A murderous tale to tell

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that this article contains the names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples now deceased. It may also contain historically and culturally sensitive information.

We regularly see headlines in newspapers sensationalising murders. And so it was in 1866 when William Stephens was murdered.

From Brisbane, he was in the habit of travelling by the  paddle steamer Gneering to the Mooloolah Heads timber depot.

His habit also included walking back to Brisbane, about 100 kilometres, collecting native plants on the way.

Stephens was on instructions from Walter Hill, curator of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. On this last journey, it was said, he was collecting rare specimens for the Melbourne and Paris exhibitions and not in a hurry.

He would usually buy supplies at the timber-getters’ store and employ Aborigines as guides to help him. There was much to collect – seeds, berries, fruits, ferns, orchids, wildflowers, bark, leaves and vines as he searched the dry heath and wallum woodlands as well as the sandy coast.

The bunya nuts he took back from the hinterland may have grown into the very bunya trees that can still be seen growing in the city’s Botanic Gardens.

A young Aborigine, Tommy Skyring, was employed as his guide for a payment of five shillings and half a pound of tobacco.

Stephens had a reputation for being generous and got along well with Tommy.

Perhaps it was the sight of the silver coins Stephens used to pay for goods that attracted two other Aborigines, Johnny Griffin and Captain Piper, who followed him.

When he stopped to make camp for the evening and was bending over cooking Johnny cakes, he was killed by blows to the back of the neck. The place later became known as Dead Man’s Water Hole and is near the Caloundra turn-off from the Bruce Highway.

The penalty for killing a white man was severe – a hanging offence – and the three men were accused of the murder.

Tommy Skyring had been a trusted employee of the timber getter’s. Johnny Griffin was only about 14 years old, while Captain Piper had already served time  in jail.

Constable Nalty from the mounted police at Maryborough had been sent  to investigate with a detachment of native police.

Captain Piper and Tommy Skyring were captured and taken to the Gneering. Captain Piper escaped by slipping his handcuffs and swimming ashore. Tommy Skyring met a tragic end: he died a month later in Brisbane Gaol as a death in custody.

The warrant for the arrest of Captain Piper was made in 1866 but he was not captured until 1879 when Constable Smith arrested him at Cobb’s Camp, Woombye.

After waiting six months, his trial began. Johnny Griffin was called to give Queen’s evidence and Piper was accused of feloniously and wilfully and, of malice aforethought, murdering one William Stephens.

There was a difficulty about whether or not Johnny Griffin understood that he was under oath and the court explained what would happen in the hereafter to clarify: “You would be going to heaven or you would have damnation in hell”.

Johnny explained that Tommy Skyring had struck the first blow and he was to blame.

Tommy was unable to speak for himself as he was long dead. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

The Attorney-General stated he did not intend to take any further proceedings against either of the two men. His Honour ordered both to be discharged.

What became of Stephens’ collection that awful day of his murder?

We can only say that our native plants are great survivors.

 Audienne Blyth is a member of the Nambour Historical Museum, open  1-4pm Wednesday to Friday, and 10am-3pm Saturday.