On Oct 1863, Hall's gang comprising of Ben Hall, John Gilbert, John O'Meally, Michael Burke and John Vane, raided the homestead of Gold Commissioner Keightly at Dunn's Plains, C 30km South of BHS. In a violent gun battle between the bushrangers on the one hand and Keightley his friend Dr Pechey on the other Michael Burke was shot dead. Eventually, the homestead was captured so that Keightly, his wife and Dr Pechey were taken prisoner. Vane wanted immediately to kill the commissioner, whom he blamed for Burke's death, but was dissuaded from doing so by Hall. Instead Hall decided to demand 500 pounds for Keightley. Mrs Keightly, with Dr Pechey, drove to BHS to raise the money from her father, a bank manager who lived at "Blackdown". Upon their return and payment of the ransom, Keightley was released. The bullet-riddled door formed part of the original Dunn's Plains homestead
Bathurst Historical Society Museum
General local history of the Bathurst region is featured in this collection of the Historical Society. Archives and photographs are included.
Address:
Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW
Tel:
0263324755
Hours:
Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun & Public Holidays 2-5pm, Closed Mondays, Christmas Day up to and including New Years Day and Good Friday
Admission:
Free
Facilities:
Craft shop, guided tours by appointment
Collection:
1360 collection items.
Items
Door
Door from Dunns Plains
Description:
Bullet riddled door from homestead at Dunns Plain
Item Id Number:
98-159
Box
Sewing Box
Description:
Sewing box on pedestal, all wooden (45x45x45cm)
Photographic Image
X-Ray image
Creator:
Father John Slattery and Mr Mulholland
Description:
Image of hand of Eric Thompson with gunshot wounds. On glass 12 x 16cm
Date:
C1896
Father Slattery was a teacher at St Stanislaus College, BHS and experimenter with X-Ray image - the first in NSW (Australia?)
Clothing
Mantle
Description:
Black mantle belonging to Mary Piper, wife of Captain John Piper
Mary nee Shears, Mother of thirteen children. Lived at Alloway Bank and later Westbourne. John Piper served in Sydney and Norfolk Island. He died in 1851
Military Colours
1869 Colours for Bathurst Volunteer Brigade
Creator:
The ladies of Bathurst
Description:
Silk banner with metal stitching
Date:
1869
Item Id Number:
97-054
Presented to the brigade on behalf of the ladies by Lady Belmore. The brigade went to the Soudan War in 1885.