The first photo is haunting. It is called “The Gold Escort” and features the first two Police officers killed on active duty in Queensland, and their murderer, Gold Commissioner Thomas Griffin. The people in the photograph are (seated, left to to right: Sergeant James Julian, Constable Patrick William Cahill, Constable John Francis Power, Gold CommissionerContinue reading “Haunting images and odd details in 19th century photographs”
How we lived and worked – 1859-1865
Separation from New South Wales occurred in 1859, and the new Colony of Queensland was proclaimed. It was a time of rapid social and economic change, and intrepid photography enthusiasts set about capturing and preserving daily life with an authenticity never seen before. Go west! Goondiwindi, on the border with New South Wales, was whereContinue reading “How we lived and worked – 1859-1865”
The Great Fire of Brisbane, 1864
1864 was a turbulent year for Brisbane Town. Residents had barely recovered from catastrophic flooding, when, on 11 April, fire roared up Queen Street, destroying homes and businesses in its path. There were photographers and journalists on hand, many of whom lived “over the shop,” and the accounts and pictures are striking. Before the fireContinue reading “The Great Fire of Brisbane, 1864”
Christmas at Moreton Bay: from the Convict Era to Separation
CHRISTMAS IN THE CONVICT ERA. Christmas 1828 occurred on a Thursday, and the indefatigable Peter Spicer did not record it in his diary (Return of Works Performed), however the entry for Friday 26 December 1828 records: Perhaps not feeling what little Christmas spirit was to be had in the settlement were the 131 patients inContinue reading “Christmas at Moreton Bay: from the Convict Era to Separation”
A snapshot of life in Brisbane in 1866.
You can learn a great deal about life in a particular time and place from the daily newspapers, particularly the classified advertising. Here is a snapshot of life in Brisbane on 27 June 1866, courtesy of the Brisbane Courier. A suitable residence. This advertisement is designed to appeal to those who require a des resContinue reading “A snapshot of life in Brisbane in 1866.”
The Wild Scotchman’s Life after Crime
James Alpin McPherson’s criminal career came to an end at Gin Gin on 30 March 1866, when a group of local men recognised him and arranged an impromptu posse. They had the advantage of being better horsemen and shots than the police. The Maryborough Chronicle described his capture: “A man answering to his description hadContinue reading “The Wild Scotchman’s Life after Crime”
The Wild Scotchman – Life on the Run – 1865-1866
In June 1865, James Alpin McPherson escaped the custody of a not particularly observant constable whilst being transported from Bowen to Rockhampton, where he was supposed to take his trial over a violent armed robbery the previous March. The bushranger pinned his shackles to a tree with the file he had used to remove them,Continue reading “The Wild Scotchman – Life on the Run – 1865-1866”
A brief history of Queensland bushranging: the Wild Scotchman
In outback Queensland in the late 19th century, everyone had a Wild Scotchman story. How he escaped from police custody and pinned his fetters to a tree with a file. How he eluded recapture time and again. How he was shot by Sir Frederick Pottinger in New South Wales. How he sent Governor Sir GeorgeContinue reading “A brief history of Queensland bushranging: the Wild Scotchman”
A look back at bushranging from 1912.
Chronicles of Queensland in the early days: Some Early Bushrangers— Race Meeting on the Condamine— Knocking Down Big Cheques— A Hot Time— Sticking up the Mail— A Good Bit of Tracking — A Pigeon-toed Horse —Capture of the Criminals— Kirk and Grey— A “Green” Police Sergeant (BY “OLD CHUM”). No. 71 Many years ago, aContinue reading “A look back at bushranging from 1912.”
A Brief History of bushranging in Queensland. Part 3.
1865 – The year that everything changed. We cannot omit to notice a very happy result of the advantages likely to accrue from telegraphic communication, adverted to by a gentleman who charged himself with what may be deemed the representation of the moral and religious aspect of the question. This gentleman stated that he foresawContinue reading “A Brief History of bushranging in Queensland. Part 3.”
Moreton Bay and More 