Wednesday, September 18, 2024

SAM POO

THE CHINESE HIGHWAYMAN.
It is a mistake to suppose that the bushrangers of Australia were all either ex-convicts or reckless and venturesome young native-born bushmen. These formed the majority, certainly; but there were others, and amongst those others was an a almond-eyed son of the Flowery Land, who rejoiced in the name of Sam Poo, and who, with other of his countrymen, had found his way to one of the goldfields in the Mudgee district.
At this time (early in 1865) the "Chow" was to be found in numbers large or small upon almost every "diggings," particularly on those which had already been exploited by Europeans and left by them for some new "rush." The yellow man was quite content to take second place, after the European diggers on the more important fields had made it plain that they must not expect to find standing room on new fields; and they turned over the old workings to some purpose, frequently getting more of the precious metal out of the abandoned ground than had been obtained by the white holders of the original claims. But Sam Poo was not satisfied with his winnings in the digging line on the Talbragar. He had been on more productive fields, where he had picked up a good smattering of "pidgin" English, become acquainted with many of the habits and customs of European diggers, and had learned that, as a profession, bushranging, if more risky, was sometimes less arduous and more profitable than delving for gold in abandoned shafts, thrice-cradled tailing heaps, or washed-up river-beds. Hence, he turned his almond eyes upon the road, and occasionally practised shooting from his tent door, a blackened tree stump on the side of the ridge adjacent forming the target.
For some reason or other he had separated from his countrymen; lived in a camp alone, and worked alone as a "hatter"—as the digger without a "mate" was called. In his solitary state he was looked upon for some time by the diggers and others in the locality as a harmless crank, and his own countrymen, when asked, "What for Sam Poo live by himself?" voiced the same opinion in the laconic answer, "He no good—he fool!" But, as the sequel shows, there was a roguish method in his madness, which assumed a form most vicious, and was followed by results most disastrous.
One morning early Sam Poo disappeared from his camp, and on the following day the diggers on the field were shocked and surprised by a report that a man, supposed to be a Chinaman, had attempted to outrage a woman and her little girl on the Mudgee road. They did not connect Sam Poo with that crime, however, until later, when reports came in that an armed Chinaman was bailing up solitary travellers on the Mudgee-Talbragar road, and then even the boys on the field correctly guessed that the offender was "Cranky Sam."
The news that a Chinaman had assumed the role of bushranger, and was bailing up travellers, came as a surprise to the community, who had had abundant proof of the fact that the Chinese were, in the main, a law-abiding class, even if they were otherwise objectionable, and Mounted Constable Ward, of Coonabarabran station, could scarcely credit the story when, in patrolling the road on the Mudgee side of Barney's Reef, he met two men, who informed him that an "armed Chinaman was about sticking up people."
Though doubtful, he still acted, and, spurring up his horse, soon came to the spot indicated, there to receive most painful proof that the story told by the travellers was correct. As he cantered smartly along the beaten track he espied a Chinaman on foot some distance ahead carrying a gun, and almost simultaneously the Chinaman saw him, and hurriedly turned off the road and ran into the bush; Ward at once chased and overtook him, never for a moment anticipating danger in the meeting. As he neared the fugitive Ward called out, "What you do? Put down your gun!" but immediately found himself covered, and heard the Chinaman cry out, "You policeman! Me fire!"
To leap from his horse and take out his revolver was the work of a moment, and then, seeing that the Chinaman really meant business (for he came nearer, with the gun still levelled), the constable made an attempt to get round the horse, again calling out, "Put down the gun!" himself not caring to fire. Ward's humane hesitancy proved his undoing, for the Chinaman followed him quickly and fired, wounding him severely in the side. Ward fell, at once, firing one revolver shot at his assailant as he fell, and two more shots as he lay on the ground at the horse's feet; but one of the shots took effect, and the Chinaman ran away, reloading his gun as he ran.
There had been no witness to this tragedy of the bush, and poor Ward was likely to have bled to death where he had fallen but for the providential passing by of Mr. J. F. Plunkett, the squatter upon whose run the occurrence had taken place, and who was on his way to an adjoining sheep station. Mr. Plunkett found the wounded constable in a semi-comatose condition, and having hurriedly sought assistance had him conveyed to his homestead at Talbragar, where every effort was made to assuage his sufferings and minister to his comfort pending the arrival of a doctor, for whom a well-mounted messenger had been despatched a distance of nearly fifty miles. But when the doctor arrived, on the day following, poor Ward was beyond the need of aid. He had passed into the Great Beyond, forming another of the long line of those to whom death has come in the performance of duty.
Mr. Plunkett, in a few sentences, subsequently told the pathetic story of Ward's passing, thus:—
"Poor Ward died on the day following. I spoke to him repeatedly; he said he knew he was dying, and asked with tears what would become of his poor wife and family. He made a full statement to me of the encounter with the Chinaman, which statement I took down in writing. He was quite satisfied that he was dying when he made the statement, and asked me to pray for him. He was a member of the Church of England, and I read a form of prayer for the sick from the book of Common Prayer, which was very beautiful. I read the whole of the service, and a part of it is for a person on the point of death. Ward died after asking that his wife and family should be sent for, and they did not reach my place until after he was buried."
Meanwhile, the hue and cry had been raised, and the whole countryside was on the lookout for the Chinaman. All the available police took horse and scoured the bush for miles around the scene of the outrage, but they could not find the murderer, though traces had been left by him in the shape of camp fires, and at Mr. Plunkett's sheep station some flour, spilled when the empty hut was being raided for provisions.
On the fifteenth day after the murder an aboriginal half-caste named Harry Hughes, working on Cabbora station, volunteered to go with the police as a tracker, and his offer being accepted, Troopers Todd, Burns, and McMahon started out with him into the bush. The keen eye of the black speedily discovered the trail, and the quartette of hunters pressed steadily forward until a point was reached where it was considered best for the party to divide, Burns and McMahon taking the scrub, and Todd and the tracker keeping to the river which skirted it, arranging to meet at a given point some miles distant.
Burns and McMahon first caught sight of the fugitive, who had been concealed in a gully. He fired at them as they passed and then plunged into the scrub and disappeared. The troopers returned the fire as soon as they saw him, but Sam Poo was too quick for them, and got away where they could not follow with their horses, and as they were fearful that he might escape if they lost time in trying to penetrate the scrub, they galloped forward to M'Vicar's, some three miles distant, where they met and told their story to Todd and Hughes. The whole party then hastened back to the gully, where Hughes soon got to work, and noiselessly followed the track until he came across the quarry hiding in the thick scrub.
The Chinaman saw Hughes at the same moment, and immediately raised his gun and fired, the charge passing through Hughes' hat. The tracker's alarm sounded simultaneously with the discharge of the gun, and the troopers rushed forward. Their appearance was the signal for more firing, for the Chinaman, whose movements were very rapid, loaded his piece and discharged it several times from behind the shelter of two trees before his pursuers could get a shot at him. At last Todd saw a fair opening, as Sam Poo exposed himself for the purpose of taking aim at Burns, and seizing it, he emptied his shotted gun with good effect, the charge entering Sam Poo's head, neck, and body. Burns then rushed forward to secure him, and as he did so the Chinaman, resting himself on one arm, raised the gun to fire; but Burns was too quick for him, and struck him down with the butt end of his rifle, the blow breaking the stock of the piece and cracking the murderer's skull.
The troopers returned to M'Vicar's that night, and next morning proceeded to Mudgee, where Sam Poo was treated in the gaol hospital, his injuries being so severe as to cause his captors to believe that, after all, the gallows would be deprived of its prey. But in due course he recovered sufficiently to permit of his removal to Bathurst, where he was subsequently tried, convicted, and hanged, nine months having elapsed between the arrest and the execution.
Shortly after Ward's death a public meeting was held at Mudgee, and a goodly sum of money was raised for the support of the widow and children who had been bereaved of their breadwinner by the only Chinaman that has ever been known in Australia to take to the road as a bushranger.

NEWS ITEMS

1865 - CAPTURE OF THE CHINAMAN WHO SHOT SENIOR CONSTABLE WARD.
(From a Talbragar correspondent.)
Since the murder of poor Ward, about seventeen days ago, sergeant Todd and trooper McMahon (the police at Denison Town) have been indefatigable in searching for the mahogany-colored devil who has for so long a time infested this neighbourhood. He seems never to have been more than twenty miles away from this place, and to have subsisted by robbing the shepherds' huts round-about; but although intelligence was received almost daily of his presence in some part or another, the bush is here chiefly of so scrubby a nature that it has constantly afforded him safe hiding places. Yesterday, however, sergeant Todd, troopers McMahon and Burns, and Henry Hughes, a stockman, were scouring the bush at Nairn, a place ten miles from Cobra, and about twenty from Denison Town. At four p.m., these four were riding at a little distance from each other, when McMahon suddenly came upon him, lying like a hare "in form." Directly the Chinaman saw he was discovered he sprang to his feet, fired at McMahon, and dashed into a more dense part of the scrub. His pursuers closed about the spot, and made sure of capturing him; but, though they searched the ground and bushes thoroughly, they could find no traces of him whatever for an hour. They were apprehensive that he had again slipped through their fingers, when he suddenly sprang up as if from the earth, and fired his gun full in the face of Henry Hughes, who seemed to have escaped almost by a miracle for of the slugs with which the gun was loaded one passed through the brim of his bat, and another struck him on the side of the head. After discharging his piece, the Chinaman bounded off to some other part of the scrub, loading as he ran along, which he could the more easily do as his charges were made up in cartridges. He cut such antics as he went along, and sheltered himself so well, that his pursuers could not got a fair shot at him; and he actually fired ten shots before he was taken. Sergeant Todd, as brave and as efficient a man as the force can boast of, repeatedly challenged the fellow to step out and fight him; and it was not until he got almost face to face with him that he had an opportunity of firing with effect. The sergeant had wisely exchanged his clumsy carbine for a double-barrelled gun loaded with No. 1 shot, and lodged the contents of one barrel so effectively about the Chinaman's head and neck that it placed him hors de combat. When the fellow fell, Burns ran up to secure him; but as he did so the Chinaman drew a pistol, but as he presented it Burns struck him on the head with the butt end of his carbine and stunned him. The news of this rascal's capture has caused the greatest satisfaction throughout this neighbourhood, where, from his sudden and unexpected appearances, he has been a source of constant alarm to the residents. He now lies in custody, at McVigor's station, in a precarious state; from which let us hope he will recover sufficiently to die at Bathurst by an anodyne necklace - a process more becoming his calling and profession than a military death. 
Denison Town, Talbragar, 18th Feb. 1865.

The Western Post of Tuesday gives an account of the capture, and adds :—
All the constables say that too much praise cannot be given to Hughes for the assistance rendered in capturing this miscreant. On the case being called on yesterday at the police court, it was found that the prisoner was too weak to be brought into court, and the hearing of the case was consequently adjourned. The Chinaman has been consigned to the gaol, where he will be attended by the medical officer, and as soon as he is sufficiently recovered, the inquiry into his guilt will be initiated. At present he refuses to speak either to his countrymen or to anyone else. He appears very much injured, and it is not improbable that he will die of his wounds.
Sam Poo was indicted with, on the 18th February, at Barney's Reef, shooting at one Henry Hughes, to prevent his lawful apprehension. The prisoner remained mute, and would not answer to the charge. Wilson Ramsay, being sworn, said that the prisoner since his arrest had not to his knowledge spoken, but he had been told that he could speak English well. John Duff deposed he knew the prisoner; had spoken to him in English, and he had replied to him; he can speak English as plain as witness can. It was therefore decided that the jury should he empanelled to try whether he was mute by malice or by the visitation of God. The jury being sworn, Mr. Butler said that the only thing they had to try was whether he was wilfully mute or only unhappily so; he thought he could prove by various witnesses that the former was the case, and that he had only become obstinate.
Tommy Hoy deposed that he had a conversation with the prisoner on the previous day in the coach both in English and Chinese, and he understood him. John Duff re-called, repeated his former evidence ; he asked him in English where he was going to, and he said if himself and his brother did not go on he would soon make them; asked him where he lived and he said, pointing down to a log, 'there;' this was in English; told him he would fetch somebody to shift him; he said, you had better not. Senior Constable Webb deposed that the prisoner had been in his charge; he heard him ask for a drink of water whilst on the coach, and he also spoke at his examination before the Bench. Mr. Chippendall said that after he came into gaol he would not speak at all; was informed he had eaten the food given to him. Edward Clark deposed he had seen the prisoner in Mudgec, but could not get him to speak; had heard others speak to him, but he would not answer; he refused to take his food for some fourteen days.
The jury retired for half-an-hour, and brought in a verdict of dumbness by malice. His Honor decided that this was equivalent to a plea of not guilty, and directed the trial to proceed. Mr. Butler in opening the case said that the prisoner was charged with shooting at Henry Hughes with intent to kill him, and in a second count with shooting to resist his lawful apprehension. The prisoner was arrested on suspicion of having shot constable Ward, but the evidence was not at present sufficiently complete to go on with that case. The Chinaman had beentold by the police what he was arrested for, and he then shot at them, being well armed both with a gun and pistol, and it was only when knocked on the head with the butt-end of a rifle that he was arrested. Miles Burns deposed he was a constable in the Western police; remembered hearing of the death of Constable Ward, about the 5th or 6th of February ; went out with senior constable Webb and another to apprehend a Chinaman; was stationed at Mudgee then; received information on 17th March that the Chinaman was about the town, and went in pursuit with three others; saw prisoner about fifty miles from Mudgee; M'Mahon was with him, the other two having taken another direction ; a shot was fired and they saw him retreating; called on him to stop, but he wonld not ; did not see him till after the shot was fired; he was about sixty yards distant; heard the shots passing over their heads; fired at him and missed him; chased him through the bush and met the others ; other shots were fired; saw Hughes' hat after the prisoner was taken ; when prisoner was taken he was on the ground taking deliberate 'hn at witness, when he knocked nim over the head and stunned him ; told him five or six times to surrender as they were police; found on him a powder horn, a large pistol, and a fowling-piece ; the pistol was loaded and the gun discharged. Senior constable Webb deposed he was with Burns when they went in search of the prisoner; saw Ward when he was dead; was not present when the firing took place. Henry Hughes, a half-caste, deposed he was lately in the employ of Mr. Blakeman, being brought up by him; was with the police when the prisoner was taken; he fired at witness, and the shot went through the rim of his hat (produced); the hole was not in the hat when this occurred; the hat was knocked off his head at about six yards from the prisoner; the other time he was fired at he was about twenty-five yards away; whilst taking aim the last time constable Todd shot him, and Burns blocked him on the head; there was only one hole made in the hat. Constable Burns was recalled, and in reply to his Honor reiterated his former evidence. His Honor summed up, and the jury after retiring a few minutes returned a verdict of wounding with intent to kill. The prisoner, who appeared to be very weak and emaciated, was remanded for sentence.
Source: Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860 - 1871) Sat 15 Apr 1865 Page 11

1865 - WILFUL MURDER.
Sam Poo was charged with the wilful murder of constable John Ward, on the 3rd Fobrunry, 1865, at Talbragar, to which he pleaded not guilty. Mr. Innes, at the request of his Honor, defended the prisoner. The Government interpreter Sing Shigh translated the evidence to the prisoner.
Mr. Butler having opened the case John Clough was called, and deposed: I am in the employ of Mr. Plunkett, at Talbragar; I remember the day that constable Ward was shot ; I saw the prisoner in that neighbourhood the day after Ward was shot; I was coming through the scrub, and I saw him covering me with a gun; he asked me where I was going, and on my telling him that I was going to Mr. Plunkett's, he said, "Go on, or I will give you one too," Pointing to the gun and a pistol that was lying near him on a log. The gun shown me (one that had been cut down in the barrel) is the gun he had; it had a piece of leather near the nipple like that now on the gun; I did not notice the pistol - could not swear it was a pistol; the prisoner was dressed in a serge shirt and corduroy trousers like those worn by the prisoner now; he had a hat like the prisoner's.
By Mr. Innes : Never saw the prisoner before that; my brother was with me when he stopped me, but he stood some way off ; I am positive the prisoner is the man; he did not offer to molest us; he had a swag with him, but we had nothing with us; I asked him where he was going and whether he was lost, and told him I would soon fetch somebody to shift him out of that; it was a piece of rag the prisoner had over the nipple of the gun; it did not occur to me that the prisoner might think we were going to stick him up; I could see his face plainly, and I did not think he was an old man; he was rather stouter than he is now.
Elizabeth Golding deposed: I live with my husband near Mr. Plunkett's ; on the 30th January, I saw the prisoner at my place; he came and spoke to my little girl; it was in the forenoon, and he went away; soon after he retuned; I asked him what he came hack for, when he said, " If I cannot have my will of the girl, I will of you"; he had a gun with him like that shown me; it had a precisely similar piece of leather round the barrel; I ran off to get assistance; the prisoner is the man.
By Mr. Innes: The prisoner was dressed then as he is now. I never saw him before. I am certain he is the man. My husband came back with me and the prisoner was gone.
James Francis Plunkett deposed: I live at Talbragar and remember constable Ward being shot. I found Ward lying in the bush wounded. I remember seeing the prisoner the night before Ward was shot. I remember seeing in one of the shepherds' huts some things strewed about in confusion. There was a mess as if a flour bag had been emptied, and on the floor was a piece of a leather legging which had been cut. The leather round the gun is similar to that of the leggings. I found the things disturbed in the hut three or four days after Ward was shot. I found Ward wounded and took him to my house, where he died at four o'clock in the afternoon. He said he knew he was dying, and asked repeatedly "What is to become of my wife and children?" He knew he was dying and I took down a statement in writing. Afterwards he made other statements which I did not put down. This statement (produced) is the one I wrote.
By Mr. Innes: Constable Ward knew he was dying. He asked us to pray for him. The prayers we offered up were those of the Church of England for the sick and dying. I read the whole service. I sent for a doctor, who was forty-five miles away. I do not know whether he requested me to do so; probably he did so. The doctor came and remained till after Ward was dead. His family were, at his request, also sent for, but they did not arrive till he was buried. I read a portion of the service, and my wife read the rest.
Mr. Innes submitted to his Honor whether the declaration of the deceased could be admitted, as it had been ruled that where, after a declaration had been made, some hope of recovery had been expressed by a person who afterwards died, such a declaration could not be received. Mr. Plunkett had said that probably constable Ward expressed a wish for a doctor to be sent for, and this, he contended, was sufficient to show that the deceased entertained hopes of recovery.
The learned counsel concluded by quoting authorities in support of his argument. His Honor said there was no positive evidence that Ward had made any request for a doctor. The witness could not remember, but he positively stated that Ward was firm in his conviction that he should die. The declaration, therefore, must be admitted.
Mr. Innis requested that the point might be reserved.
Mr. Butler then handed in the dying declaration of Ward, which was read as follows:—
"I, John Ward, senior constable, stationed at Coonabarabran, do hereby solemnly declare, believing myself dangerously ill, and at the point of death, that on the 3rd day of February, 1865, I met two men on the Mudgee side of Barney's Reef, who told me that a Chinaman was about sticking up people. When I got on the Talbragar side of Barney's Reef, I sighted a Chinaman, and when he saw me he left the road and went into the bush. I chased and overtook him and told him that I was a policeman, and ordered him to put down his gun. He ran at me, and said, ' You, policeman, me fire.' When he presented his gun, I got off my horse, and took out my revolver. He followed me round the horse, fired at, and wounded me. I fired one shot at him, and then fell. I fired two more when I was on the ground. He ran away in the bush, loading his gun. To the best of my belief, the Chinaman was a short little cranky old man; he had a gun and a pistol."
Examination resumed: After I had written the statement just read, the deceased described the dress of the Chinaman who shot him. He said it would be of no use, for the Chinaman would change his clothes. He described the man's dress, saying he wore a blue shirt and a strangely made cap. He said the man who shot him appeared to be a cranky, little, short old man.
Alfred Smith deposed: I was driving some sheep, on the evening of the 3rd February, at Talbragar, when I heard the report of firearms. A young man was with me, and on turning round I saw a man walking through the bush. He was dressed in a blue serge shirt and darkish trousers. His appearance corresponded with the prisoner's. Afterwards I heard that constable Ward had been shot.
By Mr. Innes: I was near enough to see whether the man who was running away was an European or a Chinaman; I was 250 or 300 yards from him.
Thomas Matthew Morris deposed to being with the last witness, and seeing a man pass him in the bush riding, a few minutes before he heard shots fired; after the firing he saw a man coming from the same direction carrying something in his hand, which he thought was a gun; in appearance and dress he resembled the prisoner.
Alfred Smith recalled: When I saw the man who passed after the shots were fired, he had something in his hand, which I believed was a gun.
Dr. William King deposed: I attended constable Ward, and found one wound in the pelvis, which was evidently caused by a bullet; there were other small wounds; I saw the deceased before his death ; his case was a hopeless one.
Constable Burns deposed: I went out with two constables and a black tracker to scour the country, after it was ascertained that constable Ward was shot; we returned in a few days unsuccessful, and getting fresh information we started again; we met with the prisoner in the bush, our attention being drawn to him by his firing off a gun; he ran into the scrub which was very thick, and we had to dismount to follow him; we fired after him and eventually brought him to bay and arrested him; the prisoner was dressed then as Chinamen usually dress; he had two jumpers on (produced) and the other clothes he now wears; he had the gun now shown me which has been cut down; it was loaded with a bullet and slugs which I produce; he also had the pistol now in court.
By Mr. Innes: The prisoner was shot and gave a scream, and was afterwards knocked senseless with a blow on the head; he was injured seriously, and was not expected to recover.
Dr. King recalled: The wounds I saw on Ward's body might have been produced by a bullet and slugs similar to the charge shown me.
Mr. Innes asked his Honor whether there was anything to go to the jury on the charge of murder. His Honor considered that there was ample evidence to sustain an indictment for murder. Mr. Innes then made a telling speech in the prisoner's behalf. His Honor having gone through the evidence, pointed out its various features; the jury retired, and after a short interval, returned with a verdict of guilty. Sentence
deferred.

1865 - [CONVICTION]
Sam Poo, convicted of wilful murder, was placed at the bar, and his Honor said to him:—
"Sam Poo, you have been found guilty, of the murder of constable Ward, and I find you are now undergoing a sentence of imprisonment with hard labour for ten years, for shooting with intent to murder. It appears that during the ten days before you murdered constable Ward you were prowling about the country, armed with a loaded gun and a pistol, threatening the lives of unarmed men, and terrifying, unprotected women and little children with threats of rape. After you had murdered contable Ward in his attempts to capture you and your tracks had been taken up by the police, and you had been followed into a dense scrub, you fired several times at the constable and at last when about to be arrested, you threw yourself on your knees and pretended to surrender but when the constable came near, you again fired at him. It now becomes my imperative duty to pass the sentence of the law upon you, and that sentence is, that you be taken from the place where you now stand to the place whence you came, and from thence at a time to be fixed by his Excellency the Governor to the place of execution and that you be there hanged by the neck until your body be dead; and that your body be buried within the precincts of the gaol where you were last confined; and may Almighty God, the merciful Father of us all, out of the sbundnace of His mercy, forgive and save your soul.'
His Honor was affected almost to tears when passing the last two sentences.
The sentences were interpreted to the prisoners by the Chinese interpreter.
Source: Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Tue 17 Oct 1865 Page 3

1865 - [CONTEMPT]
Sam Poo, convicted of the wilful murder of Constable Ward, was next placed in front of the dock, a terrible contrast to the last criminal in the air of utter indifference which he assumed. While his Honor was speaking, he was frequently interrupted with a varierty of expressions of contempt—at one turn making a babbling noise with his tongue against his lips, and at another, when his Honor alluded to his crime he cried out, "Who see, who see? All gammon, all gammon." Sentence of death was then, after a suitable address, passed in the usual form. The prisoner left the dock quite unmoved, and with an air of jaunty indifference. This concluded the criminal business. 
Ah Lunn, who was condemned to death at the last Assizes, for the murder of his cousin Nee Tack, is to be executed within the gaol on Tuesday, the 21st instant. No instructions have been received with regard to Sam Poo, who was convicted of the murder of Constable Ward.—Bathurst Times. 
Source: Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860 - 1871) Sat 18 Nov 1865 Page 2

1865 - [APPEAL]
The conviction of Sam Poo, who shot Constable Ward, has been sustained by the Judges on appeal.
Source: The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser Sat 9 Dec 1865 Page 3

1865 - [WITNESSES]
I GEORGE BUSBY, being the Medical Officer of the Gaol at Bathurst, do hereby declare and certify, that I have this day witnessed the execution of Sam Poo (Chinese), lately convicted and duly sentenced to death at the Supreme Circuit Court of Bathurst; and I further certify, that the said Sam Poo was, in pursuance of such sentence, "hanged by the neck until his body was dead." Given under my hand, this nineteenth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
GEO. BUSBY, Surgeon. Bathurst, 19th December, 1865.
We, the undersigned, do hereby declare and testify, that we have this day been present when the extreme penalty of the law was executed on the body of Sam Poo (Chinese), lately convicted at the Supreme Circuit Court at Bathurst, held on the 9th day of October, and duly sentenced to death; and that the said Sam Poo (Chinese) was, in pursuance of said sentence, "hanged by the neck until his body was dead."
B. Ennis, Deputy Sheriff.
John Chippendale, Gaoler.
Jno. C. Whyte, Publisher.
McAsland Lamrock, Bathurst.
George H. Powell, Bathurst.
Patrick Bead, Bathurst.
Henry Ellis, S.W.
Charles Dalton, Bathurst.
Terence Peterson, Bathurst.
Robert Hopkirk, Bathurst. ,
B. W. Waters, Senr. Sergt., Bathurst Police.
Thos. Madden, Constable. 

1865 - EXECUTION.
The Chinese convict Sam Poo, who, at the last assizes was convicted of the murder of constable Ward, suffered the extreme penalty of the law yesterday, within the precincts of the gaol. In the absence of any of his countrymen from outside the prison walls, three Chinese prisoners, who are at present confined in Bathurst gaol, were brought out to see the end of Sam Poo; there were also about a dozen other persons present besides the police and the officers of the gaol. The wretched man, who, ever since his apprehension, has been quite weak in intellect, appeared perfectly unconscious of his fate, and until his arms were pinioned by the executioners, stood at the door of his cell clapping his hands. The ceremony of pinioning over, he was led to the gallows without speaking a word, or even once lifting up his head. The rope was fixed, the bolt drawn, and the soul was ushered into eternity. The unfortunate victim of crime struggled convulsively for about a minute, and then all was still. After hanging the usual time the body was cut down and taken away for burial.—Bathurst Free Press.

1885 - Sub-Inspector Burns.
The subject of our sketch was born in a country village, Castletown, county Donegal, Ireland, and followed the pursuit of farming. In 1862, induced by the lectures of the Hon. W. B. Dalley, he sold out his interest in the farm and emigrated for Queensland, taking with him two men. When he arrived at Sydney, the account he heard of the gold diggings caused him to alter his mind, and he went with his  men to the Ten Mile Rush. He was very unsuccessful, and lost everything he was possessed of. He then returned to Sydney. Being a good horseman, and of a roving disposition, he joined the Mounted Police at the age of 20. He was sent, after the usual training, to the Mudgee District. Bushranging was rampant. A band was formed in Mudgee District, stations and stores were stuck up, and Alex. Musson, of Pyramal, and Cordwell, of Hargraves, were shot by then). Burns arrested two, Edward McQuirk and Campbell, and this broke up the Mudgee gang. Shortly after, Constable Ward was shot by Sam Poo, a Chinaman. Burns came on him in a scrub. Sam Poo was armed with a double-barrelled gun. Burns came on him suddenly, and Poo raised his gun, but the officer sprang at him and smashed his empty rifle on the head of the Chinaman. Poo recovered, and was hanged at Bathurst. For this Mr. Burns received promotion, and was sent to Mundoran, where his success in running down cattle stealers, &c,. was proverbial. He has been stationed since then at Orange, Mudgee, and finally Gulgong. 
When the men escaped from Coonamble gaol, Superintendent Burns (as he then was) was under the care of Dr. Kealy.  But discarding all consideration of self, he proceeded in pursuit, first to the Warrumbuagle Ranges, through the gorges on foot, back by Cobbora, and finally came upon them at Bellinfante Bridge, after four weeks unceasing pursuit. What came of that meeting, the unfortunate death of Stewart, and the shooting of the murderers, Thurston and Angel, has already been recorded. 


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