TIMELINE: 1868
1868:
The eccentric "Dr Pearson" appeared in Mooribee, near Walgett.
Sept: "Dr Pearson" befriended young stockman known as Charley Rutherford. Rutherford abruptly gave his notice to his employer Mr Wilson and set off with Frank Pearson, taking a horse of Wilson's for his mate.
Sept 29:
Sept: they stole two horses from Ledknapper Springs
Oct 4: they arrived at the Warrego
Oct 5: Pearson and Rutherford stole 2 horses from Mr Zouch and Mr McNall, managers of Belalie Station, between Eringonia and the QLD
border. That night they camped overnight at 'The Tank' near William Shearer's Inn at Eringonia.
Oct 6:
Oct 7:
Oct 9: Sgt Cleary visited McCabe and he appeared to be recovering.
Oct 11: McCabe's wound started bleeding and he took a turn for the worse. Over the ensuing weeks the wound turned yellow then black and
he became paralysed down one side.
Nov 1, 4:30am: Senior Constable John McCabe died.
Dec 20: Sgt Cleary received word that Pearson had held up a homestead on the Darling River. He had been raiding the district and held up a
number of stations. By this time he and Rutherford had split up. Cleary set out in pursuit.
Dec 23: Cleary, Constable Johns and some trackers arrived at Gundabooka, where Pearson had been seen by the owner John Thomas Smith
the previous night. The police spotted Pearson and shots were fired but Pearson escaped into the ranges
Dec 25: The police found Pearson hiding in a cave. He was desperate with hunger and thirst, he was almost naked and he was riddled with bull ant bites. On his capture, Pearson claimed to be 'Rutherford, Thunderbolt's mate' but soon changed his story. He gave his name as Frank Pearson and claimed to be a doctor. Cleary took him back to the Bourke police station. The district doctor there recognised him as 'Arnold', a former inmate of Cockatoo Island prison.
Dec 28: Pearson was brought before the Justices of the Peace at Bourke. He was remanded until 4 January, and again later until 20 January.
Sources:
Newspapers
(1868, Nov 2). Brisbane Courier, p.2, 3
A notable individual. (1887, May 16). Morning Bulletin, p.6
Bushranging. (1868, Nov 28). The Queenslander, p.7
Bushranging on the Darling. (1869, Jan 15), South Australian Register, p.3
Bushranging in the Northwest. (1868, Oct 31). Empire, p. 2.
Bushranging on the Darling. (1869, Jan 11). South Australian Advertiser, p.3
Chase and capture of famous outlaw: how 'Starlight' was taken: Sergeant's story. (1912, Feb 28). Globe, p. 3.
Chasing bushrangers: retired police Sergeant's career. (1912, Feb 22). Evening News, p. 10.
Death of Senior-Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 19). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Encounter with bushrangers. (1868, Nov 19). The Argus, p.7.
Encounter with bushrangers: Senior-Constable McCabe shot. (1868, Oct 20). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Sticking up. (1868, Oct 13). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.3
Story of a pioneer: career of ex-senior Sergeant Cleary. (1912, February 22). Freeman's Journal, p. 33.
The capture of Rutherford. (1869, Jan 13). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5.
The Capture of Rutherford. Sergeant Cleary’s evidence. (1869, Jan 12). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p.4
The capture of Rutherford, the bushranger. (1869, Jan 7). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 4.
The Darling bushrangers. (1869, Jan 11). South Australian Register, p.2
The Encounter between the bushrangers and Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 12). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5.
The murderers of Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 20). The Empire, pp. 2,3.
The Warrego bushranging encounter. Reliable particulars. (1868, Oct 27). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Thunderbolt and his mate. (1868, Oct 27). The Empire, p.2
Books
McCarthy, P. (1972). Starlight: the man and the myth. Melbourne: Hawthorne Press.
Newland, S. (1926). Memoirs of Simpson Newland, C.M.G., sometime treasurer of South Australia. Adelaide: F.W. Preece.
Police Gazettes
(1868, Oct 21). NSW Police Gazette, p. 312.
Murder. (1868, Dec 2). NSW Police Gazette, p. 350. Back to top
The eccentric "Dr Pearson" appeared in Mooribee, near Walgett.
Sept: "Dr Pearson" befriended young stockman known as Charley Rutherford. Rutherford abruptly gave his notice to his employer Mr Wilson and set off with Frank Pearson, taking a horse of Wilson's for his mate.
Sept 29:
- they robbed Angledool Station, taking a revolver. Pearson claimed to be Captain Thunderbolt
- they robbed customers at Gideon's Inn, making off with only £4
Sept: they stole two horses from Ledknapper Springs
Oct 4: they arrived at the Warrego
Oct 5: Pearson and Rutherford stole 2 horses from Mr Zouch and Mr McNall, managers of Belalie Station, between Eringonia and the QLD
border. That night they camped overnight at 'The Tank' near William Shearer's Inn at Eringonia.
Oct 6:
- Senior Constable John McCabe and Constable Hugh McManus arrived at the inn. They had been searching for the bushrangers and came to the inn for refreshments. Pearson and Rutherford, unaware that police were there, burst into the inn and demanded that the customers 'Bail up'. A shoot-out ensued and McCabe was wounded. Pearson was also shot in the wrist and shoulder. While McManus tended his fallen colleague, Pearson and Rutherford fled.
- After the shoot-out, the bushrangers stole horses and supplies from Belalie station and made their escape.
- Belalie managers Zouch and McNall volunteered to help and rode out with McManus in pursuit.
Oct 7:
- Dr Thomas Edward George Roberts arrived at the inn from Bourke to attend to the stricken McCabe. He was accompanied by Bourke policemen Senior Sergeant Andrew Cleary and Constable Tobias Johns. Dr Roberts found McCabe in good spirits.
- Having ridden through the night, the bushrangers arrived at Yantabulla, where they took fresh horses.
- Zouch and McNall gave up the search to return to the station, while McManus continued his pursuit along the Paroo River
Oct 9: Sgt Cleary visited McCabe and he appeared to be recovering.
Oct 11: McCabe's wound started bleeding and he took a turn for the worse. Over the ensuing weeks the wound turned yellow then black and
he became paralysed down one side.
Nov 1, 4:30am: Senior Constable John McCabe died.
Dec 20: Sgt Cleary received word that Pearson had held up a homestead on the Darling River. He had been raiding the district and held up a
number of stations. By this time he and Rutherford had split up. Cleary set out in pursuit.
Dec 23: Cleary, Constable Johns and some trackers arrived at Gundabooka, where Pearson had been seen by the owner John Thomas Smith
the previous night. The police spotted Pearson and shots were fired but Pearson escaped into the ranges
Dec 25: The police found Pearson hiding in a cave. He was desperate with hunger and thirst, he was almost naked and he was riddled with bull ant bites. On his capture, Pearson claimed to be 'Rutherford, Thunderbolt's mate' but soon changed his story. He gave his name as Frank Pearson and claimed to be a doctor. Cleary took him back to the Bourke police station. The district doctor there recognised him as 'Arnold', a former inmate of Cockatoo Island prison.
Dec 28: Pearson was brought before the Justices of the Peace at Bourke. He was remanded until 4 January, and again later until 20 January.
Sources:
Newspapers
(1868, Nov 2). Brisbane Courier, p.2, 3
A notable individual. (1887, May 16). Morning Bulletin, p.6
Bushranging. (1868, Nov 28). The Queenslander, p.7
Bushranging on the Darling. (1869, Jan 15), South Australian Register, p.3
Bushranging in the Northwest. (1868, Oct 31). Empire, p. 2.
Bushranging on the Darling. (1869, Jan 11). South Australian Advertiser, p.3
Chase and capture of famous outlaw: how 'Starlight' was taken: Sergeant's story. (1912, Feb 28). Globe, p. 3.
Chasing bushrangers: retired police Sergeant's career. (1912, Feb 22). Evening News, p. 10.
Death of Senior-Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 19). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Encounter with bushrangers. (1868, Nov 19). The Argus, p.7.
Encounter with bushrangers: Senior-Constable McCabe shot. (1868, Oct 20). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Sticking up. (1868, Oct 13). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.3
Story of a pioneer: career of ex-senior Sergeant Cleary. (1912, February 22). Freeman's Journal, p. 33.
The capture of Rutherford. (1869, Jan 13). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5.
The Capture of Rutherford. Sergeant Cleary’s evidence. (1869, Jan 12). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p.4
The capture of Rutherford, the bushranger. (1869, Jan 7). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 4.
The Darling bushrangers. (1869, Jan 11). South Australian Register, p.2
The Encounter between the bushrangers and Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 12). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 5.
The murderers of Constable McCabe. (1868, Nov 20). The Empire, pp. 2,3.
The Warrego bushranging encounter. Reliable particulars. (1868, Oct 27). Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Thunderbolt and his mate. (1868, Oct 27). The Empire, p.2
Books
McCarthy, P. (1972). Starlight: the man and the myth. Melbourne: Hawthorne Press.
Newland, S. (1926). Memoirs of Simpson Newland, C.M.G., sometime treasurer of South Australia. Adelaide: F.W. Preece.
Police Gazettes
(1868, Oct 21). NSW Police Gazette, p. 312.
Murder. (1868, Dec 2). NSW Police Gazette, p. 350. Back to top
TIMELINE 1869-1884
1869
Jan 20: Committal hearing at Bourke Courthouse
May 5: Trial at Bathurst Circuit Court.
May 11: Pearson wrote a 'confession' and signed it 'Charles Henry Pearson'
June 21: Pearson's sentence was commuted to life, with the first 3 years to be spent in leg irons.
July 16: Pearson was involved in a failed escape attempt from Bathurst Gaol
late July?: Pearson was removed to Berrima Gaol for the first part of his sentence - spent in isolation
1870
July 22: Pearson was taken from Berrima Gaol to Parramatta Gaol
1871
July 8: Pearson attempted suicide by cutting his throat
July 10: Dr George Hogarth Pringle examined him and decided that Pearson was insane
July 20: Doctors Manning and Wardley assessed that Pearson was not mad. They put him under observation and subjected him to treatments such as Galvanism.
Sept 8: Drs Pringle and Wardley concluded that Pearson was, after all, 'insane'
Oct 4: Pearson was admitted to Parramatta Lunatic Asylum. He was melancholy and obstinately silent.
Oct 10: Dr Wardley requested that Pearson's irons be removed as they were a source of humiliation for him
Oct 17: Pearson's irons were removed
1872
Feb 20: Pearson cut his own throat in another suicide attempt
June 18: Pearson violently attacked another inmate, Thomas Baird
Nov 11: The doctors found him 'cured' and recommended Pearson's removal to gaol. Pearson begged not to be sent to Parramatta Gaol.
Nov 13: Pearson was returned to Parramatta Gaol
Late Dec/early Jan 1873: Pearson was removed to Darlinghurst Gaol.
1873-1884: Darlinghurst Gaol
1873: Pearson, with fellow-inmate Henry Louis Bertrand, the 'Demon Dentist', made the stained-glass windows in the chapel at
Darlinghurst Gaol.
1877, Feb 4: Pearson assaulted prisoner William Henry Thomas and was placed under observation for 5 days in consequence
1880, 27 March: Pearson caught sending letters over the prison wall and in possession of tobacco
1882: Father Garvey took up the position of Roman Catholic Chaplain at Darlinghurst Gaol. Pearson had the job of assisting him. Father Garvey believed in Pearson's reform and campaigned for his release.
1883/4: Senior Sergeant Andrew Cleary visited Pearson in Gaol.
1884, April 26: Pearson was released from Gaol.
Sources:
Newspapers
Attempt to break out of Bathurst Gaol. (1869, July 24). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 4.
Attempt to break out of Bathurst Gaol. (1869, July 27). Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, p.2
Attempted outbreak at Bathurst Gaol. (1869, Aug 5). Illustrated Sydney News, p. 8.
Attempted suicide in Parramatta Gaol. (1871, July 11). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Bathurst Circuit Court. (1869, May 11). Sydney Morning Herald, p.2
Bourke: Police court. (1869, Jan 30). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 6.
Capital sentence – execution delayed. (1869, June 17). Sydney Morning Herald, p.4
Commutation of sentences. (1869, July 2). Empire, p. 2
New church, built by prisoners. (1918, Aug 13). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 6.
New South Wales; Sydney, Saturday. (1871, July 15). The Australasian, p.15
Parramatta: Friday, 10pm. (1871, July 8). Evening News, p.2
The condemned convicts. (1869, June 17). The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser, p. 2.
NSW State Archives
NSW State Archives. Supreme Court Depositions, Bathurst May 1869, 9/6524
NSW State Archives: Executive Council; NRS 4232; Minute books [Executive Council], Reel 2447, 1869
NSW State Archives: Attorney General and Justice; NRS 333; Special bundles; Commutation of death sentences, 1856-75 [5/7702], Reel 2227
NSW State Archives: Colonial Secretary; NRS 906, Special bundles [Colonial Secretary]; item number 69/4192
NSW State Archives: Colonial Secretary; NRS 906, Special bundles [Colonial Secretary]; items 72/1720, 71/7635, 70/4538, 72/10091
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2138, Photographic description books [Darlinghurst Gaol], reel 5133, 1873 Frank Pearson no. 254 p. 251
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2182, Punishment books [Darlinghurst Gaol]; container 5/1781
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2182, Punishment books, [Darlinghurst Gaol], 1867-1898, [5/2205] Container 5/2205, 4 Feb 1877
NSW State Archives: Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5082, Case papers (criminal) [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre] ; Frank Pearson 1871-1873 ; container 12/1735
NSW State Archives: Parramatta Gaol; Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 2384, Copies of letters sent [Parramatta Gaol]
NSW State Archives Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5113, Medical case books [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre] ; Frank Pearson, Container 6/5353
NSW State Archives Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5091, Record of males admitted [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre]; Frank Pearson, container 4/8259
Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia, Potts Point NSW.
Album of paintings and drawings by Captain Starlight (Frank Pearson) (reproduction), 1884 (MUS/1990/44)
Biography of Sr Gertrude Davis, 1848-1910 written by Sr Catherine O'Carrigan (3/17/5 (3) )
Reminiscences of Sisters of Charity including prison ministry and school memories written by former students and RSCs, ”The prisoners of Darlinghurst Gaol”. (Acc 450/5)
Books
Beck, D. (2005). Hope in hell: a history of Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Bradshaw, Jack (1924). Highway robbery under arms without shedding blood ; and, Twenty years of prison life in the gaols of N.S.W. Worker Trustees, Sydney
McCarthy, P. (1972). Starlight: the man and the myth. Melbourne: Hawthorne Press. Back to top
Jan 20: Committal hearing at Bourke Courthouse
May 5: Trial at Bathurst Circuit Court.
- Judge Mr Faucett
- Defence: Mr Julian Emanuel Salomons
- Prosecution: Mr Edward Butler
- Verdict: guilty
- Sentence: death by hanging
May 11: Pearson wrote a 'confession' and signed it 'Charles Henry Pearson'
June 21: Pearson's sentence was commuted to life, with the first 3 years to be spent in leg irons.
July 16: Pearson was involved in a failed escape attempt from Bathurst Gaol
late July?: Pearson was removed to Berrima Gaol for the first part of his sentence - spent in isolation
1870
July 22: Pearson was taken from Berrima Gaol to Parramatta Gaol
1871
July 8: Pearson attempted suicide by cutting his throat
July 10: Dr George Hogarth Pringle examined him and decided that Pearson was insane
July 20: Doctors Manning and Wardley assessed that Pearson was not mad. They put him under observation and subjected him to treatments such as Galvanism.
Sept 8: Drs Pringle and Wardley concluded that Pearson was, after all, 'insane'
Oct 4: Pearson was admitted to Parramatta Lunatic Asylum. He was melancholy and obstinately silent.
Oct 10: Dr Wardley requested that Pearson's irons be removed as they were a source of humiliation for him
Oct 17: Pearson's irons were removed
1872
Feb 20: Pearson cut his own throat in another suicide attempt
June 18: Pearson violently attacked another inmate, Thomas Baird
Nov 11: The doctors found him 'cured' and recommended Pearson's removal to gaol. Pearson begged not to be sent to Parramatta Gaol.
Nov 13: Pearson was returned to Parramatta Gaol
Late Dec/early Jan 1873: Pearson was removed to Darlinghurst Gaol.
1873-1884: Darlinghurst Gaol
1873: Pearson, with fellow-inmate Henry Louis Bertrand, the 'Demon Dentist', made the stained-glass windows in the chapel at
Darlinghurst Gaol.
1877, Feb 4: Pearson assaulted prisoner William Henry Thomas and was placed under observation for 5 days in consequence
1880, 27 March: Pearson caught sending letters over the prison wall and in possession of tobacco
1882: Father Garvey took up the position of Roman Catholic Chaplain at Darlinghurst Gaol. Pearson had the job of assisting him. Father Garvey believed in Pearson's reform and campaigned for his release.
1883/4: Senior Sergeant Andrew Cleary visited Pearson in Gaol.
1884, April 26: Pearson was released from Gaol.
Sources:
Newspapers
Attempt to break out of Bathurst Gaol. (1869, July 24). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 4.
Attempt to break out of Bathurst Gaol. (1869, July 27). Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser, p.2
Attempted outbreak at Bathurst Gaol. (1869, Aug 5). Illustrated Sydney News, p. 8.
Attempted suicide in Parramatta Gaol. (1871, July 11). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p.2
Bathurst Circuit Court. (1869, May 11). Sydney Morning Herald, p.2
Bourke: Police court. (1869, Jan 30). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, p. 6.
Capital sentence – execution delayed. (1869, June 17). Sydney Morning Herald, p.4
Commutation of sentences. (1869, July 2). Empire, p. 2
New church, built by prisoners. (1918, Aug 13). Sydney Morning Herald, p. 6.
New South Wales; Sydney, Saturday. (1871, July 15). The Australasian, p.15
Parramatta: Friday, 10pm. (1871, July 8). Evening News, p.2
The condemned convicts. (1869, June 17). The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser, p. 2.
NSW State Archives
NSW State Archives. Supreme Court Depositions, Bathurst May 1869, 9/6524
NSW State Archives: Executive Council; NRS 4232; Minute books [Executive Council], Reel 2447, 1869
NSW State Archives: Attorney General and Justice; NRS 333; Special bundles; Commutation of death sentences, 1856-75 [5/7702], Reel 2227
NSW State Archives: Colonial Secretary; NRS 906, Special bundles [Colonial Secretary]; item number 69/4192
NSW State Archives: Colonial Secretary; NRS 906, Special bundles [Colonial Secretary]; items 72/1720, 71/7635, 70/4538, 72/10091
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2138, Photographic description books [Darlinghurst Gaol], reel 5133, 1873 Frank Pearson no. 254 p. 251
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2182, Punishment books [Darlinghurst Gaol]; container 5/1781
NSW State Archives: Darlinghurst Gaol; NRS 2182, Punishment books, [Darlinghurst Gaol], 1867-1898, [5/2205] Container 5/2205, 4 Feb 1877
NSW State Archives: Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5082, Case papers (criminal) [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre] ; Frank Pearson 1871-1873 ; container 12/1735
NSW State Archives: Parramatta Gaol; Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 2384, Copies of letters sent [Parramatta Gaol]
NSW State Archives Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5113, Medical case books [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre] ; Frank Pearson, Container 6/5353
NSW State Archives Parramatta Hospital for the Insane; NRS 5091, Record of males admitted [Parramatta Psychiatric Centre]; Frank Pearson, container 4/8259
Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia, Potts Point NSW.
Album of paintings and drawings by Captain Starlight (Frank Pearson) (reproduction), 1884 (MUS/1990/44)
Biography of Sr Gertrude Davis, 1848-1910 written by Sr Catherine O'Carrigan (3/17/5 (3) )
Reminiscences of Sisters of Charity including prison ministry and school memories written by former students and RSCs, ”The prisoners of Darlinghurst Gaol”. (Acc 450/5)
Books
Beck, D. (2005). Hope in hell: a history of Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Bradshaw, Jack (1924). Highway robbery under arms without shedding blood ; and, Twenty years of prison life in the gaols of N.S.W. Worker Trustees, Sydney
McCarthy, P. (1972). Starlight: the man and the myth. Melbourne: Hawthorne Press. Back to top
