CAPTURE AND DEATH OF BEN HALL, THE BUSHRANGER.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 59, 25 May 1865, Page 9

CAPTURE AND DEATH OF BEN HALL, THE BUSHRANGER.

The following telegrams^ received frbm New South Wales, during Saturday, give all the information known of the capture and death of Ben Hall :-^ Sydney, sth May, 10-41 a.m. A. teleglam, just recived from Forbes, states that Ben Hall was shot dead by the police in this district. It is reported that, during the night, Sub - inspector Davidson and some troopers came on the bushrangers camped in a gully in the Forbes district. Sub-Inspector Davidson shot Hall dead. Dunn and Gilbert escaped. Three p.m. More correct and fuller iuformation is to hand. Hall's body has been taken into Forbes. It is pierced with thirty bullet wounds. The capture was caused by Sub-Inspector Davidson discovering a horse hobble a aad Hall looking for it. Davidson, recognising Hall, called upon him to surrender, but Hall disregarding the order, Davidson fired at him, the shot taking effect. Sergeant Condell and some troopers afterwards fired avolley, causing instantaneous death. Seventy pounds in cash, three revolvers, and a miniature, were found on the body. Forbes, half-past seven p.m. On Friday morning at an early hour, SubInSpector Davidson and a party of police surprised Ben Hall in the act of catching his horse I on a small plain near the Billabong, about 12 j miles from Forbes. On seeing the police he ran away. Davidson followed up closely, and when within range, fired and shot him. As he still ran forward, Sergeant Condell and a black tracker fired, both shots, it is believed, taking effect. Hall stilk continued to 1 run in the direction of the scrub, but, on reaching it, he was confronted by four or five troopers posted there, who fired simultaneously, almost every shot hitting him. Hall, unable to proceed further, laid hold of a sapling to support him, but he speedily loosened his hold and fell to the ground, exclaiming " I'm wounded ; shoot me dead." He expired in a few seconds afterwards. On seaching him, the police found seventy -four pounds in notes, one gold watch, threfe gold chains^three loaded revolvers, the miniature of a female, and some wearing apparel. He was alone when the police came upon him. He has been fully identified. It is not known whether the rest of the gang were with Hall prior to his capture, but it is suspected that they were not far from the locality, and profited by the opportunity to effect their escape. Sydney, Bth May. At an inquest held on the body of Ben Hall, the jury returned a verdict of justifiable homicide. 11th May. Mr Davidson, who captured Hall, has been promoted to an inspectorship, and Sergeant Condell to a sub-inspectorship. The reward for Hall is .thus divided : — Davidson, L 45 0; Condell, LlaO ; and the balance between the police and the black trackers. Mr Davidson's party are still out after Dunn and Gilbert. JOHNNY GILBERT SHOT DEAD. 13th May. A party of police, includding Constables Hales, Bright, Hall, and King, discovered Silbert and Dunn in the bush to-day neir Binaiong, about fifteen miles from Yass. The bushrangers opeued tire on the police, and a severe encounter ensued. Eventually Gilbert was shot dead, and Dunn fining himself alone, ran for it, and escaped on foot, after a sharp pursuit by Hales, Bright, and Hall. King was wounded in the ankle, and could not assist in the chase. Gilbert's body was brought into Binaiong and placed in the lock-up, where it awaits an inque&t.