Burned in effigy – the McCann Hoax

COOLGARDIE NEWS. :

THE ALLEGED FIND AT LAKE COWAN.
RETURN OF MR McCANN AS DELEGATE.
FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR THE FIND.

EXCITED MEETING IN BAYLEY-STREET.
CHARGE AGAINST THE PRESS.
THE COURIER OFFICE STONED.

MR McCANN SMUGGLED AWAY.,
NOW UNDER POLICE PROTECTION.
FURTHER TROUBLE EXPECTED

COOLGARDIE, July 1 1895

Mr, McCann and the four delegates who were appointed to accompany him, returned last evening after a fruitless search for the alleged new find at Lake Cowan. As soon as it became known, a crowd of over 1,000, people consisting for the most part of townspeople, who were attracted out of curiosity assembled in Bayley street opposite the office of Mr. Marshall, tho Secretary of the Diggers’ Association.

Crowd outside the Courier Offices  :  7 Jul 1895

There was considerable delay and uncertainty in the proceedings. Some of the men showed impatience and demanded that Mr. McCann should be brought out. In the meantime, Mr, Marshall had taken Mr. McCann by the back way to the police station and left him there and returned, when the delegates gave a report of the expedition. There was very little excitement until Mr. Konnick mounted the box and said Mr. McCann was not so much to blame as the Press for creating a rush. The crowd then drifted towards the Courier office, adjoining the post office, and some stones were thrown. The windows of the newspaper office were broken. Warden Finnerty arrived and addressed the men. He pointed out the foolishness of creating a riot and of stone throwing. The crowd then gradually dispersed, and all ended at about half-past 9 o’clock. It is said that 250 men are coming in to-day. There is likely to be more trouble tonight.

Burning an Effigy of McCann which is mounted on a camel. 8 Jul 1895