Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-11
Gales aud Sketthes.
PLATING FOB HIGH STAKES
An AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE

Twas stay1ng at Melbourne in Decem-
Der 1858. after long overland journey
from south Australia. when business sum-
moned me to visit the Omeo Gold-neld.
s;rna,ed at the extreme eastern end of the
colony Victoria. in the neighborhood OF
the Australian Alps The intervening
country as far as the border of New South
Wales wss in the hands OF squatters. and
freauented in several parts by notorious
bnshranpers. Two routes lay open to my
choice: one direct from Melbourne oy
land. the other by sea TO Fort Albert
now called Albertston - and thence
through Gipps Land and across the rant
ing Ranges. | selected the latter; 80
about the end of December, l had my
brown cob Tommy embarked on board
the Shandon steamer. bound for Port Al
bert. Nv encumberances consisted OF
saddle-valise containing change OF linen,
a revolver and heavy-headed hunting
whip completing nv equipment.
| passed through Gipps Land by easy
stages, and reached the scene OF the story
of kingsley's Geofreq Hamlyn. when
was unpleasantly reminded OF the dangers
of the Bush The district was in state
of excitement consequent upon the MUIR
der of Mr.. Green. well known gold
buyer, who was returning from Omeo ac-
companied by gentleman and LADY.
They had gone only mile or two from
Omeo, when they were fired at from
clump of trees near the track. Green
was struck, and tell to the ground;
his male companion was I'M
touched. and carried out of danger
by his frightened horse: but the lady was
thrown from her saddle and broke her
arm. While Green lay on the ground,
one of the murderers rushed up and de-
spatched the hapless victim with toma-
hawk For some reason or other, the
lady was left unmolested. and finally re-
turned 10 Omeo. 1t was therefore in no
cheerful mood that | pushed my way
across the dreary Painting Ranges.
In due time | reached Omeo without
meeting with any of the murderous gang
As rode down its one struggling street.
saw an excited crowd gathered about
building, which turned out to be the court
house On inquiry, was informed that
three men were being examined on the
charge of numbering Mr.. Green. We'll"
thought |, this explains my lucky escape
from a probably similar fate" | soon
learned that the accused were notorious
characters in that neighborhood, and were
well known under the names of Toke,
Armstrong. and Chamberlain. Toke, or
Tom Toke as he was commonly called,
succeeded in proving an alibi; but the
other two were committed for trial to Mel
bourne, where they were afterwards con-
victed, and hanged
was detained at Omeo about week.
much against my will. The place con-
tanned only about four or five hundred
people, chiefly men, and it seemed to be
the refuge of shady characters who had
found the lower country too hot to hold
them Indeed at that time it was spoken
of as kind of Alsatia. to which 'wanted"
people made tracks. During my stay. the
Green murder and Tom Toke's connection
with it were frequently discussed. 1t was
the second appearance of that worthy"
in court on the charge of murder in that
week. AS was soon to come in contact
with him the stories of my adventures in
his company will be better understood by
some account of this crime. as it was af-
forwards made clear bv the revelations of
Armstrong and Chamberlain, and the con-
fession of Toke himself before his death.
A few weeks before my arrival at Omeo,
a newcomer in the person OF digger
had made his appearance on the creek.
He was soon known as Ballarat Harry.
He seemed to have been lucky in other
fields, fo- he brought with him three or
four horses, lots of store clothes, quanti
ties of jewelry, and some valuable gold
nuggets He became great favorite
with the publicans of the township. be-
cause he was no niggard in standing treat.
Among the numerous friends that he made
in this way were Messrs. Toke and Arm
strong. who became particularly attached
to him. One day Toke met Armstrong.
and said: Il can put YOU on good lay.
Ballarat Harry would pay for melting.
/ What do YOU say if we try it | will pro-
pose to him to join us in prospecting.
/ He'll go like shot, know; and then
when we have got him away, we can east
/ IL do for him. and get his plunder."
/ Armstrong readily consented; but
somehow or other failed to to be ut the
rendezvous.
Toke and his victim departed together
one morning with the good wishes OF their
acquaintance. for no secret was made of
the prospecting expedition. After few
weeks absence, Toke returned to the
township alone. In answer to inquiries
about his companion, he said: They
hadn't struck any thing. and they had both
got tired of prospecting; so they parted.
and Harry had gone down country again. "
To his felow-conspritor. Armstrong.
however. he confessed he had murdered
Harry in the Bush and to prevent detec-
ton. had burned the body. Toke was
suspected of foul-play. and was brought
up before the magistrate; but as Harry S
body could not be found. the case was dis
charged for want of evidence.
Before | left | dined with Mr.. Wills,
the magistrate. who told me that Toke
was Tasmanian convict. and that he had
no doubt whatever about the latter's guilt
of Ballarat Harry'e murder. though he
was obliged to discharge him. Years after
wards, when Mr.. Toxic finished his career
on the scaffold. he confessed TO sixteen
murders. and Harry's among the number,
and described the spot where that crime
was committed. Some charred bones and
buttons found at the place indicated. proved
the conyict's story.
After finishing my business at Omeo,
instead of returning direct to Melbourne.
| resolved to join my friends at Beech
worth which rlaca To- ON ba ,xas,