Mad Mossy was a highly intelligent individual with a talent for getting out of arrests...by acting insane.
Born in Narromine in approx. 1878, his grandfather was John Morse/Moss, a convict sent over from UK for stealing a pig, his father James Moss is considered "Australian Royalty" , his siblings were all hard-working, well-respected members of the area.
But not Andrew.
He was well known to the local police before he first appeared in court, charged with forgery at age 17, for which he got a solid 12 months hard labour. After that he managed to "put on the mad act" (as he later admitted) and got himself sent to various lunatic asylums; Callan Park, Parramatta, Gladesville, Orange Asylum, whenever he was caught he avoided gaol with the usual "mad act". He was also charged with child r*pe in 1926 but got 7 years in Gladesville Asylum, being let out in early 1933.
He was declared insane 14 times, declared sane 12 times and he escaped from asylums twice.
He roamed far and wide; he didn't always stick to his home area sometimes turning up in Bourke, Wentworth, Broken Hill, Sydney, etc. Also, it was during the Great Depression with many people on the move looking for work, so, although he was found guilty of 3 murders, he claimed many more and the police were unable to locate another 15 travelling companions who had been last seen in his company.
Sentenced to death, it was later commuted to a life sentence as there was some query as to his mental health.
Shortly after arriving at Long Bay Gaol Mad Mossy became the unofficial chess champion, beating prisoners and warders alike, when he wasn't finishing crosswords.
He popped his clogs at age 80 in Long Bay in 1958.
Further details;
NARROMINE MURDER Accused's Remarkable "Confession"
