Massacre at Barron River, Cairns

Date: 1 Jun 1890 – 30 Jun 1890
Place: Barron River, Cairns
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
In June 1890, following the murder of Mr Hobson on his station by one of his Aboriginal workers, known as Bismarck, a detachment of native police surrounded the camp of the 'Barron tribe' 'towards which "Bismarck's" steps were tracked and surrounded; and, without warning, the cordon of rifles fired into the camp, and left eight Aboriginals dead' (Queenslander, Sept 19, 1891, pp 572-573). However Bismarck and his accomplice, Darkie, were not among the victims and were later arrested. Their fate is not known.
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 8

People involved

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Barron River, Cairns
    1 Jun 1890 – 30 Jun 1890 — Barron River, Cairns — massacre
    In June 1890, following the murder of Mr Hobson on his station by one of his Aboriginal workers, known as Bismarck, a detachment of native police surrounded the camp of the 'Barron tribe' 'towards which "Bismarck's" steps were tracked and surrounded; and, without warning, the cordon of rifles fired into the camp, and left eight Aboriginals dead' (Queenslander, Sept 19, 1891, pp 572-573). However Bismarck and his accomplice, Darkie, were not among the victims and were later arrested. Their fate is not known.
    Source: Capricornian, September 6, 1890, p 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67951133; Queenslander, September 19, 1891, pp 572-573 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20296175/2350625.