Arizona Ryan’s Sydney Shootout — Part One

By michaeladamswrites on March 25, 2019May 29, 2019 1 Comment

A century ago, in the Sydney slum of Surry Hills, a Chinese gunman shot more than a dozen people, triggering a dramatic police siege that was only ended by the violent intervention of a lone American vigilante. But who was this self-styled cowboy with the six-shooter? For Part Two, click HERE

*“Arizona” Ryan became an instant celebrity, but no-one looked too closely at his background.*

*One of the last times this story was recounted was back in 1949 — but this article,*
*like all others, didn’t bother to question the background of the American hero.*

*During the battle, thousands of people poured into Surry Hills, staying all night for what* The Sun newspaper called “the fun”. Some even brought their own guns to take potshots at Lee Hin.

*Lee Hin’s little wooden cottage, besieged by onlookers after he’d been carried out dead. Many of the siege spectators were children, with some boys using pea shooters to get in on the action.*

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The Ghost of Mount Victoria Pass

By michaeladamswrites on March 18, 2019May 12, 2019 10 Comments

In 1891 Henry Lawson published a poem called “The Ghost at the Second Bridge”, which told of encountering a terrifying spectre on lonely Mount Victoria Pass in the Blue Mountains. While a fright of fancy, Lawson’s poem was based on a tragic true story. Gather round for the haunting tale of a handful of murders, a couple of hangings, chaotic court cases, drunken witnesses, shock acquittals, and, of course, sightings of the restless spirit known as “The Woman in Black”.

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The Murderous Mrs Mitchell — Part Three

By michaeladamswrites on March 11, 2019May 12, 2019 4 Comments

Another missing woman, more illegal operations and alleged murders, along with scandalous affairs and amnesiac witnesses. In the final part of this episode, the full extent of Nurse Hannah Mitchell’s trials and tribulations is revealed.

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