March 11th 1871

Ferryman Campbell flees the creditors

In April 1870 John Campbell disappeared owing a large amount of money to one of the Aberfeldy banks and various debts closer to home. His family remained in their house but denied all knowledge of his whereabouts. Though intensive enquiries were made in and around the district no trace could be found of the man.

Then, in March of the following year a hiding place was discovered only a few hundred yards from the Campbell’s house. It was at the bottom of a deep ravine called the Tulloch Burn into which large quantities of rubbish, stones, tree roots and the like had been tipped. Hidden beneath the rubbish was a snug little cave which bore all the traces of having been lived in for some considerable time.

It would appear that the family or friends supplied Mr Campbell’s basic needs throughout the summer even including a regular supply of newspapers. How this was done during the long light days of summer was something of a mystery as his house was in a well populated area.

Sometime in November, with the longer nights, he deemed it safe to move out of his hiding place and proceed to Glasgow and overseas.

As the newspaper report put it, “it is given out that he is now in America.”