it of everything they could carry away. We have not heard the particulars, further than that they took Mr. Triffeft’s gun, as being a superior one to Mr. Cawthorne’s, which latter they left behind and requested Mr. Triffett to return it to Mr. C, telling him at the same time, that as soon as they met with a better one than his, they would return it also. How is it that the numerous parties out after these desperadoes have allowed them to slip through their fingers to a distance of, we believe, about forty miles from their former haunt on the Dromedary?

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: The Trial of the Edward Davis and His Gang (1841)

Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 – 1843), Thursday 25 February 1841, page 2

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. – WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24.

(Before, his Honor the Chief Justice)

John Shea was indicted for the wilful murder of John Graham, by shooting him, on the 21st of December, 1840, at St. Aubins, near Scone; and John Marshall, James Everett, Edward Davies, alias Wilkinson, Robert Chittey, and Richard Glanville, were indicted for being present as accessories, aiding and abetting. A second count charged the murder to some person unknown; and all the prisoners as being present aiding and abetting. The Attorney General opened the proceedings, and said that all the prisoners had originally come to the colony convicts, and were assigned to different persons; and he was sorry to find that no reformation had taken place in their characters, although they had been allowed that indulgence which the law held out as an encouragement for good behaviour to persons in their situation. He believed also that in the case of the prisoners he might say that they were, especially Glanville, as comfortably situated in their respective services as persons in their circumstances had a right to expect. He then stated the facts of the case, and called Edward Daley Day, Esq., P. M., who was examined by Mr. Therry, and said, that on the 21st of December he was at Muswell Brook; and, in consequence of information which he had received on the previous evening, he collected a party of mounted men, and started about seven o’clock on Monday morning in pursuit of some bushrangers, in the direction of Scone, passed through that place, and came up with them about fifty miles from Muswell Brook, and thirty-six from Scone, at a place called Doby Hollow; about half a mile from the road the witness and his party saw about six or seven men rushing to the opposite side of the gully; they galloped in amongst them, and shots were fired on both sides; he particularly observed Davies, who ran to gain the cover of a large tree, when Mr. Day fired at him, and Davies returned the shot; he then gained the tree, and rested his gun on the fork of the tree, and again fired at witness, who was not more than twenty yards from him; witness immediately returned the shot, and wounded the prisoner in the shoulder. Shea, Marshall, Everett, Davies, and Chitty were captured almost immediately after; they had in their possession ten or eleven guns, a great number of pistols, and seven horses with bridles and saddles. Witness sent out two parties at daylight the next morning, and Glanville was brought in by one of them. During the night the prisoners Davies and Marshall kept them awake with talking; they were all, in fact, very communicative, and, without any questions to induce them to make any confession, they gave a history of their proceedings. Shea said distinctly that he was the man who shot Mr. Graham; it was no use saying anything more about it, for he was the man who shot Graham, and no one else. Davies said that he would always oppose the shedding of blood, for he knew if they once committed a murder they would not reign a week; whilst saying so he looked at the other four men, and said, you now see we have not reigned a day. Marshall said he would shoot any man who attempted to oppose him, and Graham was a very foolish young man, and he could not expect anything else, when he fired amongst so many armed men. Shea then said he would shoot his own father if he attempted to shoot him. Some of them said that up to that morning they had done nothing, in all the robberies they had committed, that could affect their lives. Shea acknowledged that he had fired six shots, Davies said he had fired four, Everett said he had fired two, and Chitty afterwards said that he had fired one. They appeared to be quite pleased at the resistance they had made, and said, if they could have got hold of the two men of their own party who had deserted, they would rather have shot them than anybody else; they called them recruits, and not tried men. There were with him, Mr. Edward White, Mr. Shinquin, chief constable of Muswell Brook; constable Nolan; Walker, Dawe, Evans, and Kelly, ticket-of-leave holders; and an assigned servant named Donohue. He was afterwards joined by Mr. Richard Danger and one of his assigned servants, Dr. Gill, and Mr. Warren. The ticket-of-leave holders all behaved admirably. They found upon the prisoners some trinkets, watches, and about £60 or £70 in bank notes, silver, and sovereigns. At the time witness and his party came upon them, one of them was casting bullets, and another making cartridges; they said they had never before left their camp without a sentry stationed about half a mile from the camp to give the alarm, and they said they only left off firing when all their ammunition was expended.

Cross-examined by Mr. Purefoy, who appeared for the prisoner Davies. — It was clear daylight, about six o’clock in the evening, when witness and his party came up with the prisoners, who might have seen the party about half a mile before it reached them. They afterwards said they saw the party at the time it turned from the road, but, not thinking it to be in pursuit of them, they took no notice of it; they said they did not expect to be pursued that day, and they intended to shift their camp at night, as they knew very well that the country would be up in arms after them the next day. Witness thought that Everett also said he was opposed to the shedding of blood.

Cross examined by Shea. — Witness thought Shea and all the rest were quite sober that night; they did not, in fact, appear to have been drinking.

Re-examined. — The horses appeared to be very jaded; they said they had taken the grey mare from Mr. William Dangar’s that morning; they appeared very merry, and said they would much sooner be hanged than go to Norfolk Island for life.

James Ducliaw, sadler, Scone, examined by the Attorney General.— Was in the employ of Mr. Thomas Danger; recollected the morning when John Graham was shot; he was Mr. T. Dangar’s clerk, and was about twenty-three or twenty-four years of age; it was on the 21st of December, on a Monday morning; witness had soon Mr. Graham that morning, a little before seven; in about a quarter of an hour after, as he was at his work, witness saw a strange man come into the yard on horseback, and just before that a number of horsemen passed the yard gate. When the man went into the yard, he sung out “cook, cook, come out here;” and witness then said to the man who was in the shop with him, “they are bushrangers.” He thought so because the man had a very wild appearance, and came galloping into the yard; he saw no ribbons about the man, and he could not say that any of the prisoners were the same man. Witness then ran out the back way for the police, and as he was running through the bush, he saw Graham running in the same direction on the road; Graham afterwards walked, and then started off running again, and he staggered. Witness had heard two shots fired; as he came near Graham, he said to witness, “Saddler, I am shot through; I am a dead man,” and witness got up to him as soon as he fell. Witness turned round, and saw a man about five or six rods from him; he called out to witness, “come back here, or I’ll blow your brains out.” He was on horseback, and armed, but witness could not identify him. He asked Graham also to go back, but he said he could not, as he was shot through; he then ordered witness to march on, and they left Graham lying there. When they got back, witness saw another man standing at Mr. Dangar’s store door, apparently armed and keeping guard; another man came out of the store; the rest were down at the inn. One of them came out with some bracelets, and the one who was standing guard trampled on them, and they were broke. The man who brought the witness back said there was a man shot, and the time for them to stop was short. He then galloped off up the road. Witness was so much alarmed that he did not know any of the men; he was ordered to stand at a tree opposite Dangar’s store; they went down to Mr. Chiever’s, about five or six rods off on the opposite side of the road; one house could be seen from the other, and if the talking at one place was loud, it might be heard at the other; the men might be there for about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes: they all went off together from Chiever’s door on horseback; there were seven of them, and they were all armed. The whole of Mr. Dangar’s family were in the house at the time; as soon as they were gone away, witness ran up to Graham; he was still alive, but quite insensible. There was a large wound in the small of his back, and some blood on his shirt; he did not live more than ten minutes after.

Cross-examined by Mr. Purefoy.— Witness could not swear who fired the shot; he only heard two shots fired. It might be about a hundred rods from Mr. Dangar’s store to the place where witness saw Graham; a person could not be seen or heard, unless he shouted very loud, or stood on the fence, front the stores to the place where Graham was; or a person might be seen at that distance on horseback. Witness did not examine the pistol which was lying by the side of Graham, and could not tell whether it was loaded or not.

Elizabeth Chievers, wife of John Chievers, publican of Scone, remembered seeing some men go to Mr. Dangar’s house on the morning of the 21st of December; she heard the noise of horses’ feet, and on looking out of the window she observed three men, having the appearance of gentlemen, who rode up to Mr. Dangar’s gates, and one of them dismounted and went in; one of them had a light coloured ribbon in his hat, and she thought on that account they were bushrangers; she turned round to go out of the room to see if they were bushrangers, but as she was going towards the door a man came and said, “Well, mistress, what have you got for us?” Witness asked him what he wanted, and he said money, and he knew that she had plenty, and he must have it; Glanville was the man. This witness also identified Marshall and Everett, and said she believed Davies was also there; on looking at him again she said she was sure that he was the man who was standing at the bar door with ribbons in his hat. Glanville was armed with two guns, and several pistols in his belt. The witness then sat down, and Glanville told her to get up and give him the money, as he had not long to stop; she then gave him the cash box out of the bedroom window; there was in it about thirty £1 notes, two £10 notes, half a sovereign, and about £20 in silver; there were also some orders, but he said they were of no use to him, but he took the money and went round the place to see if he could find any fire-arms; he then called Ruggy, and the prisoner Everett came and asked what was in the cash box, and witness told him that the other man had taken it all. Everett then went towards the mantelpiece and took two bullet moulds, and a gun from the fire-place. In looking about the prisoner Everett found a fiddle, and called out, “Morey, can you play the fiddle?” to which some one answered, “no; but I should like to have a bugle.” She went down then to the kitchen, where some persons were bailed up, and saw Davies standing armed at the bar door; she said she was afraid, and Davies said he would not hurt her, and at the time showed her a pistol; at the same time Marshall came into the room with a gun in his hand and said, “Is it all right here?” to which Davies replied, “Yes.” There was a border policeman in the room, and Marshall said, “You have got a policeman here,” and Davies said, “Yes; but he is a government man.” Marshall then asked the policeman who he belonged to, and he said to Mr. Macdonald, to which Marshall said it was a good job for him. They went out soon after and called the policeman; witness followed them to the door, and then saw five or six men with broken firearms; they soon after that rode away past Mr. Dangar’s as fast as they could, and she counted seven of them; at the time witness went to the door she saw three other men bailed up under a tree opposite Mr. Dangar’s house. During the time she was in the bedroom she heard three shots fired, and she saw the body of Graham brought down about two hours after the men had gone; while they were in the house she heard one of them say “Is he settled?” and another replied,” Yes; it is all right;” she did not know what they meant then, but she afterwards thought it referred to Graham being shot. Mr. Chievers was not at home at the time. This witness was cross-examined at considerable length by Mr. Purefoy, but nothing new or material was elicited.

Cross-examined by Marsall.— The first time she saw him was when he came into the room; he was then in his shirt sleeves with a broad leafed hat and ribbon on it.

Re-examined — There did not appear to be two parties of them, they all seemed to be acting in concert.

William Day, cook at Mr. Chievers, remembered some persons on horseback coming to Mr. Chievers on the 21st December; one of them came into the yard and held a pistol to his head; the prisoner Everett was the man; he was dressed in a dark coat and a Manilla hat with pink ribbon on it; he was then taken into the bar and bailed up with the rest. A man in the passage said “Is that fellow all right?” witness supposed that referred to Graham, as he had seen a shot fired by a man who stood in the road opposite Mr. Dangar’s house; the shot was fired at Mr. Graham; I saw him running along the road, and the man who fired at him was about twenty yards from him; witness saw that before Everett came up to him. He thought he heard a shot fired, and that caused him to look towards the building, and then he saw the second shot fired; he thought it took effect from seeing Graham slacken his pace all of a sudden; he did not see him fall, for he was instantly accosted by Everett; witness thought when the man said “Is that fellow all right?” he alluded to Graham; as soon as he could he made his way out the backway to call the police, and as he was returning he saw seven men riding along the road about three or four hundred yards from the house, and he had no doubt but they were the same men who had been at Dangar’s and Chievers’; witness could not say which was the man who fired, but he had a light coat on.

Cross-examined — Witness might be about a hundred yards from the man who fired at Mr. Graham at the time he fired; he was then standing quite still; did not see a pistol fired by Mr. Graham; there appeared to be two parties of them, one at Dangar’s and the other at Chievers’; it was about seven o’clock in the morning, and there might be a distance of about fifty or sixty yards between the houses; a transaction might be going on in one house and a party in the other not know anything of it.

Re-examined — From what he said, the men at Dangar’s and at Chievers’ seemed to be all of one party.

Joseph Chievers, brother of Mr. Chievers, publican of Scone, was at his brother’s house on the 21st. of December, and saw Marshall, Everett, Davies, and Glanville there. Marshall inquired if it was all right about, half an hour after the other three had been there; he was in the bar when he asked that question, and some one answered, “Yes, it is nearly all over.” Witness had heard two of three shots fired; and about half an hour after the shots were fired they all went away, seven in number. Everett met him in the yard, with a pistol in each hand, and ordered him to bail up in the bar. Davies kept the bar door. He saw Graham when they brought him down on a board. Thomas Dangar, storekeeper at St. Aubin’s, near Scone, said he remembered the men coming to his house, and one of them knocking at the bedroom door. Upon opening it Marshall entered the room, and asked if that young man (meaning Mr. Graham) was witness’s son; he (witness) answered no; and Marshall said that the young man had fired at them, and they would have his life. Witness did not hear any shots fired. Marshall asked for the keys, and they were delivered to him. He took some watches and bracelets, which latter witness afterwards found had been trampled to pieces. Marshall said if witness left the room he would shoot him. He left some valuable property behind him, and did not stay more than two minutes in the room. He appeared to be alarmed after Graham had been shot. The prisoner Marshall, in cross-examining this witness, admitted being in the bedroom and questinning Mr. Dangar, as stated.

Thomas Dangar, aged eleven years, proved that the prisoner Chittey was the man who rode into the yard and called out “Cook, cook;” and that he was the man who rode on towards the township. The witness also saw Marshall in his father’s bedroom, and heard him ask if that young man (Graham) was his son, and say that he had shot at them, and they would have his life, or words to that effect. Marshall afterwards went through the yard. and said to the cook, “It is through you the other man got away.” Witness afterwards supposed that the prisoner, in saying that, alluded to Mr. Graham. Witness saw Mr. Graham dead about an hour after.

Sarah Dangar, wife of Mr. T. Dangar, was then called, and corroborated the evidence of the above witnesses in every particular, and also said that she heard the report of a gun three times. She also identified the prisoner Marshall, but could not identify any of the others.

William Jones, fencer, remembered being in the bush on the 20th of December last, where he fell in with seven men, six of whom then stood at the bar. One of the prisoners, whom he knew, desired witness to go down to the creek in the shade. When he went down he saw six more sitting on the grass. Marshall and Everett went up to his hut, and asked what beef he had. He showed them what he had cooked; and they asked him if he had not any more, and he told them none cooked. They took what was cooked, and had two or three pots of tea. They were all armed, and they left him about sundown. It was about twelve o’clock in the day when he fell in with them. He heard of Graham’s death the morning after. On this witness retiring from the box Everett said he hoped he (the witness) would be the next man who would be shot, and all such b—y dogs.

John Paterson, a settler living about four miles from Scone, recollected seven bushrangers coming to his house, on the 21st of December, all armed and mounted. All the six at the bar were there. They staid about five minutes, and took a horse from him, and appeared to be very much agitated. Some had hats, and others not; one man had blue ribbons in his hat. He heard of Mr. Graham’s death in the course of the day. They took a pistol from him as well as the horse.

James Norrie remembered seven bushrangers calling at his house, about eleven miles from Scone, on the 21st of December, on horseback. The prisoners at the bar were there; they breakfasted at his house, and paid for what they had. He held their horses at the door, and they told him he was to look out, and give them due notice if he saw anybody approach. Witness thought it was Davies who said to him, “Go into the house; we can shoot a man in a minute; we have shot one already,” He had seen Davies before; he had stopped at his house once or twice before.

Cross-examined. — he would not positively swear that Davies was the man who said they had shot one already, but he believed he was. The man who said so was quite sober, and the others were in the house at the time.

Richard South, publican at Page’s River, twenty five miles from Scone, remembered the prisoners calling at his house about twelve o’clock on the 21st of December. They bailed up all the family, and broke up some fire-arms. Marshall said he would deal with witness before he went away. Marshall, Shea, and Davies had stopped him about three weeks before on the road, and robbed him of his horse, saddle, and bridle. While they were at his house he heard a shot fired, but could not tell who fired it. When they went away they left a horse behind them.

Isaac Haig, surgeon of Red Bank, near Scone, examined the body of Graham, and proved that his death was caused by a gun-shot wound in the cavity of the chest, which was filled with blood. The ball had entered in the back of the deceased, a few inches from the spine, and had penetrated the chest. He opened the body, but the ball could not be found.

John Nolan, constable of Muswell Brook, was one of the party who went with Mr. Day to apprehend the prisoners; witness fired some shots, and Everett and Sires fired at him; about sixteen or seventeen shots were fired at their party by the prisoners; they captured five of them, and the next day they took Glanville on Liverpool Plains; he was then unarmed; he said that he was not present when Graham was shot. This closed the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Purefoy then addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner Davies, contending that he was not present at Dangar’s robbery at all, much less at the murder of Mr. Graham; but that from the evidence it was clear that during the whole time he was at Chievers’, and that the transactions were entirely distinct from each other, and there had been no evidence whatever to show that the party at Chievers’ had any participation in the robbery and murder which was committed at Dangar’s. The learned gentleman further urged the fact that Davies, who it had been assumed was the leader of the band, had expressly and distinctly avowed his disapprobation of the shedding of blood; and it was also in evidence that the party with whom he was at Chievers’ conducted themselves in a quiet manner, and that Davies himself had assured Mrs. Chievers that no one should be hurt. The learned gentleman then commented at some length, and concluded by saying that he could safely leave the case in the hands of the jury; but he must contend that there was no evidence to pin the murder on his client. The other prisoners made no defence, with the exception of Everett, who said he was innocent of the murder.

Thomas Walker was called as a witness for Davies, but did not appear. The Attorney General briefly replied to the remarks made by Mr. Purefoy. His Honor summed up at great length, and said the case was one of the most important which had come before the notice of that court during the present sittings, or perhaps during the last two or three sittings; and the only question to which the jury would direct their attention was that of murder. They were not to take into account the numerous robberies which the prisoners had committed; for they were not being tried for being bushrangers, but on a capital charge of murder; that, therefore, was the question to which the jury would direct their attention. His Honor then laid down the law, and stated, that though a party of men might go out to commit a felony, and a part of them should, during the transaction, commit a second felony, they would all be liable to be called to an account for it; and quoted a case, in which he was retained for the defence some years ago, of a party of young men going to rob a certain house, and one of them taking with him a loaded blunderbuss; and that, on arriving near the house where they intended to commit the burglary, some alarm was made, and the occupier threw up the window to see what was the matter, when one of the young men, who was nephew to the person, immediately shot him; and, though none of the other prisoners were near him at the time when he fired, some of them being even at the back of the house, seven of them were tried, condemned, and executed, along with the actual murderer. If, therefore, the jury were satisfied that the prisoners were all of one party, and that the locality of the houses was such with reference to each other that the party who were in one could be cognizant of what was going on in the other, they must return a verdict accordingly. His Honor then read over the whole of the evidence, commenting on it as he went along; and said, if the jury were satisfied that two distinct felonies had been committed, and that the party engaged in one had nothing to do with, or were not cognizant of what was done by the others, they would then be justified in making a distinction. If they were satisfied that Davies, Glanville, and Everett were not present at Dangar’s robbery, in that constructive manner which the law required, then they would make a distinction in the cases; and that appeared to be the only point for their consideration, and if they were satisfied upon that point, then he (the Chief Justice) did advise the jury to acquit those men of that charge. The jury then retired, and after a consultation of three-quarters of an hour returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners. The Attorney General then prayed the judgment of the court upon the prisoners, and his Honor, in a very impressive manner, passed sentence of death upon them all. The trial, which appeared to excite great interest, was not concluded till nearly eight o’clock in the evening, and the court was densely crowded throughout the whole of the day. The prisoners all appeared to look upon the proceedings with the most perfect indifference.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: The Bothwell Police (1841)

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 – 1857), Tuesday 2 February 1841, page 2

THE BOTHWELL POLICE.

The imbecility of the Bothwell Police has been made peculiarly apparent last week, which we think will quite satisfy His Excellency. (It is not with men, but measures, that we have to do.) A woman with whom one of the bushrangers cohabited, gave information at the Bothwell Police-office, that on the following Friday the house of a publican named Chivers, about six miles from the settlement would be visited by the bushrangers. One would have supposed that considerable attention and prudent arrangements would have taken place under such circumstances. What will our readers say, when they are informed that only three petty constables were directed to proceed to the place, and watch!

On the Saturday about dusk, two of them arrived, entered the house, called for a pot of porter, and sat down quietly to drink it, with their fire-arms between their knees, ready for use if required. The three official gentlemen shortly after entered the room, presented their guns, and demanded a surrender, under the pain of immediate destruction. The bushrangers did not like the terms, started to their feet, and threw up the muzzles of the official muskets, one of which flashed in the pan, one went off but missed its object, and the third either refused fire, being ill prepared, or was not loaded. In the midst of the confusion, the enemy coolly extinguished the light, and deliberately walked off! Could anything be more disgraceful? When will such another opportunity offer?

Were there no other consideration but human life, a proper force and proper leaders should have been sent on such important service. How different the conduct of the Green Ponds Police Magistrate the other day, when information was sent him, that two bushrangers were seen on Mr. Berthon’s estate, he immediately sent four constables, and four soldiers in plain clothes after them, and rode himself towards the place as fast as his horse could carry him! It is only by judicious activity and energy on the part of the head of the police, that success can be expected from the branches. It is by imitating Capt. Mackenzie in this Colony, and the Police Magistrate of Maitland, that this kind of duty can be properly effected. An indolent Police Magistrate might pass at Circular Head, where bushrangers are strangers, and cannot exist.

The Magistrates of Birmingham were dismissed, and with difficulty escaped being prosecuted for neglect of duty, but some of our favourite Police Magistrates may do as they please with impunity. What will Lord John Russell say to that? and that his Lordship will know it, is beyond all question. There is another proof of the judicious procedure of the Assistant Police Magistrate of Bothwell, although in one sense a trifling matter, yet under the circumstances has created great irritation. The Government willing to assist the harvesting as much as possible, sent twelve men to Bothwell to be disposed of as a matter of course, in proportion to the extent of crop to be cut by the respective parties in the district as the number was so small they might be changed from farm to farm alternately, until the whole was cut. This we conceive would be the arrangement which equity would dictate, and common sense pursue on such an occasion. But it would appear that equity and common sense has no official hold in that suffering district; the twelve men were disposed of immediately to three settlers, seven to one, four to another, and one to a third! We speak not invidiously of the gentlemen who were the favourites of the day. We speak of the gross injustice shewn even in this trifling matter so different to the open and impartial conduct which should be exhibited by the medium or middle man between the head of the Government and the people, besides which it is very much calculated to bring the character of the Government into disrepute, to give it the mildest term.

We really hope His Excellency will take a ride up himself and call all the parties before him, hear both sides, settle the matter, and put an end to the unhappy feeling that has existed in that [portion missing from transcript due to damage to original document.]

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: Letter to the Editor, Concerning the Jewboy Gang (1841)

Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW : 1838 – 1841), Friday 22 January 1841, page 2

Wyong.

To the Editor of the

Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser.

Sir,—Considering it a duty due to the public I beg leave to request that you will permit me through the medium of your paper, to enquire how it was that the party of mounted police, headed by sergeant Lee, who were in pursuit of the notorious bushrangers “Marshall,” “Ruggy,” “Shay,” “Davis” and “Chitty” on or about the 14th December last, allowed them to escape their notice when they were so close that they captured three of their horses. This occurred at Reid’s Mistake Heads. The police party had a native guide and they must have known that the bushrangers were not very far away when the horses loaded and saddled were found grazing. The bushrangers said that the police were so close upon them that they only evaded them by swimming across the Lake Macquarie. Had the police quietly laid in ambush they would in all probability have detected the marauders mounting their horses – all throughout, I must confess that there appears to have been very little military skill or common forethought shown by the police party.

I remain Sir your obedient servant.

A. SUFFERER.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: News from the Interior (1840)

Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 – 1842), Thursday 31 December 1840, page 2

NEWS FROM THE INTERIOR.

MUSWELL BROOK.

On Sunday last, the 20th instant, information was received by Mr. Day, who fortunately for the inhabitants of the Hunter’s River districts happened to be here, that the bushrangers had visited a station of Sir Francis Forbes, distant about three miles from this place, and bailed up the persons there in order that a report might not reach Muswell Brook, and kept them so until nearly sundown, when they departed.

On the bushrangers quitting the station, a person named Jones, holding a ticket-of-leave, lost no time in reporting the matter to Mr. Day, who with that energy and decision so peculiar to him, immediately determined on pursuit, to carry which into effect, he caused information to be forwarded to the surrounding settlers of the contiguity of the bushrangers, and requested their co-operation and assistance in the pursuit the following morning (Monday.)

On Monday, the 21st instant, Mr. Day was joined by Mr. Edward White, Mr. R.C. Dangar, also by the Chief Constable, John Nolan, Peter Daw, Martin Kelly, William Evans, William Walker, the five latter are ticket-of-leave holders, Martin Donohoe, who is an assigned servant, and a black boy. The party proceeded in a direction likely to fall in with the tracks of the bushrangers, in which they succeeded not quite a mile from Muswell Brook, and continued on that track for about five miles, when they were informed the bushrangers had crossed the Hunter at Aberdeen the previous night; on receiving the intelligence the party in pursuit pushed on in the direction of Scone, when after crossing the Hunter, the party met a man who had been despatched from Scone, for the purpose of reporting at Muswell Brook the robbery at Mr. William Dangar’s, at Turanville, that of the Inn at Scone, from which they took £70, as well as Mr. Thomas Dangar’s store, where the bushrangers, in addition to their other atrocities added that of murder — having taken what they wanted from Mr. Dangar’s, they were on the point of quitting when a young man named Graham, clerk to Mr. Thomas Dangar, imprudently fired a pistol at one of them, who deliberately shot him on the spot — he survived but twenty minutes. On hearing these particulars Mr. Day’s party proceeded as quickly as possible to Scone; on reaching which Mr. Day proceeded to the Court House, where the Police and two other Magistrates were then sitting, and a number of settlers at the time, both in and about the Court House, who, it were only reasonable, to suppose, were equally interested in the capture of the bushrangers with Mr. Day and those then in pursuit, but strange to say no exertion was made, no notice of the occurrences above-stated forwarded to the surrounding settlers, nor could Mr. Day obtain a horse, although applying for one to the settlers then at Court!

At this time, Mr. E. Warland, Robert Evans, John Teely, the two latter are ticket-of-leave holders, and one of the border police, joined Mr. Day’s party, who now proceeded with the utmost dispatch to Page’s River, distant from Scone about twenty-five miles; on reaching which they ascertained that the bushrangers had been there about three hours before, and robbed Mr. Atkinson’s Inn, as well as Mr. Rundle’s store; the bushrangers did not appear to be in a hurry when at Mr. Atkinson’s, as they stopped to refresh, and made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit; they also committed some robberies on the way from Scone to Page’s River. Being now nearly confident of falling in with the bushrangers, Mr. Day’s party halted a few minutes at Page’s River, which became imperative from the party being completely drenched with rain, and the arms, from damp, were obliged to be reloaded and put in order. They were here joined by Dr. Gill, and proceeded over the Liverpool Range to Dough Boy Hollow, distant about six miles from Page’s River; on arriving at which some drays were observed encamped down the creek; the party proceeded towards the drays, and soon after saw some horses, and directly came in view of the bushrangers, it was now six o’clock. Mr. Day and his party dashed on at full gallop, cheering as they went; the bushrangers stood to their arms and took trees. Robert Chitty was first taken; he fired one shot and was not allowed time to reload until secured; Davis and Marshall (the latter the leader of the gang, and the murderer of Mr. Graham) were next secured; Davis fired four shots, in two of which he took deliberate aim at Mr. Day. Marshall fired two shots; Shea and Ruggy ascended a hill overlooking the combat, and from thence fired ten shots. The bushrangers fired in all eighteen shots during the capture, fortunately not one of which took effect. Thus in less than five minutes were five of these seven secured who have so long and so wantonly acted as they thought proper — and had it not been for the prompt and energetic conduct of Mr. Day, seconded so zealously as he was, this gang would still have been roaming through the country carrying on their system of plunder and destruction.

Thc next morning there were sent five men and two black boys in pursuit of the two scoundrels who escaped during the fight, when after having gone about eight miles, they came up with and secured another, named Glanville, he acknowledged to have fired one shot. The number of shots fired by Mr. Day’s party has not been ascertained; Mr. Day wounded Davis in the shoulder; he also has had a ball through his trousers. Shea has been wounded in the calf of the leg. The party who made the capture remained for the night where they had made it, and escorted their prisoners to the lock-up on the 22nd instant; when within thirteen miles of which they met a party forwarded by Mr. Robertson to assist in escorting them, as he considered, no doubt, according to his usual clear way of thinking, that a party who after riding fifty miles in eleven hours, and were able to capture them, would not be able to take care of them. I believe Mr. Day would not sit with him on the bench next day

* * *

Mr. Robertson was unable to commit the bushrangers from the Scone Bench, although the murder was witnessed, and witnesses in attendance to prove it and the robberies; they were however ultimately committed from the Muswell Brook Bench on Thursday. There were found with the bushrangers’ seven horses, nine double barrelled guns and rifles, a great many pistols, several watches, sixty or seven pounds in money, and a great many other articles.

A committee has been appointed to present Mr. Day with a piece of plate on the occasion. Upwards of £100 was subscribed at the Upper Hunter, and a very large sum is expected, as the settlers feel very grateful to Mr. Day for his exertions.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: Capture of Jeffs and Conway (1843)

Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 – 1899), Wednesday 7 June 1843, page 4

THE BUSHRANGERS.

We announced in our last that Jeffs and Conway had been captured. The party, headed by Mr. Thomas Connell, had explored the ground in the neighbourhood without success, and the constable had intimated to the Campbell Town police magistrate that the bushrangers were not then there. Having heard nothing of their movements since the 17th ultimo, Mr. Stuart ordered that the party should continue on the same field, until positive intelligence of the appearance of Jeffs and his companion at some other point should be made known. But on Friday last, as the constables were approaching a hut on the South Esk, occupied by Mr. Youl’s shepherd, both the bushrangers rushed from the dwelling, and endeavoured to elude the party by doging behind trees. Jeffs, we believe, threw down his gun, but afterwards resumed it. However, upon being repeatedly summoned to surrender, and seeing escape impossible, they both cast away their weapons, and held up their hands in token of submission. It is gratifying to learn that these men have been apprehended without farther bloodshed. The hut-keeper and another free man found in the hut, were arrested on the suspicion of harbouring Jeffs and Conway, and are now in custody at Campbell Town.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0

Spotlight: Wollombi (1840)

Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 – 1842), Saturday 26 December 1840, page 2

WOLLOMBI.

I am sorry to have occasion to inform you that the neighbourhood has been for a third time within the period of few short weeks the scene of almost unparalleled and licentious outrage – the perpetrators, the well-known bushranging ruffians whose depredations have been so alarming to the Lower Hunter – On Friday morning, the 18th instant, about 11 o’clock, these villains, six in number, in their route from Brisbane Water, visited, for a second time within a few weeks, the station of E. C. Close, Esq, and, after committing their usual depredations, forced his overseer to accompany them to Mr. Crawford’s establishment, unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. C. were absent at the time, on a visit to Maitland. The scene which presented itself on their return was truly a distressing one, every place of security about the house was broke open; and almost every piece of furniture more or less injured. After remaining about two hours at my house they forced a free man, whom I had left in charge, to show them the road to my brother’s station (Illalong), about 5 miles distant.

I forgot to say that the conduct of two of the Wollombi district constables on the premises was disgraceful in the extreme, worse if possible, than that of the bushrangers, as the spirits, &c, were handed out of the house by the bushrangers these pseudo protectors of the peace received them, knocked the necks from the bottles, and drunk the contents till they became in a state of beastly intoxication. The conduct of these vile constables on this occasion ought to become the subject of strict inquiry; they appeared to be with the bushrangers “Hail fellows well met.” At Illalong, the bushrangers, after making their usual inquisitorial inquiries, asked if there was not a bell on the premises? On being answered in the affirmative, they ordered one of the assigned men to break it to pieces, which was apparently very willingly done; after ordering corn for their horses and ransacking the house they pressed the services of one of the men to conduct them to Mr. J. M. Davis’s, about two miles distant, they found Mr. D. just sitting down to dinner, having, as a guest, Mr. Dunlop the police magistrate, who, armed with a pair of small pistols, resisted the first intruder, but upon seeing, immediately after, five others enter the room prudently desisted. After ordering Mr. D. and his guest to “bail up” in the room, the rascals sat down to the savoury viands, and cracked their jokes with as much case and familiarity as consisted with convict dignity, observing to Mr. Dunlop (at the same time applying a quizzing glass to his eye) it was the first time they had had the pleasure of meeting him at dinner; but they intended honouring him again with their company on Christmas Day. After remaining about an hour and a half on the premises and committing the usual spoliation, and making the servants drunk, they took away three of Mr. Davis’s horses; they then proceeded to the Rising Sun Inn, kept by Mr. Pendergrass, whom they robbed of £13 cash, here they met with Mr. John McDougall, who keeps the inn at the township, and for some alleged offence stripped him and tied him up, two of them inflicting a most unmerciful lashing, had it not been for the interference of Mr. P. it is probable they would have taken Mr. McDougall’s life

Pursuing their course of infamy, the miscreants directed their way to Mr. White’s, of the Red House on the Maitland Road, whom they robbed of a double-barrelled gun, a saddle, and a few shillings in money, several of them being in a state of intoxication, so that in leaving they could scarcely keep their seats. They then proceeded to Mr. Garrard’s (late Mr. Harper’s) station, about a mile distant, which they ransacked.  

I cannot conclude without making a few remarks respecting the praiseworthy conduct of our P. M., Mr. Dunlop, who, under the cover of night, and in danger of falling in with his late quondam companions, rode to Maitland for the purpose of obtaining the services of the mounted police; as these were proceeding from Maitland to Black Creek, they were met by a gentleman from the latter place, from whom information was given, which I flatter myself will lead to their detection.

It is reported they have since robbed the mail on its way from Darlington to Maitland.

Posted on by AJFPhelan56 0