Cowits facts for kids

Cowits was a very important Aboriginal man in Western Australia's early history. He was the first Aboriginal policeman in the region and joined many important journeys to explore new lands.

Cowits and His Brother Souper

Cowits was born around 1832 near York. He had a brother named Souper. Souper's story was shared in a newspaper called the Perth Gazette in 1844 when he was about 11 years old. This story mentioned that Souper had been sent to Rottnest Island for a period. He also said that his parents and uncles had passed away, but he had a brother in York.

Cowits' Early Life

In 1840 and 1841, a man named Peter Barrow taught Cowits and three other Aboriginal children the alphabet in York.

From 1841, Cowits lived with Dr Henry Landor, a settler, doctor, scientist, and explorer. Landor had come to the Swan River Colony in 1841 hoping to make money from sheep farming. In the 1842 York census, Cowits was listed as "working for settlers in the York (Avon) District."

Landor was concerned about diseases spreading among Aboriginal people. He believed that contact with white settlers was causing these illnesses. He tried to gather Aboriginal people to care for them and even asked the government for money for a hospital, though he only received some funds for medical treatment.

In January 1843, Landor explored areas east of "the Dale" (near Beverley) and took Cowits with him. Cowits helped them by hunting kangaroos and by translating when their guides were hard to understand.

In December 1844, Landor explored the Deep River. During this trip, Landor and his "servant" found shelter from a storm inside a huge, hollow jarrah tree. The tree was so big it could even fit their horses! Landor left the Colony in 1845.

Cowits Joins the Police

Cowits began helping John Drummond, who was the head of police in York and later Toodyay.

In 1848, Walkinshaw Cowan became the Protector of Natives and police chief in York. Drummond asked Cowits to deliver a message to Cowan. Cowan wrote in his diary about this event:

Drummond sent a message to me from Toodyay, forty-five miles distant, by a native named Cowits. This message was received and delivered to me between sunrise and sunset of the same day. Finding how efficiently this native acted with Mr Drummond, and seeing the great benefit that would attend the permanent appointment of native assistants to the police force, I recommended their appointment, and Governor Fitzgerald having agreed to it, Cowits was the first native police assistant in York. Another was appointed for Toodyay, and the employment of them became general throughout the colony. Cowits showed the greatest intelligence in the profession. His word was always to be depended upon, and his pluck and endurance were of the first description. When Mr Drummond left the police, soldiers were appointed in York and Toodyay as police constables. Entirely ignorant of the language, the police constables had to depend on Cowits, who from that time considered himself the head of the police.

This shows how important Cowits was, especially since the new police officers didn't know the local language. Cowits was known for his intelligence, trustworthiness, and bravery.

In April 1850, Cowits gave evidence in a trial involving a serious incident.

A Home for Cowits

Cowan and Cowits developed a good relationship. On August 26, 1850, Cowan wrote to the Governor, asking for a piece of land in York for Cowits. Cowits wanted to build a house and a garden there, especially since he now had a wife. Cowan hoped that if Cowits had a comfortable home, it would encourage other Aboriginal people to settle down and not live a "roaming life."

Cowan did not get a reply, so he wrote again in October 1851. He suggested a specific piece of land near the police barracks and his own house. He also asked for help from a "Ticket of Leave man" (a convict who had earned some freedom) to build the walls of the house.

Governor Fitzgerald replied, saying:

There is no objection to allowing this native to erect a building on the allotment in question but he must be his own architect.

This meant Cowits could build, but he would have to design it himself. However, in 1852, the area Cowan had chosen for Cowits' house was used to build prison cells, which became the first buildings of the current York Courthouse Complex.

Cowits' Brothers

Besides Souper, Cowits had other brothers named Nurgap, Dide, Nortap, and Billiup. Souper also became an Aboriginal policeman, as did some of his other brothers.

In February 1853, Souper was accidentally shot in the leg while trying to arrest an escapee.

In 1864, Cowits and Souper were supposed to join Assistant Surveyor Robert Austin on a trip to "Shark's Bay." However, Cowits became sick and had to stay at "Nombekine," about 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Northam. This meant he avoided a dangerous incident where the expedition's horses, including Souper's, were poisoned.

More Expeditions

In 1863, Cowits went with Lefroy on an expedition exploring east of York into the interior. Lefroy described Cowits as:

well known to all the settlers of the York district as an intelligent, sensible, courageous and trustworthy native; an estimate of his character which my observation and experience in this expedition is fully confirmed.

He also called him:

one of the most intelligent and sensible natives that I ever knew.

Lefroy's journal often mentioned Cowits' important role in the exploration. Lefroy found it amusing that Cowits always called their camp "home." A friend of Cowits, Tommy Windich, also joined this expedition. John Cowan and Cowits traveled about 97 kilometres (60 mi) beyond Smith's station and returned to York by mid-October 1863.

Cowits also joined expeditions led by Charles Cooke Hunt to the east of York in 1864 and again in July 1866 (which also included Windich). He also went on an expedition with McRae and Scholl to the Fortescue area in August and September 1866. He also worked on farms, like Grass Dale, just like Windich.

Discovery of Petroleum

In May 1866, Cowits and Windich joined Constable Edwards on a police expedition to the east, where they made an important discovery: petroleum (oil).

Cowits' Death

Cowits passed away from influenza in April 1868. Cowan spoke highly of him:

Off and on he has been in the employment of the Government for nearly twenty years. He was out in the early exploration with Dr Landor. He was attached to Mr Lefroy and Mr Hunt in their several expeditions, and also was engaged in many private ones. He has accompanied me in my periodical visits from York to the Williams River and back, and from York to Dundarragan (sic), taking in Gingin and Bindoon, a stretch of 300 miles and upwards. I always felt the greatest confidence in him, and greatly preferred him with me to one of the soldiers. In this native there was no vulgarity. He was one of nature’s gentlemen. There was no end to his spirit, cheerfulness and anecdote. Every spot had its legend or tale.

This shows that Cowits was a highly respected and valuable member of the community, known for his kindness, cheerfulness, and knowledge of the land.