THE LATE AUSTRALIAN EXECUTIONER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1174, 15 November 1883, Page 3

THE LATE AUSTRALIAN EXECUTIONER.

One of the Sydney papers recently reported the deal lx of the man Gately, who for a long time was hangman and flagellator in Vicioria. He had a strange criminal history. According to his prison record, the greater portion of his life whs spent in a career of crime. He was transported from Ireland to Van Diemen’s Land when a mere boy, and after serving his allotted period in that island, he came to Victoria shortly after the discovery of the goldfield. From that period till he left this colony his time was spent mostly in the Melbourne and Pentridge gaols. Although possessed of a. savage disposition, and detested by his fellow prisoners, he left on the records of Pentridge, mention of several meritorious acts which could hardly have been expected from a criminal of his class. On two occasions he was instrumental in saving the lives of officers. At one time, in the year 1865, when the late Chief Warder Begg was savagely attacked by a desperate convict, named Neighbor Flynn, on board the 1 ’lk Lysander,. Gately rushed to the officer’s assistance, and overpowered the prisoner before he had time to carry out his murderous designs. For this act he received a mitigation of his sentence, besides a substantial recognition from Mr Begg f-■ his services. Another occasion was w en a prisoner named Connelly attempted to murder the late Overseer Kilmartin in the year 1861. The assault resulted in Mr Kilmartin having both legs broken, besides receiving several severe wounds on other parts of his body. Connelly, who was frantic with rage, next rushed at an overseer named Mathie, and would have murdered him but for the timely assistance of Gately, who secured the prisoner and prevented any further mischief being done. Gately was again recommended for a mitigation of his sentence and was also rewarded by MMathie. Gately was a most powerful man with a very unprepossessing countenance. As ho had become a cause of constant disturbances, and as the police could not afford him protection on all occasions from ill-disposed mobs, he was advised to leave the colony. He did so, and had been living for some time near the borders of Queensland, where he died.