Tantanoola Tiger 1911 page 4

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MILLICENT. January 19.

The sitting of the Local Court yesterday in connection with the sheepstealing case was a record. The Court sat from 11 a.m. until 9.45. It was also a record day for the post office. Over 10,000 words were telegraphed to Adelaide newspapers. At the conclusion of the case a number of pastoralists assembled at the Grand Hotel, and thanked Detective Allchurch for his efforts to unravel the 'tiger' mystery. They also complimented him on the remarkable chain of evidence pieced together after the police had been investigating for months previously. Mr. W. Sutherland said sheep-stealing was altogether too rife in the district, and a man like Detective Allchurch was wanted to bring the offenders to book. Whatever might be the outcome of the proceedings against Edmondson— and they all hoped no innocent person would suffer, but that the crimes would he sheeted home to the guilty parties - they had the satisfaction of knowing that the eyes of all Australia were now focused on the remarkable series of crimes, and that the scare received by a number of people who were engaged in questionable sheep transactions would render the district immune from similar crimes for a long time. Detective Allchurch modestly acknowledged the compliment, and thanked the people of Tantanoola for the splendid manner in which the whole community had helped him.

A TRIAL of the most sensational character has just been concluded at Millicent, in the south-east division of the State, and the evidence tends to explain largely the mystery of the mythical Tantanoola tiger, which apparently has been a scapegoat conjured up by a villain for his own ends.

The accused is Robert Charles Edmundsons, whose name is well known in connection with the famous Tantanoola tiger escapade. Edmundsons was formally charged with killing, with intent to steal, some 76 sheep. The most widespread interest was manifested in the case, the township being crowded with residents of the district from far and wide.
The prosecuting counsel, in opening the proceedings, described the case as the story of one of the most irreprehensible crimes committed in Australia for many a long day.

The chief witness in the case was David Bald, a youth of about twenty years of age, who had been associated with the accused for some time, and who turned King's evidence and made a clean breast of all he knew.

His evidence was to the effect that he and the accused made a practice of camping in the scrub and posing as rabbiters with the object of disarming suspicion and concealing their real criminal purpose.

They would watch their opportunity and shoot the sheep and drag them into corrals. Sometimes the animals were driven in alive and then slaughtered and skinned. The skins were sent to agents in Adelaide.

One big sheep farmer stated in evidence that farmers had been missing their sheep for many years past, and in his own case he estimated that he had been losing over 200 sheep every year for about seven years past.

The accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial.

Mount Gambier, January 26.

A meeting of the South-Eastern Stock owners' Protection Association was held yesterday, Mr. G. Riddoch presiding. It was decided to present an honorarium to Mr. S. Mohr, of Tantanoola, in recognition of his work in assisting to secure evidence in the recent sheep-killing case at Lake Bonney. It was felt that the bringing to light of such depredations amongst stock as are known to have been going on in the district should be encouraged. This case provided the biggest sensation the district has known for many years. Scores of sightseers from the surrounding districts find their way to the "tiger's lair."

MOUNT GAMBIER. April 10.
In the Circuit Court at Mount Gambier to-day Robert Charles Edmondson pleaded guilty to killing 78 sheep belonging to James Chant, farmer, with intent to steal their skins, and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with hard labour.

This is the sequel to the sensational Tantanoola tiger incident. It was reported from time to time that a "tiger" had been seen at Tantanoola, and farmers lost many sheep. Some months ago the "'tiger's" lair was discovered in dense scrub and it was in a dreadful condition with the remains of slaughtered sheep, and Edmonson was the "tiger" that had ravened among the flocks of the district so long.

Despite the unprecedented public interest on the day of the initial court hearing for what was described as “the most reprehensible crime committed in Australia for many a long day”, the actual trial of Edmonson less than 3 months later seemed to barely register any interest at all. Why?

Possible influencing factors include:

the original information about 57 freshly killed sheep found on December 4, 1910, was withdrawn. Similarly, although the sheep-stealing ring seemed to have been operational for many years, no further charges were laid. This suggests that a case could not be made as there was not enough hard evidence linking the accused to the crimes.

perhaps word leaked out that the accused would plead guilty which meant that no further sensations would be revealed.

Any other information would be appreciated…