The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-22
STITCHED In.
An Adventure with Bushrangers
in Australia.

In the early days of the colony of
New South Wales it was never safe to
travel in the bush unless very well
armed No one was safe from the
robbers-known as bushranCers-who
infested the country, and many a 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 rescued by another
traveller -s.--sssr-..s
Most Of the bushrangers at that
time We're 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 a mail
coach being likely to pass with gold
for the bank, they laid plans TO rob it
on its journey to the city.
Now these are almost things Of the
past, 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
bushranger. Still, now and again we
hear of coaches being robbed, and
farm-hOuseS or ''sheep stations be-
ing attacked by these daring men
Only a few years ago Melbourne was
thrown into state of fright by the
news of n gang of bushrangers shoot
ing a 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 caves in the Strath-
bOgie Ranges; but one day they were
captured by some mounted po-
lice. They p. were tracked to
small wooden dwelling where liquor
was sold, kept by : woman
named Jones; and after barricading the
doors against the police, the hut was
set fire to, and they were caught and
afterwards hanged.
l was living in Victoria at the time
but had been to Sydney for trip; and
as it was the day after the barning 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. When
| returned to Melbourne the following
day. and had related our experience,
my dear mother seemed highly inter
csted; and as we sat around a coy
fire that night, 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 " .
We were all attention at once, for
mothers tales OF her youthful days
We're 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: +ass.-.
.'AlI OF you children know how yolfr
grandfather left England and landed in
New South Wales when quite young.
1t must have been about 1910, as far al
L can rccoliect, when he was made IA
sort of banker. Tom viii perhaps won
der why. Well, at that time there was
no bank out of Sydney, and as the lit
tie town of Richmond was miles away
it was not only a tedious but very cx-
pensive journey to the city Of Sydney
for the farmers Your grandfather
was very much respected, and rs he
was the only magistrate then in the
district his advice was asked upon
various matters. -----.z.- :. >.
Tho event / am goingto tell you
about happened after an Easter Sun
day. He ha1 attended divine service
some miles away, and, as is usual in
Australian country churches, there was
an Easter collection. This Sunday the
collection was unusally large on ac-
count of the good season the farmers
had had; and in addition 10 the collec-
ton money there was about goo,
the result of the sale of some
church property. The trustees OF
tho church knew that on the following
Tuesday your grandfather intended
visiting the city, and 50 begged that
he would take the sum-which alto
gether amounted to about t5O0-and
deposit it in the bank. This he de-
cided to do, but not without some
slight misgivings;' for bushrangers
were doing wild deeds at that time,
and the daily papers were scarcely
ever without some account of a dread
full murder or robbery of mail-coaches
committed by them Your grandfather
took the money GALL in notes., and
then began to consider what he should
best do with it for its safety. .5-e,.s..'
After an hours quiet considera-
ton, he decided what TO DO. and did it.
Then he mounted his beautiful old
black horse, who was slightly lame,
and started off for home He was a
good bushman, and knew the way al
most as well by night as by day, and
he trotted merrily along. h--,s
He had 4 very good path through
the young gum-saplinGs, and almost let
Bonnie B.ss' guide herself. He had