As a rule the members of gangs were true to each other, one member not infrequently risking his own safety rather than desert his mates when hard pressed by their common enemy, the police. But there was one instance of horrific treachery in the days when convictism cursed the land, before horses were available for general use, and when gold escorts were things unknown. It was in the year 1837, and occurred on the overland route between Melbourne and Adelaide. Settlement was only beginning in the Port Phillip district—then a province of New South Wales—and convict escapees from the Sydney side or Van Diemen's Land were more numerous than was desired by the early settlers, who experienced some remarkably rough times from these reckless marauders. Early in the year named a company of nine convicts, mostly "lifers", escaped from the neighbourhood of Yass, and a man named Dignum and two other runaways "took the bush." Subsequently the three were joined by a mere youth named Comerford, who is described as fair and tall, having a most prepossessing cast of countenance, and by five other convicts, who absconded from the service of the masters to whom they had been assigned. The gang at its full strength numbered nine, with Dignum as leader and Comerford as first-lieutenant.
After committing many crimes in the neighbourhood of Melbourne, and creating a widespread feeling of alarm among the settlers, they determined to quit that territory and cross the continent to some sea port, in the hope, doubtless, of making a clean escape from the country. They appeared to have started on their journey without any definite idea where it was to end, but when fairly on the march they resolved to make for South Australia and lose themselves among the free immigrant population of the colony. They had reached a spot near Mount Alexander when the discovery was made that provisions were running short; there were no flocks or game in the locality, and they began to dispute among themselves as to the best course to follow. The distrust and hatred thus generated speedily found expression in a deed of blood.
The leader was determined to be leader still, and if his followers did not choose to obey his behests he would get rid of them. The band travelled on foot; after the day's march they formed a camp of boughs, lit a huge fire in the centre, and, wrapping themselves in their blankets, lay in a circle with their feet to the fire, their loaded guns being placed within easy reach in case of a surprise.
The night had come, the camp had been fixed, and each man had coiled himself in his blanket, although sleep was far from the thoughts of the leader. Dignum was the last to turn in, and before he lay down he managed to place three of the guns and an axe within easy reach. His intention was to rise when his companions were asleep, and, by axe or gunshot, to destroy the whole gang, then making off with the provisions and escaping alone.
But young Comerford was uneasy, and could not rest, although the others slept the sleep of the weary. He may have been suspicious, or himself have contemplated doing what Dignum had decided to do. The latter had risen to carry into execution his devilish scheme, when Comerford also rose, and a short consultation between them resulted in an agreement to join hands in the wholesale massacre. Selecting their posts on each side of the sleeping circle, the villainous couple set about their ghastly work. Four of the seven sleepers, smitten swiftly and with fatal precision, never moved. The three others, desperately wounded, staggered to their feet, but were quickly despatched; and the two murderers grinned with delight at the completeness of the slaughter. The bodies were thrown upon a huge fire of logs, and while they were being burnt the brothers-in-blood consulted as to future movements. The march overland was abandoned. Turning upon their tracks, Dignum and Comerford made their way back towards Melbourne. Here they engaged with a wealthy squatter, who happened to be in need of hands, and remained with him for some time; but finding steady work irksome they absconded and hired with another squatter in another part of the district. The first master followed them, and had them arrested on warrant for breach of agreement, but did not succeed in bringing them to court. Seizing a favourable opportunity, they slipped the handcuffs which had been placed upon their wrists, took possession of a couple of guns which they found in the hut, and once more took to the bush.
Again robberies were reported daily to police headquarters, and so frequent and daring did the exploits become that the authorities were spurred into unwonted activity to arrest the perpetrators, whose identity had by this time become known. When they found themselves hotly pressed, the two villains sought safety in flight, and re-entered upon the abandoned journey to Adelaide. But that journey was rudely interrupted. Having once tasted blood, Dignum sought for more, and one day when Comerford was incautiously leading the way, he fired at his back. The aim was not true, however, and the younger bushranger at once turned and fled; he made his way back to Melbourne, surrendered to the authorities, made a full confession of the murder, and gave such information as led to the arrest of his erstwhile leader and companion in crime.
At first the police discredited Comerford's story, so horrible and improbable were the details; but he was accepted as King's evidence in the case, and the two men were taken to Sydney under a strong guard—there being at that time no Supreme Court in Melbourne.
In Sydney Comerford repeated his extraordinary story, which here also was received with incredulity. The Government at last, however, decided to test its truth, by sending Comerford back to Melbourne in charge of an infantry sergeant named Tomkins, two soldiers and two policemen, with instructions to guard him strictly and take him to the spot where the murders were said to have been committed.
Securely handcuffed, Comerford correctly guided the party to the neighbourhood of Mount Alexander, and showed them the exact spot on which the murders were committed. Proof indisputable of the truth of his story was furnished in the shape of human skulls, bones, and raiment, which had remained unconsumed by the fire; and the sergeant having taken notes of what had been seen, the party commenced the return journey towards Melbourne. All doubts as to Comerford's truthfulness having thus been set at rest, his guard became less careful as custodians, and more inclined to be lenient towards him; nor was he slow to take advantage of their leniency. Having complained of the heat and fatigue he suffered from marching in handcuffs, the latter were removed during the day time, although care was taken to resume them at night, when a halt was made. When a halt was called at the close of the second day it was discovered that the soldiers had inadvertently left their supply of tea and sugar at the last camping ground, and it was agreed that the two privates should return and recover the lost rations, the sergeant and the policemen remaining in charge of the prisoner. The privates were so long away, however, that it was concluded they had lost their way, and one of the policemen was sent to look after them, two only remaining with the prisoner. This man having left, the sergeant, the constable, and Comerford proceeded to make a meal: and Comerford had behaved so well that the sergeant saw no risk in removing his handcuffs in order that he might enjoy a little freedom when eating. He was still eating when the constable sauntered away to a neighbouring hill to see if the missing men were approaching—and then the sergeant committed the mistake of his life. He rose, rested his carbine against the trunk of a convenient tree, and was proceeding to bring some water from a few paces off, when Comerford, springing to his feet, seized the firelock and presented it at Tomkins' head, exclaiming, "Now, by God, I'm a free man once more! I don't want to hurt you, sergeant, but stand off or I'll blow your brains out, for no man shall stop me!"
In vain the dismayed and helpless sergeant expostulated with him, exclaiming that his prospects would be destroyed if Comerford got away.
"Never mind," returned his erstwhile prisoner, "you keep off and let me go, or, by God! I'll do it!" Upon which the sergeant, who was not lacking in bravery, although he had been foolish and unwatchful, made a rush at Comerford, who instantly fired and shot him through the body. Hearing the report of the firearm, the constable hastened back to the camp, to find that the prisoner had disappeared, and that his superior officer was on the point of death. Poor Tomkins lived only long enough to make a statement.
When the others came back, diligent search was made for the escapee, to whom very scant mercy would have been shown if he had been found; but the search was futile, and the four disconsolate men returned to headquarters.
For several weeks Comerford ranged the bush in the neighbourhood of Melbourne, having made back to his previous haunts. He became the terror of the settlers, whom he intimidated with threats of violence into supplying him with food and other requirements. But his day was drawing to a close. The Government offered a reward of £50 for his apprehension, and a free pardon to any convict who might secure him, and those of the latter who had assisted him when there was no "blood money" to be got by betraying him, now became most anxious to take him prisoner.
Driven to extremity by shortness of provisions, he entered the men's hut on a cattle station and gave an order for breakfast, intimating that he would shoot the first man that moved otherwise than to do his bidding. There were five men in the hut, and for a time none of them could pluck up courage to attempt a capture. With his gun between his knees, Comerford made a meal of "damper", beef, and tea, and then asked for tobacco, saying he wanted a smoke. One of the convicts, a stockman known as Kangaroo Jack, supplied him with this luxury, and Comerford proceeded to have a smoke; but while he was in the act of lighting the pipe Jack suddenly wheeled round and dealt him a terrific back-handed blow, which threw him off his balance, and before he could recover it he was seized and held in an iron grip. After a furious fight he was secured, bound hand and foot, and conveyed in a bullock dray to Melbourne, and thence to Sydney, where he was placed upon his trial for the murder of the sergeant, convicted, and hanged.
His companion in crime, Dignum, escaped the fate he merited, through absence of sufficient evidence against him; but he was sent as a "lifer" to Norfolk Island.
Kangaroo Jack received the "absolute pardon" promised as the reward for Comerford's capture.
Source: The Bushrangers (1915, April 1). The Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955), p. 5.
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