This week on Classic Crime Jack looked at outlaw Daniel 'Mad Dog' Morgan, one of Australia's most infamous bushranger's.
Morgan, bastard son of a prostitute, spent much of his life on the wrong side of the law. Reportedly, it was his hatred of authority, which arose during his incarceration for various crimes, that turned him to the bushranger life.
During the mid 1800's Morgan robbed and looted in the scrub between Wagga Wagga and Narrandera. His infamy was growing in the surrounding area and he would frequently raid stations taking what he pleased with no consideration to human life, often wounding and on occasion killing those who confronted him.
After Morgan murdered a police officer, Sergeant McGinnerty, a £1000 reward was issued for his capture. Morgan, for whatever reason spurred on by this attacked a police party at night, shooting randomly through their tents. One officer was killed and the reward was pushed up to £1500.
On the 8 April 1865 Morgan seized control of a station outside Wangaratta, Victoria after a newspaper challenged him to cross the Murray River. He took what he wanted in the way of food and entertainment. Later in the night, a lady on the station got word to the police who later surrounded the house.
The next morning Mad Dog Morgan emerged from the homestead unawares, mounted his horse and was shot down with a bullet in the back. His last words were 'Why didn't you challange me?'.
