King Of The Road: Frank Clune

Frank Gardiner, one of Australia's most colourful bushrangers in Australia's gold-rush days, bailed up the Lachlan Gold Escort near Eugowra with a gang including Ben Hall, Dan Charters and Johnny Gilbert. This hold up is considered to be one of the largest ever gold robberies in Australian history. The robbery netted the gang an estimated £14,000 (approximately AUD $12.5 million in 2012 terms). Much of the gold was recovered by mounted police after they surprised the gang on Wheoga Hill near Forbes. What happened to the remaining gold is still the subject of much speculation and rumour. He fled to Queensland and enjoyed a year or two of liberty as the owner of a general store, until he was recognised and reported. His arrest occurred under controversial circumstance, and he was taken to Sydney to be sentenced to 32 years hard labour. He only served ten years, released under appeal on the proviso that he left the country. He travelled to San Francisco, and rumours of his life there are many, varied and rich with story-telling. Previously published as Dark Outlaw and Gunman Gardiner.