1872: ( In 1872, Oscar Hughan was living in Mitchell Street and had been appointed Post Master of Bourke Post Office. He had one child, a son Oakley Ernest(‘Okie”) who had been born in 1871.)
BOURKE.
There is about twenty degrees less heat today than we ‘enjoyed' yesterday, and now it is quite hot enough for any Saxon extract. Christmas and Now Years Days are in their graves but while they were here people seemed happy, and I have no doubt they were. Picnics, horse-racing, and many other amusements were resorted to, and although it was intensely hot, no one appeared to suffer from sunstroke. I was much amused at a gentleman writing from a neighbouring village regarding the heat. He laments the torrid state of the air, and to prove the uncomfortableness of the position he says the thermometer in a nice cool place marked 115. No doubt as to the figures, but the 'nice cool place' is staggering. A. storm of rain burst upon us on Sunday, about 6 p.m., the like of which has never before been witnessed here. To describe it is impossible, it was not like rain but a huge down rush of water. The streets in a few minutes were ankle-deep, and every home in the town was more or less flooded ; the wind blowing strong from every point forced the rain through every cranny and opening until some of our places were a foot under water. It lasted about half an hour, and more than three inches of water fell during that short period. The burnt up plains will soon put on a gala dress of green.
Mr Howlett informs me that when he left Hoodsville on Sunday, the unfortunate trooper who had left Kawarra station, on the Paroo, in search of horses the previous Thursday had not been found. He was stationed at this place with constable Brett, of the Queensland border customs, and left on Thursday last as above stated to bring up the horses. Neither the man nor the horses have been since seen, and it is much feared he has perished in the terrible country. You in the city think little of seeing the account of a man being lost, but if you knew the terrible reality, could picture the mental agony of a man wandering amid the red-hot sand without shelter for foot or head until smitten mad, you would mutter ' God help the lost one.' Mr. Brett acted well towards his absent comrade, but having no horse or black trucker, he was very powerless. The man may be found, but it is almost rash to think he is alive. Some think he may have been murdered by the natives, and as two or three rank villians are abroad in that district, it may be so.
Our new paper appeared today, and it is only fair to say that the printing and getting up of the journal are beyond what anyone could have deemed possible in a place like this, and there can be little doubt that, with skilful piloting, it will reach the haven of perfect success.
Copper in immense quantities is still found at the Coba Mines.
-Town and Country Journal, January 13, 1872(also published in The Empire on the same day)
BOURKE: The Bourke Telegraph of the 3rd instant says-The black warrior, who so dexterously threw a spear into the shoulder of Mr. Salmons Cook, at Bringingabbah some time ago, was arrested by constable Percival, of Bourke. On the Cuttaburra, a few days ago, after long rides with his attendant tracker, the constable sighted the noble savage, adorned in all the grandure of the race, near Mr. Kelly's station, on the above named river. After some little generalship the spears, shield, tomahawk and butcher's knife were rendered powerless, and the dusky offender was the white man's prisoner. Unfortunately, the means of thoroughly securing him were not at the trooper's disposal; the handcuffs were too large for the wrists, and not large enough for the ankles. This fault was not the prisoner's, who was taken some 15 miles toward Bourke, where a halt took place, at a station, and the captive with handcuffs round one leg, coiled himself on the floor beside the black tracker, or at least not far from him. Leaving his charge apparently asleep, Percival left the room to fill a water-bag, and on his return after an absence of but a few minutes, the beautiful black bird had flown. Rushing forth the constable met a stockman, who informed him that his prisoner he had just seen making for the river, hot pursuit was made by three whites and as many blacks, who of course did not want to see tracks, and the would-be murderer escaped, taking with him a pair of handcuffs belonging to the Queen. It is much to be regretted this gentleman is again in the bush, but tho' next time constable Percival arrests him or one of his kindred he will be less indulgent, knowing now how difficult it is to detain one of these kings of the forest.
- Town & Country Journal, January 13, 1872.
BOURKE. January 10th.
We fancied that the old brutalities of White Chapel and Houndsditch had been left to fester in the places of birth and nurture, and that prize fighting, so far as our district is concerned, was but a remembrance of a ruffian custom, but the law of animalism of these exhibits made itself manifest on Monday morning. A knot of the select of Bourke assembled near tho hospital to witness two boys, who for no other motive than to be thought manly and brave, and to be possessed of the £2 at stake on the ennobling affair to pummel and lacerate themselves like two half-starved wolfish dogs. I do not intend to describe the shameful scene, it will suffice to say that for twenty minutes or so each did his best to murder the other; as disgusting as possible when one of the beardless champions cried poccavi. Had there been any irritating cause for this meeting-angry words or fancied wrong, some little palliation might be found, but for two human beings, with no excuse to act thus, is simply brutal, and those who aided and abetted are no wit better than the principals. However the police magistrate on Thursday will show the public what the law provides as reward for these elevating entertainments.
Thomas Smith, once a large landed proprietor in Melbourne, died from natural causes, at Tattersall’s Hotel, Bourke, on Monday morning. He was takeen to God's acre as many before him have been, and without burial service was left to his long last sleep. The progress of time seems to work little good in many of our customs. Here was a amn who had lived among us for years- no one here but knew old Tom Smith- and yet when the end came he went to the narrow home as though he had died at Cooper’s Creek. No comforting words of hope in the Saviour’s death; no mention of Resurrection to follow the heaping up the grave-clods. He died and was covered out of sight, and this in a place boasting the Christianising influences of the Press.
The Cobar Copper Company have issued a progress report, showing their liabilities and assets &c. Their liabilities amount to £430, and their net profits during five working months are stated to be £1800. A call of £2 10s is made to be paid in immediately. I may be very obtuse, but I can't see if their net profits have been £1800, how they owe £430. The calculation is doubtless made from what the proceeds of the mine at present raised will realise when brought to market. However, there is now no doubt that a wonderfully rich collection of copper ore is owned by the shareholders, which time and enterprise will prove.
Weather again warm, with prospect of rain. All our mails are running well, and the bags are somewhat more bulky since the advent of our newspaper. I had nearly forgotten that a load of fine grapes, from Mr. James Horsfall's garden, was despatched to the Fisheries; this will speak of the enterprise of each place ; they started in the race at the same time, but , Bourke is a very long way ahead. Senior-sergeant Cleary is removed; we have lost a good man, and we give him our good wishes. Our Christmas-tide passed as usual, and it would only be common-place to record the various sources of amusements; all happily enjoyed themselves. Father Kelly has left for Dubbo.
- Town & Country Journal, January 20, 1872 (also published in The Empire on the same day)
BOURKE. January 17.
DEATH IN THE BUSH.-Another link added to our chain of desert deaths. John Conyingham, a bootmaker, but a short time a resident of Bourke, left last week for the Warrego River. On Friday last, the 12th instant, James Sellers, mail man to the Border, found tho poor follow three miles from the Native Dog Spring, and about fifty miles from Bourke, suffering intensely from thirst. Like a true man Sellers rode to the spring, and returned with a plentiful supply of the precious liquid, and offered to convoy the sufferer to the spring. This offer was gently declined, the poor fellow thinking himself strong enough to proceed thence on foot. The mailman left him, delivered his charge, and turned towards Bourke the following day. No traveller at the spring, no track or trace of a recent visit. Ho thought the poor follow must have perished, and wondered what human brain could hold its reason with the sun beating down-heat up to 140 degrees. His fear was well founded. Close to the spot where he had left the wanderer the day before, the shrunken, dry, and pulseless form of John Conyingham lay. On receipt of the news, A. O. Grant, Esq , with Dr. Roberts, started for the scene, attended by settlers. The remains were buried in the sand after the medical man had made a post-mortem. The verdict given in court today was that the man had died from exhaustion attending the want of water. But there can be little doubt that the brain, from want of proper covering, had likewise been smitten with palsy.
POLICE COURT.-The two principals in the late disgraceful prize-fight, with four of the lovers of the manly sport, were placed before the P.M., and Messrs. R. M. Hughes and J. Beckers, J.P., charged by constable Percival with the above named offence. Although there was evidence to show that this fight took place, the charge of fighting for money could not be clearly proved, so those estimable members of society were discharged to fight gain. Another ruffian, from Wilcannia, was lodged under the Government figtree on Monday. He was committed by the Wilcannia bench for robbery and assault, of a most dastardly nature, committed on the Barrier Ranges on the person of a weak old man on whom the rascal had been living.
I am glad to say that the Darling is rising rapidly, also the Paroo and Warrego, these two latter rivers must be up to some extent, as the mail is a long time late.
The weather is blisteringly hot, and the promised rain, like many other of our promised blessings, has faded away.
The Rev. R. Johnson is again at Bourke, and it is to be desired that his labours will show an abundant harvest. The Rev. James Kelly has left the district, but not before he proved himself by works a faithful doer of the Master's commands in all cases of need ; his hand was ever ready to lead the needy to comfort : it is to the country's loss that there are not more like him.
I forgot to mention that had the perished man known the position of a Government tank, situated about a quarter of a mile from the direct road to the Warrego, he, in all like likelihood, would now be alive. Mr. Grant, P.M., has promised that a board, indicating the presence of water, shall be put near the place. This is wise.
- Town & Country Journal, January 27, 1872.(also The Empire, same date)
BOURKE. January 31.
A DEADLY FIGHT.-On the 25th instant an inquest was hold by the coroner, Alexander O. Grant, Esq., with a jury of five, touching the death of the aboriginal Peter, who had come to his end in a desperate struggle with constable Henry Percival, of the Bourke Police. It will be remembered by your readers that the dead warrior is the same person who escaped from Percival some time ago on the Cuttabuna, and was even among his own people a hunted fugitive. Even prior to his attempting the life of Charles Stewart, his general retreat was among a cluster of stony ridges lying between the Paroo and Cuttabuna, and having his countrymen in absolute terror they supplied him with food and tobacco. The vigilance of the squatters to prevent this was useless, for on slightest chance given to one of the station hands he was off to this Rob Roy of Australia. A friend of mine, Mr. W. Howlett, a short time ago chanced to ride upon his retreat, and to his astonishment saw one of the Messrs. Hood and Torrance blacks mounted, the horse evidently having been very hardly ridden. Being so far from the station, Mr Howlett mentioned this to the owners and was told he had ridden miles and miles out of his course, evidently with aid and intelligence for the hunted Peter. This will give you some idea of the desperate character of the man. Percival set out alone to effect his capture- of the particulars of his taking him I know nothing ; he was taken, and chained by the left leg to the saddle on which he was mounted: this was a mistake-a more thorough mode of security should have been resorted to. Starting for a distance of about one hundred miles, through an utter solitude, no station-house or habitation being on the road, the prisoner was brought within three miles of West Bourke and six from the gaol in safety, when the constable on oath, stated that he threw the chain, which by some means the wily savage had detached from the saddle, across his left arm, and then the struggle began. Percival and the black came to the ground, the white man holding to the chain with much difficulty. The wild beast was thrown, and his chief aim now was to entangle the chain round the captors legs; to prevent this Percival kicked him in the stomach, the black pronounced a yell of fiendish rage, and with a leap he seized the white man's leg, and the fight went on ; another kick and he was shaken off, and the officer dragged him by the chain towards the horses and bade him mount. ' Baal, you b- wretch,' was the reply. He was then dragged to a small tree, and a third kick in the face seemed to quiet him. By a little kind talk he was soon induced to let go his grasp of the chain, which was at once made fast round the tree by means of a second handcuff. Exhausted, the constable walked from him fifteen or twenty yards, and saw him grasp a stick, and thinking he might yet escape he too seized a heavy piece of wood and advanced to the attack. At his approach the black showed again his savage spirit. Putting himself into fighting attitude, the fight recommenced, blow was returned for blow, and the weapon was knocked out of the prisoner's hand. Unarmed he commenced tearing branches from the tree to which he was bound. The constable advanced and dealt the animal a fearful blow full on the forehead. Another blow, and he fell. Rushing for his pistol which was with the horse, a bullet ended the career of as great a rascal as ever disturbed the back settlements. There has been much said relative to the constable shooting after the body appeared dead. In every likelihood had he known the helplessness of his foe the shot would have remained in the chamber of his revolver ; but he knew the scheming cunning of the man who lay before him. He had had a life and death struggle with a formidable murderer, who had baffled him before-his blood was heated and he was determined to make it certain. I consider much praise is due to Percival. Alone he sought the wolf in his den, alone he fought him to the death, and the verdict given by the jury 'Justifiable Homicide,' after the evidence had been carefully received by the coroner, was the only one sensible men could have given. The capture and escape of this man in the first place, his recapture, attempted escape, and fearful death will do much to show his people (and there are more as bad almost as himself) how sure and sleepless is the whiteman's wrath.
At the Police court, Monday, a man after passing the cool night in confinement, was fined one shilling for laying his fevered body in the river. There is little doubt that decency in a community is a comely thing, but before a man is punished for an offence he should be made aware how and where an offence is committed. The delinquent was not a towns man and doubtless thought that a plunge in tho Darling was much the same as a leap in the Cuttabuna or Paroo. Notices should be set up for the guidance of strangers, for it is very evident this man will have a distorted idea of our notions of cleanliness.
The weather may be summed up with the words New Orleans and India, not that the mercury has risen as high as the previous years, but the rank vegetation makes life with the damp steamy heat just unbearable. A gentleman entered my office on Monday about 6 p.m. with the exulting words ' How cool." ' Cool,' said I, thrusting a thermometer under his nose, 'Read- 105”' He muttered, and slippcd into a chair, a bundle of wet clothes. You may think our suffering of no account you who have cool drinks, light wine, fruit, and lofty substantial dwellings, but I can say that we who have not one of these comforts-if I except a very few of us-are sufferers to a great extent. The mind and body alike become enervated -you stagger under weakness, and to put a little life into you what is there to take? Nothing but strong waters, which at once upsets the little brain-power left. It’s a wonder that every poor man on the river who can get at spirits is not more or less drunk. The brutes, too, suffer. No less than four valuable horses have been literally struck dead with the smiting heat.
Two very sudden deaths have occurred in the neighbourhood. One at Fort Bourke station and another lower down the river.
The Warrego, Cuttabuna, and Paroo are all in flood. This river is rising rapidly.
1000 head of cattle from Bowen Downs (F. Meynall in charge), are approaching Bourke down the Warrego.
- Town & Country Journal, February 10, 1872.
BOURKE (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)
February 7.
At last we have weather suited to human beings. Rain has fallen plentifully, feed is superabundant, the river is reaching its topmost banks, and all we fear is sickness which has already appeared. It is of a character similar to that which some years ago such a season was very prevalent, and attributed to the moistness of the atmosphere. The sufferer complains of sickness, and is in fact subject to continual vomiting.
Three steamers, the Princess Royal, the Ariel, and Jupiter have been at Bourke; the latter has passed down with wool, the Ariel gone upwards, while the Jupiter remains.
On Saturday we had a very severe thunderstorm, the lightning striking the flagstaff, at the end of Ross and Co.'s stores, to atoms ; at the same time a lad named Bailey was smitten to the ground, but escaped injury. He says the feeling he experienced was as if a cart load of stones had been shot upon him.
On Sunday night the Aurora Australis appeared in surprising brilliancy, lasting until day dawn. The whole firmament, from east to west, was aglow with rosy light, sparkling and flashing alternately, with light green and orange. Its appearance was first noted about 1 a.m., so that but a few persons witnessed tho glorious scene.
The race horses Alambra and Canobie arrived last night. Mr. H. Collins has in training a near relative to Pearl. He will go for the Maiden Plate, and by his form lhe promises to turn out a good horse. There is a letter in the Telegraph touching on these races of ours, which goes very strongly against all concerned in the race programme. We have plenty of money-nearly £400-but it is parcelled out in such a manner that some of the prizes are grossly fat and others thin to dissolution. The writer objects to the handicapping being left to one man, and he is a comparative stranger. This, I think, a cause of complaint.
Yesterday the family of the Rev. W. W. Tarleton was thrown into alarm on discovering their little boy, a child some fourteen months old, between the hind legs of a horse which was tied up in front of the parsonage. The little urchin had crawled from the verandah unseen, and when discovered was endeavouring to climb the horse's hind leg, the noble bruto appearing to enjoy the infant's frolic. Mr. Tarleton, at the sight of his child's danger-for the horse is none of your Mayne Reid quadrupeds-seemed powerless to act, fearing that any movement on his part would cause the animal to kick ; but the mother, with a mother's resources, halted not a moment. Speaking softly, she approached the horse, patted his nose, neck, and sides till she snatched her darling from his perilous sport.
The Jupiter has brought up specimens of copper from the Wilcannia mine, and if it is a fair sample it is richer than any I have seen. Tenders are out for sinking tanks between Cobar and Bourke. Shares are not to be had at the price offered - viz., £100 each.
A friend of mine the other morning, having to rise at dawn, threw off his blankets, put on his boots, and was about putting on his belt, when he found that he had lifted from the ground a very nice little brown snake, which had coiled itself upon one end of his bedding. The snake was dropped and killed. This little incident caused my friend to reflect and think of his escape, and in putting up his swag he saw among the cut grass on which he had slept the dead body of another snake ; and he accounts for its presence in this wise. Some week prior he had cut and made this bed of grass, leaving it in the morning undisturbed. On his second visit, he reached the place at dark, and without kindling a fire, threw himself down upon the grass, and so crushed the reptile, which had taken possession. The other was probably its mate. He says he shall shake up his couch in future.
We have had another commitment for robbery. Two cases in the small debts court were disposed on Monday. The Warrego is within fifty miles of the Darling.- February 17, 1872.
BOURKE. February 14.
On Sunday last the remains of Mr. John Hyam were followed to the grave by the larpent and most sympathetic crowd that ever before went to the last rest of the people of Bourke. For some time the deceased had been ailing but no person believed that death was so near. He was walking about a day or two before his departure, full of genial talk and kindly action, and when it was spoken of-'John Hyam is no more’- the listener for a time doubted the possibility
of the mournful fact. The deceased gentleman was a Mason, and the few of that order in Bourke rallied round their stricken brother and when he was laid away in the silence of the grave, the ceremonies and Words used on these occasions were officiated by Mr. R. M. Hughes, in a most impressive manner ; the beautiful language of the service falling heavily on each listening ear. It is customary, and it is right that our dead receive forgiveness, for little faults which may have clung to them in the flesh, and that a respectful sorrowful demeanour be shown by the sorrowers : but in this sad case there was nothing to look back upon but honest manly performances, coupled with the most beautiful family affection. It was truly said and resaid. “A happy family is broken up”. Mr. Hyam has been in Bourke but a few months, and might be looked upon almost in the light of a stranger, but it will be many a long day ere his domestic virtues are forgotten.
A sudden death occurred at Beemy yesterday. William Percy Cook, at this station, complained of being unwell and was prescribed for by a gentleman on the spot. The deceased lay down and nothing serious was supposed the matter. Shortly afterwards he was found on the floor, on or near a mosquito fire, dead. The P.M., A.O Grant, Esq , on receipt of report, started in his official capacity.
Per advertisement in our local paper, Ross and Co. offer the best flour, from Adelaide market, at £17 per ton ; sugar, £37 10s ; salt £10 ; teas, from £6 10s per chest. This is what no consumer can grumble at and were it not for the log and chain obstacle of Border duty. Bourke would be sought by the Queensland squatter, and we should do tho trade which our enterprise and position claim. How long are we and others to stagger under loads placed upon our shoulders by the blundering or rank ignorance of the men sent to lighten and make easy our commercial and social relations. Believe me, in the coming election men, if they are not utter fools, will think, ere they use the power given them. The last straw brings down the camel, and a patient toiling drudge of a camel we have been, kneeling and rising at the driver's bidding. But to a great extent that is over, for if sensible men can see no eligible man on whom to cast a vote, the vote will be hung up as a used and useless garment; but I have left the subject of cheap floor before expressing a hope that we shall now have 2 lbs of not the finest quality of bread handed us something under sixpence. Every man and woman, too, has a just right to receive a liberal reward for his or her labour or capital; but there is such a thing as an over-reaching, a thirsting, a greed for more than is theirs by justice, and the fable of the dog losing the substance for the shadow is very apt to be repeated. They are holding a meeting connected with the Public School, but I have been at so many of them, heard such rosy-tinted speeches read, so many promises on this subject, that it has become to me like hot embers to a scorched child. That we have no school is a disgrace to the people of Bourke.
Coming down the Warrego is a herd of 1800 mixed cattle belonging to the Bowen Downs Co., Mr. J. L Rankin is in charge. Behind them belonging to the same firm, is another mob in charge of Mr. T. Meynell ; these, I believe, will pass to Cannonbar, where they have found a buyer.
Of the weather I can only say that it isn't fit for a snake to live in; heat, mosquitoes, sand files and fleas, make up a very diverting sort of an existence. The river is very slowly falling, and we expect steamers up daily. The shares in the Cobar Copper Mine still hold up, and people refuse £100 for singles. As for grass, not herbs, our real delicious grass no one has ever seen so much. The plains are more like wheat fields than anything else The race horses are still coming. Sportsman, an honest steeplechaser, belonging to Mr. A. F Sullivan, is here doing good work.
- Town & Country Journal, February 24, 1872 (also Empire)
BOURKE.
DREADFUL SUFFERING.-Mr. F H. Elworthy, in the employ of Mr. Russel, Serpentine, has given me the following account of hardship suffered by himself on his journey from Euston to Bourke. Mr. Elworthy is well-known, and the facts are vouched true by the men in his employ. On the 19th of January last he was camped at Fletcher’s Lake, and among his horses were two unbroken colts. These, with the other horses, were turned out on the evening of the 19th, and at peep of day Elworthy was out among them, and found the two colts had left. Catching a horse he at once set out to bring them into camp, and thinking without doubt that he should overtake them in short time, he and his horse started without even taking a drink. The tracks taken up west east-north-east, straight into the horrible mallee. On he went at times threading a tortuous passage through porcupine grass, and matted interlaced scrub; at other times ploughing his way through the blistering sand. The sun rose fiercely, smiting like red hot swords at all it fell upon. Mile after mile was passed, the trail was fresh, and with that ever green hope which takes possession of a man on the track of lost stock, the horse and rider, though actually suffering, still pushed on. The sun passed the meridian: thirst was full upon man and horse; but the trail was fresher, and the lost horses might show in any moment. More heavy sand, more sharp-pointed grass, more impenetrable scrub, and the afternoon shadows were getting longer and longer, and the demon thirst had possession of the scene. Thoughts of return began painfully to force themselves upon the rider, but he still pushed on, and at half past four the drooping ears of his faithful companion showed that the trail was at an end. The lost horses fifty miles from camp were wheeled towards the lake; for some time things went well but the fearful heat, heavy sand, and absence of water now began to tell; the spur struck the panting flank in vain, and sticks were useless, the colts were no more thought of. It was now half-past 10 p.m., brought to a stand the rider dismounted and the horse lay down, refusing to stir ; securing him, Elworthy made up his mind to wait the coming dawn, dreading but praying its appearance. In his hurry he had omitted to take matches, pipe and tobacco, so he must patiently wait and suffer, for his tongue had already began to give pain. Up with the first streak of light, he was in saddle, and as it was a cloudy morning he give the horse his head, thinking he would instinctively take him to camp, but after some travelling he was brought back to the place from whence they started. He tried again with the same result, and then he made up his mind to a southerly course, marked the course of the wind and pushed on; towards noon his voice failed him; this he found out when endeavouring to cheer his companion, by a kind word, the word refused to come, save in a hollow hissing sort of sound. The tongue, throat and lips were now fearfully swollen, and the horse's mouth and lips were dry and rough as a shark’s tongue. Each half hour made the case more dreadful, and with a gold pin the vein of the left arm was opened, (he had no knife) his blood flowed freely, and the failing man eagerly sought to drink the fading stream but it turned congealed within the mouth and he spat it out in thick black clots. The position now was despair, he dismounted and rolled himself in the sand, threw away his shirt and hat, and doubtless was in a state of partial insanity. The horse lay down, and when reason returned the wounded arm had swollen to a vast size, for the strap which had been bound above the elbow had not been removed. This was now done, the discarded clothes collected, the horse beaten to his legs, and the journey again commenced. Weaker and weaker the noble brute became, but there was no way to get him on out of the saddle. He would neither be led nor driven. The sun went down for the second time and still the boundless scrub was all around. The stars came out in mockery of the man's misery, but he went bravely on, and at half-past ten p.m. the fresh breeze from the river put life into the staggering brute. The pace was changed from a reeling walk to a rolling trot, and from that to a staggering canter, till with a plunge he sank into the depths of the river. Mr. Elworthy knew the place was ten miles above the cliff (M'Farlane's). At first he was dreadfully ill, but recovered, and he says that during the whole of that night, the horse never left the river but lay in the shallow water till daylight.
DRAMATIC -The Bourke dramatic company gave an entertainment on Friday night for the Hospital benefit, and for so young a troupe did amazingly well. The parts in their various phases were well played, especially that portrayed by Mr. H. M'Kearney. In this gentleman's acting there was a very great amount of nature. He represented old De Windsor in 'Retained for the Defence,' and had he put a little more age into his voice he would have been very cxcellent indeed. I know it is not gracious to criticise amateurs, but when a lady or gentleman shows merit, 1 am certain they do not feel annoyed by kindly advice. The scenery was painted well by Mr. Perkins, who also, with Mr. W. Campbell, made the orchestra, and worse music is often heard nearer Sydney. The attendence was very good, and the hospital must have received a gift of about £12. A large building of Mr. Reeker's was given for the occasion I hope this will not be the last affair of the kind ; we have plenty talent for this sort of thing, and our lives are none of the merriest.
A DEAD BODY.-The body of a white man was seen floating past a shepherd's hut some day last week by the wife and children of Mr. McClosky, who live on the Hogan. The corpse was dressed in a sort of blue blouse. No man was near, and the unfortunate wreck passed on. A few days afterwards a blackboy of Mr. Russel Barton, living lower down on the same river, brought in word that the body of a Chinaman was lodged in the creek a little above the station. Hands were dipatched to the spot, and the story was found correct; but as it was dark nothing could be done. Mr. Barton communicated with the poilce, and the P.M., with Dr Roberts and senior-sergeant Cleary went out, thinking foul work had been done upon a missing Chinaman. On searching the place where the body had been seen, nothing was found : but us the Chinaman has reappeared, we may safely surmise that the body seen was the same as floated by McClucky's hut. When seen by the people at Barton's it was lodged on an almost perpendicular bank, and as the water left it some force, perhaps its own gravity, caused it to slide into the current down the steep bank to be heard of again lower down the river. The poor drowned hands grasped a bridle, and probably in looking for his horse the man perished.
POLICE COURT.-Nothing of any moment has rustled its serenity this last week. Your Punch, with a seeming righteous imagination, lashes constable Henry Percival in the matter of Black Peter's death. Now it is very easy for one in the cool safety of a city office to fan himself into virtuous fury and expatiate on the white man's superiority, cruelty and aggression ; but were the same person in the wilderness with a few such amiable fellows as Peter on his trail, he would infinitely prefer a revolver to a sermon on humanity. That the killed man was a most determined outlaw we all know, his hands were more than once reddened with whiteman's blood ; the tribe to which he belonged had closed their gunyahs against him, and his life was forfeited to the law ; the law, by one of its officers, took that life, and if the manner of the taking cannot be recognised by all as correct, let the questioner place himself in the constable's position and tell us how he would have acted. Percival may have been rash, but a man defending his life is not generally as cool as one writing an article for a paper. That his evidence in regard to the affair was honest, I believe, for being alone he could have hidden altogether the shooting after the blackfellow was apparently dead : he does not do this, but states exactly how the foolish act was done. That Peter deserved a violent death years ago all here know, and if he has received it in a manner not strictly orthodox it was an error committed in the heat of strife, and should be looked upon as such.
POLITICAL -When it was known, vide Dubbo Dispatch, that Mr. H. G. Salmon was a candidate for the Bogan electorate, a feeling of thankfulness was expressed by all parties. Here there is not another man, save one-young Mr. Cowper, who would be so warmly supported here.
1400 store cattle, from the north are within thirteen miles of Bourke, they are in charge of J L Rankin, and look splendid. Warpaula, on the lrara, will receive sheep in a day or two, Mr, C. Guinness has gone to take delivery. This station is about seventy miles from here, and the country is foot deep in grass.
- Town & Country Journal, March 2, 1872 (and Empire)
BOURKE. February 28.
The result of the election in your city has made itself known even here, the same process acting towards resistance as was felt by your electors, the cry which has gone throughout the country against the policy of the late Government in nearly all their actions, but more particularly as relates the collection of the Border duties has been heard in Bourke, and a re- echo of the universal feeling towards Ministers is heard east and west. At a meeting held last Wednesday there was not a single person among the large audience bold enough to support Mr. Lord, while every man pledged himself to the cause of Mr. Salmon. We pay a very large annual sum into the general coffers, but we are treated as though we were in that Tartarian Swamp spoken of some time since by Mr. Robertson. I say that HenryG Salmon will be victorious here, but how men's minds will be guided in other places time must show. ,
Constable Percival, under the escort of senior-sergeant Cleary, left Bourke on Sunday for trial at Bathurst.
There was a. slight sprinkling of rain on Saturday but nothing of account
Mr. Wood has started to inspect the Government tanks on the road to the Warrego. He will find them unworthy their parentage.
- Town & Country Journal, March 9, 1872 ( The Empire, March 11)
SHOOTING A BLACK PRISONER,-A few weeks ago, says a correspondent at Bourke, I mentioned the fact that police constable Percival shot a black prisoner, whom he was bringing into Bourke. As your readers are aware, a coroner's jury brought in a verdict of justifiable homicide. On Thursday last Percival was arraigned on the Attorney-General's warrant, and after a hearing, which lasted upwards of two hours, he was committed to Bathurst on a charge of murder. Bail was offered up to £1000, but of course the magistrates could not accept it in a case of murder. I refrain from sending you any particulars of the evidence at present. This I can confidently assert, that every inhabitant of this district sympathises with Percival, as a great number of them know the desperate character he had to deal with, and openly assert that he has not exceeded his duty.
-March 9, 1872.
BOURKE. March 6.
If ever a community feels itself cheap it was on the arrival of the Dubbo mail with the news that Mr. Salmon had turned down stream. I don't, of course, know the reason of this. Mr. Salmon's letter states that want of support caused him to withdraw : but even had he found his friends at Dubbo luke-warm, they were red hot at Bourke, and we think that out of common courtesy he should have gone to the poll.
I am sorry that a fatal accident occurred at Jandra the other day. A person named J. T. Clarke, engaged droving cattle down the river, was thrown from his horse with such violence that he, after rallying sufficiently to relate the circumstance to his mates in camp, relapsed into a state of utter silence, and died in the hospital on Wednesday last. Thus another stranger has joined 'the innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realms of shade.' Another fatal affair occurred a day or two ago at one of the tanks being sunk on the Cobar Copper Mine Road. A powerful man, named Pat O'Grady, was engaged undermining earth when a huge mass fell upon him and crushed him to death. Truly death has reaped a plentiful harvest here of late. Another man, a mate of the last named deceased, R. M'Donald, left the camp for water, was lost, and suffered the awful pangs of thirst till the lips and tongue were parched almost to strangulation. Another hour and two graves would have been dug in the wilderness.
I think I may say without fear that a Public School for Bourke will be gazetted in less than a month from the date of this paper. The Jolly Miller, with her jolly Captain Johnson, has been here. She left us a few luxuries in the shape of potatoes. Your city readers will laugh at this, but the simple earth-smelling tubers are delicacies we run after in Bourke.
The weather is delightfully fine. Mails running well.
- Town & Country Journal, March 16, 1872 ( Empire, March 18)
BOURKE. March 7.
The Providence steamer, Captain G. Johnson, has just arrived from Wentworth; the Wentworth came yesterday, each bringing general cargoes. Mr. Lord was returned here by a majority of three on Monday; his opponent at Gungolgan reversed this by polling twenty to two. The Jolly Miller has taken down a load of copper ore from Louth; the affairs of the company are most cheering, another forty acres have been taken up in the vicinity of the first mine, and most favourable reports are heard therefrom.
At Jandra Mr. Guinness will shear about 17,000 sheep in a week from now. Mr. Wall, the well-known scourer, prepares the wool for market. The plant went down last week. This last shed will make the number of fleeces scoured by this gentleman over 200,000 this season. A bonded store is to be established here, but I am afraid our trade with the north and west has received a fatal blow.
On the Warrego are 15.000 sheep, moving toward Beemery, the property of R. Towns &Co. The Brothers Williams are mustering fat beef at Coongoola.
- Town & Country, March 23, 1872.( Empire, March 26)
BOURKE. March 27.
There is very little to chronicle from this place today, the steamers have ceased running, and it may be long ere we are favoured with their presence again. The weather is delicious, the pasturage though dry plentiful, and the brute and his master seem contented. Racing matters are making the place a little less sepulchral than usual, and we predict good running. A little spin between old Paddy Two Sticks, and a horse of Mr. Ferry's named Pilot, took place over our old course on Monday, but Paddy found a too hot opponent. Our steeplechase, with its eighteen four-feet leaps, will be anything but a parlour affair, and if there is no accident to record, the gods will be more merciful than men are wise.
The knighting of Mr. Charles Cowper is hailed as a mark of honour deservedly won, for none can question the fact, that 'Sir' has been tacked to many less wontly names.
Cobb and Co. have bought the Dubbo mail contractor off the roads, and we may expect ere long to hear the sharp crack of a Yankee driver behind a Yankee team. Mr. Payne the late contractor has done his work faithfully, and to the satisfaction of all.
There is nothing of moment to report from Cobar; but be not surprised to hear of other valuable discoveries. You will see by Messrs. Harrison, Jones, and Devlins' report relative to the sale of Barton and Topham's Maxalto wool that the cry of people about the impossibility of the Darling growing payable wool is as unreasonable as the existence of the bunyip. This year's clip averages 4s,4d per sheep, against 3s 1d of last crop. Surely this will silence every voice hitherto raised against the quantity and quality of our wool, when prior treatment is bestowed upon its culture. That it won't grow Iike the Bathurst burr, we admit; but that splendid harvests are to be shorn, we know by the above realized fact. In speaking of the Bathurst burr, I am sorry that our neighbourhood is likely to be burdened by its nuisance. Mr. Guinness's people at Jandra have entered the field against its living, but unless others follow their example, their work will be fruitless of good. In our very streets the hardy vagabond is taking permanent root, and unless it be burned root and stem, the Jandra destroyers may put up their weapons. It is a matter the magistrate, I think, should move in its destruction, giving all the gaol labour toward that end.
Meynall's cattle passed the other day for Melbourne. Guinness's 17,000 sheep, for shearing at Jandra, went by on Sunday in charge of Mr. Zouch. After shearing, they go to Warpanla, on the Irira.
- Town & Country Journal, April 6, 1872.(Empire April 8)
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