Harry Power facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Johnson
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Power in the 1870s
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| Born | c. 1820 County Waterford, Ireland
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| Died | c. 11 October 1891 (aged about 72) Swan Hill, Colony of Victoria, Australia
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| Conviction(s) | 1840 – 7 years transportation 1855 – 13 years 1864 – 7 years |
Henry Johnson (born around 1820 – died 11 October 1891), better known as Harry Power, was an Irish-born convict. He later became a famous bushranger in Australia. From 1869 to 1870, he was joined by a young Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly later became Australia's most well-known bushranger.
Harry Power escaped from Pentridge Prison two times, once in 1862 and again in 1869. People knew him for his friendly manner and his sense of style. He was also known for never hurting anyone he robbed.
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Early Life of Harry Power
Henry Johnson, who was also called Harry Power, was born in Waterford, Ireland, around 1819. He grew up in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England. When he was sixteen, his father arranged for him to learn the saddler trade. This meant he learned how to make and repair saddles and other leather goods for horses.
Becoming a Bushranger
Harry Power was found guilty in Salford, England, on 31 August 1840. He was sentenced to be sent to Australia for seven years. His crime was stealing a bridle and a saddle. At this time, he was known as Henry Johnson. He kept this name until he was given a "ticket-of-leave," which meant he had some freedom while still being a convict.
He became free in 1848 and moved to Sydney. By then, he started calling himself Harry Power. Power worked driving cattle across Victoria and New South Wales. He also joined a group exploring and cutting paths through the mountains. In a few years, he became an excellent bushman. He knew almost every part of the country.
An Unlucky Encounter
For a while, Harry Power seemed to be living an honest life. He even ran a horse yard in Geelong. However, one event changed his life. He was riding one of his horses near Sandhurst when he was stopped by two troopers. Power said he was riding quietly when the troopers stopped him. They asked about his horse and then tried to make him come with them.
Power refused, and a struggle happened. He was arrested and taken to Melbourne. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Power believed the troopers had stopped him without a good reason.
Escapes and Robberies
After serving six years, Harry Power was either released or escaped from prison. He was put in jail again in 1864 for stealing horses. In 1869, at 50 years old, Power escaped from Pentridge Prison. He then started robbing people on the roads, becoming known as a bushranger.
A large reward of £500 was offered for his capture. People claimed that Power had a young helper during these robberies. Many suspected that this helper was 16-year-old Ned Kelly. Harry Power was finally caught on 5 June 1870. He was arrested while sleeping in a hut on the Glenmore Run. This hut belonged to the Quinn family, who were Ned Kelly's grandparents and uncles.
Harry Power's Later Years
Harry Power was not released from prison until 9 February 1885. He was 66 years old at the time. For a while, he worked on an old Prison Hulk called the Success. He had once been a prisoner on this very ship, but by then, it had become a museum.
In November 1891, Harry Power accidentally fell into the Murray River. He drowned while fishing at Swan Hill, Victoria. He was about 72 years old.
Harry Power's Legacy
A place called Power's Lookout Reserve, near Whitfield, Victoria, is named after Harry Power. It offers great views.
Harry Power's connection with Ned Kelly has been shown in popular culture. In the 1980 TV miniseries The Last Outlaw, the actor Gerard Kennedy played him. Their relationship is also part of the book True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey. In the movie made from the book, Russell Crowe plays Harry Power.
