| Narrative | Lewis (2021, p 214) wrote that 'Brigalow Bill' Ward was speared and killed at the homestead in late 1909. "His body was thrown into the river and never recovered (Timber Creek Police Journal (TCPJ), 5-3-1910, 17-4-1910).
A report in the NTTG (8 April 1910, p 2) related news from a correspondent at Willeroo Station: "A poor fellow known as Briglo Bill (J. J. Ward) was murdered by blacks here some time ago. He has been missing in this district for nearly six months, and then the blacks report his murder. I think the police might interest themselves more than they do, especially in this district. The blacks do not fear the police out here in any way, and thousands of cattle are killed by these useless brutes annually.” A court report (NTTG, 16 September 1910, p 3) noted the trial of two Aboriginal people for Ward's murder: "As in previous case, the crime was apparently an unprovoked and cold-blooded business, chiefly concocted by a lubra named Judy and a native known as Gordon. As a preliminary to the murder the deceased man's only firearm was cunningly stolen by the lubra Judy, and by her handed to her fellow conspirator, Gordon, leaving their intended victim practically at their mercy. A number of natives—including the prisoners Mudgella and Wolgorora—surrounded Ward as he was engaged in burning off grass near his hut, and chasing the doomed man speared him near the door of his house as they would do a kangaroo.
After a patient hearing, the Jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, against both the prisoners, upon whom His Honor then passed the death sentence."
According to the police account of the hunt for his murderers at least one Aboriginal person, Gordon, was shot dead (TCPJ 26-6-1910). However, local knowledge suggests the death toll was higher. Charlie Shultz (pers comm) heard from old-time VRD locals that "a great many were shot." Rose quoted Tim Yilngayarri of Yarralin (p 122): "And you know that Brigalow? Right. Brigalow was doing wrong. He was shooting all the people. Shoot-i-i-n-n-n-g, get all the sing girls for married. Take them down to his place. Just the young girl, and some of the middle aged, all that girl. Four fellow… Watchin him that waaay, get the towel and soap…Too late. That spear killed him. Bbbbb. Strike him la water. Right. All the boys go back, take the women. And sugar, tea, flour, all the blanket, fly, take the whole lot." |
| Sources | Lewis, 2021, p 214 https://hdl.handle.net/10070/836453; Rose, 1991, pp 119-129; NTTG 8 April 1910, p 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3265599; NTTG 16 September 1910, p 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3266106;
SEE ALSO Read & Read, 1991, pp 29-32 and Olney Justice Howard (1989) Kidman Springs/Jasper Gorge Land Claim, Report No 30, AGPS, Canberra. (Sources PDF) |
