It is no surprise that things were very different in the colonial era. However, it can be a shock when we discover just how different things were – especially in relation to crime and punishment. While flogging, leg irons and … Continue reading The Dark Side of the Law
Kilmore Free Press and Counties of Bourke and Dalhousie Advertiser (Kilmore, Vic. : 1865 – 1868), Thursday 29 March 1866, page 4 EXECUTION OF DUNN THE BUSHRANGER.Sydney Herald, 20th March A sadder scene was never enacted in that … Continue reading Spotlight: Execution of Dunn the Bushranger
“I, Maurice J. O’Connor, being the medical officer of the gaol at Darlinghurst, do hereby declare and certify that I have this day witnessed the execution of Andrew George Scott, alias Moonlight, lately convicted and duly sentenced to death at … Continue reading The Execution of Scott and Rogan
Ballarat Courier (Vic. : 1869 – 1883; 1914 – 1918), Tuesday 6 January 1880, page 4 CAPTAIN MOONLITE, THE CONDEMNED BUSHRANGER. BY SILVERPEN. As every item of news anent the Wantabagery bushranger is just now read with painful interest by … Continue reading Spotlight: Captain Moonlite, the condemned bushranger. By Silverpen.
Few figures in history reach the notoriety and cultural impact of the Kelly Gang. As so much is easily available on the subject already, here is an easily digestible summary of the so-called Kelly Outbreak. For more detailed information, there … Continue reading The Kelly Gang: An Overview
A hangman teaches his craft to his apprentice – but there’s a twist! This competition entry was written by Ben Holgate. Continue reading Literature Competition Entry #2: The Book of Drops by Ben Holgate
One of the most popular highwaymen of the earlier half of the 19th century, William Westwood arrived in Australia as a teenager and soon became one of the most renowned highwayman in Australian history using the pseudonym Jacky Jacky but met a grisly end on Norfolk Island. Continue reading William Westwood: An Overview
In 1827 Jack Donohoe teamed up with two fellow convicts named George Kilroy and William Smith. Taking to the bush they robbed a man named Plomer. Found guilty of highway robbery, the trio were sentenced to death but Donohoe escaped … Continue reading Spotlight: The Botched Execution of Donohoe’s Mate
The following is an account of the hanging of Henry Manns, sentenced to death for his role in the Eugowra Rocks robbery. What follows is taken directly from The Newcastle Chronicle and Hunter River District News of 1 April, 1863. Be warned, it is not for the squeamish. Continue reading Spotlight: REVOLTING and HORRIBLE SCENE at the EXECUTION OF HENRY MANNS.
