THE KELLY GANG.

Dunstan Times, Issue 950, 2 July 1880, Page 3

THE KELLY GANG.

The Rennalla correspondent of the Melbourne Herald, of June 3, Writes as follows ; —The belief that the Kellys are in the neighbourhood of Greta is still prevalent here, and any news concerning their supposed movements is': seized upon and discussed with avidity. On Sunday night news came to Rennalla that Ned Kelly had been seen at Mrs. Byrne’s hat, near Beech - worth, hy a man who knew him well. In consequence, a body of police and trackers went off the following morning, and searched the district without success. The suspected persons at Greta were all interrogated, and last night a portion of the police came hack, leaving eight or nine men still on the look-out In and around Greta there are a number of caves, only a few of which are known to the police. These are constantly watched by constables, who make it their business to he continually on the alert for information. However, most of the eaves are unknown, the entrances being so well concealed that except by accident they cannot he found. It is stated, and firmly believed, that the gang are lurking about this district, in rough weather taking shelter in the caves, where they are supplied with provisions hy the sisters. Tbc girls are well watched, but, being both young and active, as well as knowing the country so Well, it is easy for them to evade the police, for in spite of the disguises adopted it is a well-known fact that a constable call he recognised haif-a-mile off. A short time ago a constable came close to a woman on horseback in this district, hut she got away after dropping a large bundle of provisions, which she was carrying. Had she not been pushed so bard, it is probable that she may have been tracked to some appointed rendezvous. 'The question of the murder of the police is still much talked of. It is stated now to have been a put-up job, done to get rid of Kennedy, who was unpopular on account of his ofiicionshess. One night a man, who is said to he a resident of Alexandria, a wellknown cattle-duffer and butcher, called at a hut at Whisky Walker’s, which is about half-way between Rennalla and Mansfield, and told Kcnhedy, who was there, that he could lay him on to find the Kellys. Kennedy was to revive the credit, and the informer the reward. Mrs Kenned y was listening on the other side of the partition, and advised her husband not to trust this man ; but he was eager for promotion, and went to his death. The gang were apprised of the coming of the police, and waited for them. This story is corroborated hy Ned Kelly’s sister, who, when spoken to on the subject, said, “ The police went out to shoot ray brothers when they were working on the diggings, hurling noboly. My brothers wanted arms, and as soon as they were told of it knocked off work and went to shoot the police.” “ Then your brothers were put up to it all was asked. “ Oh, yes,” she answered, “ the police were put up to go, and my brothers were laid on to Wait for them.”

TIIEl.il CAPTURE AND BREAK DP. Mfi.noußSE, June 2SSh. • Noil Kelly, the murderer of the three constables, has just been captured by the police.

Monday morning,

The man who was murdered by the Kellys at Sebastopol on Saturday was named Sherrilt, a selector, and farmer, and associate of the Kelly gang. He was recently employed by the police, four of whom were secreted in s house near the scene of the tragedy. Byrne and the Kellys compelled a German acquaintance to call Sherritt outside, when Byrne instantaneously killed him, out of revenge. The police then appeared.and summoned the three outlaws to surrender, which they refused to do. The Kellys then fired a volley at the police, and attempted to burn down the house in which they were secreted. They remained outside the house till morning, and then disappeared, 'the police were inactive, and their explanations are regarded as unsatisfactory. As soon ns morning dawned the outlaw's rode to Beechworth. In the morning the black trackers reported that the Kellys had been soon at Murchison.

The police have surrounded the Kellys at Jones’ Hotel at Glenrowan, 70 miles from the scene of the outrage at .Sebastopol. Superintendent Hare is wounded in the

arm. The gang have torn up the rails near Cion rowan ahead (of the special train conveying a reinforcement of police, but wore unsuccessful in sloping the train. Red Kelly is wounded.

Monday afternoon.

Twenty-five civilians had been hailed Up by the Kellys when the police arrived, This was at 3 o’clock this morning, but fighting at once commenced. Ned Kelly took to the bush shortly after, but returned at daylight and again entered into the fray with his mates. They fought hard, hut Ned Kelly received a shot in the groin, and was captured. The rest of the gang then made off. One of' the black trackers received a graze on the head in the encounter.

A later telegram states that Jones’ Hotel, which is close to the station, is occupied by" Dan Kelly, Hart, Byrne, and all the ci vilians at Die station, who were bailed up.

Later telegrams state that Byrae is dead, and all the civilians have been released by the outlaws. Dun Kelly and Hart still occupy the hotel. Incessant firing is taking place between them and the police, hut it is expected they (will surrender to day. The outlaws are covered with chain armor to protect them from shots.

The Government have sent a mortar to Oienrowan to dislodge the outlaws. The breastplates worn by the gang consist of ploughshares. Sebastopol, of'Sherritt’s murder, is in the Ovens district Glenrowan, where the fightingns taking'place, is midway between Benalla anil Wangaratta. Melbourne, June 28th. Owing to the outlaws still continuing resistance, the police fired the hotel, which was burned down. The charred remains of Hart and Dan Kelly were found, and the armoured bodies of Byrne and Clattcry were recovered. Clattercy is reported as belonging to a Benalla paper. Two children and a hotelkeeper were slightly wounded. The civilians were prisoners the whole of Sunday, and the platelayers were compelled by the gang to des'roy the line. Ned Kelly has reached Melbourne, and is progressing favorably. Flesh wounds only are found, which are not likely to be fatal. A child belonging to Mr Jones, the hotelkeeper at Glenrowan, where the affray took place, is dead*