Ghost of Harry Redford

The Ghost of Harry Redford and Whitey Show
Well, the year was 1873, against all the odds, Harry Redford walked a free man with a “not guilty” verdict after a cattle doffing charge where everything was stacked against him.
Come indulge in a Meal (bully beef and damper) and enjoy the fun and laughter as Jack, Ed and Bill (not their real names to protect their identities) explore the story of the exploits of Harry Redford and some insight into one of the most famous court cases in Roma and Queensland’s legal history.

The Tale of Harry Redford and Whitey
Roma Court House stands benignly here in the sun, beautifully renovated to celebrate its centenary in 2001, unaware that its wooded predecessor had been witness to one of the most famous court cases in Queensland’s history.
   In 1873, against all the odds, Harry Redford walked a free man with a “not guilty” verdict after a cattle duffing charge, where everything was stacked against him.
   Harry had commited the audacious feat of stealing 1000 head of cattle from “Bowen Downs” station near Aramac. And then drove them all the way to South Australia. With only a bit of help from a couple of mates.
   Tagging along for company went an imported white bull. Called “The Duke of Marlorough” – better know as ‘Whitey’. He was a friendly beast who was finding the back blocks of Central Queensland a little quiet for his liking, particularly when his lady friends were being taken away. So Whitey, being the aristocrat he was, chose to go along too.
   When Harry tried to draft Whitey out, he turned up again the next day.
This bull proved to be Harry Redford’s nemesis. He even has a pub named after him in Roma. Anyway the wealthy owners of “Bowen Downs’, the Law, the best criminal QC they could pay for, a host of witnesses from Queensland and South Australia, and the evidence – the white bull, better known as ‘Whitey’, were all lined up against Harry. Yet Harry walked away a free man, because the jury was far more impressed with his feat of walking 1000 head all the way to South Australia, then they were interested in the due processes of the Law.

So Harry Redford has gone down in the annals of Queensland’s legal history.