Harry Power

Harry Power was an eccentric old bastard, who roamed Victoria's North East in the late 1860's. He was a stick up man in the early fashion, robbing coaches and basically anyone who happened to cross his path. Once, while robbing a Scotsman who was not to keen on parting with his cash, Harry retired behind a tree and prayed loudly that he wouldn't have to shoot the fool...

The prayer worked!

He covered many miles during his reign, was an expert bushman and even employed a young apprentice by the name of Ned Kelly.

The Masters Apprentice - Ned Kelly at 15

Old Harry was betrayed ... some say Ned was involved , a lot more blamed it on Ned's uncles - Jack Lloyd and Jimmy Quinn. Years later Harry recalled"

"I mind well I was sitting in the hut (the Quinn home) and the old woman was peeling pertaters for supper. 'Harry,' says she, 'I dreamt as ye was took last night.' I thought nothing of it, and she went on afterwards, 'Harry, I dreamt as ye were taken; it might be tomorrow.' If I hadn't been a born fool, I'd have known she meant to warn me, but I rode off."

An Early Prison Photo of Harry Power - August 1870

So, the silly old bugger went back to his camp thinking all was well. Next morning, policemen Nicolson, Montford and Hare, made a rush on Harry as he slept. He was arrested and carted off to Beechworth, calling out to the gathering people along the way, "They've arrested poor Harry in his sleep".

On the 2nd of August 1870, Harry's career was terminated. In true Bushranging style, he gave the judge plenty, warning him to be "lenient in case they should meet when Harry was again free".
...This one didn't work, He got 15 years hard labour!

Harry was released after serving the full 15 years, and worked on the ex-prison hulk, SUCCESS, acting as a draw card for this sad reminder of Australian punishment.

On the 7th of November 1891, a body was pulled from the Murray River near Swan Hill. It seems the old bushman was fishing and somehow, fell in.

Harry Power, gentleman Bushranger, scoundrel, horse thief and bushman (his real name was actually Henry Johnston) died aged 71, and so ended the Australian Bushranging era.

Available in 'Reading' section