TASMANIAN HISTORY. EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS Illustrated by a Sketch of the Career of Michael Howe, “The last and worst of the Bushrangers.” Written by J. E. Calder. Transcribed by Aidan Phelan. Introductory View of the State of the Country between 1813 and ’18. — I think that there are but few in theContinue reading “EARLY TROUBLES OF THE COLONISTS by J. E. Calder (Pt. 1)”
Tag Archives: James Calder
The Solitary Outlaw
“Being now unaccompanied by anyone, his solitary life in the woods must have been wearisome and wretched beyond expression, and to add to the misery of his situation, he was now often chased for his life by the black natives, as was proved by a kind of journal he kept, that was found in hisContinue reading “The Solitary Outlaw”
The Fight at the Fat Doe River
During the final months of his life in 1818, Michael Howe was pursued and almost captured by James McGill, nicknamed ‘big McGill’ and Musquito an aboriginal tracker from New South Wales, close to the Clyde, then called the Fat Doe River. After robbing a stockman’s hut of ammunition, clothing and food, Michael was tracked byContinue reading “The Fight at the Fat Doe River”
An Outlaw’s Code of Conduct
According to Thomas Seals, a free man who had been bailed up by Michael and his gang in 1816, he was told “If I would be a friend to them, they would reward me well…for they were fully determined to be like Turpin, to rob from the rich and give to the poor.” Further toContinue reading “An Outlaw’s Code of Conduct”
The Winter of 1818
During the harsh winter months of 1818, Michael Howe managed to survive by raiding remote stock huts for provisions and ammunition, but as was his way, even while as desperate and alone as he found himself, no violence was ever carried out and he only took what he “stood in need of”. According to JamesContinue reading “The Winter of 1818”
Michael Howe: Governor of the Woods 