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Written by ABC Radio
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The Wilga Ghost ABC Western QueenslandTuesday, 15 May 2001 Oh yes, we've got our fair share of unsolved mysteries in the bush. Read, if you dare, the story of the Wilga Ghost as told by Jocelyn Avery. Jocelyn Avery: The "Wilga Ghost" was first heard on the Barcoo River on "Ruthven Station" about 50kms below Isisford. There used to be an old boundary rider's hut there and a shanty not too far away. The story about the "Wilga Ghost" was a legend, although many of the older generation would have agreed that nothing was ever seen. The phenomenon being confirmed to a blood-curdling scream which occurred in the vicinity of the waterhole at night. Nobody was really sure what it was, but it used to scare a lot of people. The drovers used to talk about the ground trembling and the cattle breaking. The legend has it that it was a drunken husband that had cut his wife's throat in the old shanty, and it was her dying screams that were first heard. There is no certainty to when the screams were first heard, but they have not been heard since the 1920's.
This story had people on their toes for some time. The best story concerning the "Wilga Ghost" was told about a local identity called "Bluey". His wife sent him a telegram asking for some money and "Bluey" wired back - "I'm sending twenty pounds." The next morning the butcher delivered 20 pounds of mince to her.
He was an athletic chap and could run like a hare. He was shearing at "Ruthven" and, he and his mates, reckoned they would catch the "Wilga Ghost". Accordingly, they went to the waterhole after dark accompanied by 4 or 5 kangaroo dogs. Well after dark, when Bluey and his mates were settled down and fortifying themselves from a bottle, they were beginning to think their vigil was in vain. Then a scream came! Immediately the ghost catchers took of in top gear , proceeded by the dogs. Over running the rear dog, Bluey gave it an almighty kick exclaiming "Out of the way, you hairy mongrel and make room for those that can run!"
Now, most people have put the "Wilga Ghost" down to a noise made by a screeching owl, but I think it has a lot of people wondering just what that screaming noise was! I think "Bluey" is still running |
