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H. J. McCooey part 13

Yowie / Bigfoot

A Forked-Tailed Lizard.
Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW)
Date: June 1, 1895
Page Number: 49

To the Editor of the "Town and Country Journal."
     Sir,—I have recently discovered and forwarded to the Australian Museum, Sydney, a somewhat uncommon freak of nature in the form of a lizard with a distinctly forked or double tail. The reptile, which, in its normal form, is extremely common and to my own personal knowledge is distributed all over New South Wales and Victoria, is known under the name of Lygosoma decresiense, and was captured alive near Narramine. The genus (Lygosoma) to which the lizard referred to belongs is the most prolific of species of all our lacertilian reptiles; but the species under consideration is different from all its kindred in the formation of its feet, which have only three instead of five toes. The species are all smooth skinned, the tails extremely brittle, and when broken off grow again. It is, I presume, this peculiarity of tail growth which accounts for the freak of nature in the reptile under notice; and I desire to say at once that, although this is the first time I have captured a two-tailed lizard, it is by no means the first time I have seen one. Many years ago when a boy I distinctly remember seeing in Burragorang a splendidly developed specimen of two-tailed lizard, and within recent years I have caught sight of similar freaks of nature at Tumbarumba, Weejaspar, and Braidwood. Speaking with some little experience on this subject, I venture to say that abnormalities of this kind are far less common amongst the reptilia than amongst the mammalia and ornithology of Australia, and this fact alone makes the matter all the more noteworthy and interesting. Beyond the fact that I have seen in the Australian Museum a young tiger snake (Hoplocephalus curtus) with two distinct heads I am absolutely unaware of any other reptilian abnormalities except what I have myself seen and captured. I am sure it would be interesting to many, as well as to myself, to learn through the medium of the "Journal" if these abnormal formations (two tails, two heads, &c.) are in reality as exceptional amongst the reptiles of Australia as I suppose them to be. Correspondents who address themselves to the subject would do well to use their full names and addresses, and, if possible, produce their examples.

I am, yours, &c.,

H. J. M'COOEY.
Dubbo, May 24.

A Dubbo Lizard.
"THE ABLEPHARUS REIDI."
A TRIBUTE TO THE PREMIER.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: October 25, 1895
Page Number: 4

DUBBO, Friday.— Mr. H. J. M'Cooey, the well-known Dubbo naturalist, recently discovered a new species of lizard at Narromine, and publishes in one of the local papers a minute and exhaustive description of the reptile. The new lizard, which is an Ablepharus, the discoverer dedicates to Mr. G. H. Reid, the Premier
of New South Wales, under the name of Ablepharus Reidi, amongst other reasons, "as a slight mark of appreciation of the honorable gentleman's political wisdom and genius, and of the impetus which his administrative and legislative acts have given to Australianism and Australian democracy."

Three-toed earless skink

Unfortunately for McCooey the species had already been described by Cuvier 1829.

Sir George Houstoun Reid
(1845–1918)
Premier, prime minister and high commissioner.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: October 10, 1895
Page Number: 8

Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: October 25, 1895
Page Number: 4

RE THE NEW ABLEPHARUS.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: October 28, 1895
Page Number: 3

To the Editor of the "Evening News."
     Sir,—In commenting upon the didication by me of a new species of lizard to the Hon. G. H. Reid under the name of Ablepharus reidi, you, unintentionally no doubt, misrepresent me. It is not, and never was, "vouched for by Mr. M'Cooey that he (M'Cooey) has had snakes named after him." No snake to my knowledge is named after me, and I never said that there was; but a lizard has been named after me, viz., Lygosoma maccooeyi (Ramsay and Ogilby); and perhaps it was this fact which caused the humorous gentleman who penned your sub-leader paragraph of the 25th instant to fall into the error I have indicated. I presume I need hardly say that scientific fame is the only fame that is real and lasting. Scientific fame simply means scientific immortality. Kings and Queens, and even Australian Premiers, pass away and are soon forgotten; but the names and the memory of the Newtons and Franklins, the Owens and Cuviers and Goulds of science live and born brightly for ever.

Yours, &c,
H. J. M'COOEY.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 2, 1895
Page Number: 1S

RE REID'S LIZARD.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 11, 1895
Page Number: 8

Northern Star (Lismore, NSW)
Date: November 20, 1895
Page Number: 3

The Bulletin has a cartoon in which Reid asks M'Cooey why he named the lizard after him "Because," replies the naturalist,'"he is such a wriggler." M'Cooey is also made to interview Parkes. "The next one I catch, Sir Henry, I'll name it after you." Parkes: "Young man, I'll not allow my name to be given to anything smaller than a halligator."

Sir Henry Parkes
(1815–1896)
Politician and journalist

Trangie
The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW)
Date: November 23, 1895
Page Number: 2

A number of local residents are somewhat annoyed at the recent discovery at Narromine, by Mr. McCooey, of a new species of lizard, while the naturalists researches in the neighbourhood of this town were not re-warded. ln all other respects we are ahead of the abovenamed town.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 30, 1895
Page Number: 10

...
I will describe the make and habits of "our chimney," and then probably Mr. M'Cooey, or some other skilled naturalist, can determine her species and classify her.
...

The Kangaroo and Its Young.
Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW)
Date: December 7, 1895
Page Number: 29

A NEW SNAKE.
Northern Star (Lismore, NSW)
Date: May 27, 1896
Page Number: 2

Mr. J. H. M'Cooey, the well-known naturalist, has recently discovered on the Lower Macquarie River 60 miles below Warren four specimens of a new species of snake. The new reptile belongs to the tiger snake family, or the genus Hoplocephalus. The snake is highly venomous, and its total length is three feet. ln form it is slender and its color is a bright greyish brown. When asked if he intended to describe and name his new discovery, Mr. M'Cooey said he might dedicate it to Mr Hopkins, the "Bulletin" artist, under the name of "Hoplocephalus Hopkins."

A Serious Charge.
Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW)
Date: October 8, 1896
Page Number: 3

The hearing of a serious charge of alleged conspiracy commenced at Narrabri to-day against Frederick Gibson Manning, Henry Jas. McCooey, and Eli Carter, with regard to the purchase of certain land belonging to J. V. Fox. All the parties are well known in the district.

CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: October 9, 1896
Page Number: 5

NARRABRI, Thursday.
     A serious charge was investigated at the police court to-day, when Eli Carter, Frederick Gibson Manning, and Henry Thomas M'Cooey, naturalist, appeared on remand, and surrendered to their bail, on a charge of conspiring to cheat and defraud John Vaughan Arthur Fox, of Baan Baa, of a certain sum of money Mr. Wilshire, from the Crown Law Office, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and Messrs. G. S. E. Dale and W. P. Crick appeared for the defendants. Mr. Wilshire having stated the case for the Crown, 12 witnesses were examined at great length, the case lasting all day. When witnesses had finished giving evidence Mr. Kenyon, P. M. , said it would be necessary to bind them over in the event of a committal. He then said that a prima facie case had been made out to go before the jury. Mr. Crick declined to address the Court. The defendants reserved their defence, and were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions at Narrabri on 19th October. Bail was allowed each in £100.

Narrabri Quarter Sessions.
A LATE SITTING.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: October 22, 1896
Page Number: 6

NARRABRI, Thursday.
     His Honor Judge Docker sat on at the quarter sessions till 4a.m. on Wednesday bearing a charge of conspiracy against Eli Carter, Frederick Gibson Manning, and Henry' James. M'Cooey. At 10.30 p.m. evidence for the prosecution was concluded, when the solicitor who appearad for Carter asked his Honor to adjourn till next morning. After a consultation with the jury, his Honor decided to proceed with the cases. He said that the Gunnedah Quarter Sessions had to be opened at 10 o'clock on Thursday, and the district court cases would take the best part of Wednesday. Counsels' addresses occupied till 1.30 a.m. The judge finished summing up at 3 o'clock. After an hour's deliberation, and not having arrived at a verdict, the jury were locked up till 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when a verdict of "Guilty" was returned against the three accused. An application to deal with the prisoners' under the First Offenders Act was refused. His Honor said that Carter made a tool of the others and sentenced him to nine months' hard labor in Maitland Gaol. The other men received a sentence of six months in the same gaol. Notice of appeal was given.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: November 21, 1896
Page Number: 7

Mr. Collins, M. L. A., who presented a petition to the Government asking for the release of H. J. M'Cooey, recently committed in connection with the Baan Baa conspiracy case, has received a reply that the petition will receive consideration.

Collins prided himself on his principles of free trade and his position as a 'roads and bridges' member. He never considered himself a 'party' man and only spoke in the assembly on matters directly affecting his own electorate, but his generosity, energy and quiet manner gained him esteem as a dedicated, if uninspiring, politician.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: December 1, 1896
Page Number: 75

A petition signed by Narrabri residents has been presented by Mr. C. Coliins, M. L. A. , to the Minister for Justice, asking for the release of H. J. M'Cooey, who was sentenced recently to six months' hard labour in connection with the Baan Baa conspiracy case. A reply has been received stating that the prayer of the petition has been refused.

Worker (Brisbane, Qld.)
Date: May 14, 1898
Page Number: 11

...
We are having a season of rest from the insect plagues that develop during the wet season. How they do buzz about and sting with spitefulness of a mundic miner. One would require to be more highly versed in languages, both dead and extant, than yours truly with a jaw hinged like M'Cooey to give a correct and descriptive account of the innumerable pests that spring into life under the shadow of Capricorn. Talk about the jigger and the Bulletin's spider that waddles along the banks of the Parana in hopes of snapping a stray Australian Jimmy Grant. Verily the tribulations of life in Paraguay are a mere bagatelle in comparison.
...

"Jimmy Grant" = Immigrant

THE NOMADS OF AUSTRALIA.
Worker (Brisbane, Qld.)
Date: May 14, 1898
Page Number: 11

...
I end with—whom?—you know him, and his work, I refer to my friend the born naturalist, for that is his profession. I end the scroll with a lover, observer, and expositor of the great Australian bush, H. J. M'Cooey (no offence)
...

Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 2, 1895
Page Number: 21

H. J. M'Cooey, the well-known bush naturalist, has just paid Premier Reid a peculiar tribute by naming a newly-discovered lizard Abelpharus Reidi. The name does not readily lend itself to euphonious scientific terminology, but the discord in this respect is amply compensated for by the purity of Mr. M'Cooey's motives — "as a slight mark of appreciation of the honourable gentleman's political wisdom and genius, and of the impetus which his administrative and legislative acts have given to Australianism and Australian democracy." The scientist is evidently neither a humourist nor a "labour" man.

Charge Against a Naturalist.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: September 25, 1896
Page Number: 5

MUDGEE, Friday.—At, the Mudgee Police Court to-day Henry James M'Cooey, a naturalist, was charged with conspiring with. others with the intent to defraud L. V. A. Fox, of Narrabri, of large sums of money. The accused was remanded till Monday.

(11-09-2014)