Sam Poo

Background

Sam Poo was a Chinese bushranger in Australia who was active in the Coonabarabran region of New South Wales during 1865. Poo was a Chinese emigrant to Australia during the Gold Rush. He became involved in highway robbery on the road between Gulgong and Mudgee rather than mining. He was also described as a taciturn loner who mixed with neither whites nor Chinese, and he was nicknamed “Cranky Sam” due to his surly manner.

There were rumours that Poo had been a Chinese laundryman in Sydney. One resident of Chinatown said: “Him no good. Him bad man – no like”.

Sam Poo set up a tent on the outskirts of the field and walked around the area a lot at the Talbragar diggings, also then known as Denison Town. Early in January 1865, it was noticed that Sam Poo was no longer around; he was apparently believed to have packed up and left Talbragar.

Sam Poo was armed with a pistol and a shotgun.

The offence

Sam Poo held up solitary wayfarers on foot, both Chinese and whites, selecting victims on the Gulgong–Mudgee Road.

Sam Poo first robbed 10 of his countrymen on the Gulgong Mudgee Road. He bailed them up at pistol point and relieved them of their small calico container filled with gold dust that they had concealed under their pigtails.

Sam Poo attacked and raped a settler’s wife. He also attacked and raped a woman on 8th February 1865, holding her as a prisoner all day, letting her go at nightfall, and then disappearing into the darkness.

Sam Poo also kidnapped and raped a young woman.

Investigation

On the 3 February, 1865 the Senior Constable John Ward of the New South Wales Police Force was returning to Coonabarabran from a prisoner escort to Mudgee. Near the locality known as Barney's Reef he was informed that a Chinese man had been robbing passing travellers in the vicinity, and that the offender was nearby in the scrub. Following a short search, Senior Constable Ward located the offender's camp and approached him. When the offender saw the constable he dived into the bush. A long foot chase ensued.

During the chase Sam Poo shot Senior Constable Ward in his chest, mortally wounding him. Sam Poo was later identified as the Chinese bushranger who committed the killing.

Two weeks after the incident Sam Poo was finally tracked down. A widespread manhunt was swung into action with armed and mounted posse-men from as far away as Bathurst joining in. After two weeks they scoured the district in vain, until a blacktracker named Harry Hughes volunteered his services.

Early on the morning of 15th February 1865 Harry Hughes was taken to the site of the murder, where he quickly picked up the trail of Sam Poo. He led the troopers to a place about 6 km away where they found the Chinese bushranger.

A dogged running fight ensued for several hours.

Arrest and capture

When confronted by police troops Sam Poo attempted to escape. He was shot in the thigh by Trooper Todd. Sam Poo fell but continued to fire from the ground. They rushed him, but Harry Hughes reached him first and clubbed the bushranger with his rifle butt, breaking the stock and fracturing Sam Poo’s skull.

Sam Poo was taken to Mudgee more dead than alive and lodged in hospital under guard. Doctors tended him, and after nine months he was taken to Bathurst for trial.

People

Sam Poo

Sam Poo was the Chinese bushranger accused and tried for the killing of Senior-Constable John Ward, and he was also described as having robbed travellers and raped women.

Senior-Constable John Ward

Senior-Constable John Ward was a member of the New South Wales Police Force. He was returning to Coonabarabran from a prisoner escort to Mudgee on the 3 February 1865 when he was mortally wounded by Sam Poo. Ward was born in England and he joined the Old Police on 1st February 1858. He transferred to New Police as a mounted trooper in 1862. He was described as 29 years old, 5’ 10 ½” tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Ward was promoted to Senior-Constable on 1st May 1863.

Ward died shortly after giving his request, passing away on 4th February 1865.

Ward also dictated a full statement about his encounter with Sam Poo to the squatter.

Ward asked Plunkett to pray for him using a book of Common Prayer. He then asked the squatter to send for his wife and family.

Before his death, Ward gasped out what had occurred before whispering “Take care of my wife and children”.

Ward’s family arrived at the homestead after he had been buried.

James Plunkett

James Plunkett was the squatter on whose run the shoot out had taken place. After Ward was shot, Plunkett found him. Plunkett arranged for Ward to be taken to his homestead and sent for the doctor who lived 50 miles away. Plunkett also received Ward’s request and the later dictation of a full statement.

Harry Hughes

Harry Hughes was a blacktracker who volunteered his services. He was taken to the site of the murder early on the morning of 15th February 1865 and quickly picked up the trail of Sam Poo. He led the troopers to the place about 6 km away where they found Sam Poo.

Trooper Todd

Trooper Todd shot Sam Poo in the thigh.

Mr M J F Plunkett

Mr M J F Plunkett was identified as the squatter who found Ward and arranged for Ward to be taken to his homestead.

Trial

After nine months in custody hospital under guard, Sam Poo was taken to Bathurst for trial.

Sam Poo was sentenced to death by Judge Edward Hargreaves at Bathurst in 1865.

He was tried after being taken to Bathurst for trial, and he was found guilty of Trooper Ward’s murder.

Sentencing

Sam Poo was sentenced to death by Judge Edward Hargreaves.

Outcome

After being found guilty of Trooper Ward’s murder, Sam Poo was hanged at Bathurst Gaol on 19 December 1865.

Aftermath

A meeting was held in Mudgee where a large sum of money was raised for Senior-Constable John Ward’s widow and children. This support acknowledged the supreme sacrifice the trooper had made in the performance of this duty.