Spotlight: SHOWING HOW BRADY SERVED MR. FLEXMORE ON BOXING DAY by Mr. J. E. Calder

“Good morning, Mr. Flexmore.”

“Good morning,” replied the other a little stiffly.

” Do you know who I am, Sir?” said the spokesman of the party, not quite relishing the curtness of Flexmore’s reply.

“No, I don’t,” said the other rather gruffly, for he had a little of John Blunt about him at times,

” Then I take leave to inform you that I am Brady, the bushranger, who you have heard of before, for I’ve robbed above half the settlers of the country already, and mean to rob the other half before I’ve done with them; and now, Sir, I’ll trouble you for your money.”

Continue reading Spotlight: SHOWING HOW BRADY SERVED MR. FLEXMORE ON BOXING DAY by Mr. J. E. Calder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spotlight: TASMANIAN HISTORY – A SKETCH OF OLD TIMES; EMBODYING THE BUSH CAREER OF MATTHEW BRADY by J. E. Calder (Pt. 8)

James Calder’s history of the remarkable Matthew Brady reaches its conclusion as murder and treachery tears Brady’s gang apart, and the forces of law and order finally catch up with the notorious bushranger. Continue reading Spotlight: TASMANIAN HISTORY – A SKETCH OF OLD TIMES; EMBODYING THE BUSH CAREER OF MATTHEW BRADY by J. E. Calder (Pt. 8)