23 June 1932

HIDDEN CRIME OF THE BUSH

Given His Father's Head To Eat

A sheep stealer's secret den in the Tantanoola scrub; a starving boy who, begging food from the blacks, was offered the head of his own father — these are some of the things which actually happened in South Australia.

Den In The Ti-Tree.

— There are two distinct versions of the story of the Tantanoola 'tiger.' The first relates to the real scare of the nineties, when a mysterious prowling beast roamed the country. The other is of a much later period, twenty-one years ago, and deals with one of the most remarkable sheep stealing cases in the records of South Australian crime. The tale which follows concerns this latter incident. It is recalled by Mr. L. A. Chant, of Prospect, on whose father's property the slaughtering of sheep took place.

For years there were stories that a tiger, said to have escaped from a circus, lived in the bush near Tantanoola. But the real 'tiger,' which was responsible over a long period for the loss of several hundreds of sheep, was not an animal, but a man. At one time or another dozens of people saw him, so they said.

For several seasons extraordinary thefts of sheep had taken place in the Tantanoola area. Some of the animals were probably driven over the border into Victoria and put in other flocks. Finally a dreadful stench led to an investigation being made.

In 1910, during the shearing, the 'tiger' was employed rolling wool with the late Mr. James Chant at Tantanoola. While employed there about two bales of wool were missed. This mystery was solved when one of the shearers was ordered to start binding the crop, and he cut into several bags of the best wool from the shed. The 'Tiger' was suspected, but no action could be taken.

The 'Tiger' started in a small way, but as time went on he became more daring. Several hundred sheep were slaughtered extending over a long period, including 57 in the last big kill during November, 1910. The trouble was that not a sign could be found anywhere in the district of where this extensive slaughtering was carried on. The very cunning measures adopted by the thief was exemplified by the fact that a valuable pony stallion and a fat bullock were shot a short distance from the den in order to account for the stench due to the slaughtering. Also, to allay suspicion, a tent was erected about half a mile from the ti-tree where he camped, to suggest that he was engaged in trapping rabbits, and a number of traps were set about the camp.

The den was accidentally discovered by two brothers, who were out shooting on the Lake Bonney flats. It was situated about seven miles south of Tantanoola, in dense ti-tree scrub. The entrance was cunningly hidden from outside by a dense clump of ti-tree. Behind this a narrow path was cut into a slaughtering yard 8 to 10 yards square, hewn out of the thick scrub. A small shed made out of bushes contained the wool plucked from the carcases, and the skins were dried on wires suspended across the yard. On one side of the ward a loaded .303 rifle was kept in readiness, presumably, for use against probable intruders. A similar yard was constructed a few chains distant. The mystery was definitely cleared up by the arrest of the 'Tiger' by Detective Allchurch at the close of 1910. — Colin H. Chant.

Cannibals On The West Coast.

— Close on 80 years ago Lipson, on the West Coast, was dense scrub. Steamers called only once in three months, and sometimes less frequently. The place was over-run by blacks. A man Billy Bray, who had taken up a small holding, got lost in the scrub near the farm owned today by Mr. Frank Potter. A search was made by a son, aged about 16 years. After a long hunt he came on a camp of aborigines. They were holding a corroboree and seemed particularly pleased to see him. Being tired and hungry after his search of a day and a night, young Bray made signs that he wanted food. The blacks had just eaten a big feed, which they had cooked in an oven made of clay. They made signs to the lad to help himself. Lifting the lid of the oven, he was horrified to see his father's head. The blacks had feasted on the body and were cooking the head for the dogs. The boy made a bolt for the scrub, and was lost for two days, when he was found by some travelling stockmen and taken home to his mother.

— A. J. Hibberd, Torrensville.

[This horrendous story needs to be treated with considerable skepticism. - Ed]

A Fortunate Family Flare-up.

— Patrick Shiete, the first Millicent policeman, left his affianced bride in Ireland when he came to this country. Later he sent for her. Her mother objected to her going so far away, and manifested her displeasure in such a marked manner that the young woman relented, and cancelled her passage by the S.S. London. She always congratulated herself that she did, for the vessel foundered in the Bay of Biscay, and there were few of the passengers or crew saved. — 'Tanta Tyga,' Millicent.

Earthquake Of 35 Years Ago.

— During 1897, the only known South Australian earthquake of any severity was experienced, the most pronounced effects being centred in the South-East. At the time Australia was in the throes of drought, and on the day preceding the first tremor, churches all over the Commonwealth had united in prayers for rain.

The first shock, which occurred at 2.27 p.m. on Monday, May 10, was most severe. Some of the tremors were accompanied by deep subterranean rumblings, and many of the residents of Robe were, at first, under the impression that the boilers of the local canning works had burst. The teacher of the Robe State school (Mr. J. C. Noak) rushed to the schoolroom door to release the children. The door jammed, and he tore the skin from his hands before it was finally opened. Then he stood inside the doorway until every child had filed out to safety. After the last child was out of the building Mr. Noak went through falling plaster into the second room of the school to ascertain that nobody had been left. The school still bears a number of cracks as reminders of the occasion.

Considerable damage was done throughout the South-East. Many houses had to be practically rebuilt. Fresh water springs appeared in most unlikely places, and in many instances spurted several feet in the air. Huge quantities of white sand, rocks, and clay were thrown up, and large trees were uprooted. Macadamised roads were cracked in many places, and around several of the Robe lakes, huge cracks appeared, many of which are still in evidence. At Cape Jaffa light house a large portion of the reef, on which the structure is erected, disappeared, and the revolving mechanism of the light was damaged. The three keepers had an exciting but unenviable experience, nevertheless the sequence of the flashes, made by hand, appeared as regularly as when operated mechanically. — A. H. Bairoman, Robe.

Umpire's Hard Lot.

— Reading of the fight in Sydney in 1879 during a cricket match between the late Lord Harris's English eleven and New South Wales, has recalled to my mind an episode at Auburn in the early eighties.

The mise-en-scene was the Auburn cricket ground, situated in those days on a wide common between the main township and East Auburn. The characters were the Clare team (always a good combination), and its generally losing opponents, the local eleven. On this occasion Auburn was at its strongest for many years, and the juvenile admirers, present in full force shared the confidence of the elders.

The Auburn captain won the toss, and the stylish batsman who always opened our innings began. His partner was of the stonewall type and a foundation was being laid for a score that would have tested the visitors closely. When all was going merrily a close run was made, and the Auburn champion was given out by the Clare umpire.

In those benighted days each side had its own umpire. A yell broke almost unanimously from the ordinarily respectable crowd, 'Not out, not out.' In the midst of the hubbub the batsman, who had been adjudged 'run out' quietly sat on his bat and said he had no intention of going out!

In less than ten minutes a little 'Donnybrook fair' threatened. The visitors refused to go on unless the umpire's decision was upheld. The batsman stubbornly refused. Arguments waxed fierce and the harassed visiting umpire gave the lie direct, to a local youth who told him he knew the player was not out. Thereupon the young fellow lost his temper and struck the official. With the tact which always distinguished him, the Auburn police trooper calmed the excited youth, curbed the visitor's anger, and stopped the developing fight. In the calm light of sober years we can see that our heroes of that day were wrong, and that our visitors were justified if they thought we were ''no sports." — 'Sexagenarian,' Prospect.

Cure for Love-sickness.

— Many years ago there lived on a farm near Hamilton a young man, who we will call Walter. He was very much in love with a young lady whose name was Mary. Walter could not make much progress with his love making as she had other admirers. Walter noticed they all wore moustaches, and he came to the conclusion that if he only had a moustache he would have as good a chance as they.

One day as his employer's wife was going to Kapunda, he asked her if she would go to the chemist and get something to make whiskers grow. On her way she met her brother-in-law, a farmer, who lived nearby. She told him about Walter's whiskers. 'Leave it to me,' he said, 'I'll fix him. Send him to my place after tea.'

When Mrs. -- arrived home. Walter, anxiously enquired if she had got the whisker grower. 'No, she replied, but Mr. Blank is going to get it for you.' After tea Walter hurried to Blank's place. Farmer Blank's knowledge of chemistry was rather limited, but with a little lard and another ingredient from the cow yard, he mixed an ointment in a little box, with directions for use, and charged 1/-. Walter applied the mixture faithfully for a fortnight, and considered his moustache had improved.

He wrote a letter to the young lady making an appointment. Mary showed the letter to her mother and another young man, whose name was Bill. It was arranged that Bill was to dress as a woman and meet Walter. The lads from Hamilton got to hear of it, and hid behind the hedge to see how Bill got on. Walter was there punctually and took 'Mary's' arm. They proceeded down the road, and Walter wanted a kiss. His love making eventually got too ardent for Bill, and gathering up his skirts he got for his life. The boys behind the hedge pelted Walter with rotten eggs. Walter next day asked for his money and left. He was never heard of afterwards. — 'Hamiltonian,' Hamilton.

Old Macclesfield Brewery.

— I wonder how many visitors to Macclesfleld know the romantic story of the old brewery. In the early days Macclesfield held a prominent position in the eyes of the new settlers. Mr. Henry Lewis, the owner of the brewery, secured first prize and a gold medal against exhibitors from all parts of the world in the London Exhibition for best bottled beer. The medal is still in possession of members of the family. For many years it lay locked in the strong safe of the Gresham Hotel, Adelaide. Again in 1881 when Conigrave Bros, owned the brewery they were awarded a first prize at the Adelaide exhibition for bottled beer.

Situated on the brink of the River Angas, where the spring bubbles up from the ground, and being in the centre of the township, the brewery did a brisk business. Mr. Davenport brought out willow trees from Napoleon's grave at St. Helena, and planted them along the river. These trees, now flourishing, fringe the bank of the Angas from below the old brewery, through the centre of the town. They provide a lovely background and welcome shade for the new swimming pool.

In those days Macclesfield was a busy village. The brewery changed hands several times. Various owners were Mr. H. Lewis, Messrs. Landseer, Bryan & Dunk, Conigrave Bros., Messrs. H. Mott and Wade, Dancker Bros. (Mr. W. H. Dancker still resides in Macclesfield close to the site of the brewery), Messrs. Wigg, Beaver and Clare.

The original plant was six hogsheads, increased later to 25 hogshead. Despite improvements, the coming of the railway through the south killed the trade. The owners decided to remove to Kent Town. The abandoned brewery was converted into a butter factory. Today, very little of the original building remains. — 'M.J.B.,' Macclesfield.

Lawyer's Latin.

— In the early days of Millicent one of the farmer's troubles was Californian lucern in early sown crops. The rank growth choked the crops, though a fair proportion did not spoil them, but rather improved the produce if it was intended for chaff. Some years later an article was boomed as King Island lucern. Eventually it was discovered that King Island lucern and Californian lucern were one and the same. The sittings therefore were saved from the thresher, and offered under the newer name. One farmer who had a fair quantity, submitted a sample to an agent, who purchased a quantity that ran into £70. He could find no sale for it in the immediate district, for no one wanted the home-grown 'Californian lucern.' He refused to pay for it. Eventually the case came before the local court. Defendant's lawyer in cross-examination asked the plaintiff. 'Is this stuff Melilotus parviflora?' Plaintiff replied, 'I don't know what you call it in lawyer's Latin; we call it Californian lucern.' As the seed had been sold 'on sample' the plaintiff won the case, but that was all the satisfaction he got out of it. — Tanta Tyga, Millicent.