Roderick McLennan will take over Apis Creek on 1 January 1864.
from a notice by Ranken, Rea & Co
Rockhampton Bulletin & Central Queensland Advertiser, Sat 19 Dec 1863, page 2.
A Murderous Attack at Apis Creek
The Perils of Travel in Colonial Queensland
Shepherd with his flock - sheep fold and his hut in background
In late November 1869, a traveller and his dog arrived at shepherd’s hut at nightfall seeking food and shelter. What happened that night is the stuff of nightmares.
The Brisbane Courier of December 13 reported:
Attempted Murder - Information was received last Friday from Mr. McClellan, of Apis Creek, that a robbery, coupled with an attempt at murder, had been committed by a shepherd named Christopher Faust, a German in Mr. McClellan's employ, on a man named Peter Shaw, a traveller, who was over sixty years of age.
Abandoning his flock of sheep, Faust fled from his hut. He was eventually captured weeks later.
The Peak Downs Telegram of December 17 reported:
It will be remembered by our readers that in November last an unfortunate traveller named Peter Shaw, who was upwards of sixty years of age, was brutally assaulted and robbed by a shepherd named Faust, at Aphis Creek. Shaw was fearfully wounded, and serious doubts of his recovery were entertained. The assault, which was evidently committed by Faust with the intention of murdering his unfortunate victim, was of a most brutal and disgusting character, and before information could be conveyed to the police the would-be murderer escaped. On Saturday, he was arrested at Copperfield[2], and is now on his way to Rockhampton. Great credit is due to Sergeant Bramley for the capture, as the career of a bushranger of the meanest type has been probably cut short thereby.
The trial of Faust was set for March 28, 1870 before the Rockhampton Circuit Court.
The Rockhampton Bulletin and Central Queensland Advertiser of March 31 reported the entire proceedings:
Christopher Faust who had been indicted the day before with having on 22nd November, 1859, at Apis Creek station, feloniously wounded one Peter Shaw, with intent to kill and murder him, and on a second count, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, was placed in the dock.
The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. McDevitt, instructed by Mr. Milford. Mr. Paul stated the case for the Crown.
The victim, who somehow had survived despite horrific wounds, was the first to testify. He recalled his coming to the shepherd’s hut and the later arrival of Faust. Claiming his supplies were stolen, Faust accepts money from the traveller Shaw to procure food elsewhere.
Roderick McClennan, residing at Apis Creek, deposed: Was squatting there in November last; knows the prisoner, he was in his employ in November as a shepherd; saw him last a few days previous to the 24th of November; about the 17th; prisoner remained in his employ until the 21th, when he met Shaw on the road; prisoner then absconded and left the sheep in the bush; there was £3 9s. 11d. due to prisoner then, on condition that everything was all right; it was due to prisoner now; he never applied for it; the sheep were all right; Shaw was six miles from the station he left, and sixteen miles from the head station where he met him; he was alongside the road near a tree; prisoners' hut was about six miles off; Shaw presented a frightful appearance; he presented a piece of stick at witness, as long as his arm and cried "stand"; his horse shied and he was nearly off; is quite sure it was not a gun; Shaw roared out blue murder, and for God sake not to kill him; he was all blood all over; he was cut all over the head; witness bound up his head and gave him a drink of water; left him there.
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Apis Creek is inland from Rockhampton
Courtesy Rewa Bate