HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1258, 22 July 1880, Page 3

HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG.

As it is now nearly two years since the Mansfield murderers and over two since the Kellys took to the bush, some of the episodes in the career of the gang may have faded from the memories of our readers, and therefore the following recapitalation may be of interest :—

The Kelly Family. The Kelly family were well known for the last 10 yeai's as notorious criminals, and several of their number play a prominent part in police annals. The father died many years ago, leaving 1 a widow, three sons, and four daughters, who live on the Eleven-mile Creek, between Winton aud Greata, Victoria. There they carried on the profitable occupation of horse-stealing and cattle duffing, occasionally prospecting for gold in the beds of some of the mountain streams in the vicinity. Edward Kelly is first heard of in 1870, when he was arrested as the mate of Harry Power the Bushranger, and was discharged because the evidence of identification was insufficient. There is not a doubt, however, that he was Power's companion ; and Power always accused Ned Kelly of having sold him to the police ; while, on the other, Kelly ! never lost the opportunity of denouncing Power as a coward. Even at this stage of his career his re -kless bravado and force of character caused several of the police officers with whom he came in contact to predict that he would yet be a greater trouble to the colony than Power was, and the prediction has been terribly fulfilled. After the Power affair the young Kellys resumed their nefarious practices ; aud in 1874 Ned had served a sentence of three yaars for receiving a stolen horse. James Kelly, the second son, who is two years younger than Edward, was sentenced at Beechworth in 1871 to five years' imprisonment on a couple of charges of cattle-stealing. On being released he came to this colony, resumed his career of crime, was again convicted, and at the present time lies in Deniliquin gaol New South Waks. In January, 1878, young Dau Kelly completed a term of three months' imprisonment in Beeeliworth gaol for wilful damage to property ; and by this time the Kelly homestead foi raed a rendezvous for criminals of all classes. Edward was now a man of 22 years, 5 feet 10 inches high, with frcah complexion and hazel eyes, a daring criminal, who exercised a powerful influence over his brother. Dan, who seems to have both loved and feared Ned, was 17 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, with fair complexion and blue eyes, and by this time was as complete a criminal and as thorough a master of bushcraft as his brother. They had many associates in villany ; and, while some of these have j since gained notoriety as Kelly sympathizers, two joined them in the murders which covered them with infamy. Stephen Hart was the " pal " of Dan Kelly, and shared with him the fear and admiration he felt for Power's former mate. Joseph Byrne seems to have always had an evil twist in his nature, and his affinity with Ned Kelly is therefore not at all unnatnral. Early in 1878 a warrant was issued for Dan Kellys arrest on a charge of horse-stealing, and on the 15th of April mounted constable Fitzpatrick proceeded from Benalla to apprehend the lad. It should be mentioned that previously to this, scandal had been busy with the name of one of the Kelly girls and that revenge had been sworn by the brothers against one or two persons, amoug them Fitzpatrick. The constable found D.m Kelly at home, aud placed him at once under arrest, but with misplaced consideration consented to allow him to take supper before leaving his family. While ou gu-ird over h*s prisoner he was savagely attacked by Edward Kelly who shot him in the wrist with a revolver ; and, Mrs. Kelly joining in the affray and beating him about the head with a fireshovel, while Daniel Kelly and two other men, Williamson and Skillian, also assisted the unfortunate constable was soon rendered s>enseless. When ho recovered consciousness he was compelled by Ned Kelly to pick the bullet from his arm with a penknife, lest he shoxild use it as evidence against his assailant, and after promising solemnly to make no report of the occurrence, he was permitted to ride away. Then the Kellys regretted that they had allowed him his life, and as Fit/patrick rode through the bush he was pursued by two horsemen. Spurring his steed he escaped, and on reaching Benalla his first course was to lay an information of the outrage. Warrants were issued, and a strong posse of police arrested Mrs Kelly, Skillian (her son-in-law), and Williamson, who were all soon after convicted at the Beechworth Sessions. Mrs Kelly is still in Melbourne gaol, where her son Ned has now joined her. The two brothers escaped arrest, and for a long time only vague reports of their whereabouts in the Wombat Ranges reached the police. The Victorian Government then offered a reward of LlOOO for the capture of Edward Kelly, who had shot Fitzpatrick, and search parties redoubled their efforts.