Trooper Gordon

On arrival in South Australia on 14 November 1853, Adam Lindsay Gordon lost no time in his determination to make the best of his situation. Joining the South Australian Mounted Police, Trooper Gordon was stationed in the Mount Gambier area, principally at Penola. Below is a copy of the journal covering Gordon’s period as a Trooper.

Penola Police Journal commencing July 1st 1855 and ending February 7th 1858
Extracts taken covering the time when Police Trooper Gordon
was in the Police Barracks

PENOLA POLICE STATION

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday July 1st and ending Saturday July 7th 1855

July
1st P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon in search for man named Thos. Philpots.
2nd P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon returned after an unsuccessful search for Philpots.
3rd P.T. Saxon left for Dr Dixon’s to learn if he could gain any information respecting Philpots. Learnt that he had left that Station on the Tuesday before for Mr Mc Arthur’s Station. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
4th P.T. Saxon visited Mr Mc Arthur’s, one of Mr Robertson’s outstations, one of Mr Wallace’s but could gain no information. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
5th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon looking for the horses.
6th P.T. Saxon & Gordon in Barracks.
7th P.T. Gordon went to Mr Watson with despatches P.T. Saxon having learnt that a horse had been stolen from the Glenyelg, that the thief was supposed to be at Smith’s Station proceeded there with one of the Casterton Troopers but heard on arrival there that he had been apprehended by another Trooper that morning P.T. Gordon having received information stating the horse stealer was more than one man could manage proceeded to McKinnon’s to render assistance.

Number of miles travelled during the week (horses) Roan Tommy – 30 Miles
Goldust – 40 Miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper in Charge

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday July 8th and ending Saturday July 14th

July 8th P.T. Saxon returned from Mr Smith’s Station. P.T. Gordon returned from McKinnon’s.
9th P.T. Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
10th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon looking for horses.
11th P.T. Saxon looking for horses. P.T. Gordon left on leave for Mosquito Plains. P.T. Saxon had Grey horse shod. P.T. Gordon Roan Tommy 4 Removes Goldust 2 Removes & 2 shoes.
12th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon on leave.
13th " "
14th P.T. Saxon in Barracks P.T. Gordon returned rom Mosquito Plains. Inspector Scott left for Mount Gambier.

Distance travelled Goldust – 20 miles
Roan Tommy -12 miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper in Charge.

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday July 15 and ending Saturday July 21st

July 15th P.T’s. Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
16th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
17th P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
18th P.T’s. Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
19th " "
20th Inspector Scott arrived at Head Quarters P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
21st P.T. Gordon looking for horses. P.T Saxon in Barracks.

George Saxon
Police Trooper In Charge

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday July 22nd and ending Saturday July 28th

July 22nd P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
23rd P.T. Saxon & Gordon in Barracks
24th " "
25th " "
26th " "
27th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
28th P.T. Saxon and Gordon in Barracks. P.T. Morton arrived from Mosquito Plains with despatched for Inspector Scott.

George Saxon
Police Trooper in charge.

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday July 29th and ending Saturday August 4th

July 29th Inspector Scott accompanied by P.T. Morton left Head Quarters for Mosquito Plains. P.T’s. Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
30th P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in Barracks.
31st " "
Aug 1st P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T Gordon in Barracks.
3rd P.T. Gordon looking for the horses. P.T. Saxon in Barracks.
4th Saxon " Gordon "
5th " "
6th " "
7th P.T. Saxon attending Court. P.T. Gordon looking for the horses. Inspector Scott arrived from the North. P.T. Saxon started for the Reedy Creek serve a subpoena on John Taylor to attend Criminal Sittings in Adelaide.
8th P.T. Saxon having received information that John Taylor had been apprehended under a warrant granted by Capt. Brewer proceeded on to Guichen Bay. P.T. Gordon in Barracks.
9th P.T. Saxon served subpoena on John Taylor & left the Bay for Penola. P.T. Gordon in Barracks. P.T. Easdley arrived from Mt. Gambier in charge of a prisoner.
10th P.T. Gordon in Barracks. P.T. Saxon en route from Guichen Bay. P.T. Easdley left for Guichen Bay.
11th P.T. Gordon in Barracks P.T. Saxon arrived from Guichen Bay. P.T. Warren arrived from Guichen Bay in charge of 24 female immigrants.

Total Distance Travelled during the week.
Grey Horse 140 miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper in Charge

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday August 12th and ending Saturday August 18th

Augst 12th P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in Barracks . P.T.Warren getting his horse shod 4 new shoes.
13th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon ditto. P.T. Warren left for Guichen Bay.
14th P.T. Saxon attending Court. P.T. Gordon ditto.
15th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon ditto.
16th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon looking for the horses.
17th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon ditto.
18th " "
13th Augst. Inspector Scott Horse "Doctor” 4 removes. P.T. Gordon Horse "Kangaroo Jack” 4 new shoes.

Distance Travelled during the week
" "

George Saxon
Police Trooper in Charge

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday Augst 19th and ending Saturday August 25th

Aug 19th P.T. Saxon in Barracks P.T. Gordon ditto. Apprehended a woman named "Ann Twigg” for drunkenness and using abusive language.
20th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T Gordon in charge of prisoner.
21st P.T Saxon in Barracks P.T. Gordon ditto. Mrs Twigg was brought before A Watson … Special Magistrate. and fined £5 and £1 Court Expenses.
22nd P.T.Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon looking for the horses and proceeded to Muchling’s Hut!
23rd P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon ditto P.T Morton arrived from Mosquito Plains.
24th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T.Gordon ditto. P.T Morton proceeded to Kilbride in order to swear to the service of a summons.
25th P.T. Saxon in Barracks P.T Gordon looking for horses. P.T. Morton returned from Kilbride. Corporal Hunt reviewed arrived from Guichen Bay. Superintendant Tolmer August 25th accompanied by a native constable arrived from G.S. A.T Mount Gambier.

Distance travelled during the week
" "

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday August 26th and ending Saturday September 1st

Aug 26th Inspector Scott at Head Qtrs.. Superintendant Tolmer inspected the Station.. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon looking for horses. P.T. Morton getting his horse shod. Corporal Hunt in Barracks. Grey Rigg 4 new shoes.
27th Superintendant Tolmer & Inspector Scott left for the North. Corporal Hunt left for Guichen Bay after having his horse shod. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon ditto. Sailor Boy 4 new shoes.
28th P. T. Saxon & Gordon proceeded to Dr. Dixon’s in Gram (Horse Feed) consequence of having received information that a man named Norman McKinnon was in a dangerous state of lunacy but found on arrival there that Mr Dixon did not wish to have him apprehended till Mr Watson had been applied to.
29th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon proceeded to Mr Watson’s 12 lb with a letter from Dr Dixon & obtained a warrant for Norman McKinnon & also summons for Dr Webb Dr. Dixon & James Young. 6 lb
30th P.T. Saxon and Gordon proceeded to Dr Dixon’s & apprehended Norman McKinnon, served Summons on Dixon & Young. Forwarded Dr Webb’s Summons to Mt Gambier to be served. Inspector Scott arrived from the North. 12 lb
31st P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon in charge of prisoner. Received Dr Webb’s summons from the Mt. 6 lb
Sept 1 P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in charge of prisoner. 6 lb

Distance travelled during the week
Grey Horse …… 40 miles
Goldust 40 miles Borrowed horse 24 miles.

George Saxon
Police Trooper

26th Augst. Sailor Boy 4 new shoes
" Grey Rigg 4 new shoes

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday Sept 2nd and ending Saturday Sept. 8th

2nd P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon in charge of prisoner. Inspector Scott at Head Quarters. 6 lb
3rd P.T. Saxon and Gordon in charge of the prisoner. P.T. Saxon proceeded to Mr A Cameron for flour for the Immigrants. 6 lb
4th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon in charge of prisoner.
5th P.T. Saxon getting his horse shod. 2 new fore shoes. P.T. Gordon in charge of the prisoner. Inspector Scott returned from Kilbride. 6 lb
6th P.T. Saxon left for Guichen Bay with dispatches for Capt. Browne. P.T. Gordon in charge of prisoner. 6 lb
7th P.T. Gordon in charge of prisoner & attending court when the man was ordered to Adelaide. P.T. Gordon left in charge of prisoner for Adelaide. P.T. Saxon on route for Guichen Bay. 12 lb
8th Inspector Scott at Head Qtrs. P.T. Saxon en route from Guichen Bay. P.T. Gordon on duty escorting prisoner 6 lb 5th Sept. Grey Horse. 2 new shoes

Distance travelled during the week.
Grey Horse ……14 miles
Borrowed horse 156 miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday Sept 9th and ending Saturday Sept 15th

9th P.T. Saxon returned from Guichen bay. P.T. Gordon on duty escorting prisoner to Adelaide. 6 lb
10th P.T. Saxon proceeded to Kilbride with dispatches from Inspector Scott. P.T. Gordon on duty at Adelaide. 6 lb
11th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon on duty in Adelaide.
12th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses.. P.T. Gordon on duty to Adelaide.
13th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon on the above duty.
14th P.T. Saxon proceeded to Dr Dixon’s for medicine for the use of one of the Immigrant girls. P.T. Gordon on duty in Adelaide. Inspector Scott had horse "Doctor” shod. 12 lb
15th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon in Adelaide. Inspector Scott left for Kilbride. 6 lb

Total distance travelled during the week
Grey horse 44 miles…
14th Sept Inspector Scott’s horse "Doctor” 4 new shoes.

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday Sept 16th and ending Saturday Sept 22nd.

16th Inspector Scott returned from Kilbride & started for 6 lb Guichen Bay. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon escorting prisoner to Adelaide.
17th P.T.Saxon proceeded to McKinnon’s to serve summons on a man named William Frances for deserting the 6 lb employment 1st John Smith then Oak Ranges but found that he had not been there. P.T. Gordon on the above duty.
18th P.T. Saxon proceeded to Dr Dixon & Mr Seymour’s to learn if Frances had been seen about there 6 lb Stations but could gain no tidings. P.T. Gordon on the above duty.
19th P.T. Saxon returned to Penola saw Mr Smith who said he had no clue at all as to the direction Frances had taken but that most likely he has – to Adelaide as his relations settled there. 6 lb
20th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon as above.
21st " " 6 lb
22nd " " Corporal
Young arrived from Mt Gambier. 6 lb

Distance Travelled during the week.
Grey Horse 60 miles

P.T. Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday September 23rd and ending Saturday 29th

Sept 23rd P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon escorting prisoner to Adelaide. Corporal Young left on route for 6 lb Mount Gambier after having his horse shod.
24th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon as above.
25th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. " " 6 lb
26th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon on the above duty. Inspector Scott arrived from Guichen Bay.
27th Inspector Scott at Head Qtrs. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon on the above duty. 6 lb
28th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon in Adelaide. Served notice at Mr Cameron’s for the delivery of
the land marked out for the Police Reserve. 6 lb
29th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon in Adelaide. 6 lb
29th Grey horse 4 removes. Blackboy 4 new shoes.

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday September 30th and ending Saturday October 6th

30th Inspector Scott at Head Quarters. P.T Saxon 6 lb Balance of in consequence of information of information having been Gram 593 received that a dangerous lunatic had been Issued 156 about the station of Mr Leake proceeded there but found that he had left in the direction of the Mt. Burr Hotel. P.T. Gordon in Adelaide.
Oct 1st P.T Saxon proceeded to Mt Barr. Mr Jobson’s and then returned and found upon enquiry that the man was not considered dangerous but was very much enfeebled with age that his sight was bad but that he was proceeding into Adelaide. P.T. Gordon in Adelaide. Inspector Scott proceeded to Mr Smith’s then Oak Royal in order to serve a summons.
2nd Inspector Scott at Head Qrs. P.T.Saxon returned to Penola. P.T. Gordon arrived from Adelaide. P.T Wren arrived from Mosquito Plains. 18 lb
3rd P.T Saxon & Gordon in Barracks. P.T Wren proceeded to Kilbride. 6 lb
4th P.T’s Saxon and Gordon in Barracks. P.T Wren returned from Kilbride and proceeded 6 lb there again.
5th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon proceeded to Mr Watson’s to serve a summons on William Tipping to appear 6 lb as a witness. P.T Wren returned from Kilbride and left for Mosquito Plains after having his horse shod.
6th P.T Saxon in Barracks. P.T Gordon proceeds to Kilbride to take back a cast Iron? that had been 6 lb borrowed for the Hut of the immigrants.

Distance Travelled
Grey horse 70 miles
Borrowed Horse 24 miles
Charlie 4 new shoes

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the Week commencing Sunday October 7th ending Sunday October 13th

7th P.T. Saxon left for Mt Gambier to see if any assistance was required by Corporal Young for the capture of the blacks for the murder of a native at Mr Leakes. P.T. Gordon arrived from Mr Watson’s. Grey Horse 18
8th P.T. Saxon proceeded on to Mt. Gambier by way of Mr Leake’s Woolshed where he heard that the blacks were still thinking about informing Cpl. Young of the circumstances and found that P.T. Easterly? was out in search of them. P.T Gordon proceeds to Mr Robinson to serve 6 lb a summons on John Turley. Grey Horse 26 miles
9th P.T. Saxon returned to Penola.. P.T Gordon returned from Robinsons. Grey Horse 42 miles 6 lb
10th P.T. Saxon & Gordon in Barracks.
11th " "
12th " "
13th Inspector Scott arrived at Head Quarters. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon left for Mr Ewen Cameron’s in search of a Black named (Bluesbin Billy) who was concerned in the murder of a Lubra at Mr 6 lb Leakes. Stopped the night at Mr Doughty’s. Grey horse 7 miles.

Distance travelled during the week.
Grey horse 92 miles.
Borrowed horse 24 miles.

George Saxon Police Trooper

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday October 14th and ending Saturday October 20th

14th Inspector Scott left for Mt Gambier. P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon proceeded to Mr Cameron’s and found on arrival there that Bluesbin Billy 6 lb had been apprehended by Corpl Young. Grey horse 13 miles.
15th P.T. Saxon looking for the horses. P.T. Gordon returned to Penola. Grey horse 20 miles. P.T Morton from the Plains.
16th P.T’s Saxon & Gordon in Barracks. P.T Morton 6 lb getting his horse shod 1 new shoe and 3 removed. 6 lb
17th P.T’s Saxon Gordon and Morton in Barracks.
18th P.T Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon on leave. P.T. Morton in Barracks. Corpl Young and P.T. Easdley arrived from Mt Gambier in charge 6 lb of three native prisoners committed to Adelaide Inspector Scott arrived from Mt. Gambier.
19th P.T. Saxon in Barracks. P.T. Gordon returned to Penola. P.T’s Easdley & Morton left en route for Adelaide in charge of prisoners. Corpl. 18 lb Young left for Mt. Gambier.
20th P.T’s Saxon & Gordon in Barracks. 6 lb

Distance travelled during the week.
Grey horse 33 miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday Oct. 25th and ending Saturday Oct 27th

21st P.T. Saxon proceeded to Mr Watson’s with despatches. P.T Gordon left for Adelaide. 24 lb P.T Owen arrived from Adelaide. Grey horse 24 miles.
22nd Inspector Scott left for the North. P.T’s Saxon & Owen in Barracks. 18 lb
23rd P.T. Saxon served Summons on Thos. Lang for Tuesday the 6th of Novr. P.T Owen in Barracks.
24th P.T Saxon & Owen in Barracks.
25th P.T. Saxon looking for the horse. P.T Owen in Barracks.
26th P.T. Saxon & Owen in Barracks. Received two summons from A Watson Esqre. in the case of Brougham v Laing one for J Smead at Mr Leake’s Woolshed Glencoe the other for W Watson at the Mt. Burr Hotel. P.T Owen had his horse Polartboy shod 4 new shoes.
27th P.T Saxon looking for the horses. P.T Owen in Barracks.
26th Blackboy 4 new shoes

Distance travelled during the week.
Grey Horse………….24 miles

George Saxon
Police Trooper

 

Journal for the week commencing Sunday Oct 28th and ending Saturday Novr 3rd

28th P.T. Saxon and Owen in Barracks Gram left 401
29th P.T. Saxon left for Glencoe and Mt Burr Issued in order to serve summons on James Smead & 192 William Watson. Served the summons. 32 miles. P.T Owen in Barracks.
30th P.T Saxon returned from Mt. Burr by way of Lake Leake & Kalangadoo to Penola. 28 miles. P.T Owen in Barracks.
31st Inspector Scott arrived from the North. P.T Saxon looking for the horses. P.T Owen in Barracks. 18 lb
Novr 1st P.T Saxon in Barracks. P.T Owen left for Scott’s Woolshed.
2nd Inspector Scott at Head Qtrs. P.T Saxon looking for horses. Goldust 4 new shoes. Sack? Boy 4 new shoes.
3rd P.T Saxon left for McKinnon’s and Wallace’s for the purpose of serving summon’s on Mr McNicol Toogood & Jones and Tully. Served the summons on all but Tully who had crossed the border for the Wimmera. Returned back as far as one of Mr Wallace’s Stations. Grey Horse 34 miles.