Bush Ranger: Mad Dan Morgan
Some information on "Mad Dan Morgan" from very old newspapers, along with an intriguing account of an incident near the end of his life from a website. One newspaper account is primary source material. This is not a sketch per se but is just like the Ned Kelly stuff. . . it's just so fascinating to read these old newspapers accounts, especially contemporary ones. ENJOY! Some real ******es, those bush rangers.
Images included, along with a reward poster.
I suggest a cup of coffee and a doughnut and an hour of time to devote to the old Aussie Bush Ranger. :)
http://www.lateralscience.co.uk/oz/o...dDanMorgan.jpg
Here is a digitized newspaper account penned in 1924. Note: There are typos due to formatting but they are easily deciphered. MANY times it involves an "o" for an "e".
"Singleton Argus" (New South Wales)
Saturday 14 June 1924
BLOODTHIRSTY MORGAN
(By SIR SOLOMON.)
A study of the characteristics of tlic Australian bushrangers operating ? during the great bushranging era—1860 to 1880—will disclose the fact that the methods and tactics of some differed considerably from those adopted by others. Unfortunately, all brought into prominenco tho traits of tho ruf fian, but even in this there was a graduated scale of viciousness, in which Daniol Morgan shone as tho high' priest of infamy. Morgan was a mon ster rather than a man, his lust for bkod was insatiable, and ho tortured liis victims for tho pleasure their writhings gave him. At one timo there was a pross con troversy as to Morgan's proper name, some holding that it was Moran, whilst others maintained that it was Owen. Tlie former based their arguments on ?the fact that Rolfo Bolderwood, in "Bobbery Under Arms," depicts.? a vicious outlaw under the name of "Daniel Moran." . All were agreed that Morgan was not his name, and offi cial records show that ho was tho ille gitimate son of a woman named Owen, but known as "Tho Gipsy," whilst his father was a man named Fuller, well known about the Haymarket, Sydney, where he plied a vegetable and fruit barrow. He was born in 1830 at Ap pin (N.S.W.), and as a chid was adopt ed by a man known as "Jack the Welshman," a' person who was not re garded as ono likoly to inculcate vir tues into the growing child. In 1847 the youth Owen left the roof of his foster parent, at Campbolltown, aud found employment on a station on the Mumi.mbidgee as a stock-rider. Ho proved himself an efficient workman, and remained on the station seven years. In 1854 ho returned to Campbolltown, and spent an idlo year with his fostor father. His mother, in the nioantimo, had married, and was living at Bath urst, so young Owen decided on visiting her, and for the purpose he stole two horses with which to make tho trip. Along the road ho had an oneouuter I with a party of police who wero after him for stealing tho horses, but he managed to evade arrest, and was not heard of again till 1863, when he blossomed forth as Morgan, tho bush ranger. Ho rarely operated in com pany, but on August 22ud, 1863, ho had a companion, known as "Gorman Bill," when the pair were surprised by a party of police, and a desperato fight, ensued. Mr Baylis, a polico magistrate, was assisting tho attacking party, when Morgan shot him, but ho recovered from his wound. Finding tho polico persistent in their attack, and the posi tion becoming extremely gravo, Morgan turned on his mate and shot him so that the police would devote their attention to tho German, and thus enable himself to escape. The uoxt victim of this scoundrol's gun was a shepherd, who was sitting on a log feeding his faithful companion of the bush—a sheep dog— when Morgan rode up and, without ut tering a word, shot him dead. Some time later Sergt. M'Ginuorty and Con stable Churchlcy wore riding along tho Tumberumba-road, when thoy met Mor gan noar Copabella station, and, not knowing tho man, tho Sergt. bado him "Good day."-Morgan replied: "You'ro wretches looking for bushrangers," and, drawing his revolvor, shot the sergoant dead. Churchlcy galloped away for assistance, and on returning to tho scene of tho outrage found that Morgan had placed the dead man's hat on tho road opposite the spot ***** M' Ginnerty 's body had fallen from tho horso as it bolted into tho bush, j/lie next serious crime perpetrated by this savage was when he called at Ilcnty's station, betwoon Wagga and Albury. He rounded up all the station hands and imprisoned them in tho curpouter's shop; then ho visited tho rcsidonco ?>* the Superintendent, Mr Watson, who was conversing with the general over seer (Mr M'Noil), and tho cattlo over seer, and a visitor named Herriot. Ho walked into tho house, and, with the salutation, "I'm Dan Morgan," de manded a drink of grog, which was readily supplied him. He next de manded dinner, and, after partaking of same, ordored the men to accompany him to tho carpenter's shop aud to bring all tho grog in tho place with them. It did not take long for tho 12 men to consume tho four bottles of gin and brandy, and, after relating how tho police had come across him the pre vious whilst ho was resting in a shepherd's hut on the adjoining run, ho made preparations to depart. ' He had a loaded revolvor in each hand, and as ho was mounting his horse ono of the revolvers was accidentally dis charged Tliis led tho half-drunken bushrangor to assume that ho had been firod at by one of his prisoners, and ho began firing in a'l directions, and young Horriott 's leg was shattered, and a station hand received a supeificial wound. Ho then aimed at Mr Wat son's head, but that gentloman instinc tively put his hand up to protect him self, and the bullet passed through it and struck his hoad, but its force was snent. After firing several moro shots amongst his captives Morgan appeared to relent of his actions, and began to givo "first aid" to- his victims. lie ordored Mr M'Lean, tho cattlo ovor secr, to go for surgical assistance for the wounded men, but that gontloiuan had only gone some three' or four miles when tho bushranger went in pursuit of him, and, on catching up. with him, said that M'Lean's readiness to go for a doctor Avas only bluff, and that, ho was really going to inform the police, and with that drew his revolvor and shot tho unfortunato man, tho bullot passing clean through his body. An hour later tho inmates of Watson's houso wero horrified to soo the outlaw roturning, holding liis latest victim on his horse's back. Poor M'Loan lin gered in groat agony till tho follow ing night, when death relieved him of his suffering. At 1 o'clock tho foi-' lowing morning Morgan, who had boon joined by two of his "bush tole graphs," or confederates, loft tho sta tion and camped till daylight, two miles away. A largo body of polico arrived within an hour of thoir depar ture from Watson's, but tho polico did not appoar too anxious to come in con tact with them, as thoy remained at the houso till lato that aftornoon, by which time Morgan was woll away from the locality. Tho Government now put forth strenuous efforts to of foct his capture, or compass his death, and £1000 reward was offered, in tho hopo of stimulating polico onorgy or oneouragiug the outlaws' friouds to be tray him.
Another illustration.of Morgan's bru- , taility was furnished when ho visited | a station near Jerilderio for the ex press purpose of shooting the manager, whom ho accused of being too friendly with the police. Tho manager was, I fortunately, away from home, so tho ruffian compelled his wifo to prepare him a meal, and after partaking of it ho asked tho good woman foi - all tho money there was in the house, but sho declared there was none. He then drag ged her to the fire and forced her to sit on it, amidst the terrifying screams of hor children. When her clothes wore woll alight.he pulled her off and put out the firo, but not beforo sho was terribly burned. Morgan filled in the time between ono murder and another by most daring feats of highway robbery, and travel lers submitted to him *****, witli any one else, they might havo been inclin ed to offer resistance In September, 18G4, a party of police, consisting of Sergt. Smytli and Constables Cannon, Baxter, and Eoid, were out seeking tho outlaw, whon ho camo across their camp near Kyamba. Morgan could see by the shadows on tho tent that tho placo was occupied, and lie recog nised ou the canvas tho profile of Sergt. Smyth, and he fired at it, with deadly effect. For a timo a warm fusilado Was kept up by the other polico and the outlaw, but lie escaped unhurt. One day a party of police called at Mr ,Vincent's station, at Mittagong, seeking information from tlie proprie tor as to Morgan's movemouts. Mr Vincent said: "What is tho uso giving you information whon you don't act on it?" After further recrimination, Mr Vincent said: "I am tired of giving the police information, but I will try you once more. Go to , where there is a wattle-sided stable, and if there' is a big chestnut horse in it Mor gan is not far away; hido in the thick scrub thero and you will see him return during tlio night." The police de parted, and a short way along tlio road thoy mot a man on horseback, whom thoy questioned about the outlaw, and enquired about tho wattlo-sided stable, telling him of tho information impart ed thorn by Vincent. Next day Mor gan visited Mittagong and stuck-up Vincent's station and made prisoner all the shearers who were engaged shearing thero. Some of tho -shearors he mado tio Vincent to a fenco 60 yards from tlie woolshed, and when this was completed lie said to Vincent, in a sneering manner: "So you aro the man who gave information to the polico about my whereabouts, and your life is forfeited. If you havo anything to say to your wifo and children I will call them up to see the last of you, for you havo but five minutes to live." Ho then despatched a shearer to bring the man's family up to witness the murder, and' on arrival tho piteous ap peals of the wifo and children oven movod Morgan, and he offered Vincent, as an alternative to being shot, tho burning of tho woolshed and its con tents. During tho conflagration Vin cent remained tied to tho fence, aud on boing liborated was almost ? roasted, and quito unconscious, but camo round aftor a littlo attention. The outlaw then proceeded to tho store aud set a fire-stick in it, and it was totally de stroyed. It was subsequently ascer tained that the man whom tho polico met along tho road and questioned was Morgan. During tlio Christmas holidays fol lowing this incident Morgan attended a race meeting at Wagga, and actually sat at the lunch tablo with some of the polico who wero seeking his where abouts. At last tho day of reckoning was fast approaching, for tho outlaw took umbrage at a challengo from tho Vic torian polico for him to cross tlio bor der, and they would cut his. carcor short within 48 hours. On April sth, 1565, ho crossed tho Murray, and mado liis raid on Victoria. Ho was mounted on a beautiful racing niaro named Vic toria, which ho had stolen from Mr Bowler, and had otherwise mado ex tnsive preparations for a dosporate en counter with tho Victorian custodians of the law. His first act was to burn down the barn, stables, and granary of Mr Evans, for tho latter, in an en counter somo timo previously, having shot off a couplo of liis fingers. Next day ho stuck-up and robbed a great number of peoplo on tho road botwoon Wangaratta and Boualla. Oil tlio Bth, or throe days aftor his arrival on Vic torian soil, ho visitod Poccholba sta tion, owned by Messrs M'Phersou and Rutherford, and mado prisoner all per sons on tho place. He made all stand with their backs to the dining-room wall, and then compelled Miss M'PJier sou to play clic piano. As everyone appeared to iie quite happy, he relaxed somo of tho hardships imposed upou his prisoners and allowed them to sit and movo about the room. Ho appeared awfully fatigued, and said ho had no sleep for fivo days and nights. His description of the hardships endured by bushrangers clearly indicated that ho regretted having adopted tho in'ofcs sion. He ordored refreshments, and the time passod pleasantly; at last ono of the domestics evaded observation and rushed to Mr Rutherford's houso and informed him of the bushranger's attack at M' Phcrson 's. ltuthcrford now collected all tho availablo men about the place and surrounded tho house, lie also despatched James Prasor ' to Wangaratta, somo 42 milos dis tant, to 'inform tho polico of tho out law's presence. Altogether, somo 14 armed persons surrounded tho house. Somo of whom wantod to rush the placo, but it was docidod to wait till daylight to mako tho capture. As tho sun was peeping ovor tho horizon Morgan ap peared at tho back door, aud had a look around to sco that all was right, and then mado preparations for leaving. Ho told Mr M'Phcrson that ho was to provide him with a good horso so that lie might spell "Victoria," and at 8 o'clock thoy proceeded to tho stablos for that purpose, the bushranger having Mr M'Phcrson on ono sido of him and tho hitter's son ou the other. Thoro was intense excitement among tho men surrounding tho placo, whon a now chum Irishman, named Quinlan, camo from behind a stump and. fired at tho outlaw, who foil, mortally wounded, as ho exclaimed: "You cowardly dogs; why didn't you challenge mc?" xiio body was taken to Wangaratta, whoro an iuquost was held,' and a vordict of justifiable honiicido was returned. As the body lay at tho polico barracks somo ono skinned the outlaw's faco for the purposo of securing the flowing beard that covered it. Much indigna tion was aroused by this barbarous act, and the Coroner, and a police officer, were charged with the offense.
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Better quality of the above:
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Wanted blurb:
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An end game event in his life, unusually merciful, for him, from murrayriver.com.au:
"On 19 June 1864 he 'visited' Round Hill Station, confronting Mrs Watson the wife of the Manager at 11 am in the morning, demanding food. On her husband's return, a gunfight broke out between Morgan's men and the station hands. Station employee John McLean was sent for help, but Morgan changed his mind, chased him and fatally wounded him.
John McLean's Grave
This grave is the only existing evidence of the most historic and tragic bushranger hold-ups in the history of Australia.
In June 1864 Dan Morgan called at the Round Hill Station and rounded up all the station hands and their wives. He herded them into the carpenters shop and ordered the manager, Sam Watson to bring rum from the cellar. After partaking of rum Morgan demanded fresh horses, stating he would return them on the next visit, when mounting one of his pistols discharged, Morgan assumed that he was fired upon.
He opened fire and wounded a neighbouring station and John Heriot in the leg, he then demanded that Watson stand still while he shot him dead, however Mrs. Watson stood in front of her husband to shield him and pleaded with Morgan to spare her husband for the sake of the children, moved by her bravery, Morgan ordered Watson to place his hands in the air, Morgan fired a shot which shattered Watson's hand.
Morgan realised his mistake, he ordered young station hand John McLean to fetch a doctor at Walla Walla Station.
Later suspecting that McLean would return with the 'traps' (police) Morgan gave chase and shot McLean in the back. Again realising his mistake, Morgan returned to Round Hill Station with the wounded McLean and stayed with him until he died.
Morgan had not long left when a party of police arrived in search of him.
Familiarise with the events and Morgan's state of mind they decided to give him away for that day, assuming that Morgan had only travelled a short distance and camped on the banks of the Billabong Creek.
The actual location of the grave is beneath the Kurrujong Tree in the depression to the right of the site, near the 'Round Hill' Woolshed (built 1868-69). The original Round Hill Homestead is beyond the Woolshed (built approx 1848) ad is still occupied.
The Victorian police had boasted that if Morgan crossed the Murray he would be captured within 48 hours.
The challenge was too great for Morgan and he crossed the river in April 1865. Within two days he had held up and robbed three properties, burned down haystacks and out buildings, and held up coaches on the Benalla Road. On April 8 Morgan held up his last property, Peechelba Station, near Wangaratta.
In one of his better moods he demanded that the occupants, the McPhersons, prepare a meal and provide him with entertainment. He kept the family in range of his gun. then he 'requested' Mrs McPherson to play the harmonium to him while he ate. As the baby, Christina, kept crying in the next room, he angrily told a maid to 'go out and keep that brat quiet'.
The maid did so, but having calmed the child, she climbed through the window, raced to an adjoining property, gave the alarm, came back through the window and walked into the main room as though nothing had happened.
Having had no sleep, Morgan left the house next morning to a welcoming party of some 40 armed police and volunteers. He was shot and later died at 2pm on April 9 1865. Dan Morgan is buried in the Wangaratta Cemetery.
The site of the graves of two of Morgan's local victims. John McLean and Sgt Smyth (who was shot west of Henty in 1864) are located in the Shire."