APRIL - BUSHRANGERSYesterday two men, named Charles Johnson and James Miller, stuck up a party near Gulgong Reef, and afterwards came into Mudgee, and "shouted" at Tuckerman's Hotel [
Mudgee]. They then went back to Langdell's,
Guntawang Rock, to where constable Campbell followed the bushrangers, who escaped at the back of the hotel. It was too dark to follow them, so Campbell secured their horses. The constable started out in pursuit to-day, but met with a bad fall from his horse, about six miles from here, and was brought in insensible, and has since died. A number of our police are unavoidably absent. Johnson escaped from the Denison Town lock-up on Friday last.
APRIL - BUSHRANGING BY ESCAPED PRISONERS. Death of Senior-Constable Campbell.
On Saturday last, two prisoners, one named Charles Johnston, the other named Slater, made their escape from the police at Talbragar. It appears they overpowered the constable, and took from him his revolver; after which they severely maltreated him. Subsequently Johnson, in company with a man named Miller, made their way over to Gulgong, after stealing two horses. On their arrival at the crushing machine, they ordered the smith to take off their leg-irons, giving him five minutes to perform that operation. They met Messsrs. Tuckerman and Naughton, whom they allowed to pass without molestation. They then stuck up Mr. W. Woods, and a young man named Ashton, robbing the former of his hat and the latter of about £12. At about a quarter-past 12 on Monday night, they had the hardihood to come into town and go to Tuckerman's Royal Hotel, a house situated in the most populous part of Mudgee, where they enjoyed themselves for about three-quarters of an hour. The most extraordinary part of the proceedings is this, that the robbers were well known to have committed a robbery that day under arms, and although there were five stout active men in the bar, no attempt was made to capture them, but they were allowed quietly to leave. We cannot account for such cowardice; had they possessed hearts as big as a grain of mustard seed, they never would have allowed them to leave. We certainly should advocate having anti-Crimean medals struck for these heroes, as a fitting reward for their cowardice.
After leaving the heroes of the Royal Hotel, they went to Langbridge's Inn, on Menah flat. The proceedings there were very amusing. They arrived at somewhat a little after 1 o clock in the morning,
knocked at the door, and said they were police. Upon the door being opened they had something to drink, and asked the landlord, Mr. Langbridge, if there were two men in the house. Upon being answered in the affirmative, Johnson drew his revolver and presenting it at Langbridge, ordered him to bail up. They then took him outside the door, and made him lay flat on the ground. Johnson stood sentry over him, while he sent Miller into the bedroom to search the place. Miller came out stating that he could find nothing. Langbridge then said, "You will find some silver in a pewter measure,'' which they took. They took from Langbridge a silver watch, but upon his stating that it was a family relic they sold it again to him for a bottle of pale brandy. After this, Johnson went into the bedroom where a Mr. Abrahams was sleeping, woke this gentleman, and pointed a revolver at his head, telling him to hand over his money, at the same time asking him for his trousers. He took his purse out of his pocket, and took five one-pound notes and three shillings in silver. He then asked who the other man was. Mr.
Abrahams told him he was his servant-man and told him the man had no money. Johnson then said if he
found a sixpence on him he would blow Abraham's b—y brains out. Johnson then told Miller to search the trousers, at the same time asking him where his revolver was. Miller stated that he had no revolver. When Johnson had done, he said; "I suppose I can get no more, it is hardly worth caring for, but I expected more.'' He then threw half-a-crown to Abrahams. Immediately the men were gone, Abrahams and Langbridge rode to Mudgee, and reported the affair to senior-constable Campbell. The mounted police being absent, the senior-constable volunteered his services, and walked down to Langbridge's, upon arrival there he was furnished with a horse, and they started off together on the Guntawang road; arriving at Langdell's public house they saw light in the house, and two horses fastened to the place with their saddles on; Abrahams saw Miller in the bar, but as soon as they heard the horses they ran through the house, and getting out at the back door, made off into the bush; Campbell took their horses and swags.
On Tuesday morning Campbell volunteered to go in pursuit: he had reached about five miles out when his horse threw him; he laid some time till medical assistance arrived, and on being conveyed to his home he died. We have known Campbell for many years, and a more deserving, honest, steady, well-conducted officer did not exist in the force; his death will be being felt in Mudgee.
At the inquest the jury returned the following verdict-"That Hugh Campbell came to his death on the 7th April, 1848, near Mudgee, from the fall of a horse, while after bushrangers, in the execution of his duty," At the same time expressing their regret at the loss of such an efficient officer, and respectfully recommending his wife and family to the consideration of the Government. - Mudgee Liberal, April 9.
MAY - CAPTURE AND MARRIAGE OF A BUSHRANGER.
The following are the particulars of the apprehension of Charles Johnson, as solicited at the examination of the prisoner, on a charge of robbery under arms, before the Mudgee Bench, on Tuesday last. We quote from the Mudgee Liberal of Thursday last:
W. R. Blackman stated that he is a magistrate of the territory, residing in Mudgee. He arrested the prisoner. Robert Wood, of Tonabutta, was with him. He and Mr. Wood started from Cooyal last Wednesday week, and arrested the prisoner last Sunday morning, the 3rd instant about 7 o'clock, at a place called Sawpit Creek, about twelve miles from Cassillis.
Prisoner was in bed when they came upon him. Was camped out in the bush. He (witness) whistled to Robert Wood, and then when towards the prisoner, who jumped up holding a revolver in each hand, pointed to the ground. He called out to him and said, "Charley, put down those pistols and don't attempt to use them. Give yourself up to me;" to which he made no answer. Robert Wood then spoke to him He (witness) then said to prisoner, "Give up and don't attempt to use those fire-arms." The prisoner then fired off the revolvers in the air, and smashed them against a tree near him .The two revolvers produced are those alluded to. Prisoner did not attempt to fire at him or Mr. Wood. Witness and Mr.Wood were both armed. Prisoner saw the rifles he and Wood had. Prisoner was in company with a female. He was asked where his horses where. He said they were turned out in the bush near at hand. The bridle produced is the one the prisoner had, also the saddle produced. Prisoner said the bridle and saddle produced belonged to Mr. Farrar. He brought the prisoner into Mudgee with out handcuffs, and handed him over to the police, Also handed over the horse, saddle, bridle, and two revolvers.
The prisoner stands committed for trial on a charge of sticking up and robbing Mr. W. Farrar, of Gulgong, on the morning of the 8th April last. It appears, says the same paper, the most romantic part of the story is yet to be told: When a short distance from Mudgee this bushranger was duly married to the female who was in his company at the time of capture. As no money was found upon the prisoner the inference is that the somewhat large sums taken from his victims have been expended on bush telegraphs. We have information that a certain publican harboured Johnson, well knowing he was a bushranger, this fact is also known to the police. There are a number of charges against Johnson, for prison breaking, mail robbery, and several cases of robbery under fire-arms. Upon being taken to gaol, he observed to the gaoler that he would give no trouble, but if he got the slightest chance, he would try to escape.
As regards the marriage, it appears so very extraordinary, that we cannot but express our astonishment. Here is a bushranger captured under arms, in charge of a magistrate of the colony and a special constable, on his way to gaol, allowed to be married to his paramour. If the magistrate was a stranger to us, we should certainly condemn his conduct, but, knowing him to be one of the most benevolent, kind hearted, and humane men in the colony, we are at a loss to know whether to condemn or applaud. It appears to us the action was prompted by pure benevolence, but in our opinion was indiscreet.
With respect to the marriage, the correspondent of a contemporary says:- "The young woman with Johnson was named Mary Ann Taylor, and the two expressing a great wish to be married before entering gaol, Mr. Blackman complied, and having despatched a note to the Mudgee Registrar that gentleman (Mr. Baines met them a short distance out of town and performed the requisite ceremony, Taylor having been fully informed of the consequences of the step she was taking. They appeared to have a mutual affection, and they had been living together some time; Johnson was desirous that no further disgrace should come upon her on his account. Johnson has stated his intention to escape if he possibly can.
JUNE - ANOTHER CHARGE AGAINST THE BUSHRANGER JOHNSON.
The Western Post of Saturday reports, that the following case was heard in the gaol, on Monday, the 1st
instant, before Mr. G. Warburton. Charles Johnson, highway robbery under arms.
Donald Miller deposed: I am a constable in the Mudgee police force; this evening I charged the prisoner with having stuck-up George Ashton, on the evening of the 6th April last, near Gulgong, and stealing from him about £16 in cheques, and about £4 in notes and silver; I produce a cheque marked A, which I
received from Mr. Sub-Inspector Medley this evening; I did not then show the cheque to the prisoner; in reply to the charge, prisoner asked if the weather was fine outside; I have shown the prisoner the cheque; he declines to look at it.
George Ashton deposed: I am a farmer, and live at Talbragar; I recollect the evening of 6th April last; I
recollect being near a place called Gulgong; I was travelling on horseback along the road; I was in company with Mr. Woods and two Mr. Campbells, of Mudgee; we were stuck-up by Charles Johnson, now prisoner before the Court. Prisoner rode from behind, cantering his horse; he turned his horse round; he then said "Stand every man, or the first man that stirs hand or foot I will blow his brains out." He then ordered us off our horses. At the time he first spoke he had a revolver in his hand. After I got off my horse he asked me if I had any money. I said I had a little. He then told me to turn it out. I did so; it was somewhere about £23 odd. There was £16 5s. in cheques, and the remainder in notes and silver;
after handing the money to him, he ordered me to lay down on my face and hands; he asked the other chaps if they had any money, and they replied no; he then said we could all go; we rode a short distance, and then addressing me he said, "Stop, I'll take that horse;" he did not take the horse; amongst moneys the prisoner took from me, the cheque produced, marked A, was a part thereof; I gave up the money, seeing the prisoner was armed; and I was afraid of him shooting me. Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, Mudgee, 2nd July.
AUGUST - Gulgong Gold-field. A proclamation is issued giving the boundaries of the Gulgong Gold-field, in the county of Phillip, at Gulgong, Cooyal Creek. A separate notice reserves the same from conditional purchase.
