The Bendhu case, also called the Bendhu atrocity, took place at Bendhu cattle station in the

Pilbara The Pilbara () is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Aboriginal peoples; its ancient landscapes; the red earth; and its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore. It is also a glo ...

region of

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

in 1897. The station owner and his brother were prosecuted for flogging to death three Aboriginal workers who had fled the station.

The incident

In September 1897 six Aboriginal workers ran away from Bendhu station, apparently because sheep had run away and they were afraid of being punished. Having walked for over 25 miles without water, they were recaptured by Ernest and Alexander Anderson, who proceeded to severely flog them. One elderly man (Pringamurra, also called Spider) and two women (Warradamngenmia, also called Biddy; and Narilung, also called Polly) died later that day. Another man (Jabramurra, also called Kandy) and two girls (Haberine, also called Louie, aged about twelve; and Wireroo, also called Minnie, aged about eight) were also flogged and left for dead, but survived. A

post-mortem examination An autopsy (post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death or to evaluate any dis ...

concluded that Pringamurra, Warradamngenmia and Narilung had died of shock from injuries sustained from the flogging (which included broken bones), possibly exacerbated by dehydration and exhaustion.

Prosecution and aftermath

Ernest and Alexander Anderson were initially fined £2 and issued with a warning about their behaviour. After public outrage, the police upgraded the charge against them to one of murder. Alexander Anderson died of typhoid fever in

Fremantle Prison Fremantle Prison, sometimes referred to as Fremantle Gaol or Fremantle Jail, is a former Australian prison and World Heritage Site in Fremantle, Western Australia. The site includes the prison cellblocks, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottage ...

whilst awaiting trial. Ernest Anderson was tried for murder but found guilty on the lesser charge of

manslaughter Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th cen ...

. The Chief Justice,

Alexander Onslow Sir Alexander Campbell Onslow (17 July 1842 – 20 October 1908) was the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of Western Australia. Onslow is a forebear of ...

, was dismayed at the jury's verdict, and considered Anderson to be guilty of a "particularly hideous and atrocious murder". He sentenced Anderson to life imprisonment, a uniquely severe sentence for a manslaughter case at this time. Anderson was thought to be the first white man to be convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of an Aboriginal person under Western Australia's legal system of self-government. He was ultimately released from prison after serving only six years of his sentence. The case was reported widely in the Australian press (and in some British newspapers), many of which condemned the verdict of manslaughter as excessively lenient.

References

{{Australian crime 1897 in Australia Crime in Western Australia Pilbara 1890s crimes in Australia