Capture of the Bushranger Holloway

April 26, 1844. The notorious bushranger Holloway was captured in a most gallant manner in this neighbourhood yesterday about half past two o'clock by Mr Thomas Shanahan of Molonglo Plains. Mr Shanahan was on his way to Sydney with a horse team, and was accompanied by a man of his, and by another man whom he had picked up on the road.

Upon arriving within four miles of Bungonia near Lumley, they were met by Holloway well mounted, and armed with a gun, which was slung by his side like a policeman's; he had on a large blue cloak and was taken at first by the men for a policeman. Holloway demanded some hay for his horse from Shanahan who had some on his cart and who driving his team, was some distance in advance of the other two men. Shanahan did not comply with Holloway's demand, when the latter presented his piece at him, swearing that he would blow his brains out, and desiring Shanahan to strip off his clothes and turn out his pockets. Shanahan parleyed with Holloway to gain time for the other men to come up, taking off his jacket and waistcoat, and turning out of his trouser's pockets. Holloway desired him to turn out the other, and Shanahan, seeing his own man Kelly close at hand, said that he'd be damned if he would give his money to any ruffian like him, and rushed in upon him; Holloway having his gun all the time presented at Shanahan, pulled the trigger at this moment, when the piece providentially missed fire, and the latter immediately grappled the bushranger; the horse of the latter, a race-horse, lately belonging to Mr. Kiley, of Bong Bong, called Scratch, started at the scuffle, roaring up, and endangering Shanahan very much, who however kept his hold of the ruffian rider, and after a fierce contest brought him to the ground.

When down, he was quickly secured, with the assistance of the other men, and Mr. Shanahan had the satisfaction of bringing the scoundrel, lashed to his cart tail, into Bungonia, and delivering him over to the Police. One of the magistrates was quickly in attendance, and saw the fellow well secured for the night, and arrested another fellow, who had come up when Shanahan was securing Holloway, and who seemed to have been in company with him. The latter fellow refused to assist Shanahan, but said he would do all he could for Holloway and Shanahan was fearful that this man would attempt to rescue Holloway, and had to keep him off with Holloway's gun, This morning both these fellows were examined at the Police Office: Holloway, a determined cool villain, did not attempt to deny the charge, and said that he was sorry that his gun missed fire, and that he should have failed to do for Shanahan as he intended to do for the person who informed against him at Yass, whither he was bound; and said that he'd have his chance again, and would mark them.

He was committed as a bushranger, and for the attempt on Shanahan. A party of the mounted police arrived early from Goulburn, for whom an express had been sent the night before; and every precaution has been taken, that this notorious scoundrel, who boasts that he will get away again, shall be forwarded securely to Sydney. The other fellow, who had evidently been in Holloway's company, was sent to Berrima Gaol for two months, under the Bushranging Act, when there will be time sufficient to enquire more about him and his acts.

Holloway was armed with a shot gun, in bad condition, and had on a belt and pouch, in which were twelve rounds of bull cartridge: and there is no doubt, that if he had succeeded in getting up to his old haunts near Yass, that some dreadful occurrence would have taken place, and great difficulty would have been found in capturing him. Mr. Shanahan is deserving of the thanks of the community ; and it is to be hoped that the Government will take some notice of his gallant conduct.

The Sydney Morning Herald

July 14, 1851

You must have heard that a rich and extensive gold field has just been discovered in the Shoalhaven River, near this township; a sample of the gold sent to Goulburn to be tested has been pronounced by Mr, Dibdin, the chemist, to be a first-rate sample of pure gold. Mr. Wallis, the young man who discovered it, stops with me ; he is now down in the gullies with one of my boys. I was at the river myself three days last week, and saw the gold in every washing. I gave a sample to Mr. Samuel Davis, of Goulburn, who was down with me, and sent a few grains of it
to Mr. Cooper, of Budjong, father to the Messrs. Cooper, Waterloo Warehouse.

Several persons who have returned from Bathurst say that they were there for several days without seeing any gold, but we have it in every washing. It is found in minute particles as yet, but every person thinks that as soon as the parties can get down any distance the result will be highly satisfactory; for my part, I really believe that the Shoalhaven River, with its mountains and gullies, are as rich in mineral as any part of the colony, plenty of the best firewood, and in the season plenty of the finest fish ; besides, the climate down there is much more warm than here, being about fifteen hundred feet below us.

Mining in the summer must pay at all events, for then the water will be low, and the miners can get at the bed of the river in several places, and still have plenty of water to wash at all times, which will give it a superiority over all the other gold fields.

(From another Correspondent.) July 15.

Gold has been discovered in the Shoalhaven River, near Bungonia.

Myself and a party from this township would have started this week for the Bathurst side, but were resolved to give the Shoalhaven a trial before our departure. Accordingly, a party went down on the 1st instant, amongst which was one of my boys and Mr. Wallis, who was a
long time at Lake Bathurst, and had just returned from the Summerhill Creek.

The first pan full of earth taken off the surface was washed, and gold with emery remained at the bottom, the gold in small particles. On Monday week, they took a sample (about a quarter of an ounce) to Goulburn, had it tested by Mr. Dibdin, the chemist, who pronounced it to be a first rate sample of pure gold. I was at the river myself three days last week, and saw that every washing left more or less in the pan, sometimes as many as thirty specks or particles, but most of them very minute; I gave a sample to Mr. Samuel Davis, of Goulburn, who was down with me, and I sent a few grains to -----, who was anxious to know whether the reports in circulation were true.

It is now placed beyond a doubt that gold exists in the Shoalhaven River. It remains to be seen whether in large quantities; everybody here thinks that as soon as the parties now at work can get down any distance, the result will be very satisfactory. Seven persons who have been at the Bathurst mines say they were sometimes for days without seeing any gold, but we have it in every washing. Mr. Oakes is at the river today, and in all probability will bring his party to work there.

Should we be fortunate enough to find it in large quantities I shall not fail to let you know.