CAPTAIN MOONLIGHT’S CAREER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2089, 2 December 1879, Page 2

CAPTAIN MOONLIGHT’S CAREER.

The following fuller particulars of the recent exploits of this desperado appear in the Australian papers to hand. Captain Moonlight organised his gang while travelling in Victoria under the pretence of delivering lectures exposing the penal system in Pent-ridge. Nesbit, his most trusted comrade, was an old Pentridge associate, and acted as his secretary. About four weeks ago a gang of five crossed the Murray into Rivcrina, where another joined them. A boatman seeing them armed with revolvers, suspected their character, but feared to warn the police. The desperadoes lived on station hospitality for several weeks,but at length resolved to stick up the Wantabadgery station, and obtain arms to enable them to descend upon the Gundagai or Wagga banks. They held possession of the station till Monday forenoon, when, after repulsing four of the Wagga police,the gang left, fully equipped with horses, firearms, and provisions. Thirtyfive persons were detained at the station, including the proprietor. Captain Moonlight protected the women from insult, but behaved with savage brutality towards several persons especially Baynes the overseer. He was on the point of hanging the latter, when the screams of the woman made him defer his intentions. The Wagga police rcinfoi’ced from Gundagai, overtook the gang while - they were camping at McGledc’s hut. A sharp encounter ensued, and many shots were fired. The youngest member of the gang was shot, lie was named Wernicke, and was a lad fifteen years old, and :he son of a Melbourne publican. Nesbitt was next shot through the temple, whereupon Captain Moonlight surrendered. Just before doing so he deliberately fired at Constable Bowen. The bullet lodged in the latter’s spine. The poor fellow lingered for several days, and then died leaving a wife and child. Captain Moonlight threw himself on the body of Nesbitt, weeping bitterly, saying, “ You’ve shot my only friend, who died trying to save my life.” Williams and Bonnet, two other bushrangers, were wounded. One was found 'shot iu the arm. Captain Moonlight, who fought desperately, exposed himself freely but was unhurt. Bogan the sixth man, managed to conceal himself amongst the bedding iu the hut, where he remained all day, but Mrs McGlede discovered him there. The whole of the surviving members of the gang have been committed for trial at Sydney for wilful murder.