Bushrangers
There were several ways to lose your gold to bushrangers prowling the roads and byways of central and south west NSW at the start of the 1860s.
There was the traditional threat long posed by random brigands who grabbed a gun and waylaid passers by. Then there was the risk of encountering the much more organised and formidable members of the bushranger gang led by Peisley and Gardiner and later by Johnny Gilbert and Ben Hall.
The great 1862 gold escort heist
By the start of 1862, the Frank Gardiner gang were well established as a major threat to travellers and mail services on the highways of central and south west NSW. No one suspected however, that the gang would ever dare to take on the rich gold escort with its four armed police guarding the weekly consignment of gold to Sydney from the staggeringly rich new field at Forbes.
On Sunday 15 June however, this is exactly what happened, when the Gardiner gang held up the escort at Eugowra and relieved it of its burden of 2719 ounces of gold, and £3700 in cash.
While at first the gang got away, a determined police hunt led by Frederick Pottinger eventually suceeded in regaining much of the booty and capturing 4 of the gang members.
Johnny Gilbert and Ben Hall
In the wake of the robbery and the massive police chase that followed, the gang split up and Johnny Gilbert took refuge for a time in New Zealand.
Upon his return in 1863, he and Ben Hall teamed up to form a new gang as Frank Gardiner opted for a early retirement in Queensland (though he was recognised and captured the following year).
By the start of spring 1863, Ben Hall, Johnny Gilbert and their associates including Johnny O’Meally, Mick Burke and Johnny Vane were geared up and ready to unleash an unprecedented assault on the established law and order of the goldfields region.
The raid on Bathurst
“To say that astonishment or excitement prevailed does not convey an adequate notion of the stunned and appalling effect produced, as little by little the fact was gradually affirmed that the bushrangers had actually made a descent upon the town.”
9th October 1863
The shrieks of a woman in terror, a cry for “help!,” the trampling of horses, the report of a pistol, and the rapid galloping of a body of horsemen, whose figures as they shot though the darkness looked like shadows gliding down the main thoroughfares of the town, were productive of such a scene of consternation and amazement, on Saturday evening, as can never be forgotten by those who have witnessed what we have just described.
In an instant the bewildered inhabitants of the houses within the line of disturbance were at their doors, and almost as quickly the cry of “Bushrangers“ passed from lip to lip.
To say that astonishment or excitement prevailed does not convey an adequate notion of the stunned and appalling effect produced, as little by little the fact was gradually affirmed that the bushrangers had actually made a descent upon the town.
Proceeding in the direction from which the bushrangers had come, we found a crowd assembled outside the shop of Mr. M’Minn, the jeweller, in William Street, and there learnt that Gilbert and his gang had made a daring attempt to “ stick up “ that gentleman’s shop. 1
In order that the bushrangers’ proceedings may be better understood, we must first inform our readers of the manner in which they were disposed so as to prevent surprise. There were in all five, being as is supposed, O’Meally, Ben Hall, Burke, and Vane – the fifth, Gilbert, having been positively identified. When they came into town, Vane appears to have been stationed in the right-of-way between the Church of England school and the Telegraph Office, and in the darkness he was effectually screened from view.
The others rode in a body to Mr. Pedrotta’s shop, where a number of firearms are displayed for sale. Gilbert and one of his companions, leaving their horses in charge of the other two, went in and asked if Pedrotta had any revolving rifles or double-trigger revolvers, upon being answered in the negative and shown the common kind of revolver, they said they were of no use and walked out. They then went down to Mr. M’Minn’s shop, and, the family being engaged at tea, walked into the room where they were sitting and presenting their revolvers, ordered all to be quiet. Miss M’Minn, however, at sight of the revolvers, screamed with fright, and though they threatened to blow out her brains if she did not keep quiet, she did not heed them in her terror, but still gave expression to her fear.
Disconcerted, the two ruffians beat a retreat, presenting their revolvers as they backed out of the shop – one of them as he passed by the counter trying to lift the lid of a glass case, hut he was foiled, as it was constructed to open from the inside of the counter. The alarm was taken up out-side, in the street, by Messrs. Curtis and Charles White, who called out for help, but before anything could be done the bushrangers were in their saddles and going down the street at full speed. At the corner of Howick Street, two of them turned sharp round, but the others appeared to be uncertain of their way and galloped on towards the police barracks, but a shot being fired into the air, by one of the first two, caused them to turn and re-join their companions. Galloping along Howick Street they were met as they turned the comer of George Street by Vane, who had ridden down the right of way already mentioned, and rapidly crossed the square. As he came up his horse stumbled, when the others eased their pace, and went up George Street at a moderate canter. In about a quarter of an hour, a body of troopers passed through the town in pursuit, following the direction taken by the bushrangers, but as it subsequently proved they passed them on the way. About half-an-hour after, while the townspeople were gathered in knots talking excitedly of the events we have described, a rumour began to circulate that Mr. De Clouet’s public-house had been visited by the gang, who had robbed the inmates, and but just left. This proved to be true, for upon inquiry it was discovered that the bushrangers on passing Piper Street, in which Mr. De Clouet’s house is situated, had turned off George Street and made for the rear of the premises. Here they dismounted, and tearing down two rails of the fence leading into the stable-yard, four of them went to the stable door, leaving one behind in charge of their horses. Just at this moment a man named William Bromley, a horse trainer, stepping in the house, crossed the yard, when he was bailed up. The ostler, Mark, almost at the same time, was coming up with a lighted lantern, and he was quickly pounced upon, and asked for the keys of the stable. Mark told them the keys were kept by Mr. De Clouet, and, in answer to another question, told them he did not know what money there was in the house. Leaving the two prisoners to be guarded by the others, Gilbert and (it is supposed) Ben Hall went into the house, and made their way into the bar parlour, where Mr. De Clouet and a lodger, Mr. John Hunter (a compositor engaged in our own office), were seated reading the newspapers. In a bedroom leading from the parlour, Mrs. De Clouet was engaged washing and putting the children to bed. Hall went up to Mr. De Clouet and demanded his money, and after receiving a £1 note took a watch from his waistcoat pocket. Mr. Hunter was then compelled to hand over what money he had (£2) and while Gilbert remained to keep them quiet, Hall passed into the bed- room and asked Mrs. De Clouet for “ the cash-box ; but that good lady, thinking he was some drunken man, at once ordered him out of the house. He soon undeceived her, and as she declined to say where the cosh-box was placed, he proceeded to a chest of drawers and commenced to turn over its contents. He told her it would be better not to give him the trouble and save his disturbing all her things, if she would tell where the cash-box was kept at once. At this she asked if he would desist upon her placing the cash-box in his hands, when he promised that he would. She had a child in her arms, and unthinkingly asked the fellow to hold it while she was getting the box, but he showed her the revolvers in his hands and laughed. The box having been produced and opened, he took out what notes it contained, and in doing so dropped half-a-sovereign, which rolled under the bed. He stooped down and hunted for it, turning over the carpet, and not being able to see it said it must be found, for he “couldn’t leave that behind.” Mrs. De Clouet at length picked it up and handed it to him, when he returned to the parlour. Gilbert on being left with Mr. De Clouet made him-self known, he having at one time been engaged by that gentleman as a jockey ; and a long conversation is described as having taken place, and Gilbert’s manner is spoken of as being extraordinarily cool and self-possessed. He asked for the keys of the stable, as they had come expressly for the race- horse Pacha, and must have him, and added that they should not have come in at all had it not been that Machattie and Battye had dared them to do so, and had tauntingly told them they had not the “ pluck “ to come in and take Pacha. Mr. De Clouet begged him not to take the horse, as it was only a colt and would be unable to do the work they required of him. Gilbert then went to see what money there was in the till, and finding it contained nothing but silver, shook his head and said they only dealt in gold, at the same time putting his hand into his pocket, he pulled out two shillings which he told Mr. De Clouet he would give him. Mr. De Clouet came into the bar, and Gilbert stood with his face fronting the door, talking, without the slightest trepidation, of by-gone times, saying once that he and his companions might as well stop there for an hour or so as anywhere else. Hall now came out and asked Gilbert if he had the keys of the stable, when Mr. De Clouet told them that the ostler kept them. Hall said they must have the horse, and went out to the ostler. While he was away Mr. De Clouet begged Gilbert to leave his horse, and prevailed on him to go out and speak with the others. He heard Gilbert in conversation, and then he heard a brutal suggestion to “blow out somebody’s brains,-you’ll soon have the keys then.” Almost immediately Gilbert returned, followed by Hall driving in the ostler. He (Hall) threatened to shoot him if he did not give up the keys. The man, however, still persisted in saying that he had not got them. A parley ensued, in the course of which the ostler told them the police had just gone by, when one quietly answered “ Two of us are enough for four of them any day.” Shortly after- wards they ordered all present to come out at the back of the house, but on receiving a promise that no one would go into the street, they took their departure without any further attempt to obtain possession of the horse, having remained altogether about twenty minutes. After the lapse of a quarter of an hour two foot policemen came in and expressed their astonishment and disapproval of Mr. De Clouet’s conduct in allowing himself to be stuck-up. From what we afterwards learned it appeared that the troopers on reaching the reserve at the head of George Street, listened for the tramp of the bushrangers’ horses, so as to discover what direction they had taken, and not being able to hear anything they came to a halt. The night was exceedingly dark, and while deliberating what course to pursue, they descried the bushrangers, through the gloom, coming towards them,-having just left De Clouet’s. The bushrangers, it would seem, caught sight of them at the same moment, for they turned and galloped off in another direction. A hot chase ensued, when one of the troopers named Johnson, whose horse was better than the rest, got in advance, and the bushrangers seeing this turned and fired two shots at him, which he returned. Undaunted, he kept up the pursuit, but his house foundered, and the bushrangers finally escaped.
(Bathurst Times 7 October 1863/ SMH 9 October 1863)
The ransom of Commissioner Keightley
In late October, the bushranger gang made an attack on the home of one of their chief opponents – Gold Commissioner Keightley. Keightley however had been expecting an attack at some point and was well armed.
When Keightley was captured after having shot Mick Burke in the stomach, Johnny Vane was about to shoot him in revenge when Keightley’s wife stepped in to plead for her husband’s life.
A compromise solution was reached whereby the bushrangers were paid a £500 ransom to spare Keightley’s life. When this was delivered the following day the commissioner was released and the bushrangers departed.
They left with the dead body of Mick Burke who had killed himself with a bullet to the head realising that with his stomach wound he was done for.
30th October 1863
On Saturday evening, between six and seven o’clock, Gilbert, O’Meally, Ben Hall, Vane, and Burke made their appearance at the house of Mr. Keightley, assistant gold commissioner, at Dunns Plains Rockley. Mr. Keightley was at the door at the time, outside the house, and, seeing the men advancing, thought at first they were policemen in disguise. On their coming up they called out to him to “bail up,” but, without paying any attention to the command, he ran into the house-about thirty yards off – with the intention of arming himself- four or five shots being fired at him as he went. It seems Mr. Keightley had been expecting a visit from the gang and had provided himself with the necessary means of defence; but, owing to a most unfortunate circumstance, they were beyond his reach at the very moment he required to use them. Having occasion shortly before to send a letter to the post, he had dispatched it by a man servant, who bears the character of being a trustworthy and courageous fellow, and he, it appears, had taken a brace of revolvers with him for his own protection. Snatching up a double barrelled gun (only one barrel of which was loaded), and also a revolver, Mr. Keightley, accompanied by a guest, Dr. Pechey, took his station at the door, where a shower of bullets greeted his appearance, some of them passing within a hair’s breadth of their bodies, and burying with a “ping“ in the woodwork about the threshold.
The plan pursued by the bushrangers was to keep under cover as much as possible, Burke from time to time creeping up at the side of the house, and suddenly swinging his arm round, managed in that way to fire at the gentlemen as they stood in the doorway. Vane is mentioned as coming out in full view, and deliberately taking aim. Unwilling to risk a shot at him, Mr. Keightley waited for the next approach of Burke, who came up shortly afterwards in the way described, and incautiously exposing his body, he was instantly shot in the abdomen, whereupon he was seen to reel like a drunken man, and stagger to the side of the house. Leaning with one hand against the wall, he cried out, “I’m done for, but I’ll not be taken alive ;” and then with the other hand he pulled out a revolver, and placing it to his head, endeavoured to blow out his brains.
The first shot appears to have merely grazed the skin on his forehead, but the next blew away a portion of his skull. He then fell to the ground. The bushrangers, seeing what had happened, still continued to conceal themselves, while they kept up a constant fire upon the house. Dr. Pechey at this juncture, made a rush across the yard towards a kitchen, in the endeavour to obtain possession of a gun placed there, belonging to the servant, William Baldock, whom we have mentioned as having been dispatched to Rockley. He was, however, encountered by Vane, who, presenting a revolver, ordered him back, at the same time firing at him. The doctor accordingly retraced his steps.
The two gentlemen unable, by reason of the tactics pursued, to get a shot at their assailants, now resolved to effect a change in their position, and with this object in view, they walked out of the door, and, by means of a ladder, deliberately mounted to a loft above the house, being exposed the whole time to an incessant fire; but although the bullets passed around them in a shower-some cutting through Mr. Keightley’s beard and hat-miraculous to say, they reached their destination unhurt. The bushrangers still kept under cover, and fired about twenty shots at the loft, when Gilbert called out to them to come down, and Ben Hall said if they did not they would burn the house. Mr. Keightley, fearing that they would carry their threat into execution, and perhaps murder his wife and child, who were below, determined to give himself up, and accordingly called out his intention to surrender. On reaching the ground, Vane ran up to Dr. Pechey, and struck him with the butt end of his revolver a violent blow on the fore-head, immediately above the left eyebrow which knocked him down. Mr. Keightley remonstrated, asking him why he treated him in that manner, when Vane made some answer, which showed that he mistook the doctor for Mr. Keightley, whom they believed to have been the instigator of the resistance they had experienced.
Just at this moment some persons in the employment of Mr. William Bowman, whose station is in close proximity, were observed standing on a rise of ground. In justice to these, it must he mentioned that, through private means, we are possessed of information which exonerates them from the charge of standing coldly by while the murderous assault was going on. It seems Mr. Keightley has been in the habit of firing for practice, accordingly the reports of the firearms created no surprise, and it was not until the voice of Ben Hall was heard, threatening to burn the house down, that their attention was aroused, and they came up the hill to see what was going on. Ben Hall at once fetched them down in a body to where the others were standing; and such a scene was presented as we trust it will never be our fate to chronicle again. In one corner of the yard lay the boy highwayman, while on portion of the well frame sat Mr Keightley, under sentence of death,- Vane standing close to him loading the gun with which Burke had been shot. Mrs Keightley turned to the others and implored them to spare her husband’s life, but seemingly without avail. Vane said doggedly that Burke and he had been brought up as boys together, that they had been mates ever since, and that the gun that had deprived him of life would in turn take the life of the man who killed him. The gun being loaded, he threw it over his arm, and turning to Mr. Keightley told him to follow him down the paddock.
In frantic agitation Mrs. Keightley ran up to Ben Hal!, and clutching him by the coat collar, said “I know you are Ben Hall- and they say you are the most humane, respectable, and best of them all ; for God’s sake do not let them murder my husband – save his life!’’ She then turned to Gilbert, and addressing him in similar terms, begged him to interfere (O’Meally, it appears, was away looking after the horses); Gilbert and Hall appeared to be moved, and the latter called out Vane to desist.
A parley ensued, when Gilbert and Hall dictated the terms upon which Mr. Keightley’s life should be spared, viz., that as the Government had placed five hundred pounds upon Burke’s head, the amount of the reward should be handed over to them, and they agreed to allow a certain time (till two o’clock the following day, Sunday) for the production of the money.
Dr. Pechey then examined Burke and discovered a large wound in the abdomen, through which his entrails, in a frightfully torn and lacerated condition, were protruding. He was still breathing, although unconscious, and the doctor said he could do very little for him without his instruments. He asked, if one of them would go into Rockley, and fetch what he required, but they said it would be of no use, and that it would be better to shoot him at once and so end his misery. The doctor thought something ought to be done, and at length prevailed upon them to let him go and obtain such things as he wanted, having first pledged his honour that he would not raise an alarm. Before he returned the man was dead.
We have said O’Meally was absent, and Mrs. Keightley, fearing lest he might not agree to accept the ransom, prevailed upon one of the party) to fetch him. When he came, he at first refused to listen to the proposal, and declared his intention to revenge the death of his companion; but he was, however, eventually pacified by the others.
They then went into the house, and remained there for a considerable time, awaiting Dr. Pechey‘s return, and drank some spirits and wine, Mrs. Keightley having first tasted it, in order to assure them the liquor was not drugged Some conversation passed, in which the bushrangers said that the reason Burke was so daring, arose from the fact that they had just previously been twitting him with the want of courage, and seemingly he was determined to convince them to the contrary. In answer to a question from Mrs. Keightley, as to what could induce them to pursue the course they did, when, by the many robberies they commuted, they must possess considerable wealth, Gilbert replied – that, with all their depredations, they had not so much as would keep them a week.
Arrangements were next made for the payment of the ransom. Mr Keightley was taken to a place called the Dog Rocks, on a hill near, and Mrs Keightley was warned that if any information was given by which the police might be brought down upon them they would shoot her husband immediately. She was to go into Bathurst with Dr. Pechey, and fetch the money, and if any treachery was attempted, after shooting Mr Keightley, they said they would come down and fight those who approached for the £500. The position they took upon the hill enabled them to overlook the road, so that they could see whoever might arrive, and it was stipulated that Dr. Pechey should alone approach them with the money. Burke being dead, two of the men, engaged at Mr. Bowman’s, were hired to take the body in a spring cart to the house of his father, being paid £2 each for the service by the bushrangers. On the return of Dr. Pechey, Mrs. Keightley, under his escort, rode into Bathurst, where she sought out her father, Mr. Rotton, M.L.A. That gentleman instantly repaired to the Commercial Bank (it being about four o’clock in the morning) and procured the sum required, with which, accompanied by Dr. Pechey, he started to Dunn’s Plains, where upon its being handed over to the party by the brave doctor, Mr. Keightley was set at liberty, and soon after arrived in safety at Bathurst. A body of police had, however, some lime previously started in pursuit of the gang.
Mr. Keightley speaks most favourably of the manner in which he was treated during his captivity, and it seems he had a long conversation in the night with one or two of them, in which he was told that the gang would never have come into Bathurst, or visited him, had it not been for the taunts received from two individuals who ought to have known better than to spur them to the enterprise. They denied ever having threatened to use any violence towards him, but being told that he (Keightley) was a splendid shot, and would riddle them through, as he was in the habit of practising at a target, they imagined he must be possessed of first class weapons, and the desire to possess these, as well as to test his courage, had induced them to make the attack they had. Personally, they did not know him. Once in the night, the galloping of horses was heard, and as for some time the bushrangers had taken it in turns to rest – two sleeping while the others watched – Gilbert, who was standing sentry over the prisoner, went up to the sleepers, and touched them gently with his foot, calling them quietly by name. They jumped up without noise, and held their weapons in readiness, but as the sound drew nearer, it was discovered to emanate from a passing mob of bush horses.
The day before the occurrence took place which we have just described, Sub-inspector Davidson with some troopers were encamped near to Mr. Keightley’s house, and the bushrangers told Mr. Keightley that they had been watching them through the night, and mentioned several little incidents that had transpired, in proof of their assertion. Mr. Davidson, it appears, declined to accept the accommodation proffered by Mr. Keightley, preferring to sleep out with his men, and Mr. Keightley was told of what happened during a visit he had paid the party, and also that they (the bushrangers) had been watching both him and the neighbourhood the whole day through. There are one or two circumstances which we have omitted to mention, but we believe the narrative we have given contains everything connected with the matter which can be relied upon.
As displaying the courage evinced by Mrs. Keightley, it is perhaps worthy of remark that upon the two gentlemen having left the doorway and gained the loft, that lady, undaunted by the firing which was going on, came up into the passage, closed the door, and barred it so as to prevent the entry of the bushrangers. As she did so, we learn, she unconsciously shut out her own little sister, who appears to have been standing in the yard during the whole fray, and it is also said was actually standing by the side of Burke when he received his death-wound.
The Bathurst Free Press of the same date adds: – A communication was received in Bathurst on Tuesday, to the effect that ten troopers from Cowra had arrived at Rockley. They said that twelve of them had left Cowra in company, and on their way across the country had met the two men who had charge of the body of Burke in Mr. Keightley’s cart. Two of the troopers then took charge of the corpse and returned with the cart, intending to see it safely delivered to the authorities at Carcoar. We have reason to believe that their mission was safely accomplished.
(Bathurst Times 28 October 1863/ SMH 30 October 1863)
The Attack On Goimbla
Several weeks after the disasterous raid on Commissioner Keightley’s property, the gang made another nightime assault. This time it was on the home of another outspoken opponent – David Campbell.
Campbell also was well prepared to defend himself and his family and failing in their initial attempt to get into the house, the three bushrangers – Ben Hall, Johnny Gilbert and Patrick O’Meally set fire to the barn.
While the bushrangers stood watching the blaze they little realised they were reflected against the light. From the verandah of the house, David Campbell took careful aim and killed O’Meally with a single shot to the neck.
23rd November 1863
ATTACK ON GOIMBLA STATION.
DIABOLICAL INCENDIARISM.
DEATH OF O’MEALLY AND INQUEST ON THE BODY.
HEROISM OF MR. AND MRS. CAMPBELL.
Sunday, 10 p m.
ON the night of Thursday the 19th instant, the station of Mr David Henry Campbell, was attacked by the three bushrangers, Gilbert, O’Meally, and Ben Hall, at a quarter to nine o clock, who, from the two hours’ career they pursued in that memorable, and for one of them – fatal night, were evidently as much actuated by a thirst for vengeance as by motives of spoliation.
It will be recollected by those who have perused your columns, that Mr Campbell had made no secret of his abhorrence of these lawless freebooters, and that, stimulated by their repeated outrages in this neighbourhood, he some time ago started out in pursuit of them, accompanied by a few of his immediate friends. This was a sufficient cause of offence to the “gentlemen of the road,” and their fiendish resentment has been on more than one occasion openly expressed. True to their promise, as they have generally proved themselves to be, “they came, they saw,” but they did not conquer……….
It appears that the first notification Mr Campbell had of the presence of his unwelcome visitors, was the sound of footsteps under the front verandah of the house at a quarter before nine pm, and that, suspecting the true cause of the sound, he sprang towards the chimney corner, where two double barrelled fowling pieces were ranged, ready loaded, and seized one of them, with which he quickly retreated into an adjoining room. Mrs Campbell, at the same moment, rushing into her bedroom, and Mr. Campbell’s brother, Mr. William Campbell, retiring through the back door. When Mr. Campbell presented himself at the inside door of the room above referred to, he found himself confronted by one of the bushrangers, who stood at an outer door of the same room, entering upon the verandah. This fellow at once presented his piece and fired twice; one ball entering the wall on the right of where Mr. Campbell stood, and the other, on the left. Mr. Campbell replied by a shot from his piece, but on this occasion ineffectually.
The villain then hastily retreated round the end of the house to the front of the house, and re-joined his comrades, who, after repeated volleys and demands to surrender, to one of which Mr. Campbell replied that he was ready, and incited the miscreants to come on, they proceeded deliberately to set fire to the barn and stabling, which formed two sides of a quadrangle. As the barn contained a large quantity of hay, the whole structure was quickly in flames, which raged so fiercely that the premises in the immediate vicinity were brilliantly illuminated; and here occurred an incident which, for heartlessness and revolting cruelty, beggars description. Inside the blazing enclosure was a favourite animal of Mr. Campbell’s, which speedily began to suffer from the heat. As its agonies increased with the increasing flames the suffering brute sent forth piteous and imploring cries for release, and galloped furiously to every accustomed outlet in vain. All expostulations and entreaties on behalf of the sinless animal were fruitless and he was literally roasted alive beneath the taunts and jeers of his brutal gaolers.
The highly courageous conduct of Mrs. Campbell during the most trying ordeal to which woman’s courage could be subjected is worthy of special notice. In the early stage of the drama whose incidents your correspondent is faintly endeavouring to describe, it was indispensable to Mr. Campbell’s chances of a prolongation of the contest that the second fowling-piece which was left in the chimney-corner, together with a powder flask and balls which lay upon the end of the mantel-piece, in contiguity with the corner, should be procured. To obtain possession of them involved great personal danger, inasmuch as the window opposite was in possession of the bushrangers. But this, Mrs. Campbell ventured to incur, whilst her husband remained at his post. Rushing into the apartment, which was lit up by the kerosene lamp, she hurriedly snatched up the gun and powder-flask, and as hurriedly retraced her steps. But she was not permitted to return unmolested. As if to give the lie to such lauded forbearance and boasted chivalry of this band in all cases in which females have been concerned, the ruffians fired a volley through the window upon her retreating figure, and the evidences of their murderous intentions are written upon the opposite walls in bullet marks, fortunately she escaped unhurt and rejoined her husband, by whose side except at brief intervals she patiently awaited the issue of the contest which bore promise of a fearful tragedy.
The finish at length approached, the flames continued to rage, and firing had been suspended for half an hour, – the house meanwhile remaining in solemn silence. During this period Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had ensconced themselves between two parallel walls which formed a passage from the house into the kitchen, when becoming anxious as to the whereabouts of the besiegers, Mr. Campbell suggested that Mrs. Campbell should proceed stealthily into the front apartment and reconnoitre; she did so, and observed the three men standing be-hind a paling fence fronting the house, apparently intent in noticing the progress of the conflagration.
Seizing the opportunity which the information supplied, Mr. Campbell sped quietly round the end of the house to the opposite angle, which, fortunately, was cast into the shade by the blazing building at the opposite end. There he saw the three men standing as described by Mrs Campbell, and, steadily raising his piece to the level of the neck of the uppermost, he pulled the trigger, and, as the sequel showed, ridded the neighbourhood and the country of one of the most remorseless and bloodthirsty ruffians the colony ever produced. Information of a few of the leading facts above narrated having been communicated to Mr W. Farrand, police magistrate, on the forenoon of Friday, he proceeded to the spot to hold a magisterial enquiry over the deceased bush- ranger. He arrived about nine o’clock p m , and proceeded with the business of investigation, which terminated about two o’clock on Saturday morning. The result is given underneath.
As Saturday dawned upon the smoking ruins, the place presented a melancholy spectacle. Everything combustible inside and around the tottering walls of the barns and stables have disappeared, and the charred remains of the dead horse, swollen to nearly double its natural size, lay inside the enclosure. No vestige of nearly £1100 worth of property remains save the crumbling shells of the two buildings. Under the verandah of an out building hard by lay the disfigured corpse of the dead bushranger. The body, covered by part of a wool- pack and the face by a towel, was clad in a corduroy buckskin, high boots with spurs, and three Crimean shirts, underneath his neck lay a white comforter. Underneath the ear on the right side of the neck was a gaping wound extending through the vertebrae, which was completely shattered by the ball. Decomposition had set in, and the wound was discharging freely. The hair, which was dark auburn, was saturated with blood, as was also the beard under the chin. The features wore a scowl, and the mouth an expression as if the man had died uttering curses and imprecations. As he had been detestable in life his figure was hideous in death, and his feats will add a fearful chapter in the criminal history of New South Wales. At twenty-two years of age he died a robber and murderer of the worst type. By the bullet he had chosen to earn his bread, and by the bullet he met his death. His features were small but coarse, and betokened habitual indulgence in the brutal passions. His frame was athletic, his arms muscular, his hands as small and delicate as a lady’s. His lower limbs were light and apparently well knit, and his figure as a whole gave the impression of activity and strength combined in more than an ordinary degree. It was at first intended to remove his remains to Forbes for interment, but the rapid progress of decomposition, owing to the heat of the weather, rendered this impossible. They were interred at Goimbla on the near bank of the Eugowra Creek. .
It is almost needless to state that the conduct of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell throughout Tuesday night’s tragedy is the theme of universal admiration, and it is in contemplation to convene a public meeting at an early opportunity for the adoption of an address, expressing in suitable terms the high appreciation in which it is held by the inhabitants of the Lachlan. This is a movement in the right direction. A document worthy of the occasion would be no unworthy heirloom for transmission to the worthy couple’s successors. That such a movement will meet with the success it deserves cannot be doubted. The following is an abstract from Mr. Campbell’s deposition, at the magisterial enquiry held by Mr. Farrand.
P.M. David Henry Campbell on oath states:-I am a squatter and a magistrate of the territory of New South Wales. While seated in my drawing-room last evening (Thursday), I was startled by footsteps on the front verandah. I grasped my double-barrel gun, and first passed through my bedroom to the back door of my dressing-room.
I was intercepted by a man who fired two barrels at my face. I retired by firing my gun at him whereupon he retreated. I followed him to the corner of the house, and saw the others at the front door well armed. I rushed to my bedroom for arms and ammunition which were in the drawing-room, which was lighted, and the blinds were raised. My wife rushed to secure them under a volley from the bushrangers. She was unarmed. I reloaded, and, together, we rushed along the room to a back outlet and took up my portion between two slab walls leading to the kitchen, and thus commanded every corner in safety. In about a quarter of an hour several shots were fired simultaneously from different directions when one of the men called out ‘If you don’t surrender, we will burn the place down.” I replied, “Come on, I am ready for you”. One replied, “Oh, that is it.“ In a few moments the fire was kindled at the barn, and, driven by the increasing light, the bushrangers retired into the out paddock and remained behind the fence, forty yards from the front verandah. The lamp had been removed, and the blinds dropped. My wife watched their proceedings and informed me that a man with a cabbage tree hat stood watching the flames, I rushed round the house to the front corner, took a calm deliberate aim at the fellow’s throat, I fired and returned to load my gun. Just before this several shots were fired at the drawing room, and was called upon to surrender. I did not reply. At half past 11 o clock I cautiously approached the spot where the man stood, and on the opposite side of the fence found a carbine and cabbage tree hat, which I secured. At daylight I visited the spot with the constable, and saw two yards from the fence a pool of blood. We followed a track into the oaks, and discovered the body of the man, who was wounded in the neck. Immediately on firing the man disappeared – no sound was uttered. The deceased’s pockets had been rifled and his ring removed from his right little finger.
(SMH 22 November 1863)
The Death of Ben Hall
Following the death of O’Meally, Ben Hall and Johnny Gilbert retreated over the first part of 1864 to regroup. They remerged in spring of that year for their final campaign.
By the beginning of 1865 however it was all starting to unravel and the coming of May saw first Ben Hall and then Gilbert shot and killed within weeks of each other.
The demise of the Hall / Gilbert gang spelled the beginning of the end of the battle between the bushrangers and the authorities for control of the highways and byways of central and south west NSW. While opportunistic brigands would remain a real and present threat for many years to come, the passing of Hall and Gilbert brought this chapter of NSW’s history to a close.
13th May 1865
On Saturday, the 6th May, at about 4 o’clock in the morning, a body of police, under the direction of sub inspector James Henry Davidson, arrived in Forbes with the corpse of Ben Hall, the bushranger. He had been killed the night before near the north Billibong, about twelve miles from Forbes, and the body was pierced with eight or nine bullets. Either one of four of the wounds must have proved fatal.
It is said that the spot where he was killed is not far from Mr Pierce Strickland’s station. It is also said that Hall had been in and about the town of Forbes two or three days previous to being shot. Gilbert and Dunn were not with him and it is rumoured that they were off after some horses, while Hall visited Forbes and neighbourhood, and that it was while Hall was on his way to join Gilbert and Dunn that he was killed. From 10 o’clock in the morning of Friday, the room where the body lay was filled with persons curious to have a look at the corpse of the man who has contributed so much to bring New South Wales into disrepute by his wanton outrages. I suppose that four or five hundred persons visited the barracks, and I saw several females among the crowd. After the enquiry several parties availed themselves of an opportunity to get a lock of the bushranger’s hair. His body was lying upon a stretcher in the south east corner room of the building appropriated to the foot police. There was nothing forbidding in the countenance of Ben Hall, as he lay there still in death. In fact, I heard the remark made several times, during the moment I was in the room, “What a handsome face.” He appeared to be a young man about twenty-eight, finely made, excellent features, lofty forehead, and fine brown hair. His whiskers and moustache were cut quite close and of a much lighter colour than the hair on his head. I heard many make the remark, “ I have often seen that face somewhere, but cannot tell where.“ I have myself seen the face, but have no idea when or where. The most remarkable feature in the countenance was a peculiar curl in the right side of the upper lip, indicating ordinarily a feeling of contemptuous scorn, produced by the action of the mind upon the muscles. In this case I am told that it is a constitutional feature, and may therefore indicate nothing. Ben Hall’s career is too well known to require notice, and the opinion is now almost universally entertained in Forbes that the Lachlan district will soon be rid of the bushranging desperadoes.
The magisterial enquiry was held at noon, in the large dining hall of the police barracks, before Mr William Farrand, P. M. It was filled by the most respectable gentle-men in Forbes. All appeared to feel a lively interest in the proceedings.
James Henry Davidson, sworn: I am a sub inspector of police, stationed at Forbes, I started from Forbes on Saturday, the 29th April, in pursuit of the bushrangers, Hall, Gilbert, and Dunn; my party consisted of my self, sergeant Condell, four constables, and two black trackers. On Thursday evening, the 4th of May, at about 10 o’clock, we came upon two horses hobbled in the scrub, near the Little Billibong on the Currajong side, and about twelve miles from Forbes. We were watching the horses about half an hour when a man came out and caught them, he passed very close to where we were standing, and led the horses about one hundred yards; I did not recognise him as Ben Hall at that time; he then hobbled the horses again, and returned to a thick scrub; Billy Dargan, the tracker, said he thought he heard some one scratching in the scrub, as though preparing a place to sleep; I placed five men where we were standing , and myself, sergeant Condell, and Billy Dargan, went below with the intention of attacking him in his camp; at this time we only thought it to be Ben Hall. We could not get within one hundred yards of his sleeping place, on account of the snorting of the horses; we waited there until morning; at about half past 6am I saw a man at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, with a bridle in his hand, walking towards the horses; when he got about half way between the scrub and the horses – myself, sergeant Condell, and Bill Dargan, started to run towards him; he was not aware of our presence until we ran about fifty yards; we now knew it to be Hall; upon seeing us he ran towards the scrub and in the direction of where the four constables and Charley the trucker were stationed; I then called several times, and ordered him to stand. To the Police Magistrate:
At this time I was not aware that he had been outlawed, having left Forbes before that occurrence, after running about one hundred yards I was within about forty yards of him when I levelled a double-barrelled gun and fired one shot; I believe I hit him, for he halted and looked back, sergeant Condell and Billy then fired; I think they both hit him; we fired pretty close together; Condell and Billy were running a little in my rear, about fifteen yards to my left; Hall ran about sixty yards to a few saplings, and caught hold of one; I think he was then mortally wounded; the four constables and tracker then came across; I think Hall saw them coming, for he changed his course; they fired; I was then within thirty yards, when Hipkiss fired his revolving rifle; I noticed Hall s revolver belt fall to the ground; Hall, still holding to the sapling, gradually fell back; altogether, thirty shots were fired; several were fired after Hipkiss fired; I fancy he was shot in the head after that; he spoke afterwards; he said, “I’m wounded, shoot me dead.” I then went up and noticed that the bullet shot by Hipkiss had passed through his side; he died almost immediately; I searched him and found seventy four pounds in notes, in two chamois leather bugs, one in his breast coat, and the other in his trousers pocket; three gold chains and a gold watch; a portrait of a woman, three revolvers, some bullets, and articles of wearing apparel; his poncho and blankets were with his saddle; there was a gold keeper on his finger; I knew Hall personally; his clothes were perforated with bullets, through and through. We then caught his two horses and packed his body upon the saddle, and in this manner took it to our camping ground, and from thence into Forbes.
James Condell, sworn: I am a sergeant of police stationed at Forbes; on Saturday, the 29th of April, in company with sub-inspector Davidson, four constables, and two black trackers, I started from Forbes in pursuit of the bushrangers, Hall, Gilbert, and Dunn; on the Tuesday night following I observed two horses hobbled, and watched them about half an hour, when we saw a man emerging from the scrub and walking towards where the horses were feeding;, he took the hobbles off and led them about one hundred and fifty yards, and then hobbled them again, and let them go; we heard him walk away through the bush into a low scrub; Billy Dargan said after- wards that he heard him scratching among the leaves as though making a place to sleep; sub inspector Davidson and myself posted five men in a half circle where we then were, and then passed to the opposite side; we crept through the bush for some time in search of his sleeping place, but were unable to find it; we then resolved to wait until morning and watch the horses in the meantime; at about 6 o’clock in the morning I saw a man emerge from the scrub and walk towards the two horses ; when he had got about mid way between his camp and the horses we started in pursuit; we ran about fifty yards before he observed us; he then looked up, and seeing us, ran; inspector Davidson called upon him to stand – he looked round but kept on running; inspector Davidson then fired upon him; I saw Hall jump, but he kept on running; I then covered him fully in the back with my rifle and fired; I then saw it was Ben Hall; I believe my first shot took effect between his shoulders; he kept running, but appeared weak; Billy then fired with a double barrelled gun, and I think he hit him too; we then called to the men on the opposite side and they came up; when Hall saw the men emerge from the scrub he turned and ran in another direction; the men then all fired; I believe every one hit him; Hall ran to a cluster of timber and laid hold of a sapling, and said, “I’m wounded, I’m dying”. The men then fired again, and he rolled over; he made two or three convulsive movements with his feet and said, “I’m dying, I’m dying.” We all approached to the spot, and he was dead; his death was almost instantaneous; inspector Davidson then searched and found upon him £74 in notes , gold watch and three gold chains , a gold keeper on his finger, three revolvers, capped and loaded, a bag of bullets, three boxes caps, flask of powder and wearing apparel; where he was camped we found a saddle, poncho, and two single blankets; we then packed his body on a saddle and took it to our camp, and afterwards brought it into Forbes; I have known Hall four years; about three years ago I conveyed him as a prisoner to Orange, and saw him frequently afterwards; I identify the body of the deceased as that of Ben Hall.
William Jones, sworn: I am a storekeeper and reside in Forbes; I have seen the body of deceased now lying in the adjoining room, and identify it as that of Ben Hall. I have known him seventeen years, and have seen him frequently during that period, except the last three years; I have not the slightest doubt about its being the body of Ben Hall.
John Newell, sworn: I am a publican residing in Forbes; I have known Ben Hall nine y ears, and have seen him frequently until the last two and a-half years; the body now lying in the adjoining room is that of Ben Hall.
Charles Ashenheim, sworn: I am a qualified medical man; I have examined the body of the deceased, and find it perforated by several bullets; the shot between the shoulders, the two shots through the brain, and the one through the body were severally sufficient to cause death.
(SMH 13th May 1965)