Massacre at Wyandote Station, Valley of Lagoons

Date: 1 Jul 1872 – 31 Jul 1872
Place: Wyandote Station, Valley of Lagoons
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
In a letter to the Colonial Secretary by Alfred Davidson, 'representative of the Aborigines Protection Society based in Brisbane', he pointed out that: 'Mr Scott of Valley of Lagoons [station] permitted a mob of Blacks mostly aged, to camp in that neighbourhood upon condition they would do no harm which condition they faithfully kept' (Davidson cited in Bottoms, 2013, p 137). One morning in July 1872 before daylight and without warning they were attacked by a detachment of Native police led by Acting Sub-Inspector Robert Johnstone (Richards, 2008, p 241). 'Several were shot and two Gins taken away. The bodies of the slain Gins appear to have been buried but the naked bodies of eight dead men, one grey haired, were left exposed on the roadside till they stank' (Davidson cited in Bottoms, 2013, p 137).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: **
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 11

People involved

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Sources

  • Richards, 2008, p 241; Bottoms, 2013, p 137.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Wyandote Station, Valley of Lagoons
    1 Jul 1872 – 31 Jul 1872 — Wyandote Station, Valley of Lagoons — massacre
    In a letter to the Colonial Secretary by Alfred Davidson, 'representative of the Aborigines Protection Society based in Brisbane', he pointed out that: 'Mr Scott of Valley of Lagoons [station] permitted a mob of Blacks mostly aged, to camp in that neighbourhood upon condition they would do no harm which condition they faithfully kept' (Davidson cited in Bottoms, 2013, p 137). One morning in July 1872 before daylight and without warning they were attacked by a detachment of Native police led by Acting Sub-Inspector Robert Johnstone (Richards, 2008, p 241). 'Several were shot and two Gins taken away. The bodies of the slain Gins appear to have been buried but the naked bodies of eight dead men, one grey haired, were left exposed on the roadside till they stank' (Davidson cited in Bottoms, 2013, p 137).
    Source: Richards, 2008, p 241; Bottoms, 2013, p 137.