BUSHRANGING BY ESCAPED PRISONERS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 234, 1 May 1868, Page 3

BUSHRANGING BY ESCAPED PRISONERS.

DEATH OF SENTOIi-CONSTABLE CAMPBELL. One Saturday last, two prisoners, one named Charles Johnston, the other named Slater, made their escape' from the police at Talbragar. It appears they overpowered the constable, and took from him his revolver ; after which they severely maltreated him. Subsequently Johnston, in company with a man named Miller, made their way over to Gulgong, after stealing two horses. On their arrival at the crushing machine, they ordered the smith to take off their leg-iron, giving him five minutes to perform that operation. They met Messrs. Tuckerman and Naughton, whom they allowed to pass without molestation. They then stuck up Mr. W. "Woods, and a young man named Aston, robbing the former of his hat, and the latter of about £l2. At about a quarter-past 12 on Monday night, they had the hardihood to come into town and go to Tuckerman's Royal Hotel, a house situated in the most populous part of Mudgee, where they enjoyed themselves for three quarters of an hour. The most extraordinary part of the proceedings is this, that the robbers were well known to have committed a robbery that day Under arms, and although there were five stout'active men in the bar, no attempt was made to capture them, but they were allowed quietly to leave. We cannot account for such cowardice; had they possessed hearty as big as a grain of mustard seed, they never would have allowed them to leave. After leaving the heroes of the Royal Hotel, they went to Langbridge's Inn, on Menah Plat. Their proceedings there were very amusing. They arrived at somehwata little after one o'clock in the morning, knocked at the door, and said they were police. Upon the door being opened they had something to drink, and asked the landlord Mr Langridge ■, if there were two men in the house ' Upon being answered in the affirmative, Johnston drew his revolver and presenting it at Langbridge, ordered him to bail up. They then took him outside the door, and made him lay flat on the ground. Johnston stood sentry over him, while he sent Miller into the bedroom to search the place. Miller came out, stating that he could find nothing. Langbridge then said, "You will find some silver in a pewter measure, which they took. They took from Langbridge a silver watch, but upon his stating that it was a family relic they sold it again to him for a bottle of pale brandy. After this Johnson went into the bedroom where a Mr Abrahams was sleeping, woke this gentleman, and pointed a revolver at his head, telling him to hand over his money, at the same time asking him for his trousers. He took his purse out of his pocket, and took five one-pound notes and three shillings in silver. He then asked who the other man was. Mr Abrahams told him he was his servant-man and told him the man had no money. Johnson then said if he found a sixpence on him he would blow Abraham's brains out. Johnson then told Miller to search the trousers, at the same time asking him where his revolver was. Miller stated that he had no revolver. When Johnson had done he said: *' I suppose I can get no more, it is hardly worth caring for, but I expected more." He then threw half-a-crown to Abrahams. Immediately the men were gone, Abrahams and Langbridge rode to Mudgee, and reported the affair to senior-con-stable Campbell. The mounted police being absent, the senior-constable volunteered his services, and walked down to Langbridge's ; upon arrival there he was furnished with a horse, and they all started off together on the Guntawang road. Arriving at Langdell's public house, they saw a light in the house, and two horses fastened to the place with their saddles on ; Abrahams saw Miller in the bar, but as soon as they heard the horses they ran through the house, and getting out at the back door, made off into the bush : Campbell took their horses and swags. On Tuesday morning Campbell volunteered to go in pursuit ; he had reached about five miles out when his horse threw him ; he laid some time until medical assistance arrived, and on being conveyed to his home he died. We have known Campbell for many years, and a more deserving, honest, steady, well-con-ducted officer did not exist in the force; his death will be long felt in Mudgee. At the inquest the jury returned the following verdict—-" That Hugh Campbell came to his death on the 7th April, 1866, near Mudgee, from

the fall of a horse, while after bushrangers, in. the execution of his duty." At the same time expressing their regrot at the loss of such an efficient officer, and respectfully recommending his wife and family to the consideration of the Government.-— Mudgee Liberal, April 9,