Miscellany.

Dunstan Times, Issue 999, 10 June 1881, Page 3

Miscellany.

THE ACTORS IN THE BARGO BRUSH AFFAIR.

Tho Bargo Brush desperadoes, whose murderous misdeeds were onco the subject of much consternation, have (says tho “ Mudgee Independent ”)“ at last completed their coil of imprisonment ami been once more admitted to the freedom to which they were strangers formally dreary years. As the incidents have nearly faded from tho memory anil fresh interest is awakened by the release of the men, it will not bo amiss to recall the circumstances of one of the most notorious crimes associated with the early era of hushranging. On May 14, 1866, Sergeant Healy and four constables received from tho governor of Berrimagaol 11 long-sentenced prisoners for conveyance to tho prison at Darlinghurst. In those days the transit was by coach, and the prisoners were secured by a chain and placed in one of Cobb and Go’s coaches, where they were heavily ironed and closely guarded by the police. Among tho criminals wore—William Lee, who seven years before had been sentenced to 10 years on the roads for robbing the Deniliquin Bank, his capture having been effected mainly through tho assistance of Mr R. H. D. White, J.P., then holding tho position of teller in that bank ; James Crookwcll, aged 23 years, a native of Bathurst, and sentenced two years before to 15 years on tho roads for highway robbery ; Michael Slattiry, cattle stealing, 10 years ; John Owens, and Henry Weaver, highway robbery, 10 years; James Smith, garotting ; and Thos. Berryman, an associate of the Clarkes.

“ The constables occupied seats alongside of the prisoners, and the sergeant in charge the box seat alongside of the driver. About noon the coach stopped for dinner, and the prisoners being allowed to alight, this enabled the ringleaders to mature their plans. It was arranged (says a newspaper of the day) that the attack was to be made simultaneously on a given signal, and when they resumed their seats in the coach, each knew the part he had to act. They were the hotter enabled to carry their plot into effect by having in some manner secured two handcuff keys and a knifo. Where these things came from is not yet cleared

up, but some persons say they were brought from Berrhua Gaol. On reaching IJargo Brush, about 10 milos from Pietou, Crookwell said, ‘ Now, boys, at them; ’ and the convicts, who had previously in tho most silent manner unlocked their irons, instantaneously rose upon the constables, and attempted to seize their arms, while two endeavored to drag Sergeant Hcaly insido tho coach In this they wore thwarted by his throwing himself off tho box on to tho ground. Constable Raymond adopted a similar course ; but Constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick wore held fast by their fassailants. Crookwell had tho latter by tho throat, and having secured his revolver was trying to seize his ritlo. Healy seeing the position of affairs, told Crookwell to drop tho revolver, or ho would shoot him, and had ho done so at once, would have saved the life of his c-unrado, fur tho ruflian Crookwell immediately released Kilpatrick, turned round, fired at Nealy, but missing him tho ball struck poor Raymond between the eyes causing death. Crookwell then placed tho revolver at Kilpatrick’s breast, and pulled the trigger, but happily tho cap missed fire, and before he could do further mischief Hcaly seized him, anil would have shot him had ho not thrown up his hands and shouted for mercy. Kilpatrick then jumped from the coach, apparently uninjured. Mitchell successfully combatted his assailants, one of whom bit his nose very severely, and might have inflicted more severe injury had he not, after repeated warnings fired his rifle and shot a prisoner named Bland in the stomach. The determined attitude of the police convinced the ruffians that they could no longer hope for success, and some attempted to escape into tho bush. The movement was speedily checked by Healy shooting Slattery in the back, when his companions surrendered at discretion, and were secured. Constable Raymond’s body and tho wounded prisoners were placed in the coach, the remainder attached to the chain, and the cortege resumed its journey. A fresh party of police met them about four miles from Pieton, and, assuming the duty of guard, were walking alongside the coach, when another attack was made and promptly quelled by constable Tzleiuiotski sending a bullet through the arm of tho ring-loader. “Onarrival at Sydney an inquest was held on the body of tho constable, and ended in tho committal of the prisoners for wilful murder, except two who took no active part in tho attempted escape. At the trial three others were acquitted, and the six previously mentioned were convicted and sentenced to death. “ When their case came to be considered by tho Executive, it was resolved, as Crookwell fired tho fatal shot to execute him, and ho was hanged in Darlinghu rat Gaol on July 2, 1800. A difficulty arose with regard to tho degree of punishment to bo meted out to his five accomplices. Nano of them fired but Crookwell, and ns Owens and Weaver wore only 10 years of age, that afforded an additional reason for remission of tho dread penalty. On tho other hand, most of them had seven or eiglit years’ imprisonment to undergo, and lienee life-im-prisonment would not be so dreadful an addition to their punishment. Finally, it was resolved to imprison them in irons for tho term of their natural life, and tho minute of tho Executive expressed a determination that they would never be released until death should legally end tho imprisonment. “After some years the prisoners petitioned to have their fetters removed, and tho request was acceded to. Later still, several members of Parliament, including Mr John Hurley, interceded in their boll d f , and pointed out the immense duration of thoir punishment. Tho agitation has at length succeeded, for this week tureo ol the men were released, and the other two are to he discharged in the course of a few weeks.”

It is to he hoped the men will show the sense they have of the clemency shown them, and become useful members of society.