Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899)(about) |
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Tuesday 14 June 1870
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CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGER POWER. The Victorian papers to hand by the Derwent give particulars of the capture of this notorious bushranger who has for so long a period defied the viligance of the police. Super- intendent Nicolson, Superintendent Hare, and Sergeant Montford had been out for some days penetrating into the districts where it was known that Power managed to secrete himself. For seven days and seven nights these police officers had been out on the search. About half-past seven on last Sun- day morning, Nicolson, Hare, and Mont- fort, upon reconnoitering a gully, at the top of a very high range, some fifty miles from Wangaratta, nearly due south, discovered a log floored gunyah, and in it the bushranger, lying perfectly unconscious of the fate that waited on him. Superintendent Nicolson, crept into the gunyah on all fours, and pounced down upon his prize, muzzling him in such a manner that he could do no mischief. Before Power could reach his gun and revolvers, which were lying under his blanket, Nicolson succeeded in dragging him out of the hut, outside which Superintendent Hare and Sergeant Montford were standing ready for whatever turn affairs might take. Immediately Power saw the other two police officers he at once caved in, but, at the same time expressed his regret that he had not a chance of riddling them. Last night the officers lodged their prisoner in the Wangaratta lock-up. The precise spot at which the capture was effected lies between the head of the King River and Mansfield, and is a place that well suited the highwayman from which to make his predatory excursions. With Power in custody in Victoria, and Thunderbolt shot dead in Now South Wales, buasbranging will receive its coup de grace. Power had built for himself the bark gunyah, and, being provided with money, had managed to procure sufficient to sustain life, from some one or other of the scattered stations in the neighbourhood. Power was brought up on Monday morning at the Wangaratta Police Court, and charged with highway robbery. He pleaded guilty to the charge, and was committed for trial. Power was then removed to Beechworth Gaol. It is not at all improbable that he may be brought down to Melbourne for trial at the Supreme Court Criminal Sittings. On his arrival at Beechworth, Power took off his hat and said "Good day," to the people who crowded to the entrance of the gaol. He thanked the police for the treatment he had received since his capture. He did not appear at all downcast at the serious position his crimes had placed him in, but assumed an air of bravado, and said he was sorry he was taken so easily.