THE PETRIFIED BLACK FELLOW

Reminiscences.

(By Jas. E. Morris.)

Border Watch Friday 10th July 1925

THE PETRIFIED BLACK FELLOW.

It is about 60 years since mild excitement was caused in the South-East by the discovery of a petrified black fellow in what is now, known as the No. 2 cave on Struan Estate, near Narracoorte. When discovered it was in a stooping or sitting position in a perfect state of preservation in a crevice in the wall. 

An Amusing Incident.

Naturally, the object was inspected by persons from far and near. When the excitement had died, some enterprising person, realising the value of the blackfellow for exhibition purposes, stole it. Unobserved, he took it away wrapped in an old rug; and having engaged a bedroom for the night at the Royal Oak Hotel, Penola, which was at that time kept by Mr. 'McDonald, placed it between the bed and the wall.

He forgot, no doubt, to lock the door whan he went to breakfast in the morning, and one of the maids, inspired by a feminine curiosity, drew the rug aside to reveal the figure of a black fellow ! She promptly screamed, but before leaving the room struck at the figure with a broom, knocking one of the big toes off.

Stolen Again.

People in the house were now aroused and arrived on the scene. The police were sent for and took charge of the "coloured gentleman". It was then discovered that the object was the petrified native from the cave. The Government was communicated with, and an ordevr was made for the interesting specimen to be put' back in the cave and an iron railing placed around it.

This was done.

The showman was evidently watching proceedings in seclusion, as after the workman had left after fixing the railing in with mortar (there was no cement there then) he came along and before the mortar had dried, lifted the railing from its foundations and regained his coveted prize.

 From Mount Gambier to London.

The petrified native was taken this time to Mount Gambier, where it was placed in an empty storeroom at the South Australian Hotel, which was at that time kept by "Bob" Long. Here, in secrecy, the figure was inspected by the groom, Larry Coghlan, who mentioned a word to no one. 

The man only stayed overnight, and presumably cleared to Sydney. It was some weeks later before the news of the theft spread, and the groom then related what he had seen. The thief had too long a start, and got clean away.

He travelled and showed it all over the Continent, and reaped a good harvest, but from haulage and knocking about, it became useless for show purposes, and was eventually sold by auction in London for £22, the purchaser handing it over to the London Museum. Here it may be seen now, unrecognisable save by the card which adorns it.

A Pitched Battle.

A number of theories were advanced as to how the black could have come to be in the cave where he was found. The most feasible one is that many years previously a shepherd in the employ of Smith and Oliver, who at the time owned Hynam Station, had been cruelly murdered for his gun it was thought. 

Wishing to punish the offenders the settlers had a round up of the blacks and an engagement between the parties took place in the vicinity of the cave, when a number of the blacks were shot.

This one, it is surmised, got wounded and crawled into the cave. for safety, where he eventually succumbed to his wounds.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/77724142