The Legend of Spring Heeled Jack.

 

One of the strangest historical folklore beings has to be that of the suburban ghost, of these, the entity that was Spring Heeled Jack emerged, to dig into the legend we have to back go into the dimly lit streets of the London area in the year of 1838........

The Globe 11th January 1838;

The Ghost Story.

The Lord Mayor received the following communications on the subject of what took place at the Mansion House on Monday relative to the individual who is said to be occupied in winning a wager by appearing in various terrific characters at night in the villages around the metropolis :-

"In the neighbourhood of Hornsey, where I have residence, some scoundrel has been alarming the inhabitants, in these disguises; and I heard yesterday, in our newsroom at Guildhall from one of the deputies, that the same thing has been played near Kingston; and from a respectable person in Cheapside that Hertfordshire has been similarly visited.

It is stated that some individual drives about with a livery servant in a cab, and throwing off a cloak appears in those frightful forms, and is to win a wager by the joke -- if it be a joke -- one that is very likely to produce catastrophes. 

I should rather inclined to think it is some determined thief, who visits houses in the absence of the heads of the families, and who seeks by this method of at once paralyzing the energies of the servants to obtain and escape with his booty on easy terms. Your obedient servant, Thomas Lott."

"I am induced to address your Lordship on the subject of the Peckham Ghost, to which I perceive, by this morning's papers, your attention has been called. 

Some weeks ago an old female domestic, who lived in my service many years, and who now resides in respectable circumstances, as the wife of a decent tradesman at Hammersmith, called upon me, and, in the course of conversation, informed me that the females of Hammersmith and its vicinity feared to walk abroad after nightfall, in consequence of the molestations of a ghost or monster to which they were exposed.

At first I thought this visitation in the 19th century so near the metropolis, and with such a well organised police as we now have, too absurd for belief; but, on further inquiry, I ascertained that several young women had really been frightened into fits -- dangerous fits -- and some of them had been severely wounded by a sort of claws the miscreant wore on his hands.

I expressed my surprise that the attention of the police had not been called to this nuisance. My informant assured me, that repeatedly their vigilance had been aroused on the subject, but the fellow of fellows had been ardroit enough to elude capture. I have then reliance on the witness I allude to that I have no doubt she reported facts. Yours ect ect, Annon."

Reports of this monster were coming in thick and fast, "An Inhabitant of Stockwell" maintained that Jack was scaring people in Stockwell, Brixton, Camberwell, and Vauxhall, and not only this, he was also responsible for several deaths! Rumour was also rife in St. John's Wood, he had been seen dressed in mail and as a bear promising to kill at least six women.

A devil, ghost or bear was seen in Blackheath and Lewisham, women and children were frightened to go outside in the dark. It was a terrifying thought that you could come face to face with "a figure clad in a bear skin, which, upon being drawn aside, exhibited a human body in a suit of mail, and with a longhorn, the emblem of the King of Hell himself."

Another such attack was reported in The Weekly Chronicle, Sunday, 11th February 1838;

"The Suburban Ghost.

Sir, notwithstanding the publicity given to the pranks of that scoundrel denominated 'Spring Heeled Jack,' as a caution to himself, but more especially to the weak minded and nervous portion of the community, that fatal consequences might not ensue; yet the evil is still unabated, and the villain, whoever he may be, allowed to practice his nightly trick with impunity.

Yesterday evening at about quarter past ten o'clock, as my two daughters, the one 11 and the other 15 years of age, were returning home with the house maid from a visit to their aunts in the New Road, and were within about 300 yards of their home, they were -- so they say -- accosted by a tall man in a cloak, who attempted to take liberties with them indiscriminately. My servant had no sooner remonstrated with the beastly vagabond, when he immediately threw off his cloak, and exhibited the form of a human skeleton, which frightened my children so much that they are now confined very ill to their beds. 

He had not the courage to follow them any distance, or most probably he would have been secured, but darted across the fields towards Maiden Lane. Can you inform me whether it is true that the Lord Mayor has originated a fund towards his prosecution in the event of capture? I remain your obedient servant, James H. Wilkinson, Cleveland Terrace, Copenhagen Fields, Islington."

The story that really caught the public imagination happened on the night of the 21st February 1838. This concerned the daughters of Mr Alsop of Bear Bind Cottage, Old Ford, in particular Miss Jane Alsop. The details were taken by Mr Hardwick of the Lambeth Street Police Office, the particulars of which were published in The Patriot, 22nd February 1838;

"Miss Jane Alsop, a young lady 18 years of age, stated that at about quarter to nine o'clock on the proceeding night she heard a violent ringing at the gate in front of the house, and on going to the door to see what was the matter, she saw a man standing outside, of whom she inquired what was the matter, and requested he would not ring so loud. The person instantly replied, that he was a policeman, and said 'For God's sake bring me a light, for we have caught Spring Heeled Jack, here, in the lane.'

She returned into the house and brought a candle, and handed it to the person, who appeared enveloped in a large cloak, and whom she at first really believed to be a policeman. The instant she had done so, however, he threw off his outer garment, and applying the lighted candle to his breast, presented a most hideous and frightful appearance, and vomited forth a quantity of blue and white flame from his mouth, and his eyes resembled red balls of fire.

From the hasty glance which her fright enabled her to get of his person, she observed that he wore a large helmet, and his dress, which appeared to fit him very tight, seemed to her to resemble white oil skin. Without uttering a sentence he darted at her, and catching her partly by her dress and the back part of her neck, placed her head under one of his arms, and commenced tearing her gown with his claws, which she was certain were of some metallic substance.

She screamed out as loud as she could for assistance, and by considerable exertion got from him and ran towards the house to get in. Her assailant, however, followed her, and caught her on the steps leading to the hall door, when he again used considerable violence, tore her neck and arms with his claws, as well as a quantity of hair from her head; but she was at length rescued from his grasp by one of her sisters.

Miss Alsop added, that she had suffered considerably all night from the shock she had sustained, and was then in extreme pain, both from the injury done to her arm, and the wounds and scratches inflicted by the miscreant about her shoulders and neck, with his claws or hands.

Miss Mary Alsop, a younger sister, said that, on hearing the screams of her sister Jane, she went to the door, and saw a figure, as above described, ill using her sister. She was so alarmed at his appearance, that she was afraid to approach or render any assistance.

Mrs Harrison said, that hearing the screams of both her sisters, first of Jane, and then of Mary, she ran to the door, and found the person before described in the act of dragging her sister Jane down the stone steps from the door with considerable violence. She got hold of her sister, and by some means or other, which she could scarcely describe, succeeded in getting her inside the door and closing it. At this time her sister's dress was nearly torn off her; both her combs dragged out of her head, as well as a quantity of her hair torn away. The fellow notwithstanding the outrage he had committed, knocked loudly two or three times at the door, and it was only their calling loudly for the police from the upper windows that he left the place."

This was a very serious assault, Mr Alsop was languishing in bed with a rheumatic condition, he thought there must have been more than one person involved, and put up a ten guinea reward.  

The police had not been idle, several officer of K Division communicated their findings to the attack on Jane Alsop at Old Ford. Whilst they all agreed Miss Alsop had been the victim of a violent attack, they thought that she had been mistaken in her description of the perpetrator because of the shock she had suffered. They put it down to "drunken frolics" of three young men who would soon be apprehended. They even went so far as to question Miss Alsop's reasoning behind giving such "a melodramatic or exaggerated description."

Soon Jack was again up to his tricks, this time at 2, Turner Street off the Commercial Road in Whitechapel, London Evening Standard, Monday 26th February 1838;

"About eight o'clock a person called and inquired for Mr Ashworth, but before the boy who opened the door could give an answer, 'Jack' had thrown off his cloak and presented a most hideous appearance. The screams of the poor lad having alarmed the family, the villain unable to accomplish any further mischief, succeeded in effecting his escape."

Spring Heeled Jack fever was now firmly established, vicious young men were out at night frightening people by shouting "I am Spring Heeled Jack" at women and children before punching or otherwise assaulting them. A lady was attacked near the Royal College of Surgeons and received a nasty blow to the mouth, also a strange man entered the White Lion pub on the corner of Vere Street and Clare Market. On seeing a Mrs Hiams watching him curiously, he suddenly exclaimed "I am Spring Heeled Jack' and pulled out a cudgel aimed a blow at her but missed, he then took to his heels and disappeared.

Clare Market.

The police, in the meantime, had arrested two men for the attack on Miss Alsop, but had to let them go for lack of evidence. Mr Hardwick of the Lambeth Police Office was once more on the case, investigating a nasty attack, this time in Green Dragon Alley, Limehouse. The witnesses were a respectable butcher, his sister and an eighteen year old woman, the Morning Post of the 7th March 1838 takes up the story;

"Miss Scales stated that on the evening of Wednesday last, at about half past eight o'clock, she and her sister were returning from the house of their brother, and while passing along Green Dragon Alley, they observed some person standing in an angle in the passage. She was in advance of her sister, at the time, and just as she came up to the person, who was enveloped in a large cloak, he spurted a quantity of blue flame right in her face, which deprived her of sight, and so alarmed her that she instantly dropped to the ground, and was seized with violent fits, which continued for several hours.

Green Dragon Alley.

In reply to a question from Mr Hardwick, Miss Scales said that on approaching the individual she thought it was a woman, from the head dress being apparently a bonnet, or something of that description, but she was afterwards satisfied that it was a man."

The creature was described as a tall thin man of a gentlemanly disposition, wearing a large cloak and something like a lady's bonnet, he carried something which resembled a bull's eye lantern, and the blue flame exiting from his mouth was very bright, it flashed so that her sister could only get a glimpse before being dazzled. Hearing the shrieks, their brother Mr Scales, ran up the alleyway only to see the creature moving away, during the whole event the creature did not speak or lay hands on either woman.

According to Mr Scales, his sisters had just been reading an account in the newspaper of the most recent Spring Heeled Jack episode, which seemed to alarm them. Police officer Lea had observed an experiment at the London Hospital that morning concerning the blue flame, he said, "lights like those described could be produced by blowing through a tube in which spirits of wine, sulphur, and another ingredient were deposited and ignited." Mr Hardwick observed that this attack was probably by the same man as attacked Miss Alsop.

Within the week Spring Heeled Jack was back, this time his victim was a 13 year old boy in Great Marylebone Street. He was just minding his own business when two men in large cloaks came up to him, extended their arms to reveal their faces smeared in red ochre, the boy then screamed and fainted, such was the terror felt on the streets. The men ran off before anyone could respond.

A couple of weeks later on the 30th March PC Markham S24 was in Kentish Town when he saw women and children running towards him shouting "Here's Spring Heeled Jack!" Gathering up all of his courage he pulled out his truncheon and waited for the monster to show himself, it wasn't long before the monster was pointed out.

Markham could make out some sort of blue around the creatures mouth, he also had an unnatural look about him. The sturdy policeman then went up to the monster, grabbed him by the collar and marched him off. At the station his mask was taken from him and he ended up cooling his (spring) heels in a cell, after hearing pleas that he didn't mean any harm he was sent on his way with a caution.

On the 1st April a story concerning a sailor who was arrested wearing a cloak and a lady's bonnet was published in Bell's New Weekly Messenger, the description is very close to the one given by the Scales sisters, and yet there is no mention of it;

"Inspector Simmons stated, that on the night proceeding, while going his usual rounds, he observed the prisoner pass along Woolmore Street, Poplar, with a bonnet and cloak on, and having no doubt from the awkwardness of his gait and figure, that he belonged to a different sex from that which his outward appearance indicated: he in consequence went up to him, and finding that his suspicions were well founded, he felt it to be his duty to take him to the Station House.

On questioning him, he, the prisoner, said that he had merely put the cloak and bonnet on for a lark, and that both belonged to his woman. He had caused inquiries to be made about him, and his opinion was that his intention was harmless. The sailor was severely reprimanded, and told, silly as the trick was, it might prove serious in the present times, when so many women and children were scared into fits by Spring Heeled Jack."

The thought that the famous story of Spring Heeled Jack in Green Dragon Alley was nothing more than a cross dressing sailor giving two sister a fright is superb, although a terrifying experience for the ladies, no real harm was done, my heart goes out to the poor sailor who was also named in the article.

A few days later the Morning Post gave the splendid news that Spring Heeled Jack had been captured. James Painter (18) had been sallying forth around Kilburn wearing a white sheet and a hideous mask with a long beard. After one prank he was recognised by a local water carrier as being in the employ of a Mr Chater.

When approached on the matter by a lady he had frightened Painter was insolent and threatened to set the dogs on her, Painter was arrested and severely reprimanded, being told if he carried on in this way he would end up In Newgate, he was fined £4, not a small amount in 1838!

Through April and May Jack was springing up in various places, in Southend a miscreant attacked the wife of a preventive man by grabbing her legs as she walked past along the cliffs, she was subjected to a violent assault and managed to escape by the skin of his teeth.

He was at work again on the 23rd May, this time in Whitby, North Yorkshire, a woman was attacked in Grape Lane by a man dressed like a bear with sharp claws, she was cut and her clothes torn in a terrible way, her cries alerted some locals, but the creature escaped.

Three days later another attack was perpetrated in Carshalton, Surrey, this time it was a 14 year old boy, he was on his way to work at six o'clock one morning when he was pursued by "a scoundrel in some awful disguise, who jumped on his back and gave him such a shock that his reason has left him," the creature escaped again.

As the Weekly Chronicle, Sunday 7th October 1838 observed, this monster had created a Spring Heeled nuisance, three men, William, Frederick and Charles Robson were charged under the following circumstances;

"Samuel Watts stated that that he was in Park Road, Dalston, between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night, when he perceived the first prisoner (who is nearly six feet high) stalking along in the garb of a female, with false curls, and all the little ornaments necessary to complete the metamorphosis. He felt the utmost astonishment and alarm at such a rencontre, and was about to beat a retreat, when the prisoner sprang upon him, and threw him into a pool by the roadside, where he lay roaring for help until the arrival of the police.

Sergeant Millichap N6, stated that he perceived information from some gentlemen residing in Park Road, that some strange appearance was haunting their lane, and that their bells had been rung, and sundry other pranks committed that frightened the neighbourhood. Witness proceeded in pursuit, and in a short time came up to the elder prisoner, who on seeing him commenced a most unmerciful attack upon him, and gave him such a pummelling as he had never had in his life before. Two of his brother officers came up, and at the call of his assailant the other two prisoners and a third gentleman came to his aid and a regular battle took place, which ended in the capture of the prisoners."

On being asked why he was in female attire the prisoner said he was on his way to a party and wanted to surprise his friends, they had no idea that their behaviour would land them in trouble, he was fined 60s, his two brothers 20s each.

With the close of 1838 the tales of Spring Heeled Jack thinned out, but they didn't go away, this legend refused to die. In mid 1839 Jack's presence was felt in Dover, wandering around scaring the inhabitants, eventually Jack made a mistake, it was around midnight on the 19th November when the demon presented himself in front of PC Cole, who promptly then took the creature to the nearest police station.

Early the next morning the rumours had done the rounds and a small crowd showed up at the station to see if it was true, had Spring Heeled Jack been caught at last? The monster had been dressed in a short red jacket, a light blue frock coat, a woman's night cap, a piece of old crepe for a veil, muslin trousers scalloped at the edges and a substantial pair of boots.

Upon peeling back the costume a young lady was revealed, her name was Kate Adams and she had dressed in such an odd way to surprise her brother who was coming home from being at sea. She promised faithfully never to do such a thing again, she was let off with a caution.

During 1840 the first Penny Dreadful on Spring Heeled Jack appeared, in this publication Jack was a monster who did all the things that were mentioned in the press, an absolute menace to society, this would change during future rewrites making him a champion of women and justice for all, like some latter day Batman.

In April 1841 Jack was in Camden, it was said he would dress in a large blue cloak and with dark glasses would attack women at night, hiding in doorways on Camden High Street and badly lit places such as College Grove. The Morning Herald, Thursday 8th April 1841 describes his modus operandi;

"The miscreant jumps from his hiding place, and stretching out his arms under his cloak, makes that article of clothing have the appearance of a huge pair of black wings, which completely blocks the thoroughfare. He then envelopes the frightened victim in the folds of his cloak and commits the most disgusting assaults upon her."

A horrific assault indeed, this happened to a poor lady near the St Pancras Workhouse, she put up a fierce struggle and got away, she was chased to the Elephant & Castle public house where she found sanctuary, she was then escorted home by some of the patrons.

In October 1841 it was the turn of Tottenham and Edmonton to feel the fear of Spring Heeled Jack, he was seen by several witnesses breathing fire. A PC Panchett N336, saw a figure answering the description of Jack throwing fire from his hands into the road, Panchett chased the creature but lost him in the graveyard. A family living at Bruce Castle, Tottenham were disturbed by their front door being burst open, a figure breathing fire was seen, but the cries of his family stopped the man giving chase.

A man called Richard Bradford was severely reprimanded in February 1845 for impersonating Spring Heeled Jack, he wore a gown, shawl and other attachments and frightened people in the Hanwell and Ealing area.

In September 1845 an extraordinary event took place involving a fifty year old man called Purdy, Mr Purdy had been suffering from pleurisy and an inflammation of the lungs. He was being looked after by his wife, one night she fell asleep and Mr Purdy in his delirium thought his donkey had escaped, he climbed out of bed in only his nightshirt and went outside. 

As he was wandering around the outhouses a woman saw him and screamed for assistance, to her rescue came a young man called Henry Noble who, thinking it was Spring Heeled Jack in person, beat the poor old man mercilessly, Mr Purdy died the next day. Noble was arrested but the inquest showed that Mr Purdy had died of his illness not the beating, the verdict was natural causes and a very lucky Mr Noble was discharged.

In March 1847 Jack was in Teignmouth, and he was causing great excitement. This Jack spent his time frightening women and even "rough handling" them, suspicion soon fell on Captain Finch, a respectable 60 year old man in ill health, hardly a spring chicken nevermind a spring Jack! The evidence against him was put forward by a young woman, she was a servant to a lady and said that she had been assaulted twice by a man dressed in a skin coat, skull cap, horns and a mask. As things stood the Captain was not prepared to tarnish the woman's reputation for the sake of his own, evidence was put forward and the old soldier refused to refute it, he was fined 17s for each assault.

Moving with the times, we next encounter Spring Heeled Jack on a train. It is January 1849 and a butcher from Tynemouth was awaiting his train north from Newcastle, realising he was missing his train he made an audacious leap onto the foot rail of a carriage as the train sped past. He clung on desperately, terrified that he may fall, finally with the last of his strength he pulled himself up to the window, his frightened white face was pressed up against the glass, showing a disturbing sight with the darkness of night behind him.

The guard pointing exclaimed "Spring Heeled Jack! Where did you drop from?" to which the man replied "North Shields." The guard assisted the man into the carriage and to safety, the butcher then paid his fare and was deposited at Morpeth station.

Through the early 1870's another suburban ghost which actually predates the Spring Heeled Jack legend was making a resurgence, this was the Peckham Ghost, which I will cover in another post.

 In 1877 Jack makes his first appearance in Aldershot, according to the South London Press of Saturday 21st April, he "makes bounds of a dozen feet high, according to the alarmed sentinels, and is brilliant on the exterior with phosphorus."

Jack Jumping On Newport Arch - Illustrated Police News - Saturday 3rd November 1877

Playing with the army is dangerous, but this did not deter Spring Heeled Jack from his nocturnal games, the army took this very seriously indeed, Morning Advertiser, Monday 7th October 1878;

"About 18 months ago he caused great annoyance to sentries, guards and the military authorities, who ineffectually employed civil and military police to capture him. His modus Operandi was to pay nocturnal visits to sentries planted at the outskirts of the camp, suddenly pounce on them, and run away with their hats, and sometimes with their rifles, after submitting them to rough treatment. He has frightened sentries off their posts, and although he has been several times fired at he has not been hit. The quitting of his post by a sentry is considered a great military crime, and some of those found guilty of it have been punished in accordance with the degree of the offence.

Those who have seen Spring Heeled Jack say that he is a tall, powerful athlete, and endowed with extraordinary pedestrian qualifications. During the last week he has been very active in the neighbourhood of the Queen's Pavilion -- so much so, that three men of the 41st Regiment on Wednesday last, were confined in the guard room through his foolish pranks. One of them, Private Jackson, fired at him, after having challenged him four times without receiving a reply. The bullet missed its aim. After an investigation Jackson and the other prisoners were released."

The creature was not finished playing with the army, with the removal of the 60th Rifles from Aldershot to Colchester Jack followed and carried on attacking the sentries, so much so one soldier was hospitalised fearing his mental health would not recover. The senties were doubled.

Whilst at Colchester it was rumoured that an officer of the 3rd Battalion, 60th Rifles was bayoneted by a jumpy sentry. A week later it was reported that the Spring Heeled Jack pranks had been carried out by bored officers, one official stated "these pranks have brought about, unfortunately, a series of evils for which a bayonet wound in the leg is not adequate punishment." The battalion commanding officer Colonel W. Leigh Pemberton stated that no such wound has been reported and any journal which states to the contrary is mistaken.

Far be it from me to suggest a face saving exercise, but Jack did leave the army alone after this event, but he did spring up again two years later in Herne Hill. This caused several news reports to call out these pranksters as "imbeciles" and suggests that firearms should be carried to put an end to this blight forever.

Throughout the 1880's Jack was seen in various places, Deptford had a mysterious man in a white sheet frightening folk in 1882, Windsor had quite a time in 1885, according to the London Evening Standard of Friday 23rd January;

"...a Windsor police constable, while walking down Thames Street, was startled by someone springing on his back. He fell and rolled in the mud, and on rising attempted to secure his assailant, who proved to be a tall, athletic young man, about six feet high, residing in a village near the Royal Borough. The man escaped but was soon captured by the police."

He was cautioned and released. Liverpool had some trouble with folks dressing up and jumping out on unsuspecting women and children in 1887, but they must have got bored with it, as there was no more reports, although Jack got a boost when the book "Spring Heeled Jack: The Terror Of London." was reprinted. In 1888, before another more terrifying "Jack" got to work a Jack of the Spring Heeled variety was spotted in Kensal Green, the Globe, Saturday 21st January:

"Spring Heeled Jack is described as being habited in what is commonly known a black and tan tights. On his head he wears a black skull cap and his face is presumably chalked, while his eyes are encircled by a couple of black rings.

He startles people -- possibly robbing them if the chance offers -- he watches for an unprotected female or child walking along a lonely road, and wearing noiseless boots he suddenly springs in front of them, and at the same time utters a dismal groan. Should his victim refuse to be frightened by this sudden apparition, his black arms are raised and rings of a phosphorescent hue are exhibited. 

This is usually sufficient to terrify the pedestrian, but the appearance of one of the sterner sex has a similar effect on the spirit, for this would be supernatural being immediately decamps over the nearest hedge or into an empty house should there be one handy. It is supposed that this individual is a resident in the neighbourhood. 'Vigilance committees' of young men have been organised, but up to the present all attempts to bring the ghost to book have resulted in failure."

With the dawn of a new century the superstitions of the old one became a form of entertainment, in May 1903 a stage production was produced and toured around the country, this brought Jack back into the public eye, notwithstanding obvious hoaxes such as a letter purporting to be from Spring Heeled Jack, concerning the proposed murder of sixteen factory girls in the next few months, this letter was actually written by one of the girls who didn't want to go back to work!

A more traditional approach was mentioned in the Northern Daily Telegraph, Thursday 22nd September 1904;

"The district of Everton, in Liverpool, is scared by the singular antics of a ghost, to whom the name of Spring Heeled Jack has been given, because of the facility with which he has escaped, by huge springs, all attempts of his would be captors to arrest him. William Henry Street is the scene of his exploits, and crowds of people assemble nightly to see them, but only a few have done so yet. He is said to pay particular attention to ladies."

Two months later the horrible sprite was in the Dover area frightening children in St Margarets, he picked on women out alone and quickly disappeared when men came into view. One girl got quite a fright, Morning Leader, Friday 18th November 1904;

"Last night a young girl, a visitor to the village, was terribly frightened by the apparition just beyond the village street on her way to the house where she was staying. Her screams were heard by a villager named Mrs Finnis.

Mrs Finnis says that on hearing the shrieks she ran out of her house and down the road. It was dusk at the time. She found the girl in a hysterical and half fainted state.Through the gloom she distinctly saw a tall figure in white. It moved quickly down the road making a mysterious noise. Suddenly the figure leaped over the hedge so lightly and easily that it must have been on springs. 'Of course,' said Mrs Finnis, 'knew it was only some man fooling, but it is an abominable and dangerous thing to do.'

Another person stated that the ghost was seen in the churchyard, where it sprang over the tombstones. The affair has roused so much indignation in the village that parties of men have been organised, and commencing on Wednesday night, go out in search of the ghost, who will certainly meet with very rough treatment if he falls into their hands.

They were out again last night. The men are mostly provided with stout sticks, several carry bullseye lanterns, and it is stated that one man provided himself with a gun. The parties go out in small numbers, mostly in twos or threes, in the hope that they might come upon the practical fool unawares."

He was never caught, the years went by and the legend of Spring Heeled Jack faded into distant memory..............

In modern times several songs have been written on Spring Heeled Jack by bands such as The Flying Pencils, Lemon Demon, Zombina & The Skeletones, Jolene Ska and John Harle & Marc Almond. There has also been several short films produced, and two feature films, one in 1950 the other in 2008.

Walter Kennedy - Pirate.

This account is taken from "The Lives of the Most Remarkable Criminals who have been Condemned and Executed," published in 1874.

Walter Kennedy was born at a place called Pelican Stairs, in Wapping. His father was an Anchor Smith, a man of good reputation, who gave his son Walter the best education he was able; and who while a lad was very tractable, and had no other apparent ill quality than that of a too aspiring temper.

The Prospect of Whitby pub and Pelican Stairs to the right.

When he was grown up big enough to have gone out to a trade, his father bound him apprentice to himself; but dying before he was out of his time, Walter leaving his father's effects in the possession of his mother and brothers, then followed his own roving inclinations and went to sea.

He served a considerable time on board a Man of War then carried on against France; during which time, he often had occasion to hear of the exploits of the pirates, both in the East and West Indies, and of their having got several islands into their possession, wherein they were settled, and in which they exercised a Sovereign power. These tales had a wonderful effect on Walter's disposition, and created in him a secret ambition of making a figure in the same way. He became more than ordinarily attentive whenever stories of that sort were told, and sought every opportunity of putting his fellow sailors upon such relations. 

Men of that profession have usually good memories with respect (at least) to such matters; and Kennedy therefore, without much difficulty, became acquainted with the principal expeditions of these maritime desperados, from the time of Sir Henry Morgan's commanding the buccaneers in America, to Captain Avery's more modern exploits at Madagascar; his fancy insinuating to him continually that he might be able to make as great a figure as any of these thievish heroes, whenever a proper opportunity offered.

It happened that he was sent with Captain Wood (sic) Rogers, now Governor of Providence, when that gentleman was first sent to recover that island by reducing the pirates, who then had it in their possession. At the time of the Captain's arrival, these people had fortified themselves in several places, and with all the care they were able, and had provided both for their safety and subsistence.

Captain Woodes Rogers.

It happened some time before they had taken a ship, on board of which they found a considerable quantity of the richest brocades, for having no other occasion, they tore them, and tying them between the horns of their goats, made use of them to distinguish between the herds that belonged to one settlement and another. The sight of this, notwithstanding the miserable condition which in other respects these wretches were in, mightily excited the inclination Kennedy had of following their occupation.

Captain Rogers, having signified to the chiefs of them the offers he had to make of free grace and pardon, the greater number of them came in and submitted very readily, those who were determined to continue the same dissolute kind of life providing with all the secrecy imaginable for their safety, and when practicable, their flight out of the island. The Captain being made Governor, fitted out two sloops for trade, and having given proper directions to their commanders, manned them out of his own sailors, with some of these reformed pirates intermixed.

Kennedy went out in one of these vessels, in which he had not been long at sea, before he joined in a conspiracy some of the rest had formed of seizing the vessel, putting those to death who refused to come into their measures, and then to go, as the sailors phrased it, upon the account, that is in plain English, commence pirates.

This villainous design succeeding according to their wish, they emptied the other vessel of whatever they thought might be of use, and then turned her adrift, as being a heavy sailor, and consequently unfit for their purpose. A few days after their entering on this new course of life, they made themselves masters of two pretty large ships; which being fitted for their purpose, they grew now strong enough to execute any project that in their present circumstances they were capable of forming; and thus Kennedy was now got into that unhappy state of living, which from a false notion of things he had framed so fair an idea of, and was so desirous to engage in.

Kennedy took a particular delight in relating what happened to him in these expeditions, even after they had brought him to misery and confinement. The account he gave of that form of rule which these wretches set up, in imitation of legal government, and of those regulations they made to supply the place of moral honesty, was in substance this:

They chose a Captain from amongst themselves, who in effect held little more than that title at any other time, except in an engagement, when he commanded absolutely and without control. Most of them having suffered formerly from the ill treatment of officers, provided thus carefully against any such evil now they had the choice in themselves.

They provided by their orders especially against any quarrels which might happen amongst themselves, and appointed certain punishments for anything that tended that way; for the due execution thereof, they constituted other officers besides the Captain; so very industrious were they to avoid putting too much power into the hands of one man.

The rest of their agreement consisted chiefly in relation to the manner of dividing the cargo of such prizes as they should happen to take, and though they had broken through all laws, divine and human, yet they impose an oath to be taken for the due observance of these, so inconsistent a thing is vice, and so strong the principles imbibed from education.

The life they led at sea was rendered equally unhappy from fear and hardship, they never seeing any vessel which reduced them not to the necessity of fighting, and often filled them with with apprehensions of being overcome. Whatever they took in their several prizes could afford them no other pleasure but downright drunkenness on board, and except two or three islands there were no other places where they were permitted to come on shore; for now a days it was become exceeding dangerous to land, either at Jamaica, Barbadoes, or on the islands of the Bermudas, and in this condition they were when they came to a resolution of choosing one Captain Davis, and going under his command to the coast of Brazil.

Walter Kennedy.

This design they put in execution, being chiefly tempted with the hopes of surprising some vessel of the homeward bound Portuguese fleet, by which they hoped to be made at once, and no longer be obliged to live a life so full of danger. Accordingly they fell in with twenty sail of those ships, and were in the utmost danger of being taken, and treated as they deserved. However, their Captain on this occasion behaved very prudently; and taking the advantage of one of those vessels being separated from the rest they boarded her in the night without firing a gun.

They forced the Captain when they had him in one of their own ships to discover which of the fleet was the most richly laden, which he having through fear done, they impudently attacked her, and were very near becoming masters of her, though they were surrounded by the Portuguese ships, from whence they at last escaped, not so much by the swiftness of their own sailing, as by the cowardice of the enemy; in which attempt though they miscarried as to the prize they had proposed, yet they accounted themselves very fortunate in having thus escaped from so dangerous an adventure.

Captain Howell Davis.

Being some time after this in great want of water, Davis at the head of about fifty of his men, very well armed, made a descent in order to fill their casks, though the Portuguese Governor of the port near which they landed easily discovered them to be pirates, but not thinking himself in a condition strong enough to attack them, thought fit to dissemble that knowledge.

Davis and his men were no sooner returned on board, then they received a message by a boat from shore, that the Governor would think himself highly honoured, if the Captain and as many as he pleased of his ship's company would accept of an entertainment the next day, at the castle where he resided. 

Their commander, who had hitherto behaved himself like a man of conduct, suffered his vanity to overcome him so far as to accept of the proposal; and the next morning with ten of his sailors, all dressed in their best clothes, went on shore to this collation; but before they had reached half way, they were set upon by a party of Indians who lay in ambuscade, and with one flight of their poisoned arrows laid them all upon the ground, except Kennedy and another, who escaped to the top of a mountain, from whence they leaped into the sea, and were with much difficulty taken up by a boat, which their companions at sea sent to relieve them.

The Death of Howell Davis and his men.

After this they grew tired of the coast of Brazil. However, in their return to the West Indies they took some very considerable prizes, upon which they resolved unanimously to return home, in order as they flattered themselves to enjoy their riches. The Captain who then commanded them was an Irishman, who endeavoured to bring the ship into Ireland, on the North Coast of which a storm arising, the vessel was carried into Scotland and was wrecked.

Kennedy had at that time a considerable quantity of gold, which he either squandered away, or had stolen from him in the highlands. He afterwards went over into Ireland, where being in a low and poor condition he shipped himself at length for England, and came up to London. He had not long been in town before he was observed by some whose vessels had been taken by the crew with whom he sailed. They caused him to be apprehended, and after lying a considerable time in prison, he was, as I have said before, tried and convicted.

After sentence, he showed much less concern for life, than is usual for persons in that condition. He was so much tired with the miseries and misfortune which for some years before he had endured, that death appeared to him a thing rather desirable than frightful. When the reprieve came for Bradshaw, who was condemned with him he expressed great satisfaction, saying at the same time that he was better pleased than if he himself had received mercy for, saying; "should I be banished into America, as he is, 'tis highly probable I might be tempted to my old way of life, and so instead of reforming, add to the number of my sins."

He continued in these sentiments till the time of his death, when as he went through Cheapside to his execution, the Silver Oar being carried before him as is usual, he turned about a person who sat by him in the cart, and said "though it is a common thing for us when at sea to acquire vast quantities, both of that metal which goes before me, and of gold, yet such is the justice of providence, that few or none of us preserve enough to maintain us, but as you see in me when we go to death, have not wherewith to purchase a coffin to bury us."

He died at Execution Dock, the 21st of July, 1721, being then about 26 years of age.

The Bushrangers of Deloraine and Surrounds.

 

The bushrangers of Australia were robbers and outlaws, in Tasmania (or Van Diemen's Land as it was known then) many were escaped convicts. The era we're dealing with here was from the early 1830's to the late 1850's, almost thirty years, this encompasses the time in which Deloraine was settled. The area around Deloraine was explored in around 1820 - 1823 by Captain Roland and others who were looking for good agricultural land.

The town was established soon after with Alvaston on the east bank of the Meander River and Deloraine on the west bank, they were soon incorporated into just Deloraine. The town in those days was a series of settlers huts with gardens for growing vegetables and keeping some livestock. Many farms sprang up all around the town, making Deloraine the agricultural centre which it remains today. Larger brick structures began to be built in the 1830's, in 1843 a probation station was built in the town housing convicts used in road construction, it closed in 1847 and had a colourful history, for more information on that see my blog post Mutiny At Deloraine (A Convict Tale).

Samuel Britton.

Samuel Britton was the longest surviving bushranger in Van Diemen's Land (VDL), for ten years his gang roamed and robbed central and northern VDL. A native of Bristol (UK), Britton was transported to VDL for 14 years after being found guilty of stealing money from a Mr Phipps, he arrived on the 6th November 1822.

Britton was assigned to work for W. G. Walker of Launceston, in 1828 he absconded, teaming up with other miscreants he began his career as a bushranger. The man himself was spotted in Deloraine, according to the Launceston Advertiser, Thursday 9th May 1833;

"We hear that the bushranger Britton, and his gang, have made their appearance, during the week, at Deloraine; and that they have made one or two attempts at robbery, in which they were unsuccessful."

The Britton gang were still at it a year later when they returned to Deloraine, in a long article in The Independent of Saturday 17th May 1834 it was stated that the inhabitants of VDL were "in daily and hourly apprehension of a visit from those who are denominated as the notorious bushrangers," and goes on to say that they "rob, and even murder the defenceless country settlers."

Moving on to a local outrage the author states; "I am induced to make these observations. having heard from several persons, that when the hut of Mr Gardiner, at Deloraine, was entered and robbed some time since, by a party (stated to be Britton's) a man named Dennis Kelly was taken away with them, and who, a few days afterwards, when Mr W. Field's stock hut was plundered by the same party, was then supposed to be voluntarily in company with them, inasmuch, as tea and other refreshments were taken out by three of them to a party unknown. 

Subsequently, a quantity of goods then stolen from Mr Field's hut were found upon Kelly's person, who immediately absconded, and a warrant was issued to Mr Bateman for his apprehension." As a reward for Kelly's capture the promise of a ticket of leave was proposed for any prisoner coming forward, or freedom for a ticket of leave man. Soon Kelly was handed over by a convict called James Jarrett who received his ticket of leave, Kelly was taken to Launceston Gaol. Jarrett layed low as his life was now in jeopardy, to hand over a gang member was no trivial event, these men were not to be trifled with, the myth of the gentleman bushranger was just that.

Samuel Britton was mentioned in Bent's News and Tasmanian Three-Penny Register on Saturday 30th July 1836, this write up of his life so far said that he had been captured and "the crimes that this man has committed are such as will most assuredly cost him his life."

Over a year later in The True Colonist Van Diemen's Land Political Despatch, and Agricultural and Commercial of Friday 1st September 1837 put paid to the story of Britton's capture; 

"Britton the Bushranger ---- The retreat of this notorious character, has been discovered at Port Sorell, on the property of Mr Thomas. This gentleman has missed from his stores for some time considerable quantities of provisions, and many sheep, which he suspected were stolen by bushrangers. 

A singular circumstance developed the mystery, and proved that Britton and his associates were provided with provisions by the men of Mr Thomas, who clandestinely procured it from his stores. A party, headed by a gentleman of known courage, and experience of the bush, has proceeded in search of the gang."

The legend of Samuel Britton has it that he was shot in the thigh north of Port Sorell and left behind to die, the truth is that we don't know what happened to him, his body was never recovered dead or alive, he literally disappeared.

Things died down for a short time in the environs of Deloraine, there was a spot of trouble towards Westbury with a band of bushrangers in April 1839, according to The Cornwall Chronicle;

"It is almost impossible to conceive a more alarming state of affairs than that which exists in the Westbury district at the present moment. There is now a party of five armed bushrangers beyond Deloraine, who are supposed to be Fisher and his gang. On the night of Thursday last, they entered the house of Mr Parker's overseer, and having tied all hands, proceeded to ransack the house, depriving it of everything which was of value.

They then visited Mr Hogg, whose house they plundered in the same manner. Immediately was a messenger despatched to Westbury with intelligence of those occurrences, when Mr Jeffcott, and two other constables, went in pursuit of them. They returned on the following day, without succeeding in tracing the gang, and apparently without the least inclination to trouble themselves further."

The Fisher Gang were led by John Fisher, an escaped convict. They were active mainly in the Bothwell, Antill Ponds areas, Fisher's remains were found on the Western Tiers in 1845.

Smith and Priest.

John Smith and Daniel Priest, convicts, absconders and bushrangers.

Daniel Priest was no stranger to trouble, in 1834 he had been given one months imprisonment for assault, in the following year he and a man called James Putnam stole a sheep belonging to Mrs Caroline Susannah Cooper from her farm near Bovington, Dorset. For this offence Priest and Putnam were transported to VDL for the term of their natural lives.

Unfortunately John Smith is quite a common name and is incredibly hard to trace, however, the John Smith convicted for theft in Warwick on the 28th March 1844, receiving ten years transportation, and whilst here charged with misconduct and absconding several times, seems to fit the bill.

In early 1843 Priest absconded and rewards for his capture were printed in all the local newspapers, at some point he teamed up with Smith and the gang was born. Their first foray into the Meander area was covered in The Courier on Thursday 8th May 1845;

"A constable , named Baldwin, was stopped in the bush on Friday evening by two armed men. He was on his way from Port Sorell to Deloraine with despatches from Bishop Nixon, and was met by the men in question about eight miles (approx. 12.8 km) from Deloraine.

They stripped him of his coat, waistcoat, shirt and boots, leaving nothing but his hat and trousers. The despatches were in the hat and arrived safe. The men also took from the constable one pound sixteen shillings in cash. They were unknown, but their descriptions correspond with those of Smith and Priest, who are supposed to be working towards the coast.

Having stripped Baldwin as above related, they ordered him to walk on, which he very gladly obeyed, but had not proceeded far when they commanded him to return; instead of doing so he quickened his pace, and a double barrelled piece was discharged at him, but he got clear off, and having reached Deloraine communicated the facts to the police.

Messengers were immediately despatched to Westbury and Launceston, and Mr Moreton, with a party of constables, started off from the former place of pursuit, but none could be spared from the Launceston forces."

The depredations of these two bushrangers knew no bounds, as reported in The Courier of Wednesday 10th September 1845;

"Priest and Smith --- These ubiquitous bushrangers made their appearance a day or two ago, at Deloraine. They visited a hut near the township, stripped two men naked, and carried off their clothes. A party of three constables was despatched from Launceston as soon as the intelligence was communicated."

These two certainly had a pattern in their robberies, no man in clothes was safe! But all things must come to an end, and so Priest was eventually captured, The Courier, Wednesday 24th September 1845;

"We have at length the satisfaction of recording the capture of the absentee Priest, who has so long enjoyed a formidable reputation for the skill and boldness with which he executed his robberies, and the success with which he evaded the efforts made for his apprehension."

Of the two accounts of Priest's capture mentioned in the article, both are similar but the second one is more entertaining.

"He was brought to Longford in a cart, having about ten weeks since accidentally discharged his piece, the ball perforating his foot.  Although he was conveyed by the most private road to the watch house, a large number of persons followed the police, showing the utmost anxiety to gratify their curiosity by the sight of a man whose name and exploits are so familiar to them.

....he is cheerful and communicative, acknowledging to those about him having robbed Messers. Bryant, Rowcroft, Williatt, Lucas, Sutherland, Barnes, Anstey, Farrant, Gregg (twice), Lambert, Johnson, and huts out of number, but vehemently denies having robbed the constable at Deloraine, and the hawker at Antill Ponds."

Of the whereabouts of Smith Priest stated that he "left him about ten weeks since; they shook hands and parted, Smith taking all the money, and bending his course towards Hobart with the design of quitting the country, and saying that 'if Priest did not see him in a fortnight that he should be all right.'"

Priest stood trial in Launceston, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. There was quite a clamour from the general public and some of his victims that hanging was too excessive for this rather friendly chap, that in the end his sentence was instead commuted to ten years on Norfolk Island.

The Trial of Smith and Brown 1846.

Taken from The Cornwall Chronicle, Saturday 11th April 1846;

"George Smith and William Brown were placed at the bar for assaulting and robbing on the 4th February last, at the time being armed with a gun. Plea, not guilty.

William Rowsall -- I reside at Deloraine and am a master shoemaker; I know the prisoners; on the 3rd February Smith came to my house and sold me 25 dozen kangaroo skins and I was to go to Stocker's hut to fetch them; it is 10 miles off; Holly is in my employment; I went to the hut the next day, having previously sent my man there with a message.

He returned and accompanied me there in a chaise cart; I arrived about 6 o'clock and saw the two prisoners, they both came out of the hut as I came up. On enquiring about the skins the prisoner Brown said there were none there in consequence of the river being so high, but if I would stop he would fetch them across on his horse in the morning.

My servant and I went into the hut, the two prisoners followed us in, after we had been in the hut a little while two more men came. I took with me £3 18s 6d consisting of one pound note, 10 or 12 half crowns and the rest in shillings and sixpences, and two spare trousers of the value of £1. We had supper and drank a little rum, I went to bed about 12 o'clock, my servant slept with me, my money was in my trouser pocket, I placed them under my head in consequence of some observations I heard Brown make to the men outside.

Brown had been in bed a minute when one of the men in the other room said he was sick, the man went outside and returned with two guns, and presented one of them at me. Smith and another man searched my clothes and took them into the next room with them, Smith took the money and put it into his pocket.

We three then went to bed, Brown did not appear alarmed, Smith came in and said 'many of you men when you have been robbed, say it is more than it really is,' and asked me how much I had lost, I told him £3 18s 6d, he said 'that is all right,' he had on one of my coats, and my hat, and the knapsack containing my goods was strapped to his back. He stationed two of the men to guard the hut desiring them to remain there half an hour and meet 'they knew where.'

In the morning Brown asked my man if he knew 'Cranky Jack Smith,' he got through the window to go out of the hut, for he said the doors were fastened, he returned and told me the tether rope of the mare was cut, the four men, including Brown seemed to be on most friendly terms with each other.

I saw Brown drive my horse and his own towards the river, which was running at such a rate, that it was impossible for a man to swim it. He was making no attempt to catch the horses when I saw him, my man about the middle of the day got over the river and swam my horse across. Just before I left Brown said it would be very foolish of me to make a report of such a thing, and had better let it drop, and if I would do so, he would supply me with a quarter of beef at any time for nothing.

George Holly (servant) confirmed the testimony of the prosecutor.

James Morris -- I am District Constable at Deloraine, I apprehended Smith near Deloraine on the 9th February, and found on him two crowns and five pieces of tobacco, I saw him about two weeks before, coming from Stocker's hut, he enquired where Brown was, and we told him at Deloraine on horseback.

The prisoner Brown, in his defence said, that Smith had been his hut keeper, but he had discharged him some time before, to prove which he called the following witness.

Examined by Brown -- Thomas Elliott: I am a constable at Westbury, and have known you two years, on the 30th January I was at Stocker's hut, I had told you I had seen your hut keeper Smith about two miles from Deloraine. I do not recollect you telling me you would discharge him as soon as he came home.

By His Honour -- Brown is Mr Field's stock keeper, and Smith is cook.

Verdict. Guilty.

The Jury were then discharged, and the Court adjourned until Thursday morning, at nine o'clock, for the purpose of passing sentence on the prisoners."

The Cornwall Chronicle, Saturday 11th April 1846;

"George Smith and William Brown, robbery under arms of Rowsall, near Deloraine -- Death."

Bold And Desperate Men.

Reports of a four man gang were being published in the newspapers in early 1848, this gang were well armed and had so far kept to the eastern side of Launceston. Four constables were despatched to bring them in, they were Howard (the leader), Faulkner, Kennedy and Wadsworth. Arriving in Launceston they soon got to work, they patrolled out into the bush and asked locals for any information, soon a lead came in, the gang had been seen in the Port Sorell area.

The gang had robbed Mr Moore's public house, a house belonging to a Mr Pardoe and various other places. The four constables scoured the district and soon found their quarry at a place called Burgess, which was situated somewhere between Port Sorell and Deloraine.

The constables surrounded the hut they were in and called out for them to surrender, a volley of gunfire was their answer. Taking up the narrative The Courier of Saturday 26th February 1848 stated;

"A desperate rencontre ensued, the numbers being four to four, and both parties fighting and firing with the most desperate energy and determination. Howard, the leader of the constables, received a ball, and fell; at the same instant one of the bushrangers was shot dead.

The fighting continued, the night being nearly dark, and one of the three remaining constables was wounded by a ball in the arm. The three surviving bushrangers made off, leaving their dead companion; but whether any of them are injured is unknown. The two constables, leaving Howard in the bush for dead, assisted their wounded companion to the nearest station where the assistance of a surgeon could be obtained. We learn from the Cornwall Chronicle, that the bushrangers are all Irishmen, and their leader is a desperate fellow of the name Riley."

Howard's body was retrieved and sent to Hobart for burial, a cart was sent for to transport  the body, but on it's way it was held up by the remaining three bushmen and robbed of tea, sugar and other provisions intended for the constables. Two troops of seven constables were soon despatched to search the area, but nothing was found.

News was soon forthcoming, The Colonial Times, Tuesday 14th March; 

"The Bushrangers -- Intelligence reached Westbury, on Friday night, that the bushrangers were at the back of the Whitefoord Hills (along the Railton Road), near Deloraine. Mr D.C. Morton started immediately with a party of constables."

Nothing was found that time, but the search was not over, The Colonial Times, Friday 17th March;

"The Bushrangers Again -- These desperate and misguided men were fallen in with by an equal number of constables, on Friday last; they were in the act of regaling themselves by the aid of a good bush fire, when the constables came upon them and saluted them with a volley.

They immediately started to their feet and contrived to take refuge in a scrub, composed of such, all but impenetrable materials, as to defy pursuit. They, however, decamped in such haste, as to leave behind them a considerable stock of provisions and also various other articles the fruits of their lawless career. The place of encounter was somewhere between Port Sorell and Deloraine."

The last we hear of these desperados occurred at the end of March, The Colonial Times, Tuesday 21st March;

"On Wednesday the bushrangers were at Chestnut, about eight miles from Deloraine, an establishment belonging to Thomas Archer, Esq. They loaded some horses with flour, tea, ect and took them with them some distance into the bush, but finding probably that their tracks were easily followed, turned them adrift."

A tale of some runaways and a brave young man, The Cornwall Chronicle, Saturday 6th December 1851;

"On Monday night last about dusk, two men visited the farm of Mr Joseph Francis Edgcumbe, about three miles from Deloraine, and demanded something to eat which was given them by the overseer's wife, but perceiving their intentions none of the most honest, a young man of Mr Edgcumbe's armed himself with a gun, and made them march before him into Deloraine.

When they were examined before the magistrate at Westbury they said that they run away from Launceston as they could not break stone enough to please the authorities. There was no doubt that their intention was to rob the house but for the spirited conduct of the young man before mentioned."

Dalton And Kelly.

James Dalton was well known in his native Carlisle for being of bad character with a string of convictions. In 1832 he was fined 10s for assaulting a night watchman, two years later in August 1834 he was fined 5s for trespassing on Canal Company property, in November 1834 he was committed for defaulting on bail conditions after another assault, this time in a theatre, one week later he committed the crime that would see him sent to the other side of the world, much to the relief of the people of Carlisle.

The Carlisle Journal, Saturday 29th November 1834;

"A boy named James Dalton, who belongs to Shaddongate, and who has frequently given the police much trouble by his dishonest propensities, has this week been apprehended on a charge of stealing a silk claret coloured lady's cloak."

The story goes, the cloak was to be delivered to Longtown, Cumberland, it had been placed in a parcel and was put on a cart for delivery. Dalton had been hanging around the cart and when he saw the parcel he believed it contained something expensive, so he stole it.

He had been totally unobserved, he had an accomplice called Forster who does not seem to have done much during the theft, but later the two lads told a woman they knew. However, she owed a policeman a favour due to something he did for her previously, to return that favour she told the policeman of the theft and where to find Dalton.

He was found with the cloak, arrested, put on trial and found guilty. He was sentenced to seven years transportation to VDL.

Even in VDL Dalton carried on his old ways, nothing seemed to work on this habitual criminal, whether it be solitary confinement or flogging. His conduct report is truly astonishing, neglect of duty, absent without leave, absconding, stealing a bible, the list goes on. Eventually he was sent to Port Arthur from where he absconded in 1843, he was quickly recaptured and sentenced to life on Norfolk Island.

In 1849 he raped a young girl called Mary Willis which bought him an additional two years in chains, when Norfolk Island was being wound down he was transferred to Port Arthur, where,  in 1852 he escaped with five others. Four drowned at Eagle Hawk Neck, but Dalton and another convict by the name of Andrew Kelly survived.

Eagle Hawk Neck

Andrew Kelly was a thief from Bishopwearmouth, which is now part of Sunderland, his trial and sentence was published in the Newcastle Courant on Friday 2nd July 1841;

"Robert Fletcher, Andrew Kelly and John Sanderson, charged with having at the parish of Bishopwearmouth, on the 17th of May last, feloniously stole the sum of three shillings, the monies of Henry Wright -- Guilty.

Sanderson was recommended to mercy by the prosecutor, and was sentenced to three months hard labour in the house of correction; Fletcher had been committed for three months, for frequenting a certain street with intent to commit a felony.

Kelly had been previously convicted of stealing two pairs of trousers, and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment. The prisoner had been thrice summarily convicted of being found in certain places with intent to commit a felony, for each of which he had been sentenced to three months hard labour in the house of correction. The chairman observed that it was evident no improvement could be affected by allowing him to remain where he was, and he should therefore be sentenced to 7 years transportation."

He arrived in VDL on the 28th July 1842, he was 12 years old.

Serving out his sentence Kelly was marked "absent without leave" several times and was given solitary confinement at Point Puer, the juvenile post at Port Arthur. He was released in 1848, but in 1849 he was again in court charged with stealing shirts, he narrowly avoided the death sentence for attacking a man with an axe. He was found guilty and given 7 years penal servitude at Norfolk Island.

As with Dalton, his time at Norfolk Island was cut short with that facility winding down, he was held on the prison hulks for a short time before being placed in Port Arthur, where in 1852 he escaped with Dalton and the other five unfortunate convicts.

Dalton and Kelly headed north, robbing farms and huts at will. Buckland, the areas around Campbell Town and Tunbridge were hit. At the Bluff near Buckland the bushrangers pretended to be constables and tricked their way in to Mr Hunt's shack, after loading his guns they showed their true colours and robbed him, taking his guns. At Tunbridge they robbed the Victoria Inn, stripping the place of every penny they could find, as many clothes as they could carry and even cutting the hair off their victims to make wigs with and fashion a disguise. After making the cook make them supper, they left.

Making their way towards Avoca, the two bushrangers attacked the home of Simon Lord, two constables were eating nearby and decided to intervene. Dalton and Kelly were heavily armed and dangerous, as the two constables approached one was shot through the head and died instantly, the other was shot in the stomach, he died later.

From there they ransacked a property in Stoney Creek and robbed a passing shepherd of £5, intending to escape justice by leaving the state, the bushrangers headed further north towards the coast.

The Courier, Wednesday 26th January 1853;

"We have further news of the movements of the two bushrangers, Dalton and Kelly. Our correspondent at Deloraine confirms the account of them given in our letter from Port Sorell. The two murderers were seen by four men enquiring their way to Deloraine, through which town they passed on the night of Saturday last: had information of their having been seen been forwarded to Westbury but two nights before, there is every reason to suppose these men would have been taken.

Reports have been received at Deloraine of a constable being shot by them at Port Sorell, but this requires confirmation. Mr Morton, D.C. of Westbury, is out with a party of constables from that district, in addition to the strong party from Port Sorell, and it is hoped, as the bushrangers are not acquainted with that part of the country, they will soon be captured."

A rumour started "doing the rounds" suggesting that one of the constables shot at Avoca had been a flagellator at Norfolk Island and had somehow deserved his fate, this was completely untrue, but it did have a negative effect on the voluntary subscription for poor Constable Thomas Buckmaster's family.

The net was closing in on Dalton and Kelly, their only option was to try and reach Melbourne, the first boat they tried to hijack failed, the second attempt paid off, in their desperation they employed four miners at gunpoint to sail them across the Bass Strait. Once across they went their separate ways and reached Melbourne independently. By this time a £500 reward was issued for their capture.

Dalton was captured first, he had found a ship that was England bound called the "Northumberland" that was leaving the next day, first he needed to change his VDL pounds into pounds sterling, it was a late hour and Mr Bryce the currency exchange man was suspicious. Mr Bryce entered on a stratagem, he told Dalton that he didn't have enough money to exchange the full amount, but there was more cash at his friends house, if he would accompany him all would be well.

The journey down Bourke Street and up Swanston Street must have been nerve wracking, but up Swanston Street Mr Bryce introduced Dalton to the newly opened police station where it was established who he was, Dalton was wrestled to the ground and arrested, he was carrying three primed pistols.

Kelly was still in Melbourne looking for a passage to England, a description was circulated down at the docks, Kelly was soon picked up and arrested.

The stood trial at Launceston, both were found guilty of murder and were hanged on the 26th April 1853.

Twilight Of The Bushranger.

Meanwhile back in Deloraine bushrangers were still active, as Canadian gentleman Mr Mulligan found out, Launceston Examiner, Thursday 3rd November 1853;

"Yesterday morning on my return from the coast, I was requested to take the Port Sorell mail bag to Deloraine, in consequence of the illness of the postman. I consented: tied it on to the front of my saddle, and rode along slowly, my horse being wearied after a travel of two days, bad roads, little nourishment, and occasional long swims across your bridgeless rivers.

On entering the plain called the Avenue, a man emerging from the bush came rushing towards me, with a red handkerchief tied on his head, in his shirt sleeves, and standing still at a distance of about 15 yards, levelled a double barrelled gun, shouting 'Stand, or I will blow out your brains.' Being unarmed, and as I perceived well covered by the range of his gun, no chance of escape was left but obedience.

I reined up the horse, and was ordered to dismount;  this done he shouted 'Tie him firmly.' I proceeded to do this, when he whistled loudly several times, then said, 'You are not the man I wanted: go back the way you came, and if you turn your head, or look behind, I will blow out your brains.'

I returned, closely followed by the fiend marching behind, with his piece presented; and having walked a mile, and finding my detested companion had disappeared, I took into the bush, determined to return and make for home, taking a circle of about 15 miles in order to avoid the road and the bushranger.

I arrived at Mr Field's much fatigued from my rough journey, and the perilous scene of this eventful morning. On my arrival at Deloraine, I reported the matter at the police office, and also to the postmaster. The mail bag was small, but quite full; and the horse, saddle and bridle, which I suppose are irrecoverably lost, were borrowed from my friend Doctor Browne, of Deloraine."

On the 1st January 1856 the states name Van Diemen's Land was officially changed to Tasmania.

A warning of the continuing risk from bushrangers was published in the Colonial Times, Thursday 19th March 1857;

"It is said that several bushrangers are out in the neighbourhood of Carrick, Westbury, and Deloraine. Police have been despatched thither, in the hope of overtaking and capturing them."

The last of the bushranger gangs to annoy the denizens of Tasmania was the Wingy and Flowers Gang. The gang were Daniel "Wingy" Stewart, William "Flowers" Ferns, William "Sydney Jim" Thornton and "Black Peter" Haley, although sounding like a folk band they were actually very dangerous.

Deloraines link to the Wingy and Flowers gang was a constable who met with a nasty accident, as was reported in The Cornwall Chronicle, Wednesday 8th September 1858;

"We are informed that Wingy, Flowers and co. are moving in the north, making for the Mersey, where they will probably attempt to charter a vessel, in their own summary mode of procedure, to convey them across the straits, and unless the police are more on the alert at the outposts than they are in the interior, these notorious plunderers will escape easily with their booty."

One of the Deloraine constables, who was in the Black Forest, tracking the bushrangers, on Saturday, met with almost a fatal accident at the Arms Of The Creek. His gun went off accidentally, and lodged the contents in his shoulder. Medical aid was soon procured, and the wound was carefully dressed, but fears were entertained that lock jaw might result from the extensive laceration of the main arteries."

The Arms Of The Creek was a community of mainly English and Irish families living in timbered buildings, located near Quamby Bluff. They were subsistence farmers and gold prospectors well known for turning a blind eye to bushrangers hiding out in their midst.

In the summer of 1858 after a shootout both Flowers and Black Peter were captured, Sydney Jim and Wingy made it to George Town where they tried to get a passage to the mainland. Failing to get anywhere the pair holed up in a hut, the authorities found them and another gun fight ensued, this time things got very serious, Sydney Jim was shot then bayoneted and died, Wingy was shot in the arm and captured.

Wingy, Flowers and Black Peter were tried in Hobart, found guilty and hanged. 

The last bushrangers locally were John "Timon" McLaughlin and Bernard Nulty, their short career was reported thus, The Courier, Monday 10th January 1859;

"John McLaughlin alias Timon, and Bernard Nulty, were indicted for having, on the 22nd July last, presented a pistol at George Cooper, on the Westbury Road, threatening to shoot him, and robbing him of 2s 6d and a knife. Nulty was also indicted for stealing 6lbs of bread, some meat, and other articles, the property of John Dyer, Traveller's Rest.

The man Nulty is the man who reported himself to the police at Deloraine as having been shot at and robbed by bushrangers in Reilby's forest (the Liffey area), but was subsequently recognised as a bushranger himself. The description he gave of the men whom he alleged had robbed him led to the apprehension of his companion, McLaughlin.

The prisoners were both found guilty and sentenced to death."

With that bushranging ceased to be a problem, crime was and still is a problem but the gangs of bushrangers we have in our imagination were no more, although, there is one last story......

The Cornwall Chronicle;

"A Bushranger Apprehended! -- On Monday night a constable on duty in Charles Street, noticed a kangaroo jumping about on his beat, he immediately gave chase, and with the assistance of another constable he succeeded in capturing the poor frightened denizen of the bush, near the Watch House, to which he was taken, and locked up with the other cases.

Though not being charged with any offence except that of perambulating the streets at a late hour, he has been remanded by his captors."