AN OUTLAW'S BASH FOR LIFE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 71

AN OUTLAW'S BASH FOR LIFE.

HOW JOE GOVERNOR WAS KILLED

Particulars to hand concerning the final act of Joe Governor's bushranging career show that his race for life was of the most exciting description. Mr John Wilkinson, grazier, of Carroll's Brook, St. Clair, who shot the outlaw, is nearly 60 years of age. He was returning from Rouchel on Tuesday nightf, and while passing through his own propert3 r , Glenlock, to go to his brother George's house, he noticed a fire burning in one of the p'addeckp. At first he was not much impressed with the incident, but during his lonely ride through the bush it struck him that possibly the fire might be Joe Governor's camp. When he reached his brother's place early in the evening he discussed the matter, .and after a long consultation they decided to investigate. They started on their mission at about midnight. As they stealthily proceeded towards the fire they noticed that it occasionally brightened, as if fed by light chips. It would "be brilliant for an instant, and would then flicker and almost expire, and would next burn up again. Eventually, on getting to within about 30 yards of it, they noticed that a man was lying beside it, having apparently fallen into a sound sleep. They conclude?! that he was Joe Governor, but decided that it was inadvisable to call upon him to surrender then, as it was yet quite dark, and, besides that, from the position they occupied, there was no cover should they be attacked. Therefore, crawling back to the top of a steep ridge, they agreed that John Wilkinson should go down on the opposite side, "where there was some scrub, and that George §]iould keep a look-out to see if the fugitive mqved. They only had one rifle, with them, and John took this. He crept quietly through the scrub, until he thought 'he wes about opposite the sleeper, and on emerging he found that he was actually within 15 yards of him. As it was then grey dawn, he considered it unwise to attempt to retreat, and he unhesitatingly made a move forward, at the same time calling "Surrender!" At once Joe sprang up, but as lie did so Wilkinson fired. The cartridge hung fire, and then the bullet wnistled over the fugitive's head. Joe grabbed for his rifle as he went to leap forward, but missed it, and then, without it, he dashed a say, as his pursuer was very close up. Wilkinson ran after him and 'fired again, but missed. The loading of the rifle and its weight somewhat handicapped Wilkinson, but he followed at top speed, and raced after the outlaw like a deer, up lull and clown gullies. Joe jumped down one of these ravines a distance of nearly 20ft, .md Wilkinson made across and outflanked him as he bore flown in the direction of some scrub." By this time they had gone fully hplf a mile, when Wilkinson went down on one knee and took a deliberate aim at Joe. rho bullet found its mark, and the blackfellow rolled over an embankment, turned three somersaults, and fell a corpse at the bottom of a cry creek. During this time George Wilkinson had been following up behind as quickly as he could, and had picked up Joe's rifle on the way. On examination it was found that tho bullet had entered the back of the outlaw's head, and had emerged over the left eye. John Wilkinson says that had be been sure when he started out that they were really to encounter the ouLaw they would 1-ave procured another rifle, because if Joe had grabbed his rifle and bested him m the encounter he would in all probability have also shot his brother, who was unarmed. Joe had but one cartridge In his bilij-can he carried a little tea, flour, and sugar. He was dressed in a pair of blue serge pants, cotton shirt, and tweed waistcoat, and was barefooted.