Roger Flood

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Maureen Withey on 10th February 2025

A possible murder of Roger Flood?? DUBBO. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]     MARCH 26. - A murder of a most revolting and brutal nature was perpetrated here, between 11 and 12 o'clock, a.m., on Tuesday last, within about a quarter of a mile of the township, on an open flat, not one hundred yards distance from the public road leading from Dubbo to Wellington, from which a view of the spot where the deed was committed could be visible to any passer by. The victim was a poor old shepherd, eighty-six years of age, who had been for years in the employment of John Maughan. Esq., late of Dundullimal. Sometime after Mr. Maughan left the district, Roger Flood (the murdered man) entered the employment of a butcher named Janson, who resides at Reedy Corner, less than a mile from Dubbo. He came to reside with him on Monday last, and went out on the flat where he afterwards met his death on Monday. He returned all right, on Monday evening,. went with his sheep to the same place on Tuesday, the 22nd ; was last seen, alive about one o'clock, by Janson's wife. The sheep came to the hut about sundown, the old man not having made his appearance, Janson became uneasy, and at once proceeded in search of him. A person, named Lemon was encamped with his dray in a lower angle of the river: there were two men at the camp along with Lemon - one named Long, and the second named Robert Davis, the latter having been in Janson's employment for five weeks ; he came to him in a state of great destitution, and was discharged after being paid 13s. balance of wages on Monday, the same day Flood came to live with Janson. Janson, having strong suspicion of this man, as he heard from the old shepherd that he had been talking with him on the flat the day previous, every enquiry was made at the camp, but no trace was found of Flood. Janson searched the flat more than once, and at 11 o'clock p.m. he met Davis close to where the body was afterwards found. In the morning Janson reported the matter to Mr. Scully, clerk to the Bench here. That gentleman immediately proceeded to Dundullinal, the residence of Mr. E. P. Cornish, J.P., and was accompanied by that gentleman and Mr. A.H. Graham, J.P., who was staying there at the time. They at once started to the flat, made a slight search, and came to Lemon's encampment. They found Patrick Long and Robert Davis there ; Davis stated that he had seen nothing whatever of Flood, and that he had not left the camp all the day before. It was known that he had been twice in the township and spent some money there ; he was taken into custody, brought into the lock-up and searched ; marks of blood were discovered on his shirt. A constable was immediately despatched, and was accompanied by Mr. Arthur Kemmis, to search for the missing man. They returned in a short time, and reported having found his body lying with, a quantity of dry timber piled over it, and that the poor old man had been brutally murdered. Mr. A. H. Graham, with Doctor Sickler, at once proceeded to the place. The body was examined, and seven wounds from a tomahawk or some such instrument, discovered on the old man's head and face, any of which Doctor Sickler swore would have caused death. Two of the wounds penetrated the back of the skull ; when the unfortunate man fell he got two more blows, cutting the mouth and jawbone entirely open. The body was dragged for about ten yards, and the dry wood piled over it, partly for concealment and evidently with a view of burning it. Robert Davis was brought up at the Police Office, on Thursday, the 24th, before Messrs. E. B. Cornish and A. H. Graham, J.P.'s, the investigation was proceeded with up to 8 o'clock p.m., and adjourned to Friday when it ended in the full committal of Davis to take his trial for the murder at Bathurst, in September next. I am unwilling to write anything which might tend to prejudice the prisoner. I may state, I however, that fourteen witnesses were examined, and all bound over to prosecute. That a chain of clear circumstantial evidence appears to exist against the prisoner. The murdered man was known to have money, and always was in the habit of carrying it about with him, from the evidence he had about £10 on his person the day he was killed, this was gone ; Davis had only 13s. the day before, and spent 10s. in town. About 12 noon on Tuesday, the day of the murder, he spent from £5 to £6 in the purchase of a watch, clothes, &c., and has declined to give any account as to how he obtained the money. This cold-blooded cruel murder of an old man, eighty-six years of age, in the broad daylight, and close to so many public places, has caused a general feeling of alarm and disgust. It has not been known in the district for a long time of so many idle ruffians travelling through the country. Sydney Morning Herald, 1 Apr 1859.

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Maureen Withey on 10th February 2025

NSW Convict Index. Roger Flood, per St Vincent, 1837, Ticket of Leave, No 45/806. District, Wellington; Tried Galway Sum ass. 1846, Ticket of Leave Passport, 18 Dec 1847, No 47/0835. TL 45/0906. On the recommendation of the Wellington Bench. 1 Aug 1849, Conditional Pardon No 49/1151.

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Maureen Withey on 10th February 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Roger Flood, age on arrival, 50, per St Vincent (1) 1837, Tried at Galway, 1836. Life for Stealing sheep. DOB, 1787, native place, Galway. Married. Catholic. Labourer