1857 by An Eye-Witness
In a Bathurst Sale Yard One bright May morn, Where lots of men were waiting, Amongst the crowd was Skillicorn And patient Job Manning. Skillicorn was heard to say, “I will ride my horse to Sydney in a day.”
Down went fifty pounds by Skillicorn, And Manning soon covered with three to one. The money was planked down on a cart, The night was named for that great start. At Bathurst Post Office at twelve o'clock, To witness the start there was a great flock. When the clock struck twelve, or played the last trump, Away went the horse with a splendid jump. “I'm away, I'm away, o'er the hills I will ride, The road is my own, my horse is my pride!” On the road-side we were camped, And rolled up to a man, To bid him “good-speed!” As he passed the “ Frying Pan” At one-twenty in the morn. We heard Skillicorn Splashing, dashing - on he came As though the road was level. If a man in daylight did the same They would say he was the Devil! The night was dark, Mudholes were thick, while They were deeper than a walking-stick, And hundreds to a mile. Then Diamond Swamps And Meadow Flats Full of opossums and native cats. Then over Mount Lambey , four miles of a fall, When he found himself at (now) Rydall, Over the junction hills to Assam's Walls, Where he thought to cut it fine By striking for Richmond, By way of Bell's line. Not far on the way he lost the track; Without further delay he turned and came back. Then round Bowenfels, and down River Lett, Through Hartley to Sheringham's he soon got. Here he said, "We will rest awhile, For we have to do another eighty mile; So when I've a bumper, what can I do less, Than remember a drink to my bonny Black Bess." Now, up Mount Victoria, on to Blackheath, Where he slackened a little, the horse to breathe; Then Pulpit Hill and William's Chimneys (No Katoomba then), He pressed (sic) the weatherboard lockup, And soon at King's Table End. And now, my boy, we will do it with a will; As he ploughed the sand, and jumped the rocks, He was going down the hill. Then the Dead Man's Camp, O'er Godfrey's Hill, going with a spin, As he passed T. Dunn's "Blue Mountain Inn". Then "Eighteen-mile Hollow", The old track he'd follow. At "Cox's Downfall" Was going a great rate, And dropped sixpence for toll While going through Ellison's gate. Now Bull's Camp and Springwood, Yellow mud he did skim, Passing "Boland's"and the "Valley", Reached Wascoe's, "The Pilgrim Inn" When Wascoe, himself, a butcher by trade Came out to see of what stuff this great horse was made. Skillicorn, said Wascoe, your house (sic) must be tough, Be steady going down Lapstone, the hill is rough. Then so firm he held the reins, Soon down the hill over Emu Plains, He reached the little punt, A short time for a stay. There was Donald Beatson to the front, With some wetted oaten hay. Then over the hill to old St. Mary's He soon was crossing the hills of Minchenbury; Then down to Prospect, here bewilderment set in, And, with Young Carman's good advice, Retraced his steps, And covered one hundred yards again. Meanwhile Sydney butchers were in the know, Saying: "Roll up! roll up! all you that can, Let us to Parramatta go to meet our Bathurst man!" On they rode, three score or more, "Here he comes, bold Skillicorn!" It sounded like a huntsman's horn. Stride after stride along they rode, The track was not blocked with wood. At the Victoria Theatre they arrived Ten minutes to the good. The journey is over, the bet is won, In twenty hours from end to end On that bright boy - the poor man's friend.
– EYE WITNESS.
Read the article by John Low: A RIDE FROM BATHURST TO SYDNEY 1860 – Notes on a Rare Broadside