The Legend of Fisher’s ghost
Born in London, seventeen ninety two,
Fred stole some cash while working in a store;
was given fourteen years and shipped to OZ.
He then was freed in eighteen twenty two.
Was given land to work and earn his keep;
with George his neighbor friends he soon became.
They toiled their land and met each day to talk
and sometimes in each others house would sleep.
An argument broke out between two mates
in the local store and Fred was sent to jail.
With trust he made George power of attorney.
in eighteen twenty-six he left those gates.
Fred disappeared mysteriously one night;
George said that Fred had left and sailed to England.
Three weeks went past and then George sold Fred’s horse
and chattels. All the town folks feared Fred’s plight.
One night a farmer came into the pub;
he said he'd seen Fred sitting on the railing
beside the creek and pointing to a paddock
nearby, then disappeared into the scrub.
They found Fred's body in the spot he said
where Fred had pointed. All the town was shocked.
Some said they too had seen the ghost of Fred
on the railing down beside the old creek bed.
Suspected as the cause of Fred’s demise,
when under trial, George confessed the crime.
Although the ghostly tale could not be told
in court, the rumors soon began to rise.
They said Fred's ghostly form would oft' appear
to folks who ventured near the creek at night
A legend born and then a pilgrimage
as curious crowds began to gather there.
The festival of Fisher's ghost is held
in Campbelltown, November every year,
for folks who come to try and see Fred's ghost
and find the very spot where he was felled.
Beware if traveling near the bridge at night..
Fred Fisher's ghost will sure give you a fright!"
Joan Benecke May 2, 2007
Author notes
Aussie group member from St Marys NSW
The story of Fisher’s Ghost is true, every November crowds flock
to see if they can spot Fred Fisher.
They have a festival that last’s for 10 days
An interesting piece NSW history. Well, it's almost in my backyard, I live at St Marys, about a half hours drive by car.
http://www.hauntedaustralia.com/content/view/54/44/
http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/yarn1.html
Turn your sound up.
In a list
A contest entry
- FOR HUGH WYLES FAVOURITE’S GROUP ONLY # 11 by huguenauties.
800 points, ended May 12, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - FOR AUSSIE GROUP MEMBERS ONLY by Shelly Beattie 2.
700 points, ended February 12, 4 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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This is a firm favourite of mine
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i know the story of Fred Fisher's ghost. I have it all in short story form. I enjoyed read again about the demise of fred in poetry form.*
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This is a good poem and a good read
Best wishes
-Emmjay
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Well told
You have a gift for telling true stories in verse. This holds the atention and tells it very clearly. Poor old Fred. Great work dear big Sis.
Love ya.
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Motive, means, opportunity, and a ghostly accusation! You've told this wonderfully well, Joan, I like the idea of the festival and sightseers playing with the apparition. Nicely written verses too!
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I think having a festival for Fred sounds fun. If I ever go I hope never to see Fred. Of course no one will, Fred's already done what he had to do, point ut his brother's guilt, so now I'm sure he rests peacefully.
Still I'm not taking any chances, I ain't goin' no wheres near that thar place.
An entertaining narrative, I must say the tales in this contest have been very entertaining.
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Dear A/J
I remember the night we all went on the tour to see if we could spot Fred Fisher's ghost. I know some of the group did, but we missed it!
maybe this November coming we can go there again.
A beaut write.
Jen.
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Yes Jen, that was a great night and we will go again this November.
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What a fascinating story, Joan. This reminds me of when was a youth an we'd sit on the porch steps telling ghost stories, not of them true of course, and often made up on the spur of the moment. Yours is better, it at the very leasts, is about a real person and mysterious circumstances.
I enjoyed this immensely.
Dee
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Me too Dee, we used to sit around the fire when I went away for a month during WW2 and the bus driver who drove us everywhere used to tell us ghost stories every night. I LOVED THEM! I still do.
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Very interesting !
Wow! A festival that lasts 10 days because of Fisher's ghost! I wonder how many have seen his spirit after these many years? Thanks for posting. I love ghost stories!
Love,
♥ Maureen
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Yes Maureen, they have all sorts of fetivals each year. I've been there but have never seen Fred Fisher unfortunately.
Love to you my Soul/Sister.
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Ok, and now I am never coming to Australia either... unless I can sleep in one of the girl's rooms...one that won't tell dang ghost stories.
I wants me maw! -
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AWWW Come on Carol, come over and I'll take you on some ghost tours, you'll LOVE IT! Nce dark houses where you hear the howling of the ghost's wooooooo woooooooo and you feel a tap on your shoulder. Now what could be better.
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Dear Bea,
I became absolutely enthralled reading your poem. I'd never come across the story before and now I've read both the links you provided in your Author's Notes and I think your poem tells the story much better than the anonymous poem in the first link. I must say though, that I loved the Aussie lingo in Uncle Clarence's version.
Congrats on a bobby dazzler yarn.
Pity it's a non-entry but thanks for sharing.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh R.
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Yes Hugh, the Uncle Clarence version is quite enjoyable, he has other stories there as well.
Love Bea
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Well done Joan. A very informative write you have penned here. I enjoyed this write very much.
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Thanks Julie, I've been out there but have never seen Fisher's Ghost yet. It's only a 40 minute drive from my place.
Joan
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