Barrier Miner, Tue 10 Sep 1912 ¹

NEW SOUTH WALES.
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…

PRISONER RECAPTURED.

Sydney, Tuesday.

    The prisoner, Michael Patrick Barton, who escaped from a train on Saturday while travelling at the rate of 30 miles an hour was arrested on Sunday while getting water at a tank. He was brought into Bourke and charged at the Police Court. He said he was leaning on the door looking at some kangaroos, when it flew open and he fell out. His knees were cut. Barton was committed for trial.

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The Western Herald and Darling River Advocate, Wed 11 Sep 1912 ²

A PRISONER.
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ESCAPES FROM A TRAIN.
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TRAVELLING AT 30 MILES
AN HOUR.

    On Saturday last, September 7, an old man named Michael Patrick Barton jumped from the Bourke train. Barton, who had been awaiting his trial for two or three months—having been committed in Bourke on a serious charge—was in charge of Constable Guthrie, who was escorting him from Dubbo to Bourke. It appears that the constable during the journey, got a cinder from the engine in his eye, and after the train left Mooculta siding, he went into the lavatory of the carriage to bathe the optic. He ceased his vigilance for a few moments and then looked to see how his prisoner was getting on. But his man had gone; vanished like a Will o’-the wisp. The constable immediately took steps to stop the train, which was going at the rate of 30 miles an hour. He then travelled backwards along the line for a short distance, but Barton could not be seen, and he had to continue his journey without him. On arrival at Maroona siding, Guthrie procured a railway “trike” and went back to Mooculta siding. He searched for five hours, but could not find the escapee, and consequently came on to Bourke.

    As soon as Superintendent Bedingfeld received information of the man’s escape, a warrant was issued for Barton’s arrest, and member of the local police force sent out to search for him. Word was also sent to Byrock, and Senior-Constable [John Charles] Blagrave with his tracker lost no time in getting to saddle. About 2 am, on Sunday morning, when about 18 or 19 miles from Byrock, travelling towards Bourke, they saw a man leave the railway line and go to a small tank for a drink. They dismounted and walked towards the man whom they met coming back to the line. Being asked who he was, and what he was doing there, he gave his name as Michael Patrick Barton, stating that he was going to Bourke, but had fallen out of the train. Being told that he was going in the opposite direction to Bourke, he said he was unconscious after he fell out of the train. When he recovered he walked back to the siding, and got some food from a settler. It was then dark, and he did not know which way he was going.

    Senior-Constable Blagrave then arrested him and was soon afterwards joined by the Bourke police. Barton was brought on to Bourke, where he appeared before Dr Robert Dey, JP, on Monday charged with escaping from lawful custody. He was again committed to the Quarter Sessions to-day.

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The Western Herald and Darling River Advocate, Sat 14 Sep 1912 ³

QUARTER SESSIONS.
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Wednesday, Sept 11, 1912.
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(Before His Honor, Mr District Court Judge, Gibson.)
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    The Court of Quarter Sessions was held at the Bourke Courthouse on Wednesday last. His Honor, Mr District Court Judge Gibson presided.

    Mr CA White prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.

    Mr AJ Robertson, solicitor, was also in attendance.

JURORS FINED.

    TP Dowd and PJ Dolan were fined £2 each for non-attendance as jurors.

UNNATURAL.

    Michael Patrick Barton was charged that on May 31, 1912, at Bourke he attempted to commit an unnatural offence, [bestiality].

    Mr Robertson appeared for accused.

    Evidence was given by Albert Brooks, K Dwyer, and Ernest Barrow with regard to the occurrence, and Constable Brown proved arrest.

    Accused was found guilty, and was sentenced to 12 months hard labor in Goulburn gaol, His Honor taking into consideration the fact that the man had been in custody awaiting his trial for 14 weeks.

ESCAPING FROM CUSTODY.

    The same prisoner, Michael Patrick Barton, was charged with escaping from lawful custody, on Saturday, September 7.

    Accused pleaded not guilty, stating that while he was watching some kangaroos he fell through the window of the railway carriage.

    The jury returned a verdict of “Guilty,” and accused was sentenced to three months imprisonment, concurrent with his previous sentence.

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Michael Patrick Barton, Gaol photo sheet ⁴ 

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 216
Grafton

Date when Portrait was taken: 23 Oct 1912

Name: Michael Patrick Barton

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1861 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: 1884 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: Roman Catholic Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 7" Weight     On committal: 142 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Grey Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features: Five scars left side small on breast, scar on right thigh

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Bourke Q.S	11	9	1912	Attempt bestiality Escape	12 months HL 3 months HL  |  Concurrent

 

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¹     Barrier Miner, Tue 10 Sep 1912, p. 2.

²     The Western Herald and Darling River Advocate, Wed 11 Sep 1912, p. 2.

³     The Western Herald and Darling River Advocate, Sat 14 Sep 1912, p. 4. Emphasis added.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2258, [3/5994], Grafton Gaol photographic description book, Jun 1910-Nov 1922, No. 216, p. 21, R5125.

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