1876 - POLICE COURT
Ill-treating Children - John Norman was brought up for ill treating his child, Emily Jane Norman aged 7 years. From the evidence it appears that the child, a half-caste, was in the habit of running away and in order to prevent her from exercising some of her native proclivities, the accused tied her with a dog chain and put a strap of leather round her neck and flogged her while she was tied. Her left her at night at sheep station of Mr Rouse without any person with her.
The child was examined by Dr Ramsay and Constable Evans, there was a mark around her neck and marks on her legs and shoulders.
Janet Vesperman stated: I live at Bailey’s Springs, three miles from the station, the child came to my place on Tuesday morning, she was making her way towards the Warrable Mountains, I took her in, she said her mother followed her with a stick and said if she came back again, she would kill her, I took her to the Home Rule police for protection. Husband of this witness corroborated the evidence and further stated that he had helped in the searches for the child.
Emily Jane Norman was examined by the Bench and was found to be both intelligent and very cautious—I know the prisoner, I call him daddy, I sleep at the sheep station by myself and he ties me up with string and beats me so does mammy, I get fed, I run away because I am frightened. After the prisoner put a few questions to the child she began to cry.
The Bench ordered the prisoner to pay a fine of 5 pounds in default 3 months imprisonment.
Sergeant Keenan, applied to the Bench for liberty to examine the mother of the child so as to send her to an industrial school if she was not claimed or have her discharged if Mrs Norman admitted her maternity. Louisa Ann Norman, after a few convulsive sobs, admitted the child was hers. The child was discharged.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, January 15, 1876
1870s - AN ABORIGINAL ALBINO
Mr. J. M. Perry, who represented Liverpool Plains in the Legislative Assembly some year's ago and is at present residing in West Maitland, relates how he saw an aboriginal albino woman, in the seventies while he was engaged in gold mining in the Gulgong district.
He and his mate Peter McIntyre, had struck some duffers in gold-mining operations, and decided to go shearing. They went down the Castlereagh. McIntyre had seen an albino gin in the Coonamble district some time before, and they heard that she was with her tribe at Lake Cowall.
They proceeded to Lake Cowall and met the tribe there. The gin was sitting by the camp fire, covered with an opossum rug. Her eyes were clearly red and her skin was a dirty white, but in all other respects she appeared to be true to aboriginal type. Her hair was of a tawny colour. A queer eruption on her skin did not add to her appearance. She was not very communicative, and after answering a few questions retired into her minmia. Her husband and her son were pure aboriginals. She appeared to be held in great veneration by the members of the tribe, who treated her with great respect, and did not appreciate visits of inquisitive whites. She was between 40 and 50 years of age, and appeared to be fairly healthy. Mr. Perry states that there appears to be considerable doubt among many people who have had experiences with the aboriginals about the authenticity of the reports concerning the existence of an aboriginal albino, but his experience, clearly proved that one existed at Lake Cowall.
Source: The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954) Mon 22 Aug 1932 Page 6
Amongst other attractions at Gulgong (during election week) has been the exhibition of the hairless horse by Mr. Bennett. This animal weighs about nine hundred, and it is not a little remarkable that he was bred on the Balloon River, in the neighbourhood of a locality where it is known that some of the aborigines aro also hair less.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 30 Mar 1872 Page 7
1873 - Committal of an Aboriginal
1938 - Believed Skeleton Was Aboriginal
At the Gulgong petty sessions on the 28th ultimo, Cobby, an aboriginal, was brought up charged with shooting an aboriginal named Jackey with intent to kill. Jackey, who knew nothing about tbe Bible or a lie, nor the nature of an oath, was sworn, and said he lived upon Mr. O'Brien's station on the Marthaguy employed as a shepherd. Knew Cobby ever since he was born. He was shot by the prisoner about ten months ago, on one Sunday morning. Gave information to sergeant Burns on the following Monday. Was sure that the man in the dock was the person who shot him. He was only three yards away when he fired. Two shots entered witness's chest. The shirt produced with blood on it is the one he wore at thetime. By the bench: They had a quarrel about a gin previously. Peter Smith, a witness in the case, objected to give evidence without his expenses were paid. The bench said that he must give evidence, but witness objected to be sworn in the usual manner, and was sworn by sergeant Keenan in the Scotch fashion of holding up the right hand. He knew both prisoner and complainant. He (witness) resided on the Marthaguy Creek. Heard of Jackey being shot about ten months ago. Jackey camped about 100 yards from him. The report of the gun awoke him. He got up, and saw Cobby with a gun in his hand, and Jackey showed him the wounds. It was about half past 2 in the morning. Michael O'Brien sworn, lived at Merri Merri. Ten months since he lived between the Marthaguy and Castlereagh. Knew both parties concerned in the case. Heard of Jackey being shot, and gave information to sergeant Burns. Maggie (Jackey's wife), corroborated her husband's evidence. The prisoner said he had nothing to say, and was committed for trial at the Mudgee assizes in April.
Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Fri 7 Mar 1873 Page 3
1930 - ABORIGINAL ARTISTS. Novelty Entertainment.
1930 - ABORIGINAL ARTISTS. Novelty Entertainment.
The concert given in the Criterion Theatre by the visiting troupe of aboriginals was fairly well attended, but the number present was far below that anticipated.
It was a novel entertainment, all the artists being aboriginals from the Coonabarabran and Wallhollow camps, and considering they were untutored their performance was very creditable, and demonstrated that they possess no small share of musical ability. One of the performers played several instruments, including an accordeon, a guitar made out ot a kerosene tin, a violin and an ordinary saw. The dancing and singing were also very good, and the corroboree was most interesting.
On account of the lack of interest shown the troupe returned home to Coonabarahran after giving one performance. They played at Gulgong two nights. On the first (Tuesday) half the proceeds were donated to the Gulgong District Hospital, and there was a crowded house. They also played on Wednesday night, but to a poor House.
If some enterprising showman were to select the best of the artists to tour the State, he would reap, a rich harvest. The members of the company, despite their lack of success at Mudgee, are to be complimented on their musical talent.— Mudgee 'Guardian.'
1938 - Believed Skeleton Was Aboriginal
Police are satisfied that the partial skeleton found by Mr. E. P. Cook, a local resident, at Two Mile Flat, near Gulgong, last Monday, is that of an aboriginal.
With the exception of two front teeth, both sets of teeth in the skull were intact.
Teeth adjoining the missing two had grown inwards, supporting the police view that those missing were knocked out during a tribal initiation ceremony.
Sergeant Tickner, Gulgong, in charge of the inquiry, has been told by the local medical officer that the aboriginal died about 50 years ago, probably earlier.
