DEATH OF A BLACK BUSHRANGER. (Gladstone Observer.)

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 112, 14 May 1881, Page 2

DEATH OF A BLACK BUSHRANGER. (Gladstone Observer.)

We are informed that the onoe celebrated bushranger, Burmoondo, has gone to the happy hunting ground to join those he sent ¦ before hid. For many years Burmoondo Billy was a terror* to this and the adjoining districts— as he stood at nothing. A few years ago Burmoondo Billy was one of the* finest specimens of the aboriginal race in the* colony, and of great strength and courage. His forte was to bail up travellers in truo bushranger's style— money or your life — standing, tomahawk in hand, making them turn their pooketa ont. After that ] h9 would go through their Bwags, taking what he liked and returning them tho remainder, and telling them to be thankful he had not taken their lives. Should they resist, a tap on the head with tho tomahawk followed. When bailing travellers tip hef always did so in a nude state j his body painted, anc*y his hair done up in feathers. This, with his immense size, almost frightened parties, without the use of tomahawk. He was supposed to have been concerned in several murders, andwaa prevented murdering a man and wife at Mr. Neils, Galloway Plains, by a party coming to the station jußt as he had struck tho man down with an axe. For months tho native police were after him, but, keeping by himself, ho always managed to give them tha slip— turning up again in some unexpected plrvoo ; in fact, the blacks were led to believe that he had a oharmed life, and he kept it up by tolling them that no bullet would hurt him , they always passed off' But after committing a robbery some few years ago at Mount Laroombe, he was followed by tho Gladstone police, when ho did not show he was shot proof. He managed to escape, however, and nothing was seen of him for months. It was supposed no had died, but he again turned up, showing a man across the coflntry to the Norton diggings. The owner of the station sent word to tho po'icn, who with the assistance of the hands on the station arrested him. The only charges that could be brought agttihst him were robbing huts, for whioh ho was Bent to St. Helena. On his release he again returned to this district, but kept quiet. Of late years his chief exploits have bocfn witU Chinamen, whom he robbed right and left, chiefly of opium. They taught him to emoko opium, and he made them pay for it. Ho would rob the huts on one station, and sell the proceeds to the Chinamen on the adjoining ono for opium, and then eerve them the same, the Chinamen being always ready for a bargain. On one occasion Burmoondo Billy and another went to a Chinaman's hut to rob it of opium, the Chinaman having just received a supply. Knowing the Chinaman was always armed, one went to the front of the hut, whilst Billy planted behind. The Chinaman, seeing the one in front, and knowing him to be a great thief, gave chase with a gun. Whilst ha followed, Billycloared the hut, and made off unseen, the other doing likewise. Billy Burmoondo found he had not got the opium, so h« returned to the hut, asked the Chinaman what blacks had been there, and offered to go with him to track the robbers if the Chinaman would teko the gun. The two started, and after going a short distance, Billy showed him the black at a distance, and said, " Give me tho gun ; I will shoot him." Before the Chinaman could say knife, Burmoondo Billy had him bailed up, and told him unless he showed Mm the opium he would shoot him. By this tLne Billy's mate had joined him, &ud fastening on to the pigtail mad« the China* man a captive. After ho had shown them the opium, they made him fast by tho pigtail through the slabs and left him, till he either lost his pigtail Or was relieved by his fellow shepherd. The tricks he played on Chinamen would fill a volume, and Billy used to delight in telling the particulars. How he came by his end was — The blacks say that he had been grinding the bones of dead blaoks, giving it to Yorkey, and that Yorkey is dying from tho effects of bone dust. Burmoondo denied tho soft impeachment. A row, fight, and one black loft. Burmoondo Billy will be missed, but if tears are shed it will be of joy. Billy has never been tho man he used to be sinoe his encounter with tho police in the Mount Larcombo scrub.