Cirrus@Austlit

Author's note: William Francis King ('The Flying Pieman') was born in London on 19^th March, 1807. The eldest son of Mr. Francis King, at one time paymaster of accounts at the Treasury, Whitehall, William was intended for the Church, but unfortunately for his parents' ambitions, he preferred the sporting field to the Pulpit. For some time he was a partner in the firm of Smith and Simpson, London share and stockbrokers, but later became a clerk in the Treasury office at The Tower of London.

In 1839, King came to New South Wales. For a while was a schoolmaster at Sutton Forrest, near Bong Bong, an appointment given him by Archbishop Broughton. Afterwards he became a tutor, and finally, before completely embracing professional pedestrianism, he was a barman at the 'Hope and Anchor' tavern, then at the corner of King and Pitt Streets, Sydney. King, who became famous for his athletic prowess, died in the Liverpool Ole Men's Home, N.S.W., on 12 August, 1874. It is not known how he came to be called 'The Flying Pieman,' but the feats attributed to him in this story are authentic.

Further notes on 'The Flying Pieman' on page 757.