Good bad guys
Apr. 13th, 2007 07:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenithThe outlaw hero is an interesting concept. Outlaw, operating (and of the 464 songs on the playlist on Winamp, 'Blaze of Glory' just came up) outside the law, a criminal, a thief, or even murderer. Isn't a hero the opposite?
Oxford & Macquarie have: "who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements". It's the 'admired' bit that seems to define an outlaw hero. Defying authority, and in doing that, are they seen to be standing up for the ordinary person?
In the Robin Hood stories, it's bothering the wealthy, those in control, for the benefit of the less man. From the UK, there's also Rob Roy, Dick Turpin as well know examples. There's the other trait, stories, legends and songs that grow up around them, often with only a passing resemblance to fact.
It's a popular image in US folklore are well, Butch Cassidy, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and so on. I don't know enough about any of them to make much of a comment though.
If you turn to Australia, you get, well, there's a string of names but I'm not sure who's generally well know, other than Edward Kelly. There's Jack Donahoe (subject of many ballads and probably, with a name change, the 'Wild Colonial Boy' from the well known song) Frank Gardiner, Mad Dog Morgan, Ben Hall... You'll excuse me though, if I stick to the three I know most about.
Mike Howe was killed in 1818. The same year, a book was published entitled 'Michael Howe: the last and worst of the bushrangers". A hint, if you're writing a non-fiction book that will have 'the last' or similar words in it, wait a few years after events to see if this actually is the case. A century and a bit later, Howe is usually considered one of the first. He's portrayed as a violent, if clever man. I have no idea what he was transported for. Highway robbery, it seems. The Australian Dictionary Biography is a brilliant resource :) An absconder, who terrorised the young colony, and yet.... he wrote letters to the lt governor Davey, of which I can't find an example now, and signed them "Lieutenant Governor of the Woods". Sticking it to those in authority, indeed. A couple of decades later, Martin Cash is also writing letters to the governor:
Martin Cash and Co beg to notify His Excellency Sir John Franklin and his satellites that a very respectable person named Mrs Cash is now falsely imprisoned at Hobart Town, and if the said Mrs Cash is not released forthwith and properly remunerated, we will, in the first instance, visit Government House, and beginning with Sir John administer a wholesome lesson in the shape of a sound flogging; after which we will pay the same currency to his followers.
Given under our bands this day at the residence of Mr Charles Kerr at Dunrobin.
CASH
KAVANAGH
JONES
"Mrs Cash" obviously didn't appreciate their efforts. She found herself a new lover, and it was when Cash went into Hobart Town to deal with them, that was caught. (Incidently, if you ever come across a copy of "Martin Cash: his personal narrative as a bushranger in Van Diemen's Land" it's an entertaining read). It's not that hard to see how Cash gained his status. He was operating in a time when bushranging had been pretty much stamped out (1840s) in VDL, making him, if not the last, certainly
the last well known figure. He wasn't known to be violent. He was given a last minute reprieve from the gallows, sent to Norfolk Island and started to behave him. Died of old age about 1879, after becoming something of a model citizen (he was in charge of what's now the Botanical Gardens for a period.) A "happy" ending to the outlaw story.
And finally, Matthew Brady, who is rather interesting from the outlaw-hero angle. There's also a story of them poking fun at the governor, but AFAIK, that's a fiction. Let me find it.
Governor Arthur issued a proclamation (which I cannot find) that starts along the lines of "It has caused (the government) much concern that such a person known as Matthew Brady is at large. (Some sum of money) will be given to any person that will deliver his person to me". The story goes, Brady's response was to attach the following to the door of the hotel at Crossmarsh (Melton Mowbray):
It has caused Matthew Brady much concern that such a person known as Sir George Arthur is at large. Twenty gallons of rum will be given to any person that will deliver his person to me. I also caution John Priest that I will hang him for his ill-treatment of Mrs Blackwell, at Newtown.
Possibly something he would have done if he'd thought about it. At one point, they attacked the gaol at Sorell (from memory, I'm not going to look it up), released the prisoners and locked up the guards.
Came across this while I was looking, from "The Diaries of John Helder Wedge" (prominent surveyor)
Wed 16 (I've lost the month & year, probably 1825) Tracing the Lake to ascertain its outlet--on my return to the tent about 6 O'Clock I was met within a few yards of it by Brady & McCabe who presented guns desired me to stop--Brady instantly came and took my watch from me but afterwards gave it up to me again--they then tied the hands of the lad that was with me, and they also tied the hands fo my chain leader as soon as he came up--on going to the cart I found the bullock driver and Geo King made fast hands and feet. ... When they found out that I was the brother of the Mr Wedge they had robbed at Oyster Bay they regretted very much that they had taken so many things--and they said it was very likely they might return me some of the things--but said they could not make a positive promise--they were on the point of taking the compass but on my telling them it did not belong to government they refrained from it--they said that they would destroy everything that belonged to Government that came in their way--they appeared to be very hostilly inclined towards the Lieut. Governor, and threatened to destroy him should he ever fall in their way. They promised they would not rob me again.
Fairly typical of reported encounters. There's the defiance of authority thing too.
Brady was said to be educated, well mannered, good with horses, a groom maybe, transported for forgery. (Actually servant, & theft of bacon, butter, rice etc; probably a gentleman's servant. I think the forgery comes into to it, because it's a more respectable crime committed by those who better brought up.) He treated women & children well, was respectful to men, didn't approve of excessive violence, especially murder. And when, at the end, when he did kill, regretted it. At his trial, women wept. Flowers were sent to his cell. The Colonial Times says he received "many little comforts in the gaol, from a very respectable Gentleman, who humanity is proverbial". At his trial, he pleaded guilty to every charge, either from defiance or because he was beyond caring.
Typical in many ways, of what an outlaw hero should be -- defying authority and gaining support from the common people. But what was his purpose? Staying alive, and by gaining support from those he had to deal with, he was able to get food and shelter. In fact,there's a quote to that effect in one of the accounts of his capture.
Brady's escape from Lt. Williams party, wounded as he was, has created much surprise. He was shot in the lower part of the calf of leg and the ball he himself extracted from above his knee. His deportment is firm and composed. He is understood to have declared that success uniformly attended him until he embrued his hand in blood after which he became perfectly wretched and felt that his fate was sealed. He stated that if he had not been supported by friends he could not have remained many weeks at large in the woods." -- Colonial Times 24 March 1826
Are you a hero if all you're trying to do is survive?
I think to truly be an outlaw hero you need some songs or stories relating how stood up for the cause and did something to directly benefit those in needs. :)
Oxford & Macquarie have: "who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements". It's the 'admired' bit that seems to define an outlaw hero. Defying authority, and in doing that, are they seen to be standing up for the ordinary person?
In the Robin Hood stories, it's bothering the wealthy, those in control, for the benefit of the less man. From the UK, there's also Rob Roy, Dick Turpin as well know examples. There's the other trait, stories, legends and songs that grow up around them, often with only a passing resemblance to fact.
It's a popular image in US folklore are well, Butch Cassidy, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and so on. I don't know enough about any of them to make much of a comment though.
If you turn to Australia, you get, well, there's a string of names but I'm not sure who's generally well know, other than Edward Kelly. There's Jack Donahoe (subject of many ballads and probably, with a name change, the 'Wild Colonial Boy' from the well known song) Frank Gardiner, Mad Dog Morgan, Ben Hall... You'll excuse me though, if I stick to the three I know most about.
Mike Howe was killed in 1818. The same year, a book was published entitled 'Michael Howe: the last and worst of the bushrangers". A hint, if you're writing a non-fiction book that will have 'the last' or similar words in it, wait a few years after events to see if this actually is the case. A century and a bit later, Howe is usually considered one of the first. He's portrayed as a violent, if clever man. I have no idea what he was transported for. Highway robbery, it seems. The Australian Dictionary Biography is a brilliant resource :) An absconder, who terrorised the young colony, and yet.... he wrote letters to the lt governor Davey, of which I can't find an example now, and signed them "Lieutenant Governor of the Woods". Sticking it to those in authority, indeed. A couple of decades later, Martin Cash is also writing letters to the governor:
Martin Cash and Co beg to notify His Excellency Sir John Franklin and his satellites that a very respectable person named Mrs Cash is now falsely imprisoned at Hobart Town, and if the said Mrs Cash is not released forthwith and properly remunerated, we will, in the first instance, visit Government House, and beginning with Sir John administer a wholesome lesson in the shape of a sound flogging; after which we will pay the same currency to his followers.
Given under our bands this day at the residence of Mr Charles Kerr at Dunrobin.
CASH
KAVANAGH
JONES
"Mrs Cash" obviously didn't appreciate their efforts. She found herself a new lover, and it was when Cash went into Hobart Town to deal with them, that was caught. (Incidently, if you ever come across a copy of "Martin Cash: his personal narrative as a bushranger in Van Diemen's Land" it's an entertaining read). It's not that hard to see how Cash gained his status. He was operating in a time when bushranging had been pretty much stamped out (1840s) in VDL, making him, if not the last, certainly
the last well known figure. He wasn't known to be violent. He was given a last minute reprieve from the gallows, sent to Norfolk Island and started to behave him. Died of old age about 1879, after becoming something of a model citizen (he was in charge of what's now the Botanical Gardens for a period.) A "happy" ending to the outlaw story.
And finally, Matthew Brady, who is rather interesting from the outlaw-hero angle. There's also a story of them poking fun at the governor, but AFAIK, that's a fiction. Let me find it.
Governor Arthur issued a proclamation (which I cannot find) that starts along the lines of "It has caused (the government) much concern that such a person known as Matthew Brady is at large. (Some sum of money) will be given to any person that will deliver his person to me". The story goes, Brady's response was to attach the following to the door of the hotel at Crossmarsh (Melton Mowbray):
It has caused Matthew Brady much concern that such a person known as Sir George Arthur is at large. Twenty gallons of rum will be given to any person that will deliver his person to me. I also caution John Priest that I will hang him for his ill-treatment of Mrs Blackwell, at Newtown.
Possibly something he would have done if he'd thought about it. At one point, they attacked the gaol at Sorell (from memory, I'm not going to look it up), released the prisoners and locked up the guards.
Came across this while I was looking, from "The Diaries of John Helder Wedge" (prominent surveyor)
Wed 16 (I've lost the month & year, probably 1825) Tracing the Lake to ascertain its outlet--on my return to the tent about 6 O'Clock I was met within a few yards of it by Brady & McCabe who presented guns desired me to stop--Brady instantly came and took my watch from me but afterwards gave it up to me again--they then tied the hands of the lad that was with me, and they also tied the hands fo my chain leader as soon as he came up--on going to the cart I found the bullock driver and Geo King made fast hands and feet. ... When they found out that I was the brother of the Mr Wedge they had robbed at Oyster Bay they regretted very much that they had taken so many things--and they said it was very likely they might return me some of the things--but said they could not make a positive promise--they were on the point of taking the compass but on my telling them it did not belong to government they refrained from it--they said that they would destroy everything that belonged to Government that came in their way--they appeared to be very hostilly inclined towards the Lieut. Governor, and threatened to destroy him should he ever fall in their way. They promised they would not rob me again.
Fairly typical of reported encounters. There's the defiance of authority thing too.
Brady was said to be educated, well mannered, good with horses, a groom maybe, transported for forgery. (Actually servant, & theft of bacon, butter, rice etc; probably a gentleman's servant. I think the forgery comes into to it, because it's a more respectable crime committed by those who better brought up.) He treated women & children well, was respectful to men, didn't approve of excessive violence, especially murder. And when, at the end, when he did kill, regretted it. At his trial, women wept. Flowers were sent to his cell. The Colonial Times says he received "many little comforts in the gaol, from a very respectable Gentleman, who humanity is proverbial". At his trial, he pleaded guilty to every charge, either from defiance or because he was beyond caring.
Typical in many ways, of what an outlaw hero should be -- defying authority and gaining support from the common people. But what was his purpose? Staying alive, and by gaining support from those he had to deal with, he was able to get food and shelter. In fact,there's a quote to that effect in one of the accounts of his capture.
Brady's escape from Lt. Williams party, wounded as he was, has created much surprise. He was shot in the lower part of the calf of leg and the ball he himself extracted from above his knee. His deportment is firm and composed. He is understood to have declared that success uniformly attended him until he embrued his hand in blood after which he became perfectly wretched and felt that his fate was sealed. He stated that if he had not been supported by friends he could not have remained many weeks at large in the woods." -- Colonial Times 24 March 1826
Are you a hero if all you're trying to do is survive?
I think to truly be an outlaw hero you need some songs or stories relating how stood up for the cause and did something to directly benefit those in needs. :)
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 02:12 am (UTC)John D. Macdonald's Travis McGee makes his living at that. At the other extreme, the protagonist is a law officer who's generally law-abiding but who does something illegal in each novel.
As for outlaws in the US: Jesse James was noted for making unauthorized banking withdrawals:
He took from the rich and he gave to the poor,
He'd a hand and a heart and a brain.
(From the folksong "Jesse James")
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 11:59 am (UTC)That's interesting, and brings up the question of did he or is that just part of the folklore. I guess I could poke around and find out myself.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 08:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 09:23 am (UTC)Real life, yes. Real motivations. Real actions.
And what makes them "heroes", other than being nice to the ladies ;) I should dig out some of the poems/ballads maybe.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 09:27 am (UTC)