Massacre at Eight Mile Well, Bridgetown

Date: 1 Jan 1860 – 31 Dec 1860
Place: Eight Mile Well, Bridgetown
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
Eight Mile Well in the shire of Bridgetown is a registered site with the State Government of Western Australia's Heritage Council (Aboriginal Sites and Events, Bridgetown Historical Society Heritage Council of Western Australia). The site is thought to have originally been used as a traditional watering hole by the local Aboriginal Noongar Kaniyang people. In the 1860s conflict was created over access to the waterhole between the traditional owners and the British settlers. The Heritage Council (HC) and others suggest a massacre took place prior to any police being stationed in Bridgetown and was carried out by a group of colonists. The HC write 'The survivors of the attack were reported to have relocated to Three Acre Pool on the Blackwood River above Bridgetown. They subsequently caught chicken pox and in an attempt to cool their fever, they bathed in the Blackwood River, which in turn gave them pneumonia that eventually killed them' (Citing Hadley, P, 1995).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: *
LanguageGroup: Kaniyang / Wardandi
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 20

People involved

This data has not yet been gathered. Research work is ongoing. To help, please consider donating or contact us to volunteer or about setting up research projects in your area.

Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Eight Mile Well, Bridgetown
    1 Jan 1860 – 31 Dec 1860 — Eight Mile Well, Bridgetown — massacre
    Eight Mile Well in the shire of Bridgetown is a registered site with the State Government of Western Australia's Heritage Council (Aboriginal Sites and Events, Bridgetown Historical Society Heritage Council of Western Australia). The site is thought to have originally been used as a traditional watering hole by the local Aboriginal Noongar Kaniyang people. In the 1860s conflict was created over access to the waterhole between the traditional owners and the British settlers. The Heritage Council (HC) and others suggest a massacre took place prior to any police being stationed in Bridgetown and was carried out by a group of colonists. The HC write 'The survivors of the attack were reported to have relocated to Three Acre Pool on the Blackwood River above Bridgetown. They subsequently caught chicken pox and in an attempt to cool their fever, they bathed in the Blackwood River, which in turn gave them pneumonia that eventually killed them' (Citing Hadley, P, 1995).
    Source: Brad Goode & Associates, 2011; Hadley, Heritage Council of Western Australia http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/87a012e8-522e-47ad-b4a6-bc7a3dc03184