Bio

Sam Poo was a Chinese bushranger who became known in the Coonabarabran region of New South Wales during the 1860s. He is thought to have come to Australia during the Gold Rush. Many Chinese immigrants came to Australia during this time in search of fortune, primarily in gold mining.

He appeared at the Talbragar diggings in late 1864. Sam Poo was characterized as a quiet and solitary person. He did not mix much with other people, whether they were white settlers or fellow Chinese miners. Because of his demeanor, he earned the nickname "Cranky Sam."

In early January 1865, Sam Poo was observed to have left the Talbragar area. Shortly after, he began targeting travelers on the road between Gulgong and Mudgee. His first known robbery involved ten Chinese prospectors, from whom he took gold dust concealed in their hair. He continued to rob others, focusing on lone travelers. By February 1865, Sam Poo's criminal activities included many hold-ups and assaults.

Sam Poo operated with a pistol and a shotgun. While he was known to be unliked, he managed to evade capture for several weeks. 

Murder Story

Sam Poo was a Chinese bushranger operating in the Coonabarabran region of New South Wales in 1865. On February 3, 1865, Senior Constable John Ward encountered him while returning from escorting a prisoner. Ward had received reports about a Chinese man robbing travelers nearby. He searched the area and found Poo's camp. When Sam Poo spotted Ward, he ran into the bush, leading to a foot chase.

During the chase, Sam Poo shot Senior Constable Ward in the chest, mortally wounding him. After the shooting, Poo took Ward's weapons and fled into the surrounding area. Ward was left lying injured until he was discovered the next day by a local who helped him but soon realized that Ward was dying. He asked for care for his family in his final moments before passing away on February 4, 1865.

For the next two weeks, authorities searched for Sam Poo but could not find him. Finally, a tracker named Harry Hughes picked up Poo's trail. On February 15, 1865, Hughes and troopers found Sam Poo. A long chase followed, and during a clash, Poo was shot in the thigh. Even on the ground, he continued to fire at the officers until he was subdued by the tracker, who wounded Poo further using his rifle.

Sam Poo was taken to a hospital in Mudgee for treatment. He spent nine months recovering before being moved to Bathurst for trial. On December 19, 1865, he was found guilty of murdering Senior Constable Ward and was hanged at Bathurst Gaol.