Massacre at Avenue Range station, near Guichen Bay

Date: 1 Sep 1848 – 30 Sep 1848
Place: Avenue Range station, near Guichen Bay
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
In September 1848 settler James Brown and two employees at Avenue Range station near Guichen Bay, shot and killed eight Wattatonga people and burnt the bodies. The body burning was witnessed by a white man who reported the massacre and then disappeared along with an Aboriginal man who was also a witness. Brown was arrested and charged with murder and the employees absconded. The Aboriginal witness was probably killed before he could be subpoenaed to give evidence at the trial. As a result Brown was never tried and the case was dropped (Foster et al, 2001, pp 78-80; Foster, 2009, pp 1-15).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: **
LanguageGroup: Wattatonga
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 9

People involved

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Sources

  • Foster and Nettelbeck, 2001, pp 78-80; Foster, 2009, pp 1-15.

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Avenue Range station, near Guichen Bay
    1 Sep 1848 – 30 Sep 1848 — Avenue Range station, near Guichen Bay — massacre
    In September 1848 settler James Brown and two employees at Avenue Range station near Guichen Bay, shot and killed eight Wattatonga people and burnt the bodies. The body burning was witnessed by a white man who reported the massacre and then disappeared along with an Aboriginal man who was also a witness. Brown was arrested and charged with murder and the employees absconded. The Aboriginal witness was probably killed before he could be subpoenaed to give evidence at the trial. As a result Brown was never tried and the case was dropped (Foster et al, 2001, pp 78-80; Foster, 2009, pp 1-15).
    Source: Foster and Nettelbeck, 2001, pp 78-80; Foster, 2009, pp 1-15.