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.”
The Cranky Cobbler of Brisbane Town
James McAuliffe was a native of Carlow, Ireland. A compact 5 ft 3 ¼, he had brown hair, hazel eyes and a ruddy and freckled complexion. He was educated enough to read and write and was married with two sons and a daughter when, out of desperation or foolishness, he stole some clothing. Brought beforeContinue reading “The Cranky Cobbler of Brisbane Town”
Mr Baynes buys The Courier, 04 November, 1873
Today the oldest existent newspaper in Brisbane, together with the whole of the capital and interest therein, including the Queenslander, issued in connection therewith, and copyright, book-debts and stock, with the plant, stock and book-debts of the Courier General Printing Office, were offered for sale in one lot by Mr. Simon Fraser, this morning, byContinue reading “Mr Baynes buys The Courier, 04 November, 1873”
The indictment of the bushranger “The Wild Scotchman”
Before I publish the third part of A Brief History of Queensland Bushranging, I wanted to share the indictment of James Alpin McPherson, alias The Wild Scotchman, who bailed up and stole from the mails relentlessly in the mid 1860s. He did not injure any of his victims, and this is why this particular bushranger was ableContinue reading “The indictment of the bushranger “The Wild Scotchman””
Moreton Bay and More 