CAPTURE OF A BLACK BUSHBANGER.

Kumara Times, Issue 1137, 21 May 1880, Page 4

CAPTURE OF A BLACK BUSHBANGER.

[WIDE BAT AND BURNETT NEWS,] On the morning of Monday last, 22nd March, at about ten o'clock, the inhabitants of Tewantin 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 the morning about halfpast nine o'clock Campbell asked a black If there was a store near, to which the black (Johnny Griffin) answered " Yes : what do you want?" "I want to get some tobacco and flour," said Campbell. "All right," said Griffin, '• I show you where it is. Tou come along a me; me go there," and picking up a fishing net, Griffin started to wslk for the river, Campbell following. The rest of the blacks then picked up their nets, and brought up the rear. Campbell 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 up for yards, to all appearance as 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's, but he was absent. Mrs Goodchap, however, with praiseworthy energy, urged the blacks to secure him, supplying them with ropes for the 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. In the meantime, Mrs Goodchap had sent for the police, but the only policeman at Tewantin waß away on duty at Gympie. However all the black and white population of Tewantin turned out promptly and ran a mad race to the scene 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 was heard, anuouncing that the desparado was secured and on bis way to the lockup. He was triumphantly carried there, followed by the whole population of Tewantin, 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 bonds and, and substituted handcuffs and logirons, and placed him securely under lock and key. Special constable Harrison being Bworn 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 eaptured soon afterwards, and his gun, revolver, and some other articles found in his camp. He was brought up before Mr Goodchap on Tuesday, and remanded to Maryborough. Inspector Lloyd and Campbellfand gin left on Wednesday morning for Gympie. The blacks at Tewantin are very proud of their achievement, especially Johnny Griffiin and Brady, the leaders in the capture.