The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-03-02
Stitched In.
Adventure with Australian BuShrangHrS

South Wales it was never safe 10 travel in
the bush unless very well armed. No one
was safe from the robbers-known as bush.
infested the country, and
many mailcoach 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 rescued by ether travellers.
Most of the bushrangers at that time
were escaped convicts who, not daring to
be seen in the town, were obliged to live in
the mountain caves; and when they got to
hear of maicoach being likely to pass
with gold for the bank they laid their plans
to rob ii on its journey to the city.
Now these are almost things of the past,
for there are branch banks in every part of
sbe colonies and money is so securely
guarded that there is very little prospect of
success for bushranger. Still now and
again we hear of coaches being robbed and
farm houses or "sheep ranches" being at
lacked by these daring men.
Only few years ago Melbourne was
thrown into a state of fright by the news
of gang of bushrangers shooting police
trooper dead who went 10 arrest them for
stealing horses. They escaped, and, en-
barking in career of crime, for some time
were successful in evading justice by hiding
themselves in cayes in the Strathbogie
Ranges; but one day they were captured by
some mounted police. They were tracked
to small wooden building where liquor
was sold, kept by woman named Jones;
and after barricading the doors against the
police, the house was set fire to and they
we're caught and afterwards hanged.
was living in Victoria at the time, but
had been to Sydney on q trip; and as it was
the day after the burning of the hut and
our overland express passed quite close to
the ranges, we made up party for the
purpose of visiting the smoldering ruins
hen l retuin ned to Melbourne the follow
ing day and had related our experience my
dear mother seemed highly interested; and
as we sat around cozy fire that night, and
had been questioned all about this gang
OF bushrangers, she said in a very quiet
manner:
81 think could tell you something very
interesting in the way of bushranging ad-
ventures"
We we're all attention at once, for moth
er's tales of her outhful days were always
liked by US, and as we gathered.our chairs
closer around the bright blaze that was
thrown out from the huge logs, she began
"All of you children know how your
grandfather left England apd landed in
New South Wales when quite young. II
must have been about 1910, as far as can
recollect, when he was made sort OF
banker. Tom will perhaps wonder why.
At that time there was no bank out OF
Sydney, and as the little town of Rich
mond was miles away it was not only Q
tedious but very expensive journey tC
the city of Sydney for the farmers. YOU
grandfather was very much respected, ant
as he was the ouly magistrate then in thu
district his advice was asked upon various
matters.
"The event AN going TO tell you abou
happened after an Easter Sunday. He haC
attended divine service some miles away
and as is usual in Australian churches ther,
Was an Easter collection. This Sunday th,
collection was unusually large on accoun
of the good season the farmers had, anC
in addition to the collection money ther,
we're about e400. the result of the sale o
some church property. The trustees Of th'
church knew that on the following Tues
day your grandfather Intended visiting tn
city, and so begged that he would take th
sum-which altogether amounted to abou
e500-and deposit it in the bank. This b
misgiyings; tor bushrangers were doin
wild deeds at that time and the daily news
papers were scarcely eyer without some &C
count of dreadful murder or robbery Q
mail coaches committed by them. You
grandfather took the money all in notes
and then began to consider what he shoul
best do with 1t for its safety.
"After al hours quiet consideration
decided what TO do, and did it. Then
mounted his beautiful old black horse, VIII
was slightly lame, and started off for hom,
He was good bushman and knew the wa
almost as well at night as by day and /
trotted merrily along.
! "IIe had a very good path through Il
gum saplings and almost let Bonnie Des
guide herself. He had passed q corner ar
had merged into the open road when all
once;
'stopg
'He started back and saw three men
black masks and each with pistol In ho
hands.
Where's the eoinq
What coinP asked my father.
'' "'Ob, that'll do, governor. We kno
all about itr and at once they hauled hi
of his saddle.
snow, boys said the leader OF the tri
who was big, powerful man.
with these words they Instantly pr
ceeded to undress your grandfather. TIL
took his boots off aud examined them cal
fully; they ripped open his coat and 9th
? garments, and while he stood there shiy'
ing In the cold they examined every aFti'
, Of clothing be had ON.
suddenly one of the men called out: