CAPTAIN MOONLITE

by Robert Martin

The latter years of the 19th century were a time when gangs of bushrangers roamed the country, stealing gold and horses and seeking refuge among country people who often protected the outlaws from government troopers. Many bushrangers have been immortalised in song and legend, where the truth has often been conveniently overlooked.


Captain Moonlite (his own spelling) was one of Australia's most notorious outlaws. Born Andrew Scott in 1845 in Ireland, he led an incredible double life as a clergyman by day and a bushranger by night. He claimed to have been a mercenary soldier under Garibaldi in Italy, and also to have fought in the American Civil War (1861-1865).

Moonlite was arrested in 1872 for a bank robbery at Egerton, near Ballarat, and placed in the Ballarat Gaol. The sight of the newly-constructed bluestone gaol with its eight metre high walls would have deterred anyone but Moonlite lost no time in planning his escape.

REMAINS OF THE BALLARAT GAOL FRONT GATE AND WATCHTOWER (NOW ON THE UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT SMB CAMPUS) (PICTURE: RM)

The escape from Ballarat Gaol made headlines and Moonlite became famous. A week after his escape police located him in a bush hut. His trial took place at Ballarat on 24 July 1872 before Judge Sir Redmond Berry. It lasted eight days, and Moonlite was sentenced to ten years imprisonment plus one year, which included three months in irons, for escaping from gaol.

AN ORIGINAL HOLDING CELL AT THE FORMER BALLARAT GAOL - THE TYPE OF CELL CAPTAIN MOONLITE ESCAPED FROM.

NOW BURIED UNDER THE PRESENT UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (PICTURE: RM)

After his release, Moonlite formed a bushranging gang, and was involved in an attack on an undefended homestead - Wantabadgery station - east of Wagga in New South Wales. During this battle, a policeman was murdered. At his trial, the jury found Moonlite guilty, and, at 35 years old, was sentenced to death (along with another of his gang Thomas Rogan) by hanging.

Bushranging was a popular subject for the early film-makers in Australia, and "Moonlight, the Bushranger" was released in 1910.

Thirteen men were hanged at the old Ballarat Gaol, where seven still remained buried (although the whereabouts of their remains are unknown). It is believed that the men were buried upright and away from the setting sun.

A little bit of local folklore to contemplate: at Haddon (about 16 km south west of Ballarat) in Preston Hill Road, about 300 metres back from Wilson's Road, there could once be seen a mound of earth which designated the grave of Captain Moonlite's daughter, who was speared to death by the local aborigines. The story goes that afterwards, the aborigines would not return to the area as they believed it was haunted. This story was told to the owner of "Lightwood Park", Mr. Walker, many years ago.

NOTE:RM

In late 1999, the former head of Property Services at the University of Ballarat SMB TAFE Campus led a detailed tour for interested parties to the old gaol cell area underneath the present SMB Library. During this tour, a number of photos were taken by myself and others of areas of special interest - especially the area he identified as a holding cell (see photo above). The group was also shown the original building plans, but was advised that they did not necessarily reflect the actual practical usage after the building work had been completed.