No bull - jury's verdict saves rogue Redford

Harry Redford was the real-life character upon whom Rolf Boldrewood’s Captain Starlight was based. He was a hugely popular and resourceful man, and stood trial for cattle stealing in Roma in 1873.

In early 1870 Redford and four mates built a set of cattle yards in the channels off the Thomson River in central western Queensland. They mustered small mobs of cattle and stragglers from Bowen Downs station, the biggest in the area at about 1.75 million acres (about 700,000 hectares), and then drove the herd down the channels to another property.

About this time, a pedigree white bull imported from England went missing. It had distinctive markings and brands and, to the bushies of the 1870s, was unique. Eventually Redford’s men stole about 1000 head of cattle and they planned to drive them overland to South Australia, down the same tracks and through the same country where Burke and Wills had perished only 10 years before.

Redford was lucky—the early part of 1870 was very wet and there was plenty of feed for the herd. Strzelecki Creek was filled with water and grass was knee-deep on either side. Redford was also trusted and liked by the Aboriginal people of the area, and he relied on them for information about water and feed. By June 1870 Redford, running low on supplies, traded the white bull to Alan Walker, a storekeeper whose business was near the local cattle station.

The station manager then bought the entire mob for £5000. The cattle were eventually sold at the Adelaide sales and the money long spent by the time the police became involved. Redford’s accomplices were arrested and tried at Roma. The local people had a great deal of sympathy for cattle duffers, hating the huge concerns such as Bowen Downs for their greed. Needless to say, verdicts of not guilty were recorded in all cases.

Redford was eventually arrested in January 1872 and finally stood trial in February 1873 at the Roma Courthouse.

The evidence hinged largely on the identification of the white bull. Leading the foreman of Bowen Downs through his evidence, the Crown Prosecutor asked: ‘Do you think you could recognise the bull anywhere?’ The answer came back: ‘Mate, I’d recognise his bones in a stew’.

The evidence was quite damning and presiding judge Mr Justice Lutwyche directed for a conviction. The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty in a short space of time. Mr Justice Lutwyche was stunned and angry, and said: ‘I thank God that verdict is yours, gentlemen, and not mine’. Redford is alleged to have shouted drinks for the 12 good men that night at the Maranoa Hotel.

The matter did not rest there. Mr Justice Lutwyche informed the Attorney-General and the Colonial Secretary that obtaining convictions for cattle stealing was becoming increasingly difficult in Roma and recommended the town be removed from the list of places to hold a Circuit Court. The Executive Council agreed and rescinded the appointment of Roma for two years.