History of the Australian BushrangersBoxall, George
History
History of the Australian Bushrangers
Boxall, George
Bushrangers -- Australia
Benjamin Allerton and another man walked one day into the bar of
the Wakool Hotel on the lower Billabong and called for nobblers like
ordinary travellers. They were served by Mr. Talbot, the landlord. They
then went into the dining room and had supper. As soon as the meal was
over the two men rose, and one of them drew a pistol and said, "Excuse
us, gentlemen, this is our business." David Elliott, who was employed
at the hotel, was sitting next the bushranger, and made a snatch at the
pistol. The bushranger, however, was on the alert, and jumped aside.
Then he fired and Elliott fell wounded. Mr. Talbot rushed in from the
bar and said that he didn't want any more damage done. "Take the money
in the till," he cried, "and go." The bushrangers took some seven or
eight pounds from the till, a saddle and bridle, a canister of powder,
and some clothing, but they took nothing from the other persons who
had been at supper with them. They said that they were going to join
Gardiner and "make it hot for the traps." Information was at once given
to the police, and they were followed, but only Allerton was found and
captured. He was tried at Goulburn on March 27th and found guilty, the
jury pronouncing the verdict without leaving the box, and the judge
sentenced him to death. Benjamin Allerton and Henry Keene were hung
at Goulburn on May 5th. Another bushranger named Regan was hung there
in June. The sentences on Lawler and Watson were commuted to fifteen
years' imprisonment.
These were outsiders who intended to join the gang, but in the meantime
the gang itself had not been idle. John Peisley was a well-known
settler in the district, and his house was said to be the resort of
the bushrangers, and was closely watched by the police. On December
27th, 1861, Peisley and James Wilson were drinking at Benyon's Inn,
about a mile from Bigga, when Peisley challenged William Benyon to
run, jump, or fight for £10. Benyon declined, and Peisley struck him
several light blows on the chest and called him a coward, until at
length Benyon said he would wrestle. They went into the yard, leaving
Wilson, who was drunk, on the seat in the bar. Stephen Benyon, who
was at work in the barn, and several others, collected in the yard to
see the wrestling match. The men stripped, and grappled, and Peisley
threw the publican and then struck him in the face. Stephen Benyon
called Peisley a coward, rushed forward and threw Peisley. On getting
up Peisley rushed into the house swearing he would "do for Bill." He
seized a knife, when Mrs. Benyon cried out "My God! are you going to
kill my husband?" and grappled with him. Stephen Benyon picked up a
spade and struck Peisley on the arm. Peisley then threw away the knife
and said it was all right. The row seemed to be all over and Peisley
walked into the bar and asked Wilson where his vest was. He had taken
it off when he went out to wrestle and left it beside Wilson. Wilson
said he had not seen it. Then Mrs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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