Thursday, July 1, 2021

ABORIGINAL ARTEFACTS

Gulgong is located on Wiradjuri Country. Looking at a map of the different language groups, it is clear that the Wiradjuri people had one of the largest territories of First Nations people in this state, extending from the Great Dividing Range in the east, and bordered by the Macquarie, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee rivers.

Prior to colonisation, they also represented the largest cultural footprint in the state. It is estimated that there were 3,000 Wiradjuri living in the region, their habitation dating back over 60,000 years.

As with all traditional custodians of this country, their footprint on the land was light. Their resources came from nature (bark, fur, grasses etc) and in most cases returned to nature. In places where the people, language and culture were destroyed, the main evidence of habitation is in the form of stone artefacts. 
Location of the gas pipeline in relation to Gulgong
Source:  Archaeological investigation along the proposed Dubbo - Tamworth (& Gunnedah) Gas Pipeline

In 1998, an environmental impact statement was written about a proposed AGL gas pipeline from Dubbo to Tamworth (see above). The consultant was asked to address Aboriginal archaeology, anthropology, cultural heritage and non-Aboriginal heritage issues arising from the proposed pipeline's construction and route selection. This included systematic recording of 111 sample areas along the route in a range of representative landscapes and full pedestrian survey of 226km of the proposed route.

The geological regions along the route contained resources such as quartz, greywacke, mudstone, volcanics, quartzite and sandstone which Aboriginal people used for the production of stone tools.


Gilgandra LALC: View to the south of Gotta Rock with the proposed pipeline easement in the foreground. Four shelters, each containing a small number of stone artefacts (including an edge-ground stone axe), were recorded around the perimeter of the rock.
Source:  Archaeological investigation along the proposed Dubbo - Tamworth (& Gunnedah) Gas Pipeline

The report details all the Aboriginal artefacts found along the way. If you scroll through the 487 pages and just look at the images you get the sense that stone artefacts are lying all over the land which, sadly, indicates the many, many displaced Wiradjuri people.

A total of 98 Aboriginal archaeological sites were recorded during the fieldwork. These include 40 open camp sites, 36 scarred trees, one axe grinding groove, four shelters with deposit and 17 isolated finds
Source:  Archaeological investigation along the proposed Dubbo - Tamworth (& Gunnedah) Gas Pipeline

At Cobbora, two sites with artefacts were found. The first was a small open artefact scatter containing three stone artefacts, which were recorded on the lower hillslope / floodplain of the Talbragar River at Cobbora, approximately 300m from the river itself. The artefacts included a core and a hammerstone, and were made out of quartz and a fine grained siliceous material. The second was a small, open artefact scatter consisting of four stone artefacts, which were recorded on the terrace of the Talbragar River, north of Cobbora. The artefacts consisted of a core, a grindstone fragment, a flake and a flaked piece, made out of a fine-grained siliceous material, quartz and sandstone. The area where the artefacts were located has been cleared, ploughed and cultivated, and is currently used for grazing

Aboriginal sites within a 20km corridor either side of the proposed pipeline easement were also recorded. The following site types were noted:  

Site Type

Total

Open camp site

39

Scarred tree

30

Axe grinding grooves

11

Isolated find

 8

Shelter with deposit

 8

Shelter with art

 6

Quarry

 4

Carved tree

 3

Scarred tree/Axe-grinding grooves

 2

Burial/Carved tree

 2

Axe-grinding grooves/Waterhole/well

 1

Burial

 1

Bora/Ceremonial

 1

Bora/Ceremonial/Carved tree

 1

Fish trap

 1

Natural Mythological/Ritual

 1

Open camp site/Contact/Mission

 1

Midden

 1

 

121


A study of trees and habitats along the route indicated the types of food resources available.

Aboriginal people living in the Dubbo - Tamworth and Gunnedah region would have had a range of woodland and riverine resources available to them such as kangaroo, possum, bandicoots, snakes, goannas, lizards, platypus, emu and echidna. A range of river and wetland species, such as Long-necked Tortoise (Chelodina longicollis), the Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), the Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciiosa), the Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), pelicans, eels, crayfish, freshwater mussels, and freshwater fish such as mullet, bass, and golden perch would also have been available food resources for Aboriginal people in this region.
Source:  Archaeological investigation along the proposed Dubbo - Tamworth (& Gunnedah) Gas Pipeline

Not surprisingly, the proximity to water was seen to correlate with the amount of activity in an area.

Differences in the permanence of the closest water source to an open camp site, were also reflected in the range of lithic activities (and therefore the complexity of thestone assemblage) being carried out by Aboriginal people at a site. Artefact scatters in the vicinity of more permanent water (ie, a higher stream order ranking) had a greater range of activities represented (eg tool use, manufacture I and maintenance, food processing, and quarrying) in their assembhiges, whereas sites near smaller, more temporary water courses, had evidenct for one-off occupation (eg isolated knapping floors or tool discard). Creek unctions also I appeared to provide foci for site activity.

___________________________

The Gulgong Pioneers Museum has a large collection of Aboriginal artefacts.


Scarred tree, Gulgong Pioneers Museum, 2013

Knapped stone at location where it was worked by Aboriginal people, Cobbora Road

Hands in the Rocks, Ulan Road, via Gulgong

Hands in the Rocks, Ulan Road, via Gulgong

Adapted from Hands in the Rocks signage.

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1900 - [ARTEFACTS]
Mr Frank Egan the proprietor of the Prince of Wales Hotel has a boomerang and nulla nulla which were made by the late Tommy Governor. These implements of savage warfare are regarded as great trophies.

1917 - [ARTEFACT FOUND]

SYMBOL OF CHIEFDOM - ABORIGINE ARISTOCRAT.
Our illustration is that of a crescent-shaped brass plate, officially recording the social status of "Mickey, chief of Trinkee Plains." This symbol of chiefdom is one of those issued by the Government of N.S. Wales, and at one time must have been proudly worn by the owner around his neck on state occasions.
What happened to Chief Mickey, whether he be alive or dead or how he came to part with his insignia of leadership, is not known.

The brass plate, appropriately embellished with a pictorial representation of the native emu and kangaroo, was found by a navvy working on an excavation along the Scone Muswellbrook (N.S.W.) railway line. He struck it with his pick. Its present possessor is Mr. B. J. Naughton, a Gulgong hotelkeeper, who displays it in the bar of his hospitable inn.
[The plate may be seen by members of the Historical Society, in whose interests it will be held for week. -Ed. Globe.]
Source: 
  •  
    • The Globe and Sunday Times War Pictorial (Sydney, NSW : 1914 - 1917) Mon 28 May 1917 Page 14

    ABORIGINAL CARVED STONES.
    MUDGEE, Tuesday.
    While Mr. S. Rayner was drawing gravel from a pit on Putta Bucca, he unearthed many quaintly carved stones, supposed to have been carved by an aboriginal in the early days. The stones were found at a depth of 14 feet.
    Posted by at

    THE GOVERNORS


    CULTURAL SAFETY - Aboriginal/Wiradjuri people should be aware that this resource contains images and names of deceased persons in photographs and printed material.  Some quoted articles contain outdated terminology and views of authors that would not be considered appropriate today. This is not meant to cause any offence.
    Please email goodimanglg@gmail.com to report anything of concern.

    _______________________________

    VIDEO: Jimmy Governor, Running on the Great Divide, by Bob Campbell
    Scroll to the end of this article for a four-part video account of the murders of nine people by Jimmy and Joe Governor and Jackie Underwood. Illustrated with historic documents, as well as Poems and Songs by Bob Campbell. Music and narration by Maurice Gaudry and Dave Warner of Gulgong.

    THE LIFE OF JIMMY GOVERNOR

    Jimmy Governor was born in 1875 in Talbragar, NSW. He was the son of Thomas Governor and Annie (Fitzgerald) Governor. He was one of 8 children who included brothers Joe and Roy Governor.

    Jimmy Governor married Ethel Mary Jane (Page) Governor — in December 1898 in Gulgong. Their children were Sidney Golding Louis (Governor) Duncan and Thelma Reta Governor.
    Jimmy died on 18 January 1901 in Darlinghurst, NSW.
    Source: Wikitree
    Thomas Governor

    JIMMY'S PARENTS
    Thomas Governor (earlier known as Sam and/or Grosvenor) was born in 1834 in Barwon River, NSW. He married Annie (Fitzgerald) Governor [date and location unknown]. Annie was born in 1850. Together they were the parents of Jimmy (born 1875), Joe (born 1877) and Roy (born 11 March 1895 in Mudgee) along with 5 other children.
    Tommy was a hard-working and intelligent man who had arrived in the Mudgee area as a young man in the mid-1850s and found steady work engaging in bark-getting, driving stock and other bush work for a variety of employers (setting an example that would be followed by his sons). Jimmy’s mother, Annie Fitzgerald, was raised on ‘Caigan’ station north-east of Mendooran, the daughter of a white Irish stockman named Jack Fitzgerald and an Aboriginal mother named Polly, who worked as a house servant.
    Thomas died on 23 November 1900 in Gulgong. Annie died about 1915 in Brewarrina. 
    Source: Wikitree

    Tommy Governor
    Discoverer of Silver at Mount Stewart
    Source: Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, 27 August 1892, page 502

    1892 - Mining in New South Wales.
    (FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.)
    Leadville and Mount Stewart.

    The step from gold to silver in this Western country is not a long one. From Mudgee to Gulgong, 20 miles, the roads are all through gold bearing country, and still going northwards for 10 or 12 miles there is gold...

    In 1887 an intelligent aboriginal of about 50 years of age, named Tommy Governor, who was in or about the present silver field mending a dam and doing bushwork, found samples of metal-bearing ore in the blows which were in what is now the site of the Mount Stewart mine. Tommy, who is one of the most industrious, thoughtful, and temperate blackfellows I have met within Australia, displayed these specimens in several companies, but in no case could he meet with sympathy. After some time had elapsed he gave them to Mr. George Stewart, who was managing Pine Ridge station. Assays proved that the specimens contained silver. Mr. Stewart took up 70 acres of mineral leases and did some negotiation in the Melbourne market, but subsequently placed the property in the hands of Mr. Edward Clarke, solicitor, of Mudgee, who formed a company of Mudgee men. These worked the property up to June, 1890, at a cost of £3000. About the date mentioned it was added to by other leases, brought up to 130 acres, and floated, but without any money consideration. The word reminds me that before leaving Leadville I had a chat with Tommy Governor. I remembered him as the blackfellow who, at the recent Mudgee show, had introduced himself to Lord Jersey as 'the other governor.' 
    Tommy told me that he was born on the Namoi, had come to Mudgee when 15 years of age, and for 40 years had been stockdriving, bark-getting, and doing other bush work for various employers. Mr. Rouse, of Guntawang, employed him for several years. He has a wife and family who are supported in a fair, industrious way, but Tommy does not think that in the distribution of paid-up shares of the Mount Stewart mine, he has received fair consideration. That he found a silver field is acknowledged fact; at least, all men I met in the West, concurred in the statement, and that he has received no substantial benefit for so doing is, I regret to say, also apparently true. Tommy Governor does not know enough about the leasing system to become a silver miner, but he does know that if he had a horse and a spring-cart he might better the condition of a family for which he has a great fatherly affection...



    Thomas Governor, pointing to his right. Dinah and Janie are at the end of the wagon.
    Source: Descendants of the Governor family

    The Governor family
    Thomas (seated at left); Annie next to him (standing, in a felt hat); Janie (child in the middle); Dinah (far right)
    Source: Descendants of the Governor family

    Governor family: Thomas (centre) and Annie (in the hood)
    Source: Descendants of the Governor family

    Jimmy's siblings: Tottie; Janie and Charlie
    Source: Descendants of the Governor family

    Members of the Governor family, about 1900
    Source: Sun, Sydney, 8 May 1923

    This photo by Mr A Lewis, a police officer, depicts the members of Governor family at Byrock before they were sent to the Brewarrina Mission. He identified the following: Annie Governor is wearing a hood and her son, Roy, is in front of her. The man sitting down at the top, next to the one in the straw hat is Jack. The man sitting at the left with a scarf around his neck is a son-in-law and his wife, a Governor, is next to him. The woman next to her is also a Governor and the rest are Underwoods and relatives.
    Source: Sun, Sydney, 8 May 1923

    1900 - [ARTEFACTS]
    Mr Frank Egan the proprietor of the Prince of Wales Hotel has a boomerang and nulla nulla which were made by the late Tommy Governor. These implements of savage warfare are regarded as great trophies.

    EARLY LIFE
    Thomas Governor moved around a lot for work so educating his eight children proved difficult. Nevertheless, the eldest, Jimmy, attended school at Denison Town and Wollar, and possibly also at Gulgong, Coonabarabran and Allynbrook. A former pupil of the Wollar school recalled that Jimmy, Joe and Jackie Governor attended school there “and could read and write tolerably well”. Jimmy Governor was described as “smart, athletic and cheerful” and his younger brother Joe as “rather sullen and morose”.
    Source: The Breelong Tragedy, Western Mail (Perth), 17 November 1938, page 10.

    At the age of 15, Jimmy Governor had left school and worked lopping trees on properties in the Dunedoo district. Later he and his brother Joe worked along the Allyn River and in the Singleton district, doing a variety of jobs including fencing, mustering stock and breaking horses. 

    By the mid-1890s, with his family living on the Aboriginal reserve at Wollar, Jimmy Governor worked on stations and farms in the district. In July 1896 Governor, aged 21 years, enlisted as a tracker with the New South Wales Mounted Police and was stationed at Cassilis. His stint as a police tracker lasted seventeen months (to December 1897).
    Source: Wikipedia
    Tommy Button and Jimmy Governor (right) as a police tracker
    Source: A GUIDE TO AUSTRALIAN BUSHRANGING

    After leaving the police Governor returned to Wollar for a while, after which he was engaged cutting wood near Gulgong by Jonathon Starr. Then he worked as a shed-hand on 'Digilbar' station north of Dunedoo, before returning to Gulgong.

    MARRIAGE
    While Jimmy Governor was cutting wood for Starr he met fifteen-year-old Ethel Page, who was working at Ryan’s bakery in Gulgong township. The Page family arrived in the Gulgong district in about 1890, and by 1898 Ethel’s parents were living north-west of Gulgong on the Dunedoo-Dubbo road. Jimmy Governor courted Ethel Page and in August 1898 she became pregnant. The pair married in December 1898 in the rectory of St. Luke’s Anglican church at Gulgong. After suffering disapproval of his marriage from Ethel’s family as well as Gulgong locals, Jimmy moved with Ethel and baby Sidney to Breelong.

     

    Ethel Mary Jane Page became Mrs Jimmy Governor.
    After Jimmy's death, Ethel remarried and had nine more children.

    NOTORIETY
    Jimmy Governor met John Mawbey who later offered him a fencing contract, to commence in January 1900. Jimmy and Ethel Governor arrived at Mawbey’s property after leaving their young baby with Ethel’s parents in Dubbo. Jimmy was contracted to construct three miles of fencing, a job that would take about a year. The Governors made their camp further up the creek, about three miles from the Mawbey home and near where Jimmy would be working. Jimmy and Ethel constructed a gunyah at the camp from bark sheets propped against a large log and laid bark and leaves on the floor for bedding. John Mawbey had agreed to supply rations of flour, meat and sugar, but any extras would be charged. The arrangement also involved Ethel working in the house several times a week as a domestic servant.

    Ethel Governor was subjected to ridicule and sarcasm from the women of the household, particularly Mrs. Mawbey and her 16-year-old daughter Grace, as well as the teacher Ellen Kerz. The comments were directed at her lowly position as a household servant and the fact she was married to an Aboriginal man. Jimmy had grievances too. He complained that Sarah Mawbey overcharged him for rations and John Mawbey rejected about a hundred of the timber posts that had been split and only agreed to pay half-price for them.

    On the evening of 20 July 1900, after quarrelling with Ethel at their camp, an extremely agitated Jimmy set off towards the Mawby's house with Ethel, Joe Governor and Jack Underwood. Jimmy thought he would confront the Mawby women about their attitude towards his wife but ended up getting into a physical fight with them which led to chaos and murder. The Governors and Jacky Underwood fled from the property, Ethel leaving the men to go to her parents in Dubbo.
    Source: Wikipedia

    IN THE NEWS

    The Gilgandra Tragedy. Further Particulars.
    Jimmy and Joe Governor, the perpetrators of the tragedy, were, with, other blacks, employed by Mr. Mawbey clearing on his land. The motive of the crime is said to be that Mrs. Mawbey would not treat the white woman who lived with the blacks as one of themselves, and had chaffed her about living with the blacks, and when Jimmy Governor was told of this he swore he would kill some of them. There is no evidence of any attempt at robbery, and there is no suspicion that lust was the inspiring motive. Thirst for blood appears to be the only explanation. It is also stated that the blacks had a dispute with Mawbey over a price for fencing, some few shillings being involved.

    Jimmy's wife, who has been arrested, declares that Miss Kerz and one of the Mawbey girls jumped through a bedroom window and ran in the direction of a creek. Jimmy Governor ran after them, but when he got to the garden gate he pushed it from him, thinking it opened out, and skinned one of his hands. The girls by that time had a good lead, but Governor overtook them, and foiled Miss Kerz with a weapon, and stopped till he finished her, and letting the other girl go. Hs then ran after Miss Grace, but could not catch her. Unfortunately, she fell in the creek just as Jimmy was giving up the chase, whereupon he rushed on and hacked her to pieces.

    The white woman also stated that when her husband returned from Mawbey's he said, 'We've killed all the b____s. I killed five, Jimmy [sic] killed one; and if you don't clear out, we'll kill you.'

    The bodies of Miss Kerz and Miss Grace Mawbey were lying side by side, about 25 yards away from the house. Miss Kerz's head was smashed to a pulp with a tomahawk. Mrs. Mawbey's dying depositions were taken. She declares that Jimmy Governor struck her with a tomahawk. She saw Jackey also with a tomahawk, and heard others outside. She also states that the black who stood outside while the massacre was proceeding urged the others on, saying, "Don't mind their cries; don't leave any of them alive."

    The police came upon one of the aboriginals named Jackey Porter, hiding in some scrub at Boybean Crossing, 10 miles from Mundooran. The police called on him to surrender; but he resisted. He was then overpowered and secured. He denied any complicity in the murders. A black boy who was with him was also arrested. It is not supposed, however, that these two had any hand in the murders.
    The selection is situated about 10 miles from Gilgandra, on the banks of the Castlereagh River and between Dubbo and Mudgee, about 40 miles from Dubbo. It comprises about 1500 acres. Recently the selection was added to and a new homestead was built. The old homestead was about a mile away, and often in the busy season, Mr. Mawbey and the men slept at the new one so as to be near their work. Mr. Mawbey and a grown-up son slept there that night, and the blacks, before going to the old homestead, called at the new one and roused up the inmates, telling Mr. Mawbey that they wanted rations in the morning. This was doubtless done to make sure that the men were there and that the inmates of the old homestead were unprotected. The boy who hid under the bed afterwards ran to the new homestead and aroused his father. The latter, hastening to the scene of the murder, stumbled over the dead body of his daughter.

    Jimmy Governor was at one time a tracker in the Mudgee district, and was the man that found Phillips, who was murdered in the Cassilis district.

    Jack Mawbey, one of the sons, was in Sydney, having gone there with the intention of joining the last contingent for South Africa, and remained with a relative.

    SYDNEY, Thursday.
    At the inquest on the victims of the Gilgandra tragedy a verdict of wilful murder was returned against the aboriginals Jimmy and Joe Governor, Jack Underwood, Jack Porter, and Mrs. Underwood.
    Underwood was arrested near Leadville. Mrs. Mawbey is dead, and very slight hopes are entertained of Elsie Clarke's recovery.
     
    The Premier says that upwards of 200 police are on duty in connection with the murders, being drawn from the surrounding districts. It was impossible to provide protection for every settlement. The latest report state that the blacks have been tracked to the head of Grants' Creek.

    Later.
    The Premier says if it costs £2000 to capture the blacks the Government are prepared to pay it. The police have power to shoot them if they do not surrender. The police headquarters report this morning that all endeavors to pick up the tracks in the Merriwa district, on the headwaters of the Hunter River, have been fruitless.

    With no other information providing context, the following paragraph appeared in the Mudgee Guardian:

    1900 - [GULGONG WAY]

    It is suggested that the aboriginals went Gulgong way to draw attention off Wollar. And then, as they think, possibly the tribe will be set at liberty.

    Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 2 Aug 1900 Page 12

    The timing of the above article, however, makes it likely the "aboriginals" in question were Jimmy and Joe Governor. As the following article clarifies:

    Also in 1900 the Kooris (Aborigines) at Wollar near Gulgong were forcibly moved to the mission station at Brewarrina because the Gulgong townsfolk had complained that the family of the notorious Koori bushrangers Jimmy and Joe Governor were living at Wollar and should be removed, together with all other Kooris, for the townsfolk’s safety.
    Source: Maitland Mercury, 11 Sept 1900. Quoted in Koori: A Will to Win by James Miller.

    This article "The Breelong Blacks" from the Kandos Star briefly describes the public excitement at the capture of Jimmy Governor but then reproduces a full account of the Governor's four months on the run in Jimmy's own words. It is described as a confession but merely hints at the initial murder of the Mawby family members and doesn't describe the provocation that led to the violence.


    Image Source: Kandos Star, 9 February 1931, provided by Libby Sills

    The travels of Jimmy Governor around the Gulgong district while on the run following the Breelong massacre.
    Source: "    When Charlie Met Susan: The Wade and Carr Family Tree Branch" by Judith Anne Smith c/o Darryl Pickett


    MAP SHOWING THE WANDERINGS OF THE BREELONG MURDERERS UP TO THE CAPTURE OF JIMMY GOVERNOR AT BOBIN CREEK.
    Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Tue 30 Oct 1900 Page 3

    1901 - District News. Belara, Goolma and District. (From our own Correspondent.)
    The name of Charles Brady, which appeared in last Thursday's issue of the 'Wellington Times' in connection with assaulting Constable Constantine, of Wellington, in the execution of his duty, recalls to the writer's mind some of Brady's doings during his stay in this locality. He was known here as a very quarrelsome man. Brady was employed ringbarking at Lambing Hill, and he used to visit the copper mines on Sundays to see a friend of his, who had among his belongings a valuable cattle pup, for which Brady had a particular fancy. 
    So one morning, at the early dawn, he came to his friend's house and carried away the dog. On his way home to Lambing Hill, Brady was observed (with the pup, which he carried in front of him on the saddle) by the late notorious Jimmy Governor, the Breelong murderer. Governor was employed by Thackeray wood cutting, and when he saw the dog with Brady he knew him. He at once related the fact to Thackeray, who followed Brady and found him at his camp with the dog. He remonstrated with Brady, and after some trouble he got his dog. 
    This raised Brady's anger. He 'dropped' that it was Jimmy Governor who had told Thackeray about him, and the following day Brady, in company with two of his mates, who were, like himself, the worse of liquor, journeyed to the copper mine, intending to have it out with Governor. When they came opposite Jimmy's camp, which was situated on the school reserve, opposite Mr. J. Moyston's, distant half a mile from the mines, (Jimmy's wife and child were living with him in the camp at the time). 
    Brady pulled up and jumped out of the cart, staggered up to Governor, and asked him what he had told Thackeray for, to which Jimmy replied that he knew he, had no right to steal the dog. Brady, without any more ceremony, made a hit at the blackfellow, who was too quick on his pins for Brady. The darkie landed his assailant a couple of fierce blows on the face, whereupon Brady's companions ran to his rescue. Jimmy, seeing Brady's mates advancing, made for his tent and got his tomahawk, chopped about a half-dozen Boondus, which he stuck down inside his belt. Carrying two or three of the sticks in his hands, he made for Brady's head with lightning rapidity. It did not take him long to settle Brady, whom he felled to the ground bleeding freely from a wound on the head inflicted by Jimmy Governor, who became as fierce as a maddened lion. Brady's mates, how ever, managed to drag him away from the frenzied black. They lifted him into the cart and just escaped a second attack from Jimmy, who followed them to the cart, which they drove at full gallop for over 300 yards.
    In a conversation I had with Governor that afternoon he assured me that if he laid hands on Brady again he would kill him, and I am sure that he would have carried out his threat if he had met him. During Jimmy's bushranging tour through here he expressed his intention of 'doing' for Brady. It will be remembered that the Governor Brothers were tracked quite close to where he had the fight with Brady, evidently thinking that he was still living in the vicinity.
    Tracking the Governor Brothers, Wollar 1900
    Source: John Robinson via Mudgee Historical Society Inc

    JOE GOVERNOR
    Joe Governor was shot and killed four days after Jimmy was captured. The newspapers of the day reproduced a photographic portrait of the deceased Joe Governor. This has not been reproduced here out of respect.

    1900 - THE SHOOTING OF JOE GOVERNOR.
    (PHOTOS. BY L. N. ANDERSON, SINGLETON.)

    The elder of the two men is Mr. John Wilkinson (who shot the murderer). The other (who is standing up) is his brother (Mr. George Wilkinson), who assisted, although unarmed. Joe Governor was shot dead on Wednesday morning, October 31, at Falbrook Creek, about thirty miles from Singleton. This satisfactory event was due to Mr. John Wilkinson, a grazier. The body was brought into Singleton on November 1. It was covered with pieces of coarse sacking, and lay on the floor of a four-wheeled buggy, drawn by four, horses. It was escorted by quite a cavalcade of horsemen, most of whom attended out of sheer curiosity. As the procession reached town groups of excited townspeople congregated at various points, and occasionally the feelings of the people burst into cheers, in recognition of the bravery of Mr. Wilkinson. 
    The Settlers who Ended the Outlaw's Career. 
    (Photo, by Lt. N. Anderson. Singleton)
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 10 Nov 1900 Page 38

    The body was conveyed to the Caledonia Hotel, where the inquest was held. How Joe Governor was shot was told by Mr. John Wilkinson in his evidence at the Inquest as follows: 

    On Tuesday night, October 30, he was coming from Muswellbrook, through his Glenrock property, when he noticed about a mile away a fire in one of the gullies, and from its position he thought at once that it was Joe Governor's camp. He went straight to his brother George's place, arriving there between 8 and 9 o'clock at night. Finding that his brother was away at a neighbor's, he sent a lad for him. After discussing the matter, they took a rifle and ammunition, and arrived at Glenrock about midnight. At times the fire was very distinct, as if fed by chips. Not being sure who was at the fire, they ascended a steep range to get a good view of the spot. Then they crawled down the range to within thirty yards of the camp, and by that time the fire had burned down. The morning star rose brightly, and then not knowing who might be there, and as they could not see anybody, they thought it advisable to get back to the top of the range, a distance of 200 or 300 yards. There they waited till daylight; In the meantime the fire had burned up again; They waited till broad daylight appeared, and could then see the fire smouldering, at the butt of a tree. They noticed something close to the fire; and they waited for three-quarters, of an hour, but the object never moved. He then asked his brother to "keep an eye on the object, while he worked round the range, and got into a bush near the camp." He did this, and when he thought he was nearly opposite the spot he walked out into the open, where the fire was.
    There was a little hollow in the ridge, and as he walked towards this part he noticed the black fellow, who was curled round the fire. A rifle was close to his hand, as he lay asleep. He then saw it was no use trying to retreat, and the only thing to do was to try and arrest him; so he suddenly jumped up, crying out, "Surrender, or I'll shoot you." Joe must have been fast asleep, for he at first lifted his head, and immediately on seeing witness he sprang up, and as he came down, he made a grab for his rifle. Witness called on him to stand, or he would shoot, being then ten yards away, and he almost immediately fired, as he saw he attempted to reach his rifle. About fifteen yards separated them. The shock seemed to cause Joe to stagger backwards down a declivity several, yards before he recovered himself. The first shot was a bad cartridge, or no doubt he would have shot him dead. At the same time, finding the cartridge was bad, witness made a rush at him intending to brain him with the rifle if he had shown fight. However, the fugitive, who never spoke, ran away down the hill, and witness followed. About one hundred yards further down deceased slipped and fell down a steep gully twenty or thirty feet, and when Joe got out of the hole he turned round, hesitated momentarily, and looked at him. Witness fired again, but missed. Deceased was by this time three hundred yards away, and was going towards the crown of a range. He succeeded in getting over the open; and by the time witness got to the top the fugitive was three hundred yards away, making towards a scrub. Witness then went down on one knee, and aimed at the flying man's shoulders, the bullet going through his head. When deceased was hit he was running along the side of a bank, and as he fell dead he rolled down a gully twenty or thirty feet. Witness's brother, George, coming behind, picked up the fugitive's rifle. When he came up to the body he was satisfied life was extinct, and then the police were informed. 

    Troopers &c. in charge of the body at St Clair
    The foot of the range in which the outlaw was shot can be seen beginning at the extreme, right of the picture.
    (Photo, by Lt. N. Anderson. Singleton)
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 10 Nov 1900 Page 38

    Police Party Crossing the Hunter River with the Body of Joe Governor, en route to the Inquest
    (Photo, by Lt. N. Anderson. Singleton)
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 10 Nov 1900 Page 38

    The jury deliberated for about twenty minutes, and returned the following verdict: "We find that the said Joe Governor, an aboriginal, at Glen Rock, St. Clair, in the district of Singleton, in the colony of New South Wales; on October 31, 1900, died from the effect of a gunshot wound in his head, such wound being inflicted by one John Wilkinson. The deceased having been outlawed by proclamation in the 'Government Gazette' of October 23, 1900, we find that the said John Wilkinson was perfectly justified in shooting the said outlaw, Joe Governor; and we desire to place on record our appreciation of Mr. John Wilkinson's gallant conduct, and also to compliment him upon the clear manner in which his evidence was given. We also add our appreciation of the gallant conduct of George Wilkinson, who, unarmed, assisted his brother in the dangerous undertaking, and also Sub-Inspector Hinds and the police, for the excellent way in which they worked up the evidence of identification."

    The coroner then dismissed the jury, complimenting them on the discharge of their public duties, and congratulating Mr. Wilkinson for having been the means of ridding the country of so dangerous a brute. Hearty cheers for Wilkinson were then given, also for Sub-Inspector Hinds and the police.

    It is stated that Joe Governor's head was cut off, placed in spirits, and forwarded, to Sydney University, in case it might be needed for identification.
    Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 10 Nov 1900 Page 38

    Joe Governor's grave
    "Joe Governor - Bushranger -Shot 31 October 1900"
    Erected by Singleton Historical Society

    Commemorative plaque

    JACKY UNDERWOOD

    On Tuesday, July 24, Jack Underwood, walking without food or blankets, called at William Shaw’s selection near Leadville. Claiming his name was ‘Charlie Brown’, Underwood said he had come from Wellington and hadn't eaten in three days. Shaw suspected his guest was one of the Breelong murderers and provided food and conversation while his wife proceeded to a neighbouring selection to seek assistance. Contact was made with a group searching for the fugitives who proceeded to Shaw’s selection and captured Underwood without resistance. He was taken to the lockup at Leadville and guarded by civilians (as no police were present at the time). Two days later Underwood, under guard, was taken by coach to the gaol at Mudgee.
    Source: Wikipedia

    To read the text of Jacky Underwood's confession, click here.

    Jacky Underwood

    Jacky Underwood photographed with police officers in 1900.
    Source: Macquarie Regional Library

    [From Roy Cameron's book Around the Black Stump, the caption reads, Gulgong police station and Constable Milane Tambar Springs, Constable J C Prouse lockup keeper Gulgong, Jackie Underwood. Constable T Dunlop Mudgee, Snr Sergeant Harvey (As printed in Sydney Mail 4 August 1900)]

    The Sydney Mail caption for this photo (above) says "JACKY UNDERWOOD AT THE GULGONG POLICE STATION, PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FOR MUDGEE. And names the police from left to right as: Senior-Constable Millane (Tambar Springs), Constable J C Prowan, Lock-up Keeper (Gulgong), Constable T Dunlop (Mudgee) and Senior-Sergeant Harvey, Mudgee.


    Arrival of Jacky Undewood at Mudgee Lock-up, 1900
    Photograph by A. H. Hardwick
    Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 4 Aug 1900 Page 264

    Jacky Underwood in handcuffs, 1900
    ______________________

    Susan and Charlie Wade of Gulgong
    Source: Daryl Pickett

    RECOLLECTIONS OF JIMMY GOVERNOR

    "Charlie Wade (pictured above) befriended Jimmy Governor when they worked together and he let him stay on his property at Slapdash for at least two nights while the Governor brothers were on the run. From Jimmy's own account of his moves immediately after the Breelong massacres, he went and told Charlie he had turned to bushranging."
    Source: Daryl Pickett

    "Jimmy Governor taught my grandmother to peg out rabbit skins and her mum used to give him food. He also used to go fishing with my great grandfather and my grandfather."

    "My grandmother told me about Jimmy Governor and he liked oranges. My great grandmother Dory was a very old lady so we didn't talk a lot."

    __________________________________________________________

    VIDEO:  Jimmy Governor, Running on the Great Divide, by Bob Campbell

    An account of the murders of nine people by Jimmy and Joe Governor and Jackie Underwood. Illustrated with historic documents, as well as Poems and Songs by Bob Campbell. Music and narration by Maurice Gaudry and Dave Warner of Gulgong.


    Video Part 1

    Video Part 2

    Video Part 3

    Video Part 4
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