BUSHRANGER CAPTAIN THUNDERBOLT'S
ACCOMPLICE
JAMES BELL
aka Jemmy the Whisperer
Copyright Carol Baxter 2011
Carol Baxter is the author of the book, Captain Thunderbolt and His Lady: The true story of bushrangers Frederick Ward and Mary Ann Bugg (Allen & Unwin, 2011). It was published to critical acclaim and is being turned into a TV series.
While researching the lives of Fred and Mary Ann, Carol discovered that many of the claims made in books, articles and websites about them and their associates are wrong. To ensure that the correct information makes its way into the public arena, she provides the following information about Fred's accomplice James Bell.
James Bell
aka Jemmy the Whisperer
(c.1830 - ?)
Member of Fred's second gang in late 1865
with Patrick Kelly
TIMELINE
James Bell's full name was determined by Jane Smith, author of children's book Captain Thunderbolt (Simon & Schuster). He arrived Oriental Queen/Red Jacket 1864; Born Ireland, Catholic; Fencer; age 35; 5’ 4½”, Brown hair, grey eyes, R & w, second finger left hand dislocated, 2 teeth upper jaw deficient, left leg has been broken. [1]
Late Oct 1865: Thunderbolt joined by ‘Jemmy the Whisperer’; Jemmy was first mentioned in a Police Gazette report published on 13 Dec 1865 as having accompanied Thunderbolt & Kelly in crimes committed between 8 and 30 Dec 1865, but he was most likely in the 7 Nov bushranging spree as well; description 1865-66: about 30 years of age and seemingly a Londoner, 5'/1" - 5'/4" tall, grey eyes, sallow countenance, fair/light hair inclined to curl, light straggling beard and moustache, and a slight limp; had a beautiful singing voice and a favourite song, The Unfortunate Man. ‘Jemmy/Jimmy the Whisperer’ aka ‘Flash Jimmy’ aka ‘Little Jemmy/Jimmy’ was already on the run from police when he joined Thunderbolt, having at Walgett on 10/11 Dec 1862 shot and wounded Constable Rayfield who was attempting to arrest his friend Patrick McManus for horse stealing; the pair escaped and stole additional horses until McManus was apprehended around Aug 1863 (sentenced to 10 years on the roads); nothing is then heard of Jemmy the Whisperer until he joined Thunderbolt. [1a]
Oct 1865-Jan 1866: See Thunderbolt Timelines for 1865 (Second Gang) for details of the gang’s activities.
Mid-Jan 1866: Kelly and Jemmy headed south-west to the Narrabri district then their crime spree followed a big loop south to Coolah, east to Murrurundi and back up to Moree, then west to the Collarenebri district, as follows; 13 Jan 1866: robbed Turrawan Hotel (15 miles from Narrabri); 14 Jan: reached Gulligal (near Boggabri) and robbed the mailman heading for Wee Waa as well as others including Thomas P. Panton, claiming that Thunderbolt and a mate were at hand if they needed assistance; late Jan: seen skulking near the Talbragar River (near Coolah) where the Tamworth police closed in on them; 27 Jan: robbed the northern mail between Merriwa and Murrurundi, and also William Pugh’s Pine Ridge Hotel near Murrurundi; 1 Feb: stuck up Davis’ Currabubula pub; 8 Feb: robbed hawker J.M. Goldman about five miles from Goorallie station (Gurley near Moree); mid-Feb: police discover ‘Thunderbolt’s camp’ on Barwon River, containing hard-ridden horses including one stolen from Mr Bagot’s on 27 Dec, and the gang flee (NB. This was undoubtedly Jemmy & Kelly’s camp as they were in the vicinity whereas Thunderbolt was not). [2]
Mar 1866: Jemmy the Whisperer was on his own after Kelly’s apprehension. May 1866: stole Senior Constable Norris’ horse at Barraba; 23 May 1866: with two other armed men bailed up hawker, Henry Joseph, at Oakey Creek near Bingara (one man initially thought to be Thunderbolt but the description doesn’t match); 6 Jun 1866: with two others robbed Richard King of Eulowrie then John Arndell of Rocky Creek, both near Bingara. [3]
NB. The Tamworth Examiner reported on 16 Jun 1866 that the bandit was ‘Jemmy the Whisperer’ not ‘Bandy-Legged Jemmy’ as initially thought; this indicates that the ‘Jemmy the Whisperer’ and ‘Bandy-Legged Jemmy’ were two separate men and that references in published works to Fred’s accomplice as ‘Bandy-Legged Jemmy’ are inaccurate.
28 Mar 1882 James Bell alias Jemmy the Whisperer, the last of Thunderbolt’s gang, captured at the Springs by Senior-Constable Lynch of Goodooga on a charge of horse-stealing at Goulburn two years previously. “Walgett: Bell is well-known in the Liverpool Plains and Gwydir districts from his connection with several sticking-up cases, being the last of Thunderbolt’s gang. He was recognised today as the man who shot Constable Raefield at Walgett sixteen years ago. He had been the supposed ringleader of a set of horse stealers in this district, for many years evading the police. Constable Lynch deserves great praise for his well-planned and courageous capture.” He was remanded to Goulburn and committed for trial at Goulburn Sessions; Quarter sessions on 7 Aug 1882 noted that his case had been postponed to next session. [4]
Oct 1882 Warrant issued by Boggabri Bench for arrest of James Bell alias Jemmy the Whisperer charged with armed robbery of George Humphries at Gulligal on 14 Jan 1866. [5]
12 Oct 1882 Goulburn Circuit Court on 12 Oct 1882 noted that Bell’s case was remanded to next Circuit Court. [6]
19 Dec 1882 Tried at Goulburn Quarter Session on 19 Dec 1882 and sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Goulburn Gaol. [7]