Post Mortems: Captain Thunderbolt

 'WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE - Captain Thunderbolt (bushranger Frederick Ward), dead, 1870'

 State Library New South Wales, Collection Item Call No. PXA362, (Vol. 6/109, 1870)

 Photographer Andrew Cunningham, Uralla NSW, Cartes-de-viste (postcard) June 1870

'Cadaver of Frederick Ward, the bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, ca. May-June 1870'

State Library New South Wales, Call Numbers P1/1900 (from P1/Ward BM July 2010)

Photographer Andrew Cunningham, Uralla NSW, carte de visite (photographic print)

Image on left side "Ward's body photographed with shirt open to show the autopsy scar"

Image on right side "In this photograph he is wearing a hat" and "thunderbolt bushranger" in pencil on the reverse

Both post mortem images show entry wound of fatal shot in the upper chest of the deceased

Mr Buchanan, police magistrate, Inquiry

"We have great pleasure in being able to state that the pest of the Northern districts for many years, Frederick Ward, alias Thunderbolt, has at last been got rid of...

...Ward, having refused to surrender, paid the penalty of his repeated outrages on the law by the sacrifice of his worthless life.

A magisterial inquiry was held by Mr. Buchanan, P.M., when the evidence was most conclusive as to the identification of the body...

At the inquiry, Mr. Buchanan came to this conclusion:

      'From the foregoing evidence, and from the appearance of the body, I am of the opinion that the deceased Frederick Ward, alias Thunderbolt, met his death from a gunshot wound, inflicted by a member of the police while in the execution of his duty ― and not otherwise'."

Printed by the Armidale Express, Saturday May 28, from the reporter at Uralla, Thursday 26 May, 1870

 Dr Spasshatt,  medical practitioner, Autopsy Report

"Early on the 26th May the body of Thunderbolt was taken back to Blanche's Inn and examined by Dr Spasshatt of Armidale...

      '[I observed the]...mark of a gunshot wound below left collarbone towards the armpit; on examination I found the aperture connected with the lungs, both of which, right and left, had been penetrated; there was an aperture as if the exit of a ball on the right side of the chest, three inches below and two inches anterior to lower point right shoulder blade; there was a large quantity of fluid blood in cavity of pleura; the wound was just such as might have been inflicted by a pistol bullet discharged in immediate proximity to and rather above the body; I am of the opinion that the wound was the cause of death...'."

Mr Cunningham, photographer, Souvenir Postcards

"Two days after the death of Thunderbolt, Constable Walker re-enacted the shooting for a photographer, A Cunningham of Armidale:

      ' Mr A Cunningham has taken several excellent photographics to illustrate the end of Thunderbolt, and other matters connected with it. Of Ward's dead horse there are two views. There are three different views of the spot on which the final struggle took place, Mr Walker being shown in the same dress and on the same horse as he had when he came up on the W. side of the creek; the reality of the scene being added to by Mr Smoker, of Uralla, representing, on the E. side, Ward ―  each with weapon levelled at his opponent. To secure a good view, Mr Cunningham took the trouble to cut down several trees. Then there are two portraits of Mr Walker, one being full length; while there are three of Thunderbolt when he was lying dead, after the post-mortem examination. One represents him with his hat off, another with his hat on, and the third is his profile'."

Published by the Armidale Express, 4 June, 1870

Thunderbolt's body, public viewing at Uralla

"The body was left in charge of the police at Blanch's [Inn] during Thursday night, and was brought to Uralla yesterday morning. It is not to be buried until to-day, so that anyone who wishes may see it in the meantime. Many persons have gone out to see the body, and even a photographer has gone to take a representation of the deceased, if permitted."

Armidale Express, 28 May 1870 (26 May Uralla)

"Ward's remains were interred at Uralla on Sunday afternoon. We regret to add that we have been informed some persons were anxious to secure a lock of the desperado's hair, and that in one instance, if not more, the wish was gratified."

Armidale Express, 4 June 1870

Constable Walker, mounted trooper, Inquest Evidence

"I was then about 12 or 14 feet from him. The creek was between us. I said, 'Will you surrender?' He said, 'No, I'll die first.' I then said, 'All right, you or I for it.'

 I then faced my horse into the water. My horse went head-first under ― right under. Whilst my horse was under, the man made a rush at me with revolver in hand. As soon as I saw him I fired at him. He went under the water. When he rose he made a grapple at me, and I struck him over the head with my revolver. He again went down. As soon as he came up I saw blood oozing from his mouth.

I then turned my horse and came out of the creek; I then dismounted and went into the creek up to my waist and pulled the man out; I drew him out on to the bank; I fancied he was dead...

 I have seen the body now lying in the doom. It is that of the man of whom I have given evidence ― the man with whom I had the encounter last night and shot. It was the last shot, when he was closing with me, that killed him..."

Reprinted Inverell Times, 2 September 1949 (reported from Uralla, 26 May 1870)