Massacre at Junction Island, Murray River

Date: 1 Mar 1839 – 31 Mar 1839
Place: Junction Island, Murray River
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
On 24 April 1839, the 'Southern Australian' reported on page 3, 'We have the pleasure in announcing the safe arrival in the province of Messrs McLeod and McPherson, from New South Wales, with 500 head of cattle and one thousand sheep. We understand that they only lost four sheep and two head of cattle during their journey. It is reported, that they had a recounter [sic] with the aborigines on the way, and that forty natives were killed.' Three days later, the 'South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register' published the following: 'There is no truth in the story published in the 'Southern Australian' that Messrs McLeod and McPherson had a rencontre with the natives in which forty of the latter were shot.' ('South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register', April 27, 1839, p.2).
Despite the denial, it appears that a massacre took place at Junction Island, where the Darling River flows into the Murray River.
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
LanguageGroup: Tati tati
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 40

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Junction Island, Murray River
    1 Mar 1839 – 31 Mar 1839 — Junction Island, Murray River — massacre
    On 24 April 1839, the 'Southern Australian' reported on page 3, 'We have the pleasure in announcing the safe arrival in the province of Messrs McLeod and McPherson, from New South Wales, with 500 head of cattle and one thousand sheep. We understand that they only lost four sheep and two head of cattle during their journey. It is reported, that they had a recounter [sic] with the aborigines on the way, and that forty natives were killed.' Three days later, the 'South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register' published the following: 'There is no truth in the story published in the 'Southern Australian' that Messrs McLeod and McPherson had a rencontre with the natives in which forty of the latter were shot.' ('South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register', April 27, 1839, p.2).
    Despite the denial, it appears that a massacre took place at Junction Island, where the Darling River flows into the Murray River.
    Source: Southern Australian, April 24, 1839, p 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71685226; South Australian Gazette & Colonial Register, April 27, 1839, p 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31750562