Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/103

94 “The gang consisted of Vane, Bow, Fordyce, Peisley, Manns, Lowrie, Burke, Dunn, O’Meally, Ben Hall, and Gilbert.

“Vane, who surrendered through the instrumentality of Father M‘Carthy, was sentenced to fifteen years; he had been guilty of three mail robberies and three other robberies under arms.

“Bow and Fordyce were sentenced to death, which was afterwards commuted to fifteen years’ penal servitude; they had each been guilty of one mail robbery.

“Peisley, who had been guilty of one murder, three mail robberies, and five robberies under arms, altogether nine, was convicted and executed.

“Manns was guilty of one mail robbery, convicted, and executed.

“Lowrie, of one mail robbery and two robberies under arms, was shot dead at Goulburn by Senior-sergeant Stephenson.

“Burke, of two mail robberies and three under arms, was shot dead by Mr. Keightley, gold commissioner, whose house, near Rockley, Gilbert and gang were attacking. Mr. Keightley surrendered, and Vane, one of the bushrangers, was about to deliberately shoot him to avenge the death of Burke, when Mrs. Keightley and a woman servant rushed in between them. After much petitioning on the part of the women the gang agreed to spare Mr. Keightley on condition of the payment of a ransom of £500. This was paid, and he was released.

“O’Meally, one murder, nine highway robberies, and seventeen other robberies under arms, was shot by Mr. Campbell while attacking his house at Goimbla, in company with Gilbert and Hall.

“Ben Hall was accessory to two murders, and he also committed sixty-four robberies under arms, was shot by Sub-inspector Davidson on a plain near the Billabong, about twelve miles from Forbes. On Friday morning, the 5th of May, Sub-inspector Davidson and a party of police surprised him in the act of catching his horse, about twelve 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 still continued to run in the direction of the scrub, but on reaching it was confronted by four or five troopers posted there, who fired simultaneously, almost every shot hitting him. Hall, unable to proceed any further, laid hold of a sapling to support himself, but speedily loosened his hold, and fell to the ground, exclaiming—‘I’m wounded—shoot me dead!’ He died a few seconds afterwards. Thus died Ben Hall, who, with his associates, Gilbert and Dunn, committed among them six murders, and no end of robberies, with or without violence. He was born at Breeza, Liverpool Plains, in February 1837.