The Story of Papola (“Warriba” or “Whip-em-up”)

1839c The Story of Papola (“Warriba” or “Whip-em-up”) c1813 – c1839 The first record located of Whip-em-up is dated April 1831 and lists his receipt of clothing and rug in the Brisbane Water district. His name similarly appears in May 1835 and Whip-em-up is also listed as one of 16 men committed to gaol for trial for robberies at Wyong, Brisbane Water and Lake Macquarie. His native name is Papola and he is around 28 years old. The two men who apprehend Whip-em-up are Miles McGrath and Thomas Swan. Both receive the P10 reward offered by the government for his capture. Papola is sent to Sydney Gaol and tried. Together with several other Aborigines, Papola is charged with burglary in the house of Alfred Jaques of Brisbane Water and taking food and clothing. Rev Threlkeld is interpreter and Therry and Poole act as their Advocates. Defendants at the trial before Justice Burton on 11 February 1835 are: “Little Dick, Whip-em-up, Charley Muscle, Little Freeman, Leggamy, Major, Currinbong Jemmy, and Tom Jones”. Jaques gave the principal evidence and states the Aborigines also raided convict huts. He also states he had “presented his fowling piece” (gun) while three groups of Aborigines – numbering sixty in the first group and joined by 20 to 30 more – threw stones and a spear which hit second witness, convict William Rust. Papola (Whip-em-up), Monkey, Currinbong Jemmy and Thom Jones are found guilty. They and Toby are all sentenced to death recorded on 12 February 1835. Their sentence is commuted to two years labour in irons on Coal Island in Sydney Harbour, where they are to be kept in isolation and employed in stone cutting, in which they are judged to be “tolerably expert”. Papola returns to live in Brisbane Water district after the court case. His Aboriginal name is written as “Warriba" in 1837 and 1838. Warriba is presumed to have died around early 1839 at the tender age of about 26 years. (Blair, 2003, 72-73).