THE CAPTURE OF CONVICT GRAHAM

"The West Australian Times" 14 April 1864
From an Albany Correspondent

“Yesterday, the 31st of March, Sergeant Finlay, assisted by O'Keefe, brought in the Convict Graham, who was at large under arms, and charged with having fired at and wounded Mr. Quartermaine; he had boasted at different stations his resolve that no policeman should take him alive; the police who started after him from Kojonup followed his tracks fifty miles, and then abandoned the pursuit.

Sergeant Finlay left here on Sunday, the 20th, as soon as his escape was reported, and got on his tracks at Martinup; from that station he followed him to the Fitzgerald River, where he succeeded in capturing him, after a journey of 200 miles.
 

It will be remembered that Sergeant Finlay obtained his well-merited promotion in the police force for his determined conduct in following and capturing some men who had been systematically robbing the Cattle Stations on the Blackwood: that he was several weeks in the bush exposed to the winter rains, and frequently swam that River leading his horse, although drifted long distances by the rapid current, at the peril of his life.

[Our correspondent, in his admiration of' the policeman, seems to have overlooked the native constable by whom he was accompanied, and who, we are told, was really the hero of the day. It is said that on coming in sight of Graham, the policeman sent the native forward, remaining himself in close quarters.

The native entered into conversation with Graham; and seeing an emu a short distance off, volunteered to shoot it with Graham's gun. This he did, discharging both barrels; and on his return he presented his revolver at Graham's head, seized hold of him, and brought him up to the policeman.

If there be truth in this story, we trust the native will be rewarded with the present of a gun, and powder and shot - leaving the glory of the capture to his comrade.-ED.”

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