Once larrikinism appeared in Queensland, it seemed nothing could stop its growth, much to the horror of right-thinking Christian white people all over the Colony. Larrikins were first noticed in Brisbane, but were soon observed west through Ipswich, then Toowoomba, gradually creeping out over the entire Darling Downs, as far as Warwick. The evil spreadContinue reading “The Spread of Larrikinism.”
Rowdyism in Rockhampton
Rowdyism is our most prominent fault, and this prevails most while the steamers are in. The Courier’s Rockhampton Correspondent, 1861 Rockhampton surged into existence rather suddenly, from a few demountable public buildings thrown together in response to a nearby gold rush in 1858, to a thriving and beautifully planned young city in the early 1860s.Continue reading “Rowdyism in Rockhampton”
The Magisterial Fracas at Rockhampton
Rowdyism in Rockhampton On 12 November 1863, a scandal that had been hinted at over the dinner tables of Rockhampton broke out in the most sensational fashion. Two prominent men of the town, who also held the Commission of the Peace as Magistrates were charged with committing assault in the public streets. At 10 inContinue reading “The Magisterial Fracas at Rockhampton”
The last of the Snob.
Part 4 – Forgery, a murder charge and Dunwich. The enduring allure of Springsure. Wikipedia helpfully informs its readers that Springsure is a town of around 950 people in the Central Highlands of Queensland. It boasts cattle farms, and plantations of sunflowers, sorghum, wheat, and chickpeas. It is close to a couple of coal mines,Continue reading “The last of the Snob.”
The Snob. Part 3.
More hard time. Edward Hartigan was released from Brisbane Gaol in January 1875. According to his account, he had been quietly at war with Samuel S Priday, the Principal Turnkey, Storekeeper and Clerk at the Gaol, for some months. He had been asked to keep tabs on other prisoners in return for special treatment. HartiganContinue reading “The Snob. Part 3.”
The Snob – Part 2.
St Helena Island Hartigan arrived at Brisbane Gaol on 13 December 1867. The Brisbane Gaol authorities recorded him as 5 feet 5 ½ inches in height, of slender build, with a ruddy complexion, sandy hair and blue eyes. He could read and write, was unmarried, had no children and belonged to the Church of England.Continue reading “The Snob – Part 2.”
The Snob.
Part 1 – Edward Hartigan’s Early Years. In the years between Separation (1859) and Federation (1901), Queensland had its share of storied criminals. Some terrorised the roads for a few years but were captured and imprisoned– the Wild Scotchman was probably the most celebrated. There were infamous murderers who went to gaol or the gallowsContinue reading “The Snob.”
A Lifetime of Crime.
The long career of Alfred Allwood. How did Alfred Allwood manage to spend most of his life in gaol, considering that his haul of stolen goods over 40 years amounted to less than £10, a pair of boots, a gold watch, and a cake? He wasn’t a very good thief, and on a couple ofContinue reading “A Lifetime of Crime.”
Faces from Old Queensland.
A brief survey of photographs of Queenslanders in the second half of the 19th century. Seen and not heard. And not happy about it. These studio photographs show serious and perfectly posed Victorian children. Nobody fidgeted. Not even the dog. I imagine that nobody dared. (Due to certain similarities in the eye and forehead shapeContinue reading “Faces from Old Queensland.”
Nor Iron Bars a Cage.
Some daring escapes from regional lockups in early Queensland. Top: Richmond Police Station, Bottom l-r: Boulia Police Station’s Cells, Surat and Tweed Heads Police Stations. As the population of Queensland spread out across the vast colony, so did the Police Force. The trouble was that the stations and their lockups were erected with Government fundsContinue reading “Nor Iron Bars a Cage.”
Moreton Bay and More 