URBAN LEGENDS & MYTHS
The Horned Man & The Luna Park Ghost Train Fire...
W.S.P.R Thank 'Paranormal News Australia' for the below information regarding the Luna Park Ghost Train Fire.
The horned man and the luna park ghost train fire After reading Pastor Baz's real life story about the ghosts at Luna Park, Sydney I thought I'd look up the invisible children of the magic kingdom ride. Instead of finding out about that I discovered a sinister twist in the already very tragic incident of the ghost train fire for which no cause was ever found.
In my internet search I came across a unexplained mysteries forum where the fire is mentioned along with a personal tale of a spooky happening at Luna Park (worth a read). What is said about the fire tradegy gave me goosebumps...
"In March of 1988, Sydneys "The Sun' Newspaper printed it's last ever Edition & the Front page featured an article: "Occult Link to Luna Park/Ghost Train fire". A Mother of one of the boys, killed in the fire, had submitted a photograph, taken at Circular Quay, where the Ferries take Passengers to Luna Park, on Lavender Bay. Her Son was standing next to a bizarre character, dressed in weird get up, with a Mask over his face & a Horned Headdress, his arm around the boy. This was just before they boarded the Ferry to journey over to Luna Park, on that fateful night. Mention was made of There having been a Full Moon, on the night of the fire & of "Bikies", for some obscure reason? But, the Mother firmly believed that a Sinister aspect had contributed to the cause of the fire."I tried to find the newspaper article but couldn't in my brief search on the internet. The newspaper stopped printing in 1979 and I'm not sure if any are kept in archives? If anyone knows of a copy please get in touch.
I did however, come across an article on news.com.au that shows the photo of Damian with the horned figure. The article is promoting a book called Australian Tragic by Jack Marx.
Journalist and author Jack Marx has spent years researching Australia’s underbelly, shining a light on the quirks, misfortunes and tragic turns of fate they wouldn’t dare tell you about in school.Here's the quote from the article about the train fire:
MolochWhile waiting at Circular Quay for a ferry to take them to Sydney's Luna Park on June 9, 1979, the Godson family are approached by a Satanic-looking figure dressed in a loincloth and wearing a mask with horns. The creature voicelessly places his hand on young Damian Godson's shoulder. Somebody snaps a photograph. It is the last photograph of the boy ever taken - hours later, Damian, his brother, Craig, and his father, John, will burn in the fire that sweeps through The Ghost Train. Nobody will ever see the horned man again.
The above photo is apparently the last photo taken of Damian Godson (one of the victims of the tradegy)
The title of that section is Moloch which means: (Wikipedia Moloch)
Moloch is either the name of a god or the name of a particular kind of sacrifice associated with fire.There are various references to Moloch, one is -
"Though the Moloch sacrifices have traditionally been understood to mean burning children alive to the god Moloch, some have suggested a rite of purification by fire instead, though perhaps a dangerous one"It is referenced in the bible -
"The word here translated literally as 'seed' very often means offspring. The forms containing mlk have been left untranslated. The reader may substitute either "to Moloch" or "as a molk".The laws given to Moses by God expressly forbade the Israelites to do what was done in Egypt or in Canaan. “You shall not give any of your children to devote them by fire to Moloch, and so profane the name of your God” (Lev. 18:21).
Here is an 18th century depiction of the Moloch:
Was the fire a very tragic accident? From Wikipedia:
The exact cause of the fire could not be determined by a coronial inquiry. The coroner also ruled that, while the actions of Luna Park's management and staff before and during the fire, in particular choosing to not follow advice on the installation of a sprinkler system in the ride, breached duty of care, charges of criminal negligence should not be laid. The case was reopened in 1987: no new findings were made, although the police investigation and coronial inquiry were criticised. The fire forced the closure of Luna Park until 1982, when it reopened under a new name and new owners.
Was it arson by underworld figures? From Wikipedia:
In May 2007, Anne Buckingham, a niece of Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron, claimed in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald that her uncle was responsible for the fire. Saffron had previously been associated with seven other arson attacks in the two years following the Ghost Train fire, although he had repeatedly denied involvement with the Ghost Train fire.[2][8] Buckingham claimed the attack was part of a plan for Saffron to gain control of Luna Park's lease, although she stated the belief that the seven deaths were not intended.[8]Or was it something more sinister? I'm not sure we'll ever know what happened that day but I pray that the victims families do find some kind closure.
The exact cause of the fire could not be determined by a coronial inquiry. The coroner also ruled that, while the actions of Luna Park's management and staff before and during the fire, in particular choosing to not follow advice on the installation of a sprinkler system in the ride, breached duty of care, charges of criminal negligence should not be laid. The case was reopened in 1987: no new findings were made, although the police investigation and coronial inquiry were criticised. The fire forced the closure of Luna Park until 1982, when it reopened under a new name and new owners.
Was it arson by underworld figures? From Wikipedia:
In May 2007, Anne Buckingham, a niece of Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron, claimed in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald that her uncle was responsible for the fire. Saffron had previously been associated with seven other arson attacks in the two years following the Ghost Train fire, although he had repeatedly denied involvement with the Ghost Train fire.[2][8] Buckingham claimed the attack was part of a plan for Saffron to gain control of Luna Park's lease, although she stated the belief that the seven deaths were not intended.[8]Or was it something more sinister? I'm not sure we'll ever know what happened that day but I pray that the victims families do find some kind closure.
The Flying Dutchman...
This is the most famous of all Ghost Ships... It has been reported to be seen in stormy weather of the Cape of Good Hope, but now again has been seen in other waters of the world... Including Australia.
For nearly 300 years the folklore of the seahas spoken of a ghostly Dutch brig condemned to sail the oceans for all eternity. Some people say she orginally carried the plague; whilst others say that the captain was to blame for her dimise, having to now beat ceaselessly against the gales of Cape Horn.
The term 'Flying Dutchman' actually refers to the Captain, not his ship. Legend has it the maniacal Dutch sea captain was struggling to round the infamous Cape of Good Hope in the clenches of a ravaging gale that seriously threatened to sink the ship and all on-board her. His crew warned him of the impending dangers that lay ahead and along with the passangers pleaded for him to turn around. The Captain in either a drunken stupor or suffering from madness refused to change course. Instead, he pressed on, singing loud and obscene songs, before he lowered himself below to his cabin to drink beer and smoke his pipe. Huge, towering waves continued to constantly pummel the sides of the ship. The terrifying winds howled and whistled and the masts of the ships creaked and groaned under the enormous pressure. As the sails continued to tear and rip, the Captain held his course, challenging the wrath of God Almighty by swearing a blasphemous oath.
Finally, there was mutiny on board the vessel. The crew and the ships passangers attempted to take control of the ship, but as the Captain was aroused by the comotion, he killed the leader of the rebellion and threw him overboard. It is said that at the moment the body hit the water, the clouds parted, and a shadowy figure materilised on the Quarterdeck.
"You're a very stubborn man," the shadow said, and the Captain answered him a cussword. "I never asked for a peaceful passage," the Captain went on. " I never asked for anything. So clear off before I shoot you too."
But the figure didn't move. Drawing his pistol, the Captain fired at the spectral being, but the gun exploded in his hand. At this point, the figure spoke again, and this time told the Captain he was cursed.
"As a result of your actions you are condemned to sail the oceans for eternity with a ghostly crew of dead men, bringing death to all who sight your spectral ship, and to never make port or know a moments peace," the shadow said. "Furthermore, gall shall be your drink, and red hot iron your meat." The Captain, reckless to the last, cried, "Amen to that!"
Many authorities have argued that the story of the Flying Dutchman has its origins from real events, though there is very little agreement about what the event was. Further confusion is brought into the matter by the fact that there are many versions of the tale - in which the ship's skipper is variously named 'Vanderdecken', 'Van Demien', 'Van Diemen' or 'Van Straaten'.
For nearly 300 years the folklore of the seahas spoken of a ghostly Dutch brig condemned to sail the oceans for all eternity. Some people say she orginally carried the plague; whilst others say that the captain was to blame for her dimise, having to now beat ceaselessly against the gales of Cape Horn.
The term 'Flying Dutchman' actually refers to the Captain, not his ship. Legend has it the maniacal Dutch sea captain was struggling to round the infamous Cape of Good Hope in the clenches of a ravaging gale that seriously threatened to sink the ship and all on-board her. His crew warned him of the impending dangers that lay ahead and along with the passangers pleaded for him to turn around. The Captain in either a drunken stupor or suffering from madness refused to change course. Instead, he pressed on, singing loud and obscene songs, before he lowered himself below to his cabin to drink beer and smoke his pipe. Huge, towering waves continued to constantly pummel the sides of the ship. The terrifying winds howled and whistled and the masts of the ships creaked and groaned under the enormous pressure. As the sails continued to tear and rip, the Captain held his course, challenging the wrath of God Almighty by swearing a blasphemous oath.
Finally, there was mutiny on board the vessel. The crew and the ships passangers attempted to take control of the ship, but as the Captain was aroused by the comotion, he killed the leader of the rebellion and threw him overboard. It is said that at the moment the body hit the water, the clouds parted, and a shadowy figure materilised on the Quarterdeck.
"You're a very stubborn man," the shadow said, and the Captain answered him a cussword. "I never asked for a peaceful passage," the Captain went on. " I never asked for anything. So clear off before I shoot you too."
But the figure didn't move. Drawing his pistol, the Captain fired at the spectral being, but the gun exploded in his hand. At this point, the figure spoke again, and this time told the Captain he was cursed.
"As a result of your actions you are condemned to sail the oceans for eternity with a ghostly crew of dead men, bringing death to all who sight your spectral ship, and to never make port or know a moments peace," the shadow said. "Furthermore, gall shall be your drink, and red hot iron your meat." The Captain, reckless to the last, cried, "Amen to that!"
Many authorities have argued that the story of the Flying Dutchman has its origins from real events, though there is very little agreement about what the event was. Further confusion is brought into the matter by the fact that there are many versions of the tale - in which the ship's skipper is variously named 'Vanderdecken', 'Van Demien', 'Van Diemen' or 'Van Straaten'.
For centuries from then on, the Flying Dutchman has been seen piloting his spectral vessel, it's canvas sails spread and its masts creaking and graoning in a terrifyingly gusty wind.
Australian waters are no stranger to the Flying Dutchman and his phantom ship. In 1881, the future King George V of England and his brother, the Duke of Clarence, recorded in their journals a sighting of the ghost ship from the deck of HMS Bacchante off the Australian coast, whilst en route from Melbourne to Sydney. Here is a short transcript from his log:
'At 4am the Flying Dutchman crossed our bows. A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which the masts, spars, and sails of a brig two hundred yards distant stood out in strong relief as she came up on the port bow. The lookout man on the forcastle reported her as close on the port bow, where also the officer of the watch from the bridge clearly saw her, as did also the quarterdeck midshipman, who was sent forward at once to the forecastle; but on arriving there, no vestige... was to be seen either near or right away to the horizon, the night being clear and the sea calm. Thirteen persons altogether saw her, but whether it was Van Diemen or the Flying Dutchman must remain unknown. The Tourmaline and the Cleopatra, who were sailing on our starboard bow, flashed to ask whether we had seen the strange light...'
Sighting the Flying Dutchman was a presage of doom. On the following morning the sailor who had reported the ghost ship fell from the foremast onto the deck and was killed instantly. On arriving in Sydney, the Admiral was struck down with a sudden illness. The last ships captain to see the doomed 'Waratah' as she disappeared into a hurricane off the eastern coast of Africa in 1909 claims he sighted a ghostly sailing ship with old fashioned rigging following her into the storm.
The Curse of 'Little Bastard'
One of the most persistent Hollywood curse stories is that of American movie star James Dean's death car, on which he bestowed the name 'Little Bastard'. Dean acquired the Porsche 550 Spyder, during the filming of 'Rebel Without a Cause'. It was one of only 90 Porsche Spyders and was numbered 130, had a tartan seat design along with two red stripes at the rear.
James Dean lived a short, dangerous and thrill-seeking life. He loves fast cars and motorcycles and his favourite hobby was racing. He was a skilled driver with top honours in numerous races.
On September 30, 1955, Dean was driving to a race along with Rolf Wutherich (an auto mechanic). They were traveling in the new Porsche Spyder. At 3:30pm, Dean was caught speeding and received a speeding ticket in Kern County for traveling 65 in a 55 mph zone.
As Dean drove west on what was to become State Route 46 in Cholame, California, Donald Turnupseed, a student in a 1950 Ford Tudor, approached in the opposite direction. The Ford driver attempted to turn onto State Route 41 at a fork in the road. The driver crossed into Dean's lane and the two cars collided nearly head-on. Dean survived the crash but was pronounced dead on arrival at 5:59pm after reaching Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital.
The only witness to the accident claims that Wutherich was actually driving the car at the time of collision!
James Dean lived a short, dangerous and thrill-seeking life. He loves fast cars and motorcycles and his favourite hobby was racing. He was a skilled driver with top honours in numerous races.
On September 30, 1955, Dean was driving to a race along with Rolf Wutherich (an auto mechanic). They were traveling in the new Porsche Spyder. At 3:30pm, Dean was caught speeding and received a speeding ticket in Kern County for traveling 65 in a 55 mph zone.
As Dean drove west on what was to become State Route 46 in Cholame, California, Donald Turnupseed, a student in a 1950 Ford Tudor, approached in the opposite direction. The Ford driver attempted to turn onto State Route 41 at a fork in the road. The driver crossed into Dean's lane and the two cars collided nearly head-on. Dean survived the crash but was pronounced dead on arrival at 5:59pm after reaching Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital.
The only witness to the accident claims that Wutherich was actually driving the car at the time of collision!
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A week before his death, James Dean met British actor Alec Guiness, who commented that the car appeared "sinister" and said to Dean... "If you get in that car, you will be found dead in it by this time next week!" Words that would prove to be prophetic.
The rare silver Porsche Spyder that carried him to his grave was bought after the accident for $2,500 by Dean's former racing designer, George Barris.
The car fell while being unloaded, breaking a mechanics leg, and so began a string a weird accidents - including two more deaths - among those who had anything to do with Little Bastard or its parts. Wherever Little Bastard went injury, death and misfortune seemed to follow. For instance, fans were injured when they attempted to steal souvenir parts from the car, and when the car was on display at a Sacremento high school it fell off its stand breaking a student's hip. When the car was sent by truck to Salinas, the driver lost control of the truck and crashed. He was thrown free, only to have the Little Bastard fall off the truck on top of him and crush him to death. In 1960 the car disappeared while being transported across country. To this day its whereabouts are unknown.
There is a superstitious belief that not just places but objects can become cursed when associated with violence and tragedy. Was the Little Bastard really cursed when James Dean bought the car brand new? Were those who came into contact with it simply victims of bad luck? Or did it become cursed as a result of Dean's violent death?
According to pyschometry, objects absorb the emotions of their owners and remain a permanent focus of these emotions. Although the mystery may never be solved, there may be a possibility that in the final seconds of Dean's life he experienced such intense terror and fear that their negative energy was literally imprinted on the car.
Ghost Cars / Phantom Vehicles...
A phantom vehicle has two meanings. In legal terms for insurance purposes, a phantom vehicle is one that causes bodily injury, death, or property damage to an insured vehicle, but has no physical contact; for example, a run-off-road accident caused by a car in the opposing direction drifting partly over the centre line of a highway.
More popularly, a phantom vehicle is a supposed ghostly or haunted vehicle. No such phenomena have been scientifically verified and no research on this topic appears in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. However, many people find such stories fascinating and they are common in urban legends and entertainment.
In more detail, phantom vehicle is a term describing two types of phenomenon: either a ghostly apparation of a vehicle of some kind (usually involved in fatal car crashes; the same vehicle mysteriously reappears and disappears at the spot where the accident occurred); or a vehicle that is haunted by the spirit of a person (usually the former owner of the vehicle) which sometimes appears in the passenger seat as a ghostly apparition or appears in the rear view mirror. In the latter example, the witness could often look in the backseat of the vehicle but find nobody there. Such vehicles are often claimed to be acting strangely.
Another kind of a phantom vehicle is one that suddenly appears out of nowhere at high speed and disappears. This type of phantom vehicle (mostly cars and trucks) is reported to be driverless or is driven by a ghost of the owner of the vehicle. Witnesses often claim that they see such vehicles disappearing at spots which a normal vehicle could have crashed into.
More popularly, a phantom vehicle is a supposed ghostly or haunted vehicle. No such phenomena have been scientifically verified and no research on this topic appears in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. However, many people find such stories fascinating and they are common in urban legends and entertainment.
In more detail, phantom vehicle is a term describing two types of phenomenon: either a ghostly apparation of a vehicle of some kind (usually involved in fatal car crashes; the same vehicle mysteriously reappears and disappears at the spot where the accident occurred); or a vehicle that is haunted by the spirit of a person (usually the former owner of the vehicle) which sometimes appears in the passenger seat as a ghostly apparition or appears in the rear view mirror. In the latter example, the witness could often look in the backseat of the vehicle but find nobody there. Such vehicles are often claimed to be acting strangely.
Another kind of a phantom vehicle is one that suddenly appears out of nowhere at high speed and disappears. This type of phantom vehicle (mostly cars and trucks) is reported to be driverless or is driven by a ghost of the owner of the vehicle. Witnesses often claim that they see such vehicles disappearing at spots which a normal vehicle could have crashed into.
I believe that there is a rational explanation for the video you've just seen...
HAVE YOU SEEN A GHOST CAR OR PHANTOM VEHICLE?
Send us an email... solutions@westsydneyparanormal.org and tell us about it!
HAVE YOU SEEN A GHOST CAR OR PHANTOM VEHICLE?
Send us an email... solutions@westsydneyparanormal.org and tell us about it!
I have posted a clip featuring a team of investigators trying to de-bunk the above 'Ghost Car' clip. It must be said that although I feel as if there is a natural explanation for what occured... I do feel as if the experiments did differ from what occured on that evening. Anyway, always good to make the mind tick over!
The Ghost of Glen Davis...
Featured as part of Bravo Productions "Scariest Ghost Videos" the Australian part of this video featuring "Wildland" was shot in the remote mining town of Glen Davis, an old shale mining town located 70 kilometres north of Lithgow in the Capertee Valley.
Rock group Wildland visited there to shoot their video. When the scenes were viewed later, it was discovered that there was a figure of a man standing in the background of one of the shots amid the concrete ruins. The figure did not have a face and the head is disjointed from the body. The camera crew, director, and band swears that there was no one else on the scene. Some speculate that the man may be the spirit of a miner who was killed in an accident or perhaps he is the spirit of a priest who committed suicide near that location.
Rock group Wildland visited there to shoot their video. When the scenes were viewed later, it was discovered that there was a figure of a man standing in the background of one of the shots amid the concrete ruins. The figure did not have a face and the head is disjointed from the body. The camera crew, director, and band swears that there was no one else on the scene. Some speculate that the man may be the spirit of a miner who was killed in an accident or perhaps he is the spirit of a priest who committed suicide near that location.
*** Note: The Glen Davis section is located in the middle of this video. ***
The Crossroads Demon / Ghost
Crossroads... The meeting and parting of ways - have long been regarded as likely places for ghosts or other spirit activity to take place. Crossroad superstitions can be found in Europe, India, Japan and among Native Americans, perhaps because in some parts of the world murderers, sorcerers and suicides were buried at crossroads with a stake or nail driven through the corpse, an act known as 'nailing down the ghost', to prevent the ghosts return. Or perhaps the cross shape of the intersection mimicked the consecrated ground of a church yard, a burial place denied to murderers. Perhaps crossroads were places where territories, routes or villiages collided, and they therefore became regarded as meeting places between the spirit realm and earth.
Crossroads are believed to be haunted by spirits who take great delight in leading travellers astray. In German folklore a ghostlt rider is believed to haunt a crossroads in Schleswig; the neck of his horse stretches across the path and prevents people from passing. In European lore the dead are said to appear at crossroads, and in Welsh legend every crossroad is thought to be inhabited by spirits of the dead on Allhallows Eve. In modern evolution of the tradition, crossroads in the rural Mississippi Delta area are reportedly frequented by either Lucifer or his minions; wandering musicians and minstrals seeking to bargain their immortal souls for success in their musical endeavours know to go to the crossroads to meet with the Devil.
The cross shape of crossroads is in some traditions protection against the spirits that are said to haunt it. For example, in Irish folklore humans who have been kidnapped by fairies are thought to be able to gain their freedom at crossroads. One German superstition holds that if you are chased by a ghost or demon, you should head to a crossroads for protection. On reaching the crossroads the spirits will vanish in an unearthly shriek.
Crossroads are believed to be haunted by spirits who take great delight in leading travellers astray. In German folklore a ghostlt rider is believed to haunt a crossroads in Schleswig; the neck of his horse stretches across the path and prevents people from passing. In European lore the dead are said to appear at crossroads, and in Welsh legend every crossroad is thought to be inhabited by spirits of the dead on Allhallows Eve. In modern evolution of the tradition, crossroads in the rural Mississippi Delta area are reportedly frequented by either Lucifer or his minions; wandering musicians and minstrals seeking to bargain their immortal souls for success in their musical endeavours know to go to the crossroads to meet with the Devil.
The cross shape of crossroads is in some traditions protection against the spirits that are said to haunt it. For example, in Irish folklore humans who have been kidnapped by fairies are thought to be able to gain their freedom at crossroads. One German superstition holds that if you are chased by a ghost or demon, you should head to a crossroads for protection. On reaching the crossroads the spirits will vanish in an unearthly shriek.
The Legend of Fisher's Ghost
Frederick George Fisher was born on August 28, 1792 in London. He ran a successful business in London until he was discovered in possession of forged documents. He was sentenced to transportation to Australia on July 26, 1815.
He served his sentence and in 1822 was given a ticket-of-leave, this included a piece of land in Campbelltown.
The man who owned the neighbouring block of land was George Worroll (also Worrell or Worrall). Worroll was also paroled after being transported to Australia, but had continued his criminal ways and soon included Fred Fisher in his dealings. Fred found himself in debt for £80 and was unable to repay them, he began to fret about losing the small house and land he had built.
Worroll decided to help his neighbour by hiding the ownership of Fisher’s farm. He told Fred to sign the ownership over to him so when the debt-collectors came, he would not lose the farm. Frederick agreed and soon Worroll officially owned the farm. When the debt-collectors came and Fred was unable to pay his dues, he was arrested and imprisoned for six months in late 1825.
After serving his sentence, Fred returned home in June 1826, to find that Worroll had taken over the Fisher Farm and really was not expecting Fisher to return. Worroll had been telling people that Fred had sold him the farm and returned to England, so when the man returned and demanded his property be returned, Worroll decided otherwise.
June 1826
On the night of June 17, 1826 Frederick Fisher was last seen with Worroll by Jane Hopkins. The time was around nine o’clock and the men were about to start drinking, it was the last time he was seen alive.
After several days, people were suspicious of Worroll’s stories of Fisher returning to England and enquiries soon began into Fred’s whereabouts. A local police officer Newland discovered blood splatter on a paling fence on Worroll’s property. Aboriginal trackers were brought in to search the two properties and claimed they could smell a dead white man, yet were unable to find a body.
Most of Fred’s possessions were found amongst Worrell’s property, the man had even begun wearing Fisher’s clothing. A local man was sold Fisher’s horse, when he questioned Worroll about his right to sell the animal, Worroll produced a crudely written and obvious forgery of Fisher’s signature, stating Worroll had power of attorney over the horse. The local townsfolk and constabulary believed that Worrell had murdered his neighbour.
September 1826
Early September 1826, after a lengthy investigation provided no body or evidence of Fred having left the country had been found a reward was posted to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Soon afterwards James Farley stumbled into a local pub, gasping for breath as he began telling his story. A story that was to become Campbelltown folklore.
Farley’s story was incredible to say the least. The man claimed to have seen the ghost of Fred Fisher sitting on a fence on his property, there was a large wound on the apparition’s forehead. The ghost said nothing to the startled man, he just pointed towards the creek (now known as Fisher’s Ghost Creek).
The police were called to the hotel to hear Farley’s story. The following morning a search was made and the decomposed body of Fred Fisher was discovered partially buried.
On September 17, 1826 Worroll was arrested for the murder of his neighbour Frederick Fisher. At the court trial, no mention was allowable to how Farley had been directed to the body of Fisher. One witness also claimed that when discussing the possible murder of Fred before his body was found, Worroll had “turn[ed] pale, and affect to smile” before attempting to change the subject.
Worroll confessed. He claimed to have been walking between the two properties with Fisher when he threw a plank of wood towards one of the horses, it struck Fisher, who fell unconsciously to the ground. He panicked and hid the man’s body, Fisher expired during the night. The following evening Worroll had returned and attempted to bury the man.
Worroll was found guilty of the murder on Friday February 2, 1827 and sentenced to hang the following Monday.
February 1827
On Monday February 5, 1827 George Worroll was hanged for the wilful murder of Frederick Fisher. He is buried in a cemetery in The Rocks. The body of Fred Fisher is interred in a secret grave in the Anglican Church in Campbelltown. At the time of writing being discussed by Council is whether a gravestone should be re-erected at Fisher’s gravesite or whether a memorial should be erected elsewhere.
The site where Fisher’s Ghost was seen has become a pilgrimage for some interested parties, with a hope of once more seeing the Ghost. The site is now beside the railway lines under a major arterial bridge. Not the place for an almost 200 year old ghost to be spending his eternity, even one as famous as Fred.
He served his sentence and in 1822 was given a ticket-of-leave, this included a piece of land in Campbelltown.
The man who owned the neighbouring block of land was George Worroll (also Worrell or Worrall). Worroll was also paroled after being transported to Australia, but had continued his criminal ways and soon included Fred Fisher in his dealings. Fred found himself in debt for £80 and was unable to repay them, he began to fret about losing the small house and land he had built.
Worroll decided to help his neighbour by hiding the ownership of Fisher’s farm. He told Fred to sign the ownership over to him so when the debt-collectors came, he would not lose the farm. Frederick agreed and soon Worroll officially owned the farm. When the debt-collectors came and Fred was unable to pay his dues, he was arrested and imprisoned for six months in late 1825.
After serving his sentence, Fred returned home in June 1826, to find that Worroll had taken over the Fisher Farm and really was not expecting Fisher to return. Worroll had been telling people that Fred had sold him the farm and returned to England, so when the man returned and demanded his property be returned, Worroll decided otherwise.
June 1826
On the night of June 17, 1826 Frederick Fisher was last seen with Worroll by Jane Hopkins. The time was around nine o’clock and the men were about to start drinking, it was the last time he was seen alive.
After several days, people were suspicious of Worroll’s stories of Fisher returning to England and enquiries soon began into Fred’s whereabouts. A local police officer Newland discovered blood splatter on a paling fence on Worroll’s property. Aboriginal trackers were brought in to search the two properties and claimed they could smell a dead white man, yet were unable to find a body.
Most of Fred’s possessions were found amongst Worrell’s property, the man had even begun wearing Fisher’s clothing. A local man was sold Fisher’s horse, when he questioned Worroll about his right to sell the animal, Worroll produced a crudely written and obvious forgery of Fisher’s signature, stating Worroll had power of attorney over the horse. The local townsfolk and constabulary believed that Worrell had murdered his neighbour.
September 1826
Early September 1826, after a lengthy investigation provided no body or evidence of Fred having left the country had been found a reward was posted to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Soon afterwards James Farley stumbled into a local pub, gasping for breath as he began telling his story. A story that was to become Campbelltown folklore.
Farley’s story was incredible to say the least. The man claimed to have seen the ghost of Fred Fisher sitting on a fence on his property, there was a large wound on the apparition’s forehead. The ghost said nothing to the startled man, he just pointed towards the creek (now known as Fisher’s Ghost Creek).
The police were called to the hotel to hear Farley’s story. The following morning a search was made and the decomposed body of Fred Fisher was discovered partially buried.
On September 17, 1826 Worroll was arrested for the murder of his neighbour Frederick Fisher. At the court trial, no mention was allowable to how Farley had been directed to the body of Fisher. One witness also claimed that when discussing the possible murder of Fred before his body was found, Worroll had “turn[ed] pale, and affect to smile” before attempting to change the subject.
Worroll confessed. He claimed to have been walking between the two properties with Fisher when he threw a plank of wood towards one of the horses, it struck Fisher, who fell unconsciously to the ground. He panicked and hid the man’s body, Fisher expired during the night. The following evening Worroll had returned and attempted to bury the man.
Worroll was found guilty of the murder on Friday February 2, 1827 and sentenced to hang the following Monday.
February 1827
On Monday February 5, 1827 George Worroll was hanged for the wilful murder of Frederick Fisher. He is buried in a cemetery in The Rocks. The body of Fred Fisher is interred in a secret grave in the Anglican Church in Campbelltown. At the time of writing being discussed by Council is whether a gravestone should be re-erected at Fisher’s gravesite or whether a memorial should be erected elsewhere.
The site where Fisher’s Ghost was seen has become a pilgrimage for some interested parties, with a hope of once more seeing the Ghost. The site is now beside the railway lines under a major arterial bridge. Not the place for an almost 200 year old ghost to be spending his eternity, even one as famous as Fred.
Map of where Fred was found.
The Black Ghost of the Blue Mountains
The 'Ghost in Black' has appeared many times in the past to many highway travellers. A young women dressed in black may appear on the second bridge. Some claim fatal accidents have occurred here by motorists swerving to dodge the 'Ghost in Black' even in recent days. Victoria Pass is also a location of the 'Black Ice' that freezes the road here in winter where many motorists have lost control.
The 'Ghost in Black' apparently appears near the original second bridge built by convicts, on Victoria pass, the descent from Mt Victoria west to Little Hartley on the current Great Western Highway in New South Wales. It is a no stopping zone near a safety ramp for runaway trucks and is to this day one of Australia's deadliest highway locations. Do not stop here as you could be arrested, fined or worse, killed. (Parking and Walking entry permitted via Mt York road entry to Berghoffer's Pass.)
It is possible that the Ghostly apparition is that of Caroline Collit from Hartley Vale, a bride at 13 years old, who left her drunk husband William to live with her younger sister Maria. She then became a bride at the age of 12 to another drunken husband John. Both husband's at one time were close drinking buddies.
The 'Ghost in Black' has been seen by many in history up to present times. The legend of the Ghost was even written about by one of Australia's well known writers, Henry Lawson.
Besides cattle and other stock, Little Hartley was made up of pubs. The Inns were road houses of their own time who housed gentlemen of stature and ladies while the convicts - white slaves and transport operator's steered the wagons and drays either up or down the western end of the blue mountains pass. Usually, well to do travellers waited or stayed at the Inn's then either walked the slope or rode horseback provided by local horsemen and blacksmiths who offered their service as the assent and decline was shear terror to many passengers before and during the times of Cobb & Co. It could take a whole day for teamsters to bring a load up or down.
At this time the two sisters lived with the younger sisters' of husband John who was mostly drunk. Things got out of hand and finally Caroline Collit went to a meeting with her estranged husband William, who some say she wanted to get back with, and her sister's husband, John at the Jaggers pub at the foot of Victoria pass near Nioka. Caroline's sisters’ husband John attacked Caroline's husband William and Caroline intervened. She grabbed her sister’s husband John and pulled him away from the fight. She hollered, 'run, run, he has got a stone and will murder you'. These were Caroline's last know words.
Caroline's husband William ran and got away from John. What happened next, no living person knows. Caroline was found by Matthew Mall the postal worker at 6 a.m. next morning after following a trail of clothing. Caroline was found dead and naked, assaulted by somebody at the second bridge. Her head was smashed by a stone. John claimed it was Jagger the publican and three of his mates who hit him with a pistol and took Caroline away. John, Caroline's brother in law was convicted of her murder and hung at Bathurst.It is claimed that Caroline Collitt is the 'Ghost in Black' at the second bridge on the Victoria Pass. The second bridge, completed in 1832 is a major feat in engineering (designed by Major Mitchell) as it has hardly been upgraded in 178 years from the convict times of bullock and dray transport. It is still the main route carrying heavy semi trailer and B double trucks from Sydney to Bathurst - Mudgee and beyond over the convict built structure. No road engineer (RTA) has seen through to completion a better idea.
Even now when crossing this causeway you may notice sheer cliffs over both sides. It is still single lane both ways and you may notice the original sandstone barriers. The second bridge is a chicane on the pass still supporting heavy uphill horse power and downhill brakes. There is also the story about how Major Mitchell snubbed his orders from NSW Governor Darling and built this pass to stand the test of time to his own idea's rather than take orders from a politician. Braking downhill for heavy loads in these early days consisted of cutting timber logs at the top of the mountain and chained as anchors to keep the payload from running over and killing the bullocks.Just under 50 years after the murder of Caroline Collit the 'Ghost in Black', Henry Lawson wrote about it for 'The Bulletin'. He received criticism from not only the press but mainly from his mother.
The 'Ghost in Black' apparently appears near the original second bridge built by convicts, on Victoria pass, the descent from Mt Victoria west to Little Hartley on the current Great Western Highway in New South Wales. It is a no stopping zone near a safety ramp for runaway trucks and is to this day one of Australia's deadliest highway locations. Do not stop here as you could be arrested, fined or worse, killed. (Parking and Walking entry permitted via Mt York road entry to Berghoffer's Pass.)
It is possible that the Ghostly apparition is that of Caroline Collit from Hartley Vale, a bride at 13 years old, who left her drunk husband William to live with her younger sister Maria. She then became a bride at the age of 12 to another drunken husband John. Both husband's at one time were close drinking buddies.
The 'Ghost in Black' has been seen by many in history up to present times. The legend of the Ghost was even written about by one of Australia's well known writers, Henry Lawson.
Besides cattle and other stock, Little Hartley was made up of pubs. The Inns were road houses of their own time who housed gentlemen of stature and ladies while the convicts - white slaves and transport operator's steered the wagons and drays either up or down the western end of the blue mountains pass. Usually, well to do travellers waited or stayed at the Inn's then either walked the slope or rode horseback provided by local horsemen and blacksmiths who offered their service as the assent and decline was shear terror to many passengers before and during the times of Cobb & Co. It could take a whole day for teamsters to bring a load up or down.
At this time the two sisters lived with the younger sisters' of husband John who was mostly drunk. Things got out of hand and finally Caroline Collit went to a meeting with her estranged husband William, who some say she wanted to get back with, and her sister's husband, John at the Jaggers pub at the foot of Victoria pass near Nioka. Caroline's sisters’ husband John attacked Caroline's husband William and Caroline intervened. She grabbed her sister’s husband John and pulled him away from the fight. She hollered, 'run, run, he has got a stone and will murder you'. These were Caroline's last know words.
Caroline's husband William ran and got away from John. What happened next, no living person knows. Caroline was found by Matthew Mall the postal worker at 6 a.m. next morning after following a trail of clothing. Caroline was found dead and naked, assaulted by somebody at the second bridge. Her head was smashed by a stone. John claimed it was Jagger the publican and three of his mates who hit him with a pistol and took Caroline away. John, Caroline's brother in law was convicted of her murder and hung at Bathurst.It is claimed that Caroline Collitt is the 'Ghost in Black' at the second bridge on the Victoria Pass. The second bridge, completed in 1832 is a major feat in engineering (designed by Major Mitchell) as it has hardly been upgraded in 178 years from the convict times of bullock and dray transport. It is still the main route carrying heavy semi trailer and B double trucks from Sydney to Bathurst - Mudgee and beyond over the convict built structure. No road engineer (RTA) has seen through to completion a better idea.
Even now when crossing this causeway you may notice sheer cliffs over both sides. It is still single lane both ways and you may notice the original sandstone barriers. The second bridge is a chicane on the pass still supporting heavy uphill horse power and downhill brakes. There is also the story about how Major Mitchell snubbed his orders from NSW Governor Darling and built this pass to stand the test of time to his own idea's rather than take orders from a politician. Braking downhill for heavy loads in these early days consisted of cutting timber logs at the top of the mountain and chained as anchors to keep the payload from running over and killing the bullocks.Just under 50 years after the murder of Caroline Collit the 'Ghost in Black', Henry Lawson wrote about it for 'The Bulletin'. He received criticism from not only the press but mainly from his mother.
Sarah's Grave - Near Penrith, NSW
When Sarah Marshall arrived on the Convict Ship the Friendship from the United Kingdom more than 190 years ago she couldn't have foreseen the gruesome fate that awaited her.
Transported for stealing some apparel, Sarah served her sentence obediently and it was not long before she had earned her freedom. Around this time she met and befriended John Simpson, an independent, well-to-do man. Together they would have eight children out of wedlock. However, this was frowned upon at the time.On her way home one night, Sarah was set upon by a group of men who had been following her in the shadows. Sarah was brutally murdered in a fit of lust, Her remains were left near her home in Castlereagh NSW, and the cowardly men raced off into the darkness. It was a sad and sorry way to die. When her battered and scarred body was found, John Simpson was utterly devastated. He was now alone to search for answers to this horrendous crime, and to care for their eight precious children. Sarah Marshall was buried as Sarah Simpson, and it is said that John married her at her graveside to allow her to pass without sin into the next life.
Sarah's story doesn't end there, her epitaph on the headstone reads as follows:
And am I born to die,
To lay this body down.
And must my tremblingspirit fly.
Into a world unknown.
A land of deepest shade,
Unpaired by human thought.
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot.
The legend goes that Sarah continues to harass young men if they come near her graveside. While at the same time many young women claim to see her ghost appearin the tree's above. This story is a local legend which has been reported for as long as the locals can remember right up to modern times.
Do you have a story from Sarah's grave ?
Transported for stealing some apparel, Sarah served her sentence obediently and it was not long before she had earned her freedom. Around this time she met and befriended John Simpson, an independent, well-to-do man. Together they would have eight children out of wedlock. However, this was frowned upon at the time.On her way home one night, Sarah was set upon by a group of men who had been following her in the shadows. Sarah was brutally murdered in a fit of lust, Her remains were left near her home in Castlereagh NSW, and the cowardly men raced off into the darkness. It was a sad and sorry way to die. When her battered and scarred body was found, John Simpson was utterly devastated. He was now alone to search for answers to this horrendous crime, and to care for their eight precious children. Sarah Marshall was buried as Sarah Simpson, and it is said that John married her at her graveside to allow her to pass without sin into the next life.
Sarah's story doesn't end there, her epitaph on the headstone reads as follows:
And am I born to die,
To lay this body down.
And must my tremblingspirit fly.
Into a world unknown.
A land of deepest shade,
Unpaired by human thought.
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot.
The legend goes that Sarah continues to harass young men if they come near her graveside. While at the same time many young women claim to see her ghost appearin the tree's above. This story is a local legend which has been reported for as long as the locals can remember right up to modern times.
Do you have a story from Sarah's grave ?
