James Alpin McPherson

James Alpin Macpherson (1842–23 August 1895) sometimes spelled "MacPherson" or "McPherson," and otherwise known as The Wild Scotchman, was a Scottish–born Australian bushranger active in Queensland and New South Wales in the 1860s. He was operational throughout the greater Wide Bay area and was eventually apprehended by members of the public outside the town of Gin Gin, Queensland.

Early life The eldest of eight children, Macpherson was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, in 1842, to John, a farmer, and Elspeth, his wife. When Macpherson was twelve, his family migrated to Australia aboard the William Miles.

After finishing his schooling, Macpherson first started work at a stoneyard on the corner of Wharf and Queen streets in Ipswich, owned by a Mr. Petrie, before finding work on a cattle station.

On 4 March 1864, Macpherson was part of a group of three who 'stuck up' the public house of Richard Willis at Houghton River, wounding Willis, and stealing 'three cabbage tree hats, two pairs of riding pants, one pair of boots, one gun, one crimean shirt, one bottle of whisky, and fourteen pounds of flour'.

Following the robbery, the government offered a £50 reward for the culprit's apprehension, Other aliases included Mar, Kerr, Scotia and Scotchie.

On 17 August 1864, Macpherson was almost apprehended by Sir Frederick Pottinger, a New South Wales Police officer, who had earlier pursued Ben Hall and Frank Gardiner, with mixed success. Pottinger later told Police in Brisbane that he encountered Macpherson, who was on foot, and they exchanged fire, both receiving arm wounds, before Macpherson escaped. He began to rob the mail coaches around Maryborough, Gayndah and Gladstone. Once, while he was on foot, leading him to steal the postman's horse, as well as the mail. The three, and another man called 'Currie', formed an armed party and they found Macpherson about six miles away. Macpherson was found guilty and given two twenty-five-year sentences, to be served concurrently,

Later life

In 1874, a petition to request clemency for Macpherson, organised by the Rev. B. G. Wilson, and signed by members of the Queensland parliament, They went on to have four sons and two daughters.

Legacy Each year, on the third weekend of March, Gin Gin holds a Wild Scotsman Festival, named for Macpherson and his 1866 arrest.