The Bush Detective

The Bush Detective

By

Pat Ritter

First published by Pat Ritter in 2019. Copyright © Pat Ritter. Publishing printing rights held by Pat Ritter. The author takes no responsibility for how the reader might apply the ideas contained in this book.

This publication remains the copyright property of the author, may not be reproduced, copied nor distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoy reading this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy, where they can also discover further works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Acknowledgements:

Front and back covers. I want to express my gratitude to Melissa Smith who has done a great job. If you want Melissa to create your next book cover. I highly recommend you do. She can be contacted on melissasmithbooks@hotmail.com.

I thank Rae Boulter for being my beta reader. Much appreciated for your honest feedback.

AUTHORS NOTE:

I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Allan Honor; his wife Lynne Honor for allowing me to use their names as characters in this story. I worked with Allan many years whilst we were police officers in Queensland Police Service. Allan retired as Assistant Commissioner.

When I thought of a character to play ‘The Bush Detective’ Allan entered my mind. I telephoned Allan, explained my thoughts to him. Allan agreed to be the character ‘The Bush Detective’ in this novel. Thank you, Allan on accepting this important role. I wanted a female character. Lynne Honor accepted this role. Thank you, Lynne and Allan, for accepting these roles.

The first story is based on a true criminal investigation taken ‘From The Vault’ – ‘I shot her alright’. The murder of Catherine Smith, 1907. This information has been supplied by Queensland Police Museum licensed under a Creative Common Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia License. I received permission to use information in this article. Third investigation written from personal experience. Final investigation ‘Murder In Charleville’ did not happen in Charleville Australia: happened in Charleville Ireland around the same period. I’ve used characters from the story ‘Murder In Charleville’.

Story Thus Far:

The Shearer’:

‘The Shearer’ is the first book in 'Outback Australia' series. Set in 1891. Scene ‘The Great Shearers Strike’. Major character Joe Ryan who fought for better working conditions and wages for his fellow shearers.

1890 Joe Ryan met his friend Joe Gibson, a fellow shearer to help fight for better working conditions and wages.

During the strike, graziers wouldn’t permit ‘striking shearers’ to shear their sheep. Contracted shearers were those who held a ‘non-union ticket to shear’ only hired by graziers. Joe Gibson held this ticket.

At the height of ‘Great Shearers Strike of 1891’ Joe Ryan gathered his shearers to strike on the outskirts of Cunnamulla. Four months they survived until police intervened to stop the strike. Joe Gibson met his friend Joe Ryan on the final day at the strike camp before police arrived. They exchanged clothing and personal items. Joe Gibson took Joe Ryan’s place. The story continues:

‘Click Go The Shears’:

‘Click Go The Shears’ is the second book in 'Outback Australia' series. Follow-on from ‘The Shearer’. Joe Ryan who has the identity of Joe Gibson escaped capture whilst Joe Gibson takes the place of Joe Ryan to be tried for leading the strikers. Thirteen strikers appeared in court. Each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for their part. Joe Ryan (Gibson) served his imprisonment at St Helen Island Prison in Moreton Bay.

At the end of his prison term both Joes meet at Barcaldine (original town where strike occurred) to return to their own identities. Joe Gibson returned to Cunnamulla met Hannah Young who still resided with Ma at her boarding house. Joe and Hannah fell in love. They marry. Hannah’s father gifted his property ‘Tilbaroo Station’ to them for their wedding gift. The story continues:

‘Tilbaroo Station’

‘Tilbaroo Station’ is the third book in 'Outback Australia' series. Joe discovers an artisan bore on ‘Tilbaroo Station’. Nat wants his nine remaining properties to have bores. The only person who divined for water is deceased. By accident Hannah discovers a student in her class, ten-year-old Ryan Carlson who discovers water on Nat’s property.

Underground artisan water is discovered in 1897. Ryan’s father, Todd Carlson, Chief Engineer for Queensland Railway Department employed to build the rail link from Charleville to Cunnamulla has been selected by The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA to oversee the bores established in the region. A committee is formed with Joe Gibson, Nat Young being members of the committee. Todd Carlson, Chairman.

By the end of 1898 a newly constructed Cunnamulla Railway Station has been built. Underground water discovered on many of Nat Young’s properties. Todd Carlson, Chairman of ‘Great Artisan Water Basin Committee’ appointed Commissioner of Water Resources for Queensland. The story continues:

‘The Year That Never Was’

‘The Year That Never Was’ is the fourth book in 'Outback Australia' series. This is an exciting period for Australia because after Captain Cook discovered Australia in 1770, settled by Europeans, Australia finally became a Nation with the election of their first Prime Minister. Young Australians represented their Colony on behalf of British Empire left their homeland to fight Boers in the 'Boer War' in South Africa. This important occasion involved Joe, Hannah and her family. The story continues:

‘The Suffragette’

‘The Suffragette’ is the fifth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set between 1903-1905. Women weren’t permitted to vote. Margaret Wallace, Principal at Cunnamulla State School decided to make a difference. With help from The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA they worked together to ensure women in Queensland empowered the government of the day to pass legislation for women to vote. Read on to fight alongside Margaret with her friends particularly Marilyne Pankhurst to force the government to change rules for women to vote. The story continues:

‘The Bush Detective’

‘The Bush Detective’ is the sixth book in ‘Outback Australia’ series. This is set in 1907. Catherine Smith, wife of Herbert Smith, a hawker residing at Tego Springs, near Cunnamulla has been murdered. The Smiths were on friendly terms with a man named James Brokenborough, who stayed with them when he was out of work. Smith noticed a coolness develop between his wife and Brokenborough. On June 24, 1907 at noon, James Brokenborough reported to Herbert Smith he shot Catherine accidently while out pigeon shooting.

Sergeant Gray, Officer-in-Charge, Cunnamulla Police Station sought assistance of a detective to investigate the murder. The story continues.

Chapter 1

Fate intervenes at the strangest times. Sergeant Gray stood at the public bar of Alex’s hotel enjoying a beer with his friend Nathan Young, Mayor of Cunnamulla. These two gentlemen enjoyed each other’s company; respected each another’s positions in their community.

Four years before they worked together to stop water entering their town. Sergeant Gray with his officer’s rode through rain to witness a flood of water, twenty feet high, slowly making its way along Warrego River toward Cunnamulla. With help from many Cunnamulla citizens Nathan organised work parties to work together in building a sand bank to stop the water entering their town.

Nathan Young became first Mayor of Cunnamulla after he with members of his community saved their town. Life had been great for Nathan since he attained Mayor of Cunnamulla recently being elected for a second term. His son-in-law, Joe Gibson operated his properties whilst Nathan lived in Cunnamulla with his wife, Martha, their daughter, Hannah, their grand-daughter, little Hannah, plus a recent grand-daughter, Sue. Everything in his life rosy.

‘You both understand the latest hotel being built in Cunnamulla? Oxford Hotel, across the railway line on the other end of town.’ Alex interrupted their conversation whilst handing them another beer.

‘Progress Alex. More competition for you. Don’t worry we’ll remain your loyal customers.’ Nathan remarked sipping his beer.

‘More people moving to Cunnamulla than I’ve ever seen since I’ve been stationed here.’ Sergeant Gray commented. ‘Almost twenty years. Long time in one place. Love Cunnamulla and the people. Doubt if I’ll ever leave. Maybe I’ll retire here.’ Sergeant Gray commented.

‘Great. More people move here. Better for us and Cunnamulla. Sergeant I didn’t realise you’ve been stationed here so long. Time does fly.’ Nathan smiled.

‘More the merrier.’ Commented Alex walked away to serve other customers.

Sergeant Gray stopped drinking his beer, looked at his friend Nathan. ‘Do you honestly think more people moving to Cunnamulla will be better?’ He asked his friend.

‘My bloody oath Sergeant. Imagine double the number of citizens in Cunnamulla. Growing year by year. From Joe’s estimations of wool growing in the area this town will ride on the sheep’s back.’ Nathan proudly told his friend. ‘Something bothering you?’ Nathan asked taken a sip from his beer. ‘You look different – concerned about something. Can I help you with anything? I’m a great listener.’

Sergeant Gray’s solemn look thinking to trust his friend with information he was about to share with him. From previous conversations concerning law enforcement Nathan didn’t intervene only when asked to do so.

‘Perhaps if I share what’s on my mind.’ Sergeant Gray expressed in a concerned voice.

‘Whatever you tell me Sergeant will be between two of us never to be repeated from my lips.’ Nathan reassured his friend.

Sergeant Gray nodded in agreement.

‘We’re investigating a fatal shooting at Tego Springs near Cunnamulla. Catherine Smith fatally injured yesterday. We’ve spoken to the person who shot her. I don’t believe his story for one minute. Claimed shooting to be an accident.’ Sergeant Gray shared with his friend.

‘Yes. Through bush telegraph. Catherine and her husband Herbert, my friends for many years. Delightful couple. Hard workers. Herbert hawked his goods throughout the district for as long as I remember. Wonder what he’ll do now? Catherine became his guardian angel. What are you going to do about this investigation?’ Nathan inquired.

‘To be honest. I want the services of a detective to investigate this shooting. We’re not equipped to investigate murder this far west.’ Sergeant Gray admitted. Concern covered his face.

‘You think murder. Not accidental shooting?’ Nathan remarked in a low-pitched voice.

‘Something suspicious about this character James Brokenborough. Nothing fits. Told us his story of out shooting pigeons, accidentally shooting Catherine. Something fishy about his story.’ Sergeant Gray couldn’t put his finger on the problem.

‘I can always write to my friend The Honourable Joseph Ryan, Esquire, MLA. Joseph has recently been appointed Police Minister for Queensland. If anyone can have a detective here; he can.’ Nathan admitted.

Sergeant Gray thought of Nathan’s comments. He didn’t want to go so high in government to reach ‘The Minister for Police’. Would Nathan do this for him, Sergeant Gray pondered.

‘I appreciate if you would write to ‘The Police Minister’ to request a detective to take over this investigation. Can you keep this between ourselves? If word reached The Commissioner, William Geoffrey Cahill, I’d be in hot water.’ Sergeant Gray pleaded with Nathan.

‘This conversation is between us. No one else will find out. I’ll write a discreet letter today to have in the post this afternoon. I’ll keep you informed Sergeant. Anything else to help me with information to provide to ‘The Minister’?’ Nathan asked Sergeant Gray.

‘Only one idea came to my mind. Five years ago; young Constable Allan Honor stationed here at Cunnamulla. His bush craft is second to none only to the aboriginal. I’ve read in the Police Gazette he made detective. Transferred to the city. Allan would solve this investigation. I’m certain.’ Sergeant Gray admitted to Nathan.

‘I’ll include his name in my letter to ‘The Minister for Police’. Nathan said his goodbyes to Alex and Sergeant Gray, left the hotel. Returned home.

Walking into his home he shared with his wife Martha, daughter Hannah, Joe his son-in-law plus their two daughters little Hannah and Sue. Little Hannah ran to her Poppy wrapping her arms around his legs, ‘Poppy. Poppy,