The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-03-07
STITCHED IN.
An Adventure with Bushrangers
in Australia.

? An Adventure with Bushrangers
in Australia
in the early days OF the colony OF
New SoutfrWales 1t was never safe to
travel in the bush unless very we'll
armed. No one was safe from the
robbers-known as bushrangers who
infested the country, and many mail
coach driver was shot dead, his coach
completely sacked in search OF gold,
and the unfortunate passengers robbed
Of their money, luggage, and often left
tied to trees until--reseued by another
: traveller.
Most of the bushrangers at that
time were escaped convfcts who, not
daring to be seen In, the town, were
obliged to live in the mountain caves;
and when they got TO hear of a mail
coach being likely to pass with gold
for the bank, they Iaid plans 10 rob IL
ON its journey to the city.
-NaM=these-ar e-almest things OF the
psfstt,T for there are branch banks In
every part OF the colonies. and money
is so securely guarded that there is
very little prospect of success for q
bushranger. Still, now and again we
hear OF coaches being robbed, and
farm-houses or .sheep stations be-
ing nttucked fhese DARN n EN-
Only a few years ago Melbourne was
thrown into state OF fright by the
news OF Il gang Of bushrangers shoot
ing police-trooper dead, who went
TO arrest them for stealing horses.
They escaped, and, embarking in a
/ career OF crime, for some time were
successful in evading justice by hiding
themselves in cages in the Strath-
bogie Ranges; but one day they were
captured by some mounted po-
lice. They were tracked to q
small wooden dwelling where liquor
was sold, kept by n-w woman
named Jones; and after barricading the
doors against the pefie eEthe@hut=was
set fire to, and they were caught and
afterwards hanged
was living in Victoria at the time,
but had been to Sydney for trip; and
as it was the4day after the burning OF
-stnt i@o11r- overland express
passed quite close to the ranges, we
made up a party for the purpose OF
visiting the smoldering ruins. When
returned to Melbourne the following
day, and had related our experience,
my dear nothar saa,ned highly inter
ested; and as we sat around coy
fire thatnight, and / had been ques-
toned all about this gang OF BUSH
rangers, she said, in her very quiet
manner:
Il think could tell you something
rather interesting in the way'of bush
ranging adventures. p"
We were all attention at once, for
mothers tales OF her youthful days
were always liked by us; and as we
gathered Our chairs closer around the
: bright blaze, that was thrown out from
the huge log. she began
IAN Of you children know how your
grandfather left England and landed in
New South Wales when quite young.
: Il mist have been about fe4ee, as far as
, / .can recollect, when he was made a
sortSof banker: Tom will perhaps won
der why. Well, at that time there was
mo tnftis tlfrt.s,sst,tl the lit
tie town Of Richmond was miles away
it was not only tedious but a very ex-
pensiye- journey to the eity-ofL Sydney
for the farmers. Your grandfather
was very much respected, and as he
vas the=oniy magistrate then in the
district his advice was asked upon
various matters.
The event am going to tell you
about happened after an Easter Sun
day. He hal attended divine service
some miles away, and, as Is usual in
australian country churches. there was
IAN Easter collection. This Sunday the
collection was unusually large on ac-
count of the good season the farmers
had had; -and.in addition to the collec-
ton. money there was about f4OO.
the result of the sale of some.
church property. The trustees OF
the church knew that on. the following
4Iuesdaya"your grandfather intended
visiting the city, and so begged that
he would take the -sum-whieh- Alto.
Egether amounted TO about f5OO-and
deposit tin the bank. This he de-
Ecided to do, but not without some
slight misgiyings; for bushrangers
were deiaee-ssiiid deeds at that time,
and the daily papers were scarcely
ever Without some account OF dread
full murder or robbery Of mail-coaches
. committed By them. Your grandfather
took the money Gall in notes), and
thcn began to consider what he shoul..
best do with 1t for'its safety 80
After an hours. quiet considera-
Non, no decided what to do. and dtd il.
~ men he mounted his beautiful old
olack horse. who was slightly lame,
and started off for home. He was a
good b1shman, and knew the way al
-iaostsas well by night as by day, and
ne s,otted merrily along.
lie lad very good path through
me "a young Rum-saplings, and almost let
bonnie Bess' guide herself He had
passed o corner, and had merged into
me open road, when all at once:
stopi'
He ss.ssssa sacsxafd saw three men