Bushrangers in Social Whirl.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1921, Page 3

Bushrangers in Social Whirl.

ECHO OF DAYS OF OLD,

The death of John Stinson (reported in Australia recently), who at one time was partner with the bushranger Gilbert before that outlaw entered on his lively career, recalls some of Gilbert’s most dramatic enterprises, in company with four or five colleagues, in the district (states the “Sunday Sun”). The accounts are faithfully preserved in private records, but, for obvious reasons, scarcely appear in the official archives.

Gilbert was with Ben Hall, O’Ale ally, A r ane, and Burke, when the gang held up the residence of Mr Loudon, at G'areoar, and handcuffed the whole of the male inmates and ordered Mrs Loudon and her niece into another room. After searching the men, the callers demanded supper, and Mrs Loudon provided ham and eggs, apologising for the absence of anything better. AA’ine was also produced. After supper, Ben Hall ordered the men outside for a smoke, explaining that the smoke might he objectionable to the ladies. They stayed three hours, and, before going, returned the jewellery that they had secured in the meantime.

The gang rode into Carcoar on the following Saturday afternoon, and called at the home of Afr George Rothery, where the men, forewarned, were armed with rifles, the cook with a carving knife, and the groom with a long stable fork. Mr Robbery changed his proposed tactics when tho outlaws knocked at the door, and hid the arms. The bushrangers ordered the groom to look after their horses and the cook to prepare a meal, which they attacked with full appetites. Glasses went round and Hall proposed the health of Mr Rothery, J.P. After an exchange of compliments the gang made off with three of the house’s horses, and reached Canowindra at 6 p.m. They searched a number of houses, and relieved the only store (Pierce and Hilliard’s) of £3O in rash and a quantity of clothing. All hands were invited by the bushrangers to a hall that night at Robinson’s Hotel, Gilbert meeting the whole of the expense. The ladies on the premises were persuaded to provide the music, and the dance was continued till daylight. Constable Sykes was one of the guests, and, oil the motion «f Ben Hall, seconded by Gilbert, he was voted AI.C. for the occasion, while O’Aleally and Burke were allotted the pleasure of receiving the guests who arrived doing the evening. All drinks were paid for by the bushrangers,, who, at the close of the fun, voted the dance one of the jolliest occasions in their eventful history. Gilbert was the star artist

the evening with his exceedingly hu-

morous accounts of the activities of the police, for whom he and the other members of tin* gang then had the severest contempt. He said that oil leaving Bothery's lie had openly announced where they were going, and predicted that the Ijoliee would arrive a couple of days late. This turned out to he so. Air Icely’s station at Bangaroo was next visited for fresh horses. The gang had to swim the river at Duff’s Fall. A’ane was unseated, and washed down the stream into a tree, from which he was rescued by his mates. He lost his saddle and swag, containing £25 in notes, as well as some clothing. The hush rangers then returned to Canowindra and slept there for the night. When

within half a mile of the town they sent a message by a man named Sullivan to the police, challenging them to combat conditionally on their bringing only six

men, tho extra trooper being allowed to replace the first trooper to fall. Sullivan actually delivered the message, but the police explained that they could not cross the river. Sullivan’s offer to punt them across was declined.