Tag: Mad Dan Morgan

Spotlight: Morgan the Bushranger (30/01/1864)

Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1932), Saturday 30 January 1864, page 7

COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

Morgan the Bushranger. — The old friend of the inhabitants of the Billybong, known as the celebrated Morgan, on Tuesday last, the 12th inst., paid a visit to Wilberforce’s Hotel, Piney Ranges. He said that he called there in consequence of reports that had been circulated about him which were untrue. He was bad enough, but did not want to be made worse than he really was. He behaved in a very gentlemanly manner. The landlord asked him to have a drink, which he accepted, and had a bottle of porter. While drinking it, Morgan said, “Wilberforce, you are smoking a very handsome pipe; I should like to have it.” The landlord then said, “Morgan, you shan’t take it; I will make you a present of it.” He said, “I don’t want to take anything form you,” and thanked Mr. Wilberforce for the pipe. After this a bottle of porter was tossed for, which he lost and paid for. He then stated that he had no wish to molest anyone, and if he was not interfered with, be would not interfere with them. He remained for nearly three hours, sitting in the verandah; then left saying, “Good afternoon, Mr. Wilberforce.” Mr, Wilberforce told him he would publish all that transpired. Morgan said, “Publish what you like but don’t make the devil blacker than he really is.” — Border Post.

“What do you ask for this article?” inquired an exquisite of a young shop-woman. “Fifteen shillings,” was the reply. “Arn’t you a little dear?” said he. “Well,” she replied, blushing considerably, “All the young men tell me so.”

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Spotlight: Morgan’s Outrage at Kyamba (16/01/1865)

Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 – 1872), Monday 16 January 1865, page 9

MORGAN’S OUTRAGE AT KYAMBA.

ON the 13th ultimo this notorious murderer paid a visit to Kyamba.

At about noon he made his appearance, at the camp of Mr. Adams, road contractor, and bailed up all his men, and, as the contractor had no cash in hand, he set fire to the tents thus. ruthlessly destroying at least £15 or £20 worth of property. Five Chinamen having made their appearance he ordered them to strip, with a view to searching their garments; they, not understanding the command, and, therefore, apparently hesitating to put it in force, he shot one of them in the arm, just below the shoulder joint. He then robbed the lot, but all the money he found on them was trifling — one small gold piece, and about thirty shillings in silver — the latter he threw away, from his chagrin. He remained at the camp till 5 p.m., having caused tea to be made and a damper prepared for him. Everything, including the account-book of the contractor, was destroyed.

He did not tie the men or secure them in any way, but kept them in such a position as rendered it difficult to have rushed him without incurring a further loss of life. The only weapon in the place was a double-barrel gun unloaded. Morgan said, “He did not like double-barrel guns,” and took it away with him. In the afternoon, Mr. Jones, another contractor, paid a visit to the camp soon after it had been set on fire; he was likewise secured, together with a traveller and two or three other men residing in the neighbourhood, who came there on horseback. On leaving he took these men with him. He made one of them carry the gun, and took them over the mountains to eight miles south of Kyamba. Here he met two buggies, in one of which was Mr. and Mrs. Manson, and in the other were two young men. These he immediately stopped, ordering them out of their buggie; and because Mr. Manson seemed to hesitate, he threatened to shoot the whole of them on the spot. Having got them out, he stripped Mr. Manson, and searched the pockets of the others, taking about £6 in all. He conversed freely for some hours, detailing his various exploits at great length, and dwelling, particularly upon the murder of M’Ginnerty and Smyth, of which he made no attempt at concealment. He stated that he had watched Smyth’s party five days, in order to make sure of the right man. He spoke of three men whom he was determined to shoot before “retiring from business:” — Mr. M’Kenzie, late of Mundarloo; Mr. M’Laurin, of Yarra Yarra; and Sergeant Carroll. On these he expressed himself determined to be revenged; and with respect to the former he declared that if he once had him in his power, £5000 would not save his life. Soon after Mr. Manson had escaped, the mail to Albury arrived, but being very light, Morgan allowed it to pass. Shortly afterwards, the Albury mail arrived, when he ordered the driver to stop. This not being instantly complied with, he fired a shot at him to bring him to. He then made him get out and hold the horses’ heads, while he ransacked the mails.

MORGAN SHOOTING THE CHINAMAN. — [SEE PAGE 9.]

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Spotlight: Morgan the Bushranger (16/07/1864)

Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 – 1872), Saturday 16 July 1864, page 7

MORGAN THE BUSHRANGER.

THIS miscreant, emboldened by the impunity with which he has for months past robbed travellers and levied blackmail from the squatters in the Albury district, occasionally diversifying his exploits by burning down a woolshed or destroying a settler’s account books, has added two murders to his crimes. On the 19th ult., he encountered Sergeant Carroll, of Wagga Wagga, about twenty miles from Albury, and several shots were exchanged without effect. During the afternoon of the same day he visited the Roundhill station, belonging to Messrs. Henty, and, after dismounting, put his horse into the stable. There were a number of men about the huts, whom the ruffian, with a revolver in each hand, ordered to go into the carpenter’s shop, and after asking Mr. Watson, the superintendent, if the men got enough rations, ordered him to go and bring four bottles of grog, which were drank; after carousing for hours, Morgan was about taking his departure, when Mr. Watson incautiously made some remark about stolen stirrup irons. Morgan immediately drew his revolver, and, aiming amongst the men, fired, wounding Mr. Watson in the hand; another shot hit Mr. John Heriot (son of Mr. Heriot, of the Caraboola station), and smashed his leg; he then fired twice at a man named Connor, who attempted to escape, and as the other men also ran away he fired at them several times. Mr. Heriot retreated about thirty yards, dragging his broken limb along the ground, and then fell, when Mr. McLean, one of the overseers, perceiving that he was badly hurt, lifted him up, carried him into the house, and laid him on one of the beds. Morgan came in soon afterwards, and on expressing himself sorry for having committed such an outrage, Mr. McLean asked if he had any objection to his going for a doctor; Morgan gave his permission, and Heriot requested McLean to take his horse and go quickly. The poor fellow at once started on his errand of mercy, and had got a few miles on the way, when Morgan overtook him, and said, “You —— wretch, you are going to lay an information,” and immediately fired, shooting McLean through the back, the ball entering the right side, below the tenth rib, passed through his stomach, and came out about three inches above the navel. McLean then fell from his horse and Morgan rode into the bush, leaving his victim lying on the ground writhing in agony. After a short time he returned, and putting McLean on his horse returned with him to the station, and calling one of the men assisted in removing him to his bed. Some person having asked how it occurred, Morgan said “one of his mates had shot him.” In reply to Mr. Heriot, McLean stated, “I was riding along the road, and, when just past the sheep station, Morgan said, ‘You —— wretch, you are going to lay an information,’ and fired at me.” Dr. Hill, a neighbouring squatter, visited the unfortunate man on Monday, and, perceiving that no medical aid could prevent the wound proving fatal, advised him to send for any of his friends that he wished to see; and on his expressing a desire to see his uncle, he was sent for, and arrived the next day. To him, also McLean reiterated the statement as to how he came by the wound, and, after great suffering, expired at midnight.

Morgan stayed at the station, drinking, until about two o’clock on Monday morning, and about five minutes after he left Sub-inspector McLerie, with a party of police, arrived, and on obtaining particulars of the affair, and the route taken by Morgan, they immediately followed in pursuit. “Pursued by the police” has long since become a stereotyped phrase in connexion with their ineffectual efforts to stop the career of our western banditti, and the chase after Morgan was another of those futile efforts so characteristic of the new force, for it has since turned out that he camped for the night about a mile and a half from the scene of his outrages; from thence it appears he crossed the country towards Tumbarumba, and on the morning of Friday, the 24th, Sergeant McGinity and Trooper Churchill overtook him about five miles from the Copabella station, but having no idea who he was, the sergeant rode up alongside of him. Morgan said, “You are one of those wretches looking for bushrangers,” and fired, shooting McGinity through the heart. His body was afterwards found close to the road, his hat having been placed in the centre of the path, apparently by Morgan, to attract attention. Churchill returned to Tumbarumba professedly ignorant of what had occurred. During the afternoon of the 24th, Morgan stuck up Mr. O’Hare, publican, of Tumbarumba, and took away his horse, but abandoned it after going about a quarter of a mile.

Morgan is reported to be a native of Appin, about thirty-three years of age, dark complexion, long hair and whiskers, and about 5ft. 9in., or 5ft. 10in., in height. He commenced his criminal career at an early age, and has served a term of penal servitude at Pentridge Stockade, in Victoria. On obtaining a ticket of leave there he returned to the Ovens district, and commenced his depredations under the cognomen of “Billy the Native,” or “Sydney Bill.” Sergeant McGinity was an old and respected member of the police force; he has left a widow and six children, bereft of their protector by the atrocity of this blood-thirsty ruffian, and it is to be hoped their case will receive the immediate attention of the Government.

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Spotlight: Morgan. Bushranger and Murderer (07/07/1864)

Mount Alexander Mail (Vic. : 1854 – 1917), Thursday 7 July 1864, page 2

MORGAN. BUSHRANGER AND MURDERER.

When and where is it to end? is the remark made by everybody. Are we never to hear the end of Morgan? Apparently not, until in a drunken fit, or by the accidental discharge of his own revolver, the world is rid of the now doubly-dyed miscreant. We have still another week of Morgan’s murders and misdeeds to recount. Late last night we heard from persons in from Tumbarumba, that the mailman, Brooker, who rides with the mail on horseback from Tumbarumba to Ten Mile Creek, on his journey on Wednesday, came upon the dead body of a man, some three miles above Mr. Robinsons Copabella Station, but having heard firing a few minutes before, he pushed on. Is this a third murder we shall have to put down to Morgan’s fearful account within a week? When is he to be shot as a native dog ? — Albury Banner. July 2nd.

Wednesday’s Bathurst Times says:— “It was rumoured yesterday that information had been received that the wretch Morgan has added another atrocity to the long list of crimes which has rendered him so infamous. He is said to have met a woman riding through the bush, and on “demanding money from her, which she was unable to give, compelled her to dismount, and tying her to a tree, stripped off her clothes, in order to search them more effectually. He had scarcely time to examine the garments, when he was disturbed by the noise of a party approaching. Gathering the clothes in a heap, he set them on fire, and, jumping hastily on his horse, galloped away, leaving his poor defenceless victim literally naked. The poor woman’s screams attended the attention of the party, who proved to be three stockmen driving horses through the bush, and on coming up, they set her at liberty and divested themselves of portions of their own clothing, to enable her to resume her journey.”

The Yass Courier of 29th ult. states that Morgan, the bushranger, is a native of Appin, and is about thirty-two or thirty-three years of age. His father was blind, and, after his death, which occurred many years ago, his mother married again. Young Morgan “turned out” early in life, and while yet a lad stole a horse from the police magistrate of Campbelltown. The constables went in pursuit of him, but he succeeded in evading their search. It is said that when they were trotting their horses after him, he kept at the same pace as they did, and when they galloped he used to put spurs to his horse and outstrip them in speed. He at last managed to double on them, and, returning to the neighborhood of Campbelltown, succeeded in stealing two more horses, with which he made his way in the interior, where he disposed of them. Subsequently to this he pursued the calling of stock-keeper on the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, and from there proceeded to Port Philip, where he committed some depredation, and was sentenced to a term of penal servitude at Pentridge. We understand that at present he is a ticket-of-leave holder. Although carrying on his exploits alone, he, like the rest of the bushrangers, has acquired a number of friends amongst both the large and small settlers in the neighborhood of Billabong who receive a share of booty and also share his immunity from punishment.

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Spotlight: Background on Morgan (05/07/1864)

Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 – 1950), Tuesday 5 July 1864, page 3

Morgan, the Bushranger.

The “Yass Courier'”gives the following account of this bloodthirsty scoundrel : — Morgan is a native of Appin, and is about thirty two or thirty-three years of age. His father was blind, and after his death, which occurred many years ago, his mother married again. Young Morgan “turned out” early in life, and while yet a lad, stole a horse belonging to the police magistrate of Campbelltown. The constables went in pursuit of him, but he succeeded in evading their search. It is said that when they were trotting their horses after him he kept at the same pace as they did, and when they galloped he used to put spurs to his horse and outstrip them in speed, he at last managed to double on them, and, returning to the neighbourhood of Campbelltown, succeeded in stealing two more horses, with which he made his way into the interior where be disposed of them. Subsequently to this he pursued the calling of stock-keeper on the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, and from there proceeded to Port Phillip, where he committed some depredation, and was sentenced to a term of penal servitude at Pentridge. We understand that at present he is a ticket of leave holder Although carrying on his exploits alone, he, like the rest of the bushrangers, has acquired a number of friends amongst both the large and small settlers in the neighbourhood of Billabong, who receive a share of booty, and also share his immunity from punishment.

We regret that while recording two more bloody outrages of the wretch, we have not the satisfaction of announcing his capture. It is difficult to imagine how eleven men could entertain for so many hours this unparalleled scoundrel without making the smallest attempt to secure him. It would seem from his exploits at Mrs Vincent’s station, and more recently at that of Mr Henty, that his safety lies in the number of those he bails up; for, on neither of the occasions to which we refer, was any resistance shown. On the other hand something like gameness was exhibited by sergeant Carroll when he encountered the ruffian near the Round Hill Station, on the 18th instant. The trooper fired three shots at him, and thus challenged Morgan to show his pluck, This, however, he does not appear to have done, but galloped away. It will, probably, be recollected that Carroll was the policeman who single handed and ill provided with arms, attacked Piesley near Mundarlo, when that scoundrel was endeavouring to make his escape from justice after the murder of Benyon. Sergeant Maginnity, whose death at the hands of Morgan is stated in our telegraphic intelligence, was at one time stationed at Gundagai and more recently at Tumbarumba. He was regarded by his superior officers as an active and courageous man, and his death will be a loss to the service.

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Spotlight: Shooting at Wendlan (4 May 1865)

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 – 1918), Thursday 4 May 1865, page 2

WAHGUNYAH POLICE COURT

Wednesday, May 3rd.

(Before Captain Carey, P.M)

Shooting at Wendlan.—– Thomas Maslen, who appeared, on remand charged with threatening to avenge the death of Morgan, by shooting Wendlan, was again brought before the Court. On the previous hearing of the case, the only evidence taken, was that of Mounted-Constable Nicolson, who de posed to arresting the prisoner at the Union Hotel, Wahgunyah, on the above charge. In his swag were found a double-barrelled gun, a rifle, two flasks filled with powder, two empty powder flasks, four gun locks, a quantity of balls, a box of percussion caps,and a small vial of strychnine.

To-day, Sergeant Hayes stated that the prisoner had been identified as being an associate of Morgans, and prayed for a further remand of seven days, which was granted.

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Spotlight: Wendlan Subscription (26 May 1865)

Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 – 1929), Friday 26 May 1865, page 3

An appeal is being made to the squatters of Riverina and Victoria towards the fund now being collected for the benefit of John Wendlan, who shot Morgan, the bushranger. Messrs Goldsbrough and Co, Power, Rutherford, and Parker and Ainslie, are interesting themselves in the matter. The owners of the Peechelba Station state that Wendlan has been in their employ for four years, that he had conducted himself to their entire satisfaction, lie is steady, and any fund collected for his benefit would be put to good use. He has, acting on the advice of the police, left the Peechelba Station, as he was in some danger from Morgan’s friends, who doubtless would be glad of an opportunity to avenge their comrade’s death. Wendlan only received L300 from the New South Wales Government, and he is now out of employment. It is therefore hoped that the squatters of New South Wales, Riverina, and Victoria will unite in aiding to set the courageous young man up as a farmer

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Spotlight: Morgan the Bushranger – Latest Particulars (19 April 1865)

Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 – 1954), Wednesday 19 April 1865, page 3

MORGAN, THE BUSHRANGER

The following are the latest particulars, epitomised from the Herald, concerning the movements of the desperado a few days prior to his death:–

His last exploit in New South Wales was sticking up the Kyamba mail, after which he proceeded by way of Tumberumba, in the Billabong district, to the Murray, crossing that river at Yoe or Thugulong, about 20 or 30 miles from Albury. He was next seen at Mr. J. Wilson’s station, Wallangatta, from which he stole a racing mare and another horse dur[ing] the night, being able to get clear off with his spoil, as Mr. Wilson was from home and the superintendent away to the back country with weaners, taking all the shepherds and dogs with him. There was thus nothing to give the alarm; and Morgan was allowed plenty of leisure to effect his depredations. The mare (Victoria) stolen was a very valuable animal, and had been purchased by Mr. Yuille for the Champion Race in January next. She had been brought in only a few days before for the purpose of allowing an agent of Mr. Yuille to inspect her qualities, and he having approved of her, the bargain was concluded in Melbourne with Mr. Wilson’s agents on the 3rd April, nine hours after the animal had been abstracted. On the station was found a strange horse, with a very large tumour full of matter on one of the cheeks, which was supposed to have belonged to Morgan, he being in the habit of kicking his horses on the side of the head to accelerate their speed. From this it was supposed to be the animal on which he had entered Victorian ground.

He was next seen at Mr. McKinnon’s station, Tawnga, on the Little River, on the Wednesday evening. This place is distant 50 miles from Wallangatta. He stuck up two men who were in the yard, and drove them, pistol in hand, before him into the house. He chatted familiarly upon the qualities of his horse with McKinnon, and accounted for a swelling in her fetlock by saying that a log had rolled down and struck her while he was leading her down the ranges. He then took a man with him as guide, as far as Mr. Roper’s station, Mullindolingong, where he pressed another man into his service, and made for the Messrs Evans’ station, on the King River, crossing the Ovens at Wodonga. Here Morgan bailed up every one he saw, and among the rest Mr. Evans’ brother, whom he informed that it was his intention to shoot Mr. Evans and Mr. Bond, of Degamero. Mr. John Evans asked him why he should wish to hurt his brother, when it was Mr. Bond who inflicted the injury of which he complained, to which Morgan replied that Mr. Evans was equally as bad, being an accessory to the affair. He searched the house, but took no money, and behaved in a very polite manner to Mrs Evans, saying he did not wish either to hurt or frighten her. He would not partake of a glass of grog offered to him, saying that he only drank occasionally. He conversed freely about his past career, and said he had been imprisoned in Pentridge for a crime of which he was guiltless ; that he got 12 year lard labour, but was released when he had done six years and 15 weeks ; that he came up to Yackandandah where he asked a man for a job, which was refused him on account of his having been at Pentridge, and that he then determined never again to ask for employment. He seemed to have a bitter recollection of his treatment at Pentridge, and swore he would rather die than serve another three years in it. After breakfast he bade Mr. Evans accompany him to a creek where he had left his horse, and in the course of a walk of two or three miles he entered into a defence of his conduct respecting the Round Hill murder, denying that he was either drunk or mad. Upon Dr. Evans asking him if he felt any remorse for the people he had killed, he said he did not; the only thing he felt sorry for being the wounding of Mr Heriot. It was very fortunate for Mr. Evans’ brother that he was from home, and that what may be considered a special chain of circumstances prevented him when he returned following in the wake of the bushranger as he had intended for most assuredly had Morgan set eyes upon him, he would have slaughtered him, such a deadly hatred did he bear against him.

He was next seen on the adjoining run of Mr. McBain where he bailed up a Melbourne hawker, taking from him a sum of between £5 and £6. He afterwards bailed up three dray-men, telling them he was Morgan, robbed them of what they possessed and told them he was going to shoot Mr Bond. With one of them he exchanged boots, observing – “I hear they have got my ‘phiz’ in the Waxworks ; these are a policeman’s boots, if you sell them you may get something for them.” He thence proceeded to Winton, a small township about 20 miles south of Wangaratta, on the main line of road between Melbourne and Albury, where he arrived about dusk on Friday evening. As he rode past the fence of Whitty’s public house his peculiar style of horsemanship, riding in-kneed, attracted the attention of Miss Whitty, who was standing at the verandah of the hotel. She exclaimed, ” I shouldn’t wonder if that man is a Sydney native; look at the way he rides” She then took another look at him, and said loudly, ” Why, he is very like Morgan ; he just resembles the man in the Waxworks.” The horseman, hearing the remark, turned turned round and scowled at her, but made no observation, and rode out in the direction of Wangaratta, robbing a carrier who had camped for the night a short distance from the hotel.

On that night and Saturday morning Morgan was in possession of the road within three miles of Benalla to within six miles south of Wangaratta. He stopped nearly every person he saw, but seldom searched them, being apparently satisfied with their assurances that they had got no more cash. One man named Cochrane drew out his purse, and while opening it managed to press a £5 note against the side in such a manner as to render it invisible, and showed to Morgan 3s. 6d. in silver, then he replied, “It’s just like you b___y Victorians, none of you are worth sticking up!” He here missed a rich haul of £200, as he allowed a contractor named Stewart to escape his toils, fancying he had nothing worth while robbing him of. He then went to Warby’s station, but found the master from home ; he, however, behaved very politely to Mrs. Warby, plucking grapes with her in the garden, and chatting quite familiarly. Hearing the sound of horses’ feet coming up, he requested her to go inside, saying it was the police, and that he would show her some fun, as he was determined to fight them. He stood in the doorway, carelessly twirling his revolver, but finding it a false alarm, he stole a horse, and struck across the country for Connelly’s, but, the evening being bad he lost his way.

He, however, came upon a road leading to Peechelba, where he met Mr. Telford, a relation of Mr. McPherson’s, and two other men, whom he compelled to accompany him to the station. Mr Telford remonstrated with him upon compelling an old man like him to travel on such a miserable day ; but Morgan replied: that he had a head to lose, and if he let him go he might give information to the police. Since he had entered Victoria he had travelled about 200 miles, something in the shape of three fourths of a circle, and was now at Peechelba, only seven miles from the Murray border. It was here that the ruffian’s career of crime was to be brought to an inglorious close, but the particular as to how he met his death, have before been published in our columns. The following extract will serve to show how even ministers were affected –

“Among the volunteers was a clergyman, who remained at the station during the night, and was on the spot when Morgan was shot. Instead, however, of offering him any of the consolations of his religion, he left that duty to be performed by a pound-keeper, and mounted his horse to return to Wangaratta, ostensibly for the purpose of preaching to his flock, but when he got there he was too much excited by the scene he had witnessed, to be able to fulfil his ordinary avocation. Surely he must have remembered the saying of his Master, “They that are whole need not a physician, but those that are sick!” and though his exertions to bring him to a sense of his condition would doubtless have proved of no avail, he might at least have done his best to effect that object.

It would take up too much space to narrate Morgan’s career within the last few years. Suffice it to say that on the 10th June, 1854, he was tried before Sir Redmond Barry (the then Acting Chief Justice) under the name of John Smith, alias the Sydney Native, for robbery under arms at Avoca. The plundered men were a hawker named John Duff and a bullock driver in his employ. The prisoner ordered a shepherd of Mr. Orr’s to tie each separately to different trees, and then he compelled the shepherd to go to his hut, where the prisoner tied him up also, fastening him by his belt to the bed. He stole from the hawker a revolver, a coat, trousers and £5 in money. This took place on the 17th April 1854, and on the 5th May following he was arrested by Sergeant Cahill, of the Mounted Police, and a trooper, concealed under a bed in a hut on Menzies’ run. He made a violent resistance, presenting two revolvers, one in each hand, at the two constables; and it was only when the officers threatened to shoot him that he surrendered. Some of the stolen property was found in his possession, and the evidence being considered conclusive, he was convicted and sentenced to 12 years on the roads, the first ten in irons. The description which is given it the gaol books leaves no doubt that John Smith and Daniel Morgan were one and the same party. He is decribed as follows:

“John Smith, alias the Sydney native, native of New South Wales born 1821, five feet 10¼ inches in height, slight build, dark complexion, black hair, hazel eyes, can read and write well, three moles on his left hand, and several on his back, a native of Campbelltown, N,S.W. a Catholic, trade a labourer.”

He was sent to the hulk President on the 20th August 1854, and was subsequently removed to Pentridge whence he was released in 1860 with a ticket-of-leave for the Ovens.. Here he commenced stealing horses, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension from the Wangarratta Bench, which was never executed. Finding the Victorian territory too hot to hold him, he went over to New South Wales, and his history there for the last two years, when he first resorted to violence, must be fresh: in the memory of our readers.

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Spotlight: Morgan, the Bushranger (Poem; 15 April 1865)

Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser (Vic. : 1860 – 1870), Saturday 15 April 1865, page 3

MORGAN, THE BUSHRANGER

Dark, brooding, melancholy, and alone,
Beast-like, the ruffian plundered, prowled and slew,

Without a rival or compeer to own
His fellowship ; all shuddered in his view.

Like to a tiger whose fierce maw once drew
The life-blood from some shrieking unaware,

And ever after’s thirsty to renew
The baleful draught ; still watching from his lair,
Where fetid bones, half-gnawed, pollute and plague the air.

Thus seemed the human monster ; he had swilled
His godless hands full oft in human gore :

It was a pastime— horrid, grim, but filled
His fiendish longing restlessness for more.

It joyed the tiger’s instinct in his core ;
Or devil’s impulse that delighted in

Such deeds as man bad never done before ;
That sighed to top the summit of all sin
Which man hath scaled, where devildom can but begin.

He knew no refuge where all perils past,
If Fortune warded him, to seek for rest ;

He felt no ray of hope ; his choice had cast
It all away as an unwelcome guest.

He wooed no such like blisses to his breast.
He sought no pleasures such as humans seek

Who love by sweetnesses to be caressed.
His joys were ills and mischiefs ; and to wreak
Fiends’ deeds in equal triumph o’er the strong and weak.

Strange was his choice — and dark must be his soul
Erratic all the spheres upon his birth —

To choose a present easeless lot, with goal
Dark— darker than his end upon the earth.

No wealthy comforts beckoned to their worth
To compensate him here for future pain.

It was a lot of woe — a total dearth
Of all the good that mankind loves to gain ;
And which, sans virtue, Reason would not wish obtain.

And yet amid his deeds of ruthlessness
Some sparks of human sympathy would steal;

And then he seemed as if be would that less
Of odium had on him burnt its seal ;

As if in men’s eyes yet he cherished weal
But this was when on calmer moments bent ;

When he could see the pleasures others feel,
But ere his soul could purpose to relent
His passions loosed their springs and got unbridled vent

He was a terror ; he had made a name ;
‘Twas all he had for glory and for pride ;

‘Twas all his harm [?] that’s deserved [?] shame
Most infamous to all the w? ll? b?

Yes, he was great ; for[?] blood his hand had dyed,
And Iong men’s tongues had chosen him ? theme.

But do I when Death appears with sudden stride,
And changes all the “spirit of his dream,”
Who is there but doth shout in joyousness supreme?

He stood a terror midst a host of foes ; —
A moment and that terror was no more.

The unseen missile brought him low as those
Had helpless on his mercies lain before.

A few short hours his mortal course was o’er,
And he was but a lump of lifeless clay!

Oh, what collapse! that o’er the fearful doer
Of fearful deeds should thus be brought to bay
And helpless lay him down ‘neath Death’s all conquering sway.

Hamilton, April 12. B. H.

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Spotlight: An Incident of Morgan the Bushranger (10 March 1899)

Molong Argus (NSW : 1896 – 1921), Friday 10 March 1899, page 7

An Incident of Morgan the Bushranger.

Old Bobby R — was a squatter millionaire in the Riverina district, and as tight-fisted an old screw as ever cumbered the earth. On one of his splendid stations Bobby employed a married couple, the husband being a boundary-rider, the wife looking after the hut and attending to the cooking. One day the man, while riding round on his usual work, was thrown from his horse and killed. The ration cart had been sent out by Bobby, the boss, the day before with his usual week’s supplies, but the moment the miserly master heard of his servant’s death he sent a message off to stop the cart and bring the rations back. He agreed to ration man only, and the man being dead, Bobby didn’t see why be should waste a supply upon the woman.

For meanness that was simply devilish, but it is at this point that the bushranger Morgan comes into the story. Morgan was prowling round seeking whom he might bail up at the time, and hearing of the scurvy trick just related he at once went to Bobby’s station, and after threatening to pump the old skinflint full of lead, he let him off on condition that he (Bobby) carried out to the poor widow’s hut a bag of flour, a bag of sugar, half-chest of tea, and other articles. Then he made the miser further agree to keep the unfortunate woman and her family on the station and give them all necessary support, failing which he (Morgan) would return and shoot Bobby dead without a moment’s hesitation. So terribly in earnest did Morgan seem that Bobby not only gave him his word he would do as he requested, but he honestly kept that word — at least until Morgan was shot, and that very day Bobby, the soulless skunk, shut off the supplies and turned the poor widow and her children adrift. Bobby is also dead now, and of the two I would rather change places with the bushranger than the miser.

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