DEATH OF BEN HALL

THE particulars given in your telegram of Monday last afford a brief but truthful narrative of the closing scene in the life of a desperado whose crimes have kept the far Western interior, during the post two years, in a state of constant alarm, and diffused a sense of insecurity both as regards life and property over thousands of square miles of British territory.

Associated with the most reckless and daring of the class of freebooters who from the early days of the colony have taken the name of bushrangers, Ben Hall has probably committed a larger number of depredations and despoiled her Majesty’s liege subjects of a larger amount of property than any robber who ever trod Australian soil.

The first lessons in his infamous vocation were taken from his quondam ally and tutor Frank Gardiner, under whose leadership several of the more adventurous of his villanous exploits were committed.

For instance, it is well known that he was one of tho gang who were engaged in the murderous attack upon the Gold Escort at Eugowra Creek, although he escaped the punishment due to his offence. But this was by no means the starting point in his criminal career.

Under his chieftain’s tutelage he had for some time previously been transacting business on the road between Forbes and Lambing Flat. He had also escaped conviction at the instance of an Orange jury for dray robbery, very much to the astonishment of everybody who happened to be acquainted with the merits of the case.

His latter day exploits are too well known to require recapitulation. The part, however, which he look in the attack upon Mr. Campbell’s homestead at Goimbla is another instance added to the one afforded by the Escort robbery of the recklessness of his disposition and his dis- regard of human life.

That the dead bushranger was not so bloodthirsty as his two companions in guilt, Gilbert and Dunn, is perfectly true, and there are good grounds for believing that he has, on more than one occasion, prevented tho effusion of blood when but for his intervention blood would have been shed.

But the difference was simply a difference of degree. His trade was a trade of violence and plunder, and involved jeopardy to human life wherever it was exercised. To repeat all that has a thousand times been said in his favour would merely amount to this-that he was not so bad as he might have been, and the same might be asserted of the monster Lynch.

His forbearance, such as it was doubtless secured to him and his gang a lengthened im- punity. Had he shot down people whenever opportunity offered itself, the public, out of a sense of self-protection, would have risen as one man, and speedily put an end to his career.

Of the manner of Hall’s death it is not necessary to say much, as the particulars have already obtained wide publicity. For some days previous a growing conviction appeared to be gaining ground that something would shortly happen to capture, destroy, or disperse the gang of which he was the leader.

The district swarmed with police and parties of volunteers, and the only chance of safety to the freebooters lay in being constantly in motion. The supply of horses began to fail them, and the perpetual vigilance which such a state of things necessitated, together with the toil of long journeys, irregular living, and exposure was beginning to wear them out.

Having obtained a re- mount from Gumbidgewa, in the shape of Mr. Ernest Bowler’s racer Tomboy, Hall made his way to tho Billibong Creek, and having hobbled out his horses, betook himself to a thick scrub, where he hollowed out a bed amongst the dry leaves and betook himself to sleep. This was about 10 o’clock p.m. and a sMr Sub-Inspector Davidson, who had tracked him to his camp was not satisfied as to his identity, owing to the darkness of the night, although sufficiently near him on one occasion to have seized him, be finally decided to defer any action until dawn of day.

Once after the bush- ranger had gone to sleep, himself, sergeant Condell, and the black trackers crawle» on their bellies, and approached the spot where he lay. The crackling of the leaves awoke him and he sprang up. Just at the moment an opossum leaped from a tree close by, and the incident appeared to allay any suspicion he might have had as to the cause of the noise. In a brief space of time he was again asleep, little dreaming of his impending fate,

The force at Mr David- son’s command was so disposed as to render escape almost impossible. Hall’s two horses were headed into an open piece of ground bordering upon tho scrub so as to afford a good opportunity to the police to operate when he approached them.

Without coats, hats, and boots, the men waited and watched through a cold, frosty night, half-frozen and miserable, until day dawned. Awoke from his lair, Hall sallied forth, bridle in hand, in quest of his horses, and was about 150 yards a-head when Mr Davidson, sergeant Condell, and the black tracker started in pursuit. Being in their stock- ings, they approached him noiselessly, until they were within forty or fifty yards of him, when, looking round he for the first time became aware of their presence, and at once took to his heels.

Encumbered, however, with heavy boots, his pursuers gained upon him, and Mr Davidson repeatedly called upon him to stand, but to no purpose. The next moment a bullet was sent after him from Mr Davidson’s gun, which took effect in the back. Here his pace slackened, and he was observed convulsively clutching at his revolvers, but his arms appeared to have lost their office. Sergeant Condell next fired, and planted two balls between the shoulder -blades.

A shout brought forward the four men who were placed in the bush in his front, and, a volley from their pieces rolled over the once terrible and much dreaded Ben Hall, dead upon the plain. Desirous of keeping the affair quiet, so that the report of his death might not scare away his mates, who, for the time being, were separated from him, the police did not remove the body until after nightfall, when it was fastened to a saddle, and reached the police barracks by about 3 o clock in the morning.

Early next day the secret leaked out, and in the forenoon a stream or townspeople was observed making across the lagoon towards Barrack Hill to look upon the remains of the dead bushranger. There they lay ghastly and bullet torn, a fearful monument of the vengeance which offended justice was called to wreak upon one of the direst scourges from which colonial society ever suffered. The brain was penetrated at two points through the forehead, the left arm lacerated with slugs or large shot, and the body perforated m sundry places by bullets and rifle balls.

In short, the body was literally riddled, and its appearance presented a tremendous commentary upon the reckless, law less career of a criminal hero, and the fate to which the exigencies of the times had consigned him. The magisterial inquiry held upon it elicited evidence sufficient to show that every precaution had been taken with regard to Hall’s identity, and that the observances of the law, even as it existed previous to the passing of the Felons’ Apprehension Bill, had been respected.

Of the funeral which took place on the following day little needs to be said beyond the fact that it was rather numerously attended-that there was no lack of mourners, or of the manifestation of grief. Prayers were also read by a layman over the departed bushranger.

AN ACCOUNT OF BEN HALL’S CIRCUMSTANCES

Hall’s antecedents are matters of notoriety on the Lachlan River, where his father first made his appear- ance about twenty five years ago, when the subject of this notice was about three years old, and entered the service of of Mr Rankin.

In process of time, as the boy pro- gressed towards man’s estate, he became a stockman, and was for several years in the service of Mr Hamilton, at the Tomanbil. He was next known as a squatter, and held a run near the Pinnacle station, about fifteen miles from Forbes.

Afterwards he married, and was unfortunate in his marriage, and it is by many of his old acquaintances believed that this circumstance had much to do with the recklessness of his after life.

At all events, the predisposi- tion to an abandoned and criminal course in which appears to have manifested itself after losing his wife, became fully developed and ripened into downright criminality, after he had made the acquaintance of Gardiner. From that period to the hour of his death he waged continuous war against society, and by his exploits became a very curse to the community in which he dwelt.

Naturally well-dis posed, and it is even said kind-hearted, in his early days, he became a favourite with the young stockmen generally, upon the river , and there can be little doubt that his long impunity and consequent success as a marauder are in some measure ascribable to these features in his character. His consideration for females in the course of his numerous depredations also earned for him a spurious popularity.

Owing to the causes now stated-causes which, under am other circumstances, would have operated in his favour -he was by far the most formidable member of his gang – the very key-stone of the arch of villiany, which his per- sonal characteristics had so long, and so unfortunately for the well being of the Western districts, held together.

The sympathy and succour, however, which had been extended to him will hardly be shared by the doubly dyed mur- derers who were his comrades in crime. Gilbert and Dunn, apart from then vices and villainies, have nothing, it is said, personal to recommend them-no redeeming spots in their characters. In all probability therefore, should thev escape the speedy vengeance of the law, they will endeavour to sneak away to some other portion of this or the neigh- bouring colonies.

In any event, every honest man must rejoice that these districts are ridded of the presence of a ruffian whose better nature had been poisoned by untoward circumstances and a vicious education, and whose worst passions and predilections, owing to the same causes, had received a most terrible development. The grave has at length closed in upon him, and it would be well that the story of his misdeeds could at once for and ever be blotted out of human recollection.

A list of incidents involving offences committed by Ben Hall and Johnny Gilbert as prepared by the Inspector General of Police in 1865.

1862

June 15: Attacked the Gold Escort at Eugowra Creek, carried off a large amount of gold, and wounded one policeman.

1863

Feb 2: Robbed a store at Spring Creek, and stole a saddle and bridle.

Feb 7: Stole from the Pinnacle Police Station a rifle, carbine, ammunition, pair of saddle-bags, and a bridle.

Feb 28: Robbed Mr. Green’s house, Lambing Flat Road, of a quantity of spirits.

Mar 14: Robbed a store at Fisher’s Creek of a saddle, bridle and goods.

May 16: Robbed Mr. Barnes’ store at Cootamundra, and attempted to fire the place.

May 19: Stole a racehorse at Burrowa.

Jun 1: Robbed a store at Spring Creek.

Jun 7: Robbed a store at Possum Flat.

Jun 16: Stole two racehorses at Currawong.

Jun 28: Robbed the coach passengers of some cash, on the Lambing Flat Road.

Jun 29: Robbed several people on the Forbes Road

July 3: Robbed a man of his watch and chain on the Lambing Flat Road.

July 13: Robbed a man of £7 in silver, near Burrowa.

July 30: Robbed a store at Caloola of money and goods of the value of £300.

Aug 19: Stole two horses from the Burthong station, near Young.

Aug 24: Robbed four storekeepers of a watch, money, and other property, on the Hurricane Gully Road.

Aug 27: Robbed two stores at Tirnee.

Aug 29: Robbed Mr. Edmonds’ house, at Demondrille.

Sept 11: Robbed the mail from Cowra to Bathurst, also a passenger of some money.

Sept 24: Robbed store at Caloola.

Oct 21: Attacked Mr. Keightley’s house, near Hockley; on which occasion Burke was shot and wounded whence he took his own life.

Nov 19: Attacked Mr. Campbell’s premises, at Goimbla; one of the party firing a shot which wounded Mr. “William Campbell. On this occasion O’Meally was shot and killed.

Dec 6: Robbed the mail from Burrowa to Binalong.

Dec 9: Robbed the mail from Binalong to Yass; also, stole two horses belonging to Mr. Garry of Mylora.

Dec 16: Stole a horse belonging to Mr. R. Salmon.

1864

April 1: Robbed Mr. Chisholm’s house of a gold watch and other property.

April 11: Robbed Messrs. Scarr, between Burrowa and Marengo, of two horses, with saddles and bridles; also robbed a public-house at Back Creek.

May 5: Robbed three drays at Marino Creek.

May 23: Robbed a Chinaman, at a station near Burrowa.

May 25: Robbed two men, near Cadgo Creek.

May 28: Robbed two carriers at Emu Flat, near Binalong.

May 29: Stole horse from Mr J. Ryan, of Corrigan.

Jun 13: Robbed Mr. D. C. Clement’s house, near Billibong, of firearms and other property.

Jun 22: Robbed Mr. Pearco’s Store, at Canowindra, and burnt his account books.

July 13: Robbed Mr. J. Grant’s station, at Belubula River, and stole a horse.

Aug l8: Stole three horses, three saddles, and bridle, the property of Mr. W. Gibson, of Whoego; also fired upon four police constables.

Oct 27: Robbed Mr. Mc’Cansh’s station, at Beggan Beggan, of jewellery; robbed a Chinaman of money and a gold watch.

Oct 29: Robbed the mail from Albury to Yass; robbed a store at Jugiong of a quantity of goods; also, stole two horses.

Nov 8: Stole from Rossir, near Goulburn, jewellery, three horses, and some saddlery.

Nov 9: Robbed the Sydney Mail six miles from Goulburn.

Nov 11: Robbed the mail from Yass to Goulburn.

Nov 16: Robbed the mail from Gundagai to Yass, firing on the police and killing Sergeant Parry.

Nov 19: Stole three horses from the Boloro Station.

Dec 10: Stole some property from Mr. M’Laughlin, of Young.

Dec 27: Robbed and burned Mr. Morris’ stores, at Binda.

Dec 30: Robbed Mr Davidson’s house, at Murrumburrah Plains.

1865

Jan 19: Robbed a store at Wheago.

Jan 24: Robbed John Ross, on the Yass Road.

Jan 26: Robbed a public house near Collector; when Constable Nelson was mortally wounded by Dunn.

Feb 1: Robbed the Braidwood mail, twelve miles from Goulburn.

Feb l8: Stole three horses at Molonglo.

Feb 23: Had an encounter with the Goulburn police at Mutbilly, when Constable Wiles was wounded.

Mar 4: Robbed the Goulburn and Gundaroo mail, near Geary’s Gap.

Mar 13: Robbed the Araluen Escort, when two constables were wounded [and Gilbert was shot in the arm]; stole two horses at Jinglemoney.