Written by Mrs Maude Harbinson to mark the 50th anniversary of Rathfriland Historical Society. 2023.
Sit back, relax and enjoy this story.
Of a local man who craved GOLD and Glory.
But first an introduction to his dad,
Who thought the world of his handsome lad.
An esteemed agent for the Meade estate
And nineteen years a magistrate.
His father Thomas Scott J.P.
Was just and resourceful, folk all agreed.
During the years of the potato blight,
Thomas sae that tenants were treated right.
A soup kitchen was opened in The Square
As for evictions-well they were rare.
Peace and goodwill reigned but soon came to a stop
When the Newry Reporter a BOMB did drop.
Scott the unbiased peacemaker, sought to resign.
PETITIONS-NOTHING would change his mind.
When questioned why he would not stay,
This is all that he would say
‘A recent melancholy domestic state,
Means my resignation cannot wait.’
What happened next was quite a shock.
He Sold his house-his land-his stock
Some thought DOMESTIC TROUBLE referred to his wife
That she was the cause of all the strife.
But sons ANDREW and THOMAS wanted to roam.
And in a young country make their home.
Gossip had it ANDREW was to blame
His fiery temper had brought them shame.
The Tullyquilly Scotts had paved the way,
And were flourishing in the USA.
So, armed with hope and dreams galore,
They landed on NEW ZEALAND SHORE.
Grown up with 12 sisters and brothers,
Mr Scott knew how to influence others.
His gracious manner impresses them all
Ans soon a church gave him a call.
When made a vicar of Coromandel,
He had young Thomas ordained as well,
Now here is a question I ask you all
How could a seneschal accept a call?
Was he one of the qualified Anglican teachers,
For his name is missing from local preachers.
We’ll never know what he said or wrote
To get the required majority vote.
The Streamvale Scotts are settled at last,
And are happy to forget the past,
Even mum Bessie doesn’t, speak still
Of her lovely home on Castle Hill.
Andrew now takes the central stage,
Details of his jobs would fill a page,
Policeman, soldier, surveyor, teacher,
Engineer, gold miner and even, preacher.
In Australia, while helping the Ballarat rector,
He visited the famous Gold Rush Sector
There a teacher and banker became his mates
The three became pally with many good dates.
With a patron ANDREW flew into a rage
So, the church decided to withhold his wage,
Now what is the first thing he’d like to do??
Yes, rob a bank—BUT he robbed two!
One night as Banker Bruun was locking the door,
He was suddenly attacked and knocked to the floor.
A masked figure with a gun and dressed in black,
Had him put all the money and gold in a sack.
Next, he was directed to write a note in a book,
Explaining he was the VICTIM and not the CROOK,
Then Scott signed it simply CAPTAIN MOONLITE
Thinking this mis-spelling would help his own plight.
In SYDNEY our thief now spent some time
And lived on the proceeds of his crime.
A lavish life style squandered all he stole.
So, passing valueless cheques was his next role.
He fraudulently bought a luxurious yacht
BUT was ARRESTED before out to sea he got
For this he was given 12 months jail.
As no-one offered to pay his bail.
On release he was charged with his previous crime.
Ten years hard labour if he served full time.
The warden was ASSAULTED when he made his rounds
So that Andrew and INMATES could leave the grounds.
When recaptured, James Nesbitt was in the next cell,
And surprisingly they got on rather well.
FREED, they plotted and assembled a group
Like Ned Kelly’s dreaded bushranger troop.
Once when hungry, thirsty and with no food to eat,
They begged a sheep station for left -over meat
The owner refused although he saw their plight
So, all hell broke out in a ferocious fight.
For two whole days Moonlite vented his wrath
Imprisoning all who crossed his path.
Eventually the police learnt of the dreadful deed
And sent an armed force to stop Scott’s greed.
A small party of four mounted troopers set out,
But Scott’s well -armed gang captured each mount
And held them down for several hours
Until reinforcements arrived and made their charge.
For four long hours the guns were fired
Until two men and a trooper expired.
Scott surrendered on seeing James was dead,
And breaking down he sobbed and stroked Jim’s head.
Andrew was then only thirty- eight,
When, with gang member ROGAN, he met his fate.
HANGING was the penalty for murdering police
So-the accused realised they’d get no release.
On the witness stand their plead was the same
“FOR THE STATION HOLD-UP I ACCEPT THE BLAME
BUT THE CONSTABLE’S MURDER I DISCLAIM.’
Without proof the GUILTY VERDICT had to REMAIN.
So, Scott and ROGAN were sentenced to death,
And many present felt bereft.
The ladies loved that charming lad
And wouldn’t believe that he was bad.
Now over a century has passed and gone
But stories of ANDREW’S deeds live on.
He squandered his GOLD, but he got FAME,
His notoriety brought him vast ACCLAIM.