CAPTURE OF A BLACK BUSHRANGER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1938, 11 May 1880, Page 4

CAPTURE OF A BLACK BUSHRANGER.

•On the morning of Monday last, 22nd March, at about ten o’clock, tho inhabitants of Tawantin were thrown into a state of great excitement by the report reaching there that the notorious aboriginal Campbell was in the blacks’ camp across the river, near Mr Goodchap’s residence. It appears that Campbell and his gin came to the camp in tho morning about half-pact 9 a.m. Campbell asked a black if - there was a store near, to which tho blaeki(Johnny Griffin) answered “Yes : what do you want ?” “I want to get some tobacco and Hour,” said Campbell. “All right,” said Gridin, “ I show you where it is. You come along a me ; me go there,” and picking up a -fishing net, Griffin started to walk for the river, Campbell following. Tho rest of the blacks then picked up their nets, and brought up the rear. Campbel had left his gun behind, and was armed only with a tomahawk. On nearing the river and when they were clear of the thick forest, Griffin suddenly dropped behind Campbell, and throwing his arms around him, pinioned him and threw him down. The rest of the blacks then rushed up, and a struggle ensued which must have been very severe, to judge by the state of the ground at the spot, it being torn np for yards, to all appearance ns if it had been rooted up by pigs. Campbell bit, kicked, and struggled, but to no purpose.; he was overpowered at last by the force of numbers. Word was at once sent to Mr Goodchap'a, but he was absent. Mrs Goodchap, however, with praiseworthy energy, urged the blacks to secure him, supplying them with ropes for tho purpose. The blacks then wanted to know if they would kill him, but Mrs Goodchap said no, so they sat on him until help arrived. la the meantime, Mrs Goodchap had sent for the police, but the only policeman at Tosrantin was away on duty at 1 Gympie. However, all the black and white population of Towantin turned out promptly and ran a mad race to the scone of action, some on foot, some on horseback, some in boats. Everyone was in a state of the greatest excitement, and soon a welcome hurrah wss heard, announcing that the desperado was secured and on his way to the Jockup. He was triumphantly carried there, followed by the whole population of Tewentin, carried because he could be got there no other way, being literally cased in rope, in hitches, half-hitches, and every conceivable kind of tie, bound hand and foot. At the lock-up Mr Goodchap released him from his bands, and substituted handcuffs and legirons, and placed him securely under lock and key. Special constable Harrison being sworn in, mounted guard until constables Pickering and Graham arrived from Gympie at 6 p.m., when they took charge of the bushranger. His gin, Sarah, was also captured soon afterwards, and his gun, revolver, and some other articles found in his camp. He was brought up before Mr Goodehap on Tuesday, and remanded to Maryborough. Inepector Lloyd and Campbell and gin left on Wednesday morning for Gympie. The blacks at Tewantin are very proud of their achievement, especially Johnny Griffin and Brady, the leaders in the capture.