in the early 1860s semi-rural stepney was the haunt of some rather colourful characters who operated around adelaide's parklands. the area around the maid and magpie hotel was the scene of various robberies by the romantically named captain moonlight, not to be confused with the better known bushranger in new south wales named captain moonlight. stepney's highwayman, it later transpired, was armed with nothing more lethal than a camouflaged pipe-case and, after incarceration, became a respected member of society.