'I Cannot Say the Numbers that Were Killed': Assessing Violent Mortality on the Queensland Frontier

11 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2014

See all articles by Raymond Evans

Raymond Evans

University of Queensland

Robert Ørsted–Jensen

University of Queensland - Faculty of Arts

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

This paper suggests that there is a way to arrive at a proximate, dependable estimate of the number of Aboriginal frontier casualties at the hands of colonial Queensland’s Native Police Force. By using data that provides accurate information on the number and duration of ‘police’ camps, the frequency of patrols, the surviving records of clashes and dispersals of Aborigines, as well as some reported body counts, it is possible to arrive at a defensible mathematical estimate of the quotient of state sponsored frontier killings across a half century span. Furthermore, this makes it possible to suggest a better estimate of the total Aboriginal death toll.

Suggested Citation

Evans, Raymond and Ørsted–Jensen, Robert, 'I Cannot Say the Numbers that Were Killed': Assessing Violent Mortality on the Queensland Frontier (2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2467836 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2467836

Raymond Evans (Contact Author)

University of Queensland ( email )

St Lucia
Brisbane, Queensland 4072
Australia

Robert Ørsted–Jensen

University of Queensland - Faculty of Arts ( email )

St Lucia, Queensland
Australia

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