HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE KELLY GANG.

Dunstan Times, Issue 952, 16 July 1880, Page 3

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE KELLY GANG.

The history of the Kelly gang is one of a long series of crimes. About twenty years ago two families, the Kellys and the Quinns, oven then notorious for their wild and lawless disposition, settled in the mountainous region at the head of the King River. The rugged and thinly inhabited country was specially suite 1 for the vocation carried on by these people, who wore noted for their skill in cattle stealing. Amid surroundings thus tainted with crime, the outlaws were reared, and were rendered familiar from their earliest years with outrages against the law and deliance of the constituted authorities. The Kelly family consisted of the parents and six children, throe hoys and three girls. The elder Kelly died some years ago, hut the mother is still living. The boys were—Edward, aged 20; Daniel, aged 21), the two outlaws ; and James, aged 22, who did not form one of the gang, being confined in the Berrima gaol, in New South Wales, under sentence for horse-stealing, when the murder of the police at Mansfield took place. Of the three girls one is dead, another is married to one William Skillion, and the third, Kate Kelly, is the unmarried sister whose attempts to render aid to her brothers during their outlawed career have made her name familiar. Associated with the Kellys, and eonnee'ed with them more or less closely by blood or marriage, were a number of other families resident in and around Greta, and who formed a strong hand of sympathisers ready to shield as far as lay within their power ihe outlaws from the consequences of their crimes. Besblcs the attention devoted by them to cattle stealing, which a peculiarly intimate knowledge of the country enabled them to carry on almost unchecked, the Kellys, and especially Ned, are believed to have been to some extent associated with Morgan and Dower, who several years ago had almost haunted this district. Ned Kelly, indeed, it is said, was instrumental in betraying Power to the police. The commencement of the career of the Kelly gang, however, dates from April, 1878, when the outrage committed on Constable Fitzpatrick led to the two Kellys Edward and Daniel, taking to the hush to avoid arrest. Fitzpatrick went to the house of Mrs Kelly, at Greta armed with a warrant to arrest Dan Kelly on a charge of hore-stealing. The Kellys resisted the constable, and Ned fired a revolver at Fitzpatrick and wounded him in the wrist. He was then allowed to escape. Warrants were immediately obtained against the family. Mrs Kelly was scut to gaol for the assault ; but the sons Nod and Dan absconded. A reward of LIOO was offered for their apprehension. For months, however, they evaded capture, and nothing definite of them could be known. In October, IS7B, information was furnished to the police which resulted in a party, consisting of Sergeant Kennedy, Constables Lonignn, Scanlan, anil M'lntyrc, being despatched from Mansfield to Stringy Bark Creek in search of the Kellys, who were reported to be hiding in the neighbourhood. Then followed the Mansfield tragedy,which made the name of the outlaws infamous throughout Australia. The police fell into a trap. Unaware of the proximity of those for whom they were in search, and whom they regarded as mere ordinary criminals who would not venture to offer an armed resistence to authority, they halted on the banks of tbe creek. Dividing their small force, Kennedy and Scanlan went out to aconr the bush, leaving T.onigan and MTntyre in camp. So thoroughly unexpected was what followed that no special watch was maintained. Suddenly, about

live o’clock in the evening, M'lntyre, who was engaged preparing tea, heard a voice cry out, “ Bail up ! Hold your hands up !” The constahles di covered that they were covered by the rilles of four mcxt, two of whom were Daniel and Edward Kelly. The other men, it was subsequently aseertained were Steve Hart and Byrne, both of ' whom were mere youths, and associates of 1 Kellys M'lntyre, who was unarmed, I saw’ that his position [was hopeless and threw up his hands, but Louigan attempted to draw his revolver and seek shelter behind a tree three or four yards oft". Before he could reach cover lie was shot dead by Ned Kelly, crying nut “Oh! Christ, I’m shot.” Ned Kelly searched the tent for firearms and took from Lonigau’s body his revolver and ammunition. When Edward Kelly looked upon the corpse of Lonigan he said, ‘ ‘ Dear, dear, what a pity that man tried to get away.” Daniel Kelly wanted to handcuff .M'lntyre, but Edward Kelly said, “ No, there is something better than handcuff’s here,” lapping his rifle. “ Don’t attempt to get away, for it you do I will track you to Mansfield and shoot you at the police station.” M‘lntye was then asked about Ids absent mates, and when they were expected back in the camp. He said, “ Surely you don’t intend to shoot them down in cold b ood, because I would rather be shot a thousand times than give information of them, one being the father of large family.” Edward Kelly replied, “No; what would 1 shoot you for ; I could have done that half an hour ago. If you had been Constable Flood 1 would have roasted you on that fire.” The gang then concealed themselves, Edward Kelly telling M ‘lntyre that he had better get his mates upon their return to surrender. If he did so, the gang promised to allow the police to retire in the morning hut without their horses as they were wanted by the outlaws. After a short elapse of time Sergeant Kennedy and Constable Scanlan come in sight. Ned Kelly said “Hush lads, here they come. You (to M'lntyre) sit down upon that log or I’ll put a hide through you ” Kennedy came up in advance, and has he approached was orders 1 to bail up, M Tntyre at the same time calling out to his comrades that they were surrounded, and advising them to surrender. His advice was not taken. Kennedy grasped his revolver, ami the gang immediately fired. Scanlan dismounted, endeavoured to seek cover, trying to unsling his repeating rifle, but he foil mortally wounded before he could do so. Kennedy also dismounted, and M'lntyre, fearing a general massacre, rushed for the sergeant’s bore and galloped off', leaving Kennedy exchanging shots with the bushi angers. Eventually he succeeded in making his way into Mansfield, and gave the alarm. Search parties wore sent out, and hrounght in the bodies of Lonigan and Scanlan, hut for two days the fate of Kennedy was unknown. Then his body was found about half a mile from the camp. Ho had evidently kept up a running light with his murderers, tint was at last disabled by a bullet. While laying helpless on the | ground the gang surrounded him, watching his sofferings. After talking to him for I some lime Ned Kelly notwithstanding his ; prayer to be left on the chance of recovery, I placed the muzzle of his rifle to Kennedy's breast and shot him mortally through the body.

Profound excitement was occasioned by tins awful tragedy. The police for week’s afterwards showed the utmost activity in searching tor the murderers, but without success. A large reward was offered for their apprehension, and the members of the gang were deviated outlaws by special act of Parliament. Though it was reported that the Kelleys had been seen at various places subsequent to tbe murders, they committed no fresh outrages until the 9th December, IS7S, when tney stuck up Mr Yoiiiighnsband’s station, at Faithful’s Grek, .and subsequently robbed the National Bank at Euroa.

The gang arrived at the station about noon on the 9t.li December. Ned Kelly introduced himself to the person in charge (Mrs Fitzgerald) of the homestead, by saying. “ Don’t ho afraid, I am Ned Kelly; we won’t do yon any harm. You must give us refreshments, and food for our horses.” The bushrangers were served with dinner and forced all the hands on the station into a room.

A hawker, named (Hosier, who happened to arrive at the station during the afternoon, was also made a prisoner, and his waggon ransacked. Each of the outlaws arrayed himself in a new rig-out, from head to foot, and even such luxuries as snaps and pe fumery were not despised, the hushrangers pouring bottles of the latter over themselves, and pocketing the soap for fuHire use. After securing all they required from the hawker’s treasures, Ned and Dan Kelly composed themselves for the night, while Byrne and Hart kept watch. On the following morning the outlaws broke down the telegraph wires, and leaving Byrne in charge of the captives at the station, proceeded to the township of Eurna in two spring carts. At about four in tbo afternoon they knocked at the door of the hank oliice, and on its being partly opened hy W. Bradley, one of the clerks. Neil Killy said he wanted a cheque if Mr Maoawley’s cashed. (Mr Macawley is the manager of Mr Younghusband’s station.) The clerk said it was too late, and Kelly said ho wanted the money and asked to see Hie manager (Mr Scott.) Thereupon Ned Kelly pushed the door open and announced who he was. He and Steve Hart rushed in and covered the clerks with their revolvers and drove them before them into the manager’s room. A revolver was put to the head of one of the clerks who held possession of the keys of the bank safe. These were given up and the outlaws then helped themselves to whatever money they could find, amounting in all to L 1042. All the bills and securities were loft. The bank officials weic allowed to put their books in the strong room, and then the manager, his wife, children, two servants and the bank

dorks wore taken out the back way. The premises were locked up, and the whole of them driven through the township to Mr Younghusband’s station. Ned Kelly drove one of the spring carts and his brother the other. Mr Scott was allowed to drive his own buggy. On arriving at the station the outlaw Byrne was found pacing up and down in front of the store-room with a rifle in each hand, and all the people who had been shut up in the room (30) were allowed to come outside. Ned Kelly took the money' from the cart, and strapped the bag on to the front of his saddle. After having tea, the gang left about nine o’clock. The first intimation of the irobhery was given upon the return of tire captives to Kuroa. There was only one constable stationed in the township. He was not aware of the robbery before the return of the bank manager. Great excitement was occasioned by this robbery, and a feeling of insecurity was generally experienced throughout the entire district. The Government, (which bad previously offered LSOO reward for the capture of the gang, increased the amount to a LIOOO. Nothing was heard of the gang during the next few weeks. On the 11 th February, 1579, the public was once more alarmed by the announcement that the Kelly gang had escaped into New South Wales, and made a raid on the branch of the Bank of New South Wales at Jerilderie. The gang appeared to have thoroughly reconnoitre! the strategical position ot the township before making ttieir raid, and to have executed their scheme by means of a succession of surprises. The police wore startled out of their beds. The bank manager was surprised in his bath, and the whole population was taken unawares. Jerilderie is a town with a population of about 400. The town was protected by two policemen. Near nn Inigbt on the 10ih February the constables wore awakened by the cries of “ Police, police.” Both men got up immediately, and in front of the station, they saw a mounted man, who suddenly raised two revolvers, and presenting one at each of the constables (Devine and Richards) said, “ Hands up; I’m Kelly'.” The other members of the gang were in the rear, and the constables, seeing that they were outwitted, allowed themselves to he male prisoners. Alt firearms on the premises were first secured by the outlaws, and then they spent the remainder of the night in the station, keeping Watch over their captives. In the morning mass was to lie said in the local court-house about 150 yards distant, and it was the duty of Mrs Devine wife of om of the constahles, to get the place ready. Ned Kelly', dressed in police uniform, accompanied her to the courthouse, and remained there until she had performed her task, when he escorted her back to the barracks. Ned j said to Devine that one object of bis visit was to shoot him because he was like a black tracker, likeI wise Richards. It appeared as if he was j going to carry out his threat, but Mrs De- ; vine begged for her husband’s life. They j remained all day at the barracks, and at i night Byrne visited an hotel in the town. Next morning the first place they’ visited j was the loyal Hotel in the township. All ! the inmates wore ordered to sit in the barJ parlor, which was guarded by Dan Kelly | and Hart. Then the hank was stuck up. Byrne entered the back door, and one of the clerks said to him, “ What do yon mean by coming in at the hack door like this?” He walked ever to him, and about four feet off Byrne sn hlenly levelled a rcj volver, and breathing hard, said, “I am Kelly,” The e’erk replied, “ You he Mowed, you arc humbugging me.” By mo then demanded all firearms on the premises, ami then conducted two clerks to the Royal Hotel. Ned Kelly afterwards went to the bank with one of the clerks to look for the manager, who was found having a bath, and the gang then nlitained the money in the hank (2100.) Afterwards Ned Kelly returned to the bank to burn tbe books. After staying some time longer the outlaws departed. The inhabitants wore cautioned not to stir, hut soon after information of the outrage was communicated to different stations, The New South Wales Government then offered 1,4000 for their capture, and the Victorian Government increased their reward to a like sum. The outlaws had, however, so many sympathisers that they were able to bailie all pursuit. So quiet have the Kellys kept themselves for tbe past four months that many persons believed they had succeeded in making good their escape from the colony.