Please wait. Contacting image service... loading
Hide article pages Show article pages
  1. Page 2
    Page 2 thumbnail
  2. Page 3
    Page 3 thumbnail

Article text

On this Page 2
THE
KELLY BUSHRANGERS.
EXTERMINATION OF THE GANG.
THEIR HISTORY.
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, even 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 suited for the
vocation carried on by these people, who were
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 out-
rages against the law and defiance of the con-
stituted authorities. The Kelly family con-
sisted of the parents and six children, three
boys and three girls. The elder Kelly died
some years ago, but the mother is still living.
The boys were—Edward, aged 26 ; Daniel, aged
20, 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. Asso-
ciated with the Kellys, and connected with
them more or less closely by blood or
marriage, were a number of other fami-
lies resident in and around Greta, and
who formed a strong band of sympathisers
ready to shield as far as lay within their power
the outlaws from the consequences of their
crimes. Besides the attention devoted by
them to cattle-stealing, which a peculiarly in-
timate 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 Power,
who several years ago had also 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 Con-
stable Fitzpatrick led to the two Kellys,
Edward and Daniel, taking to tbe bush 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 horse-
stealing. The Kellys resisted the constable,
and Ned Kelly 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
sent to gaol for the assault; but the sons, Ned
and Dan, absconded. A reward of £100 was
offered for their apprehension. For months,
however, they evaded capture,and nothing defi-
nite of them could be known. In October,
1878, information was furnished to the
police, which resulted in a party consisting
of Sergeant Kennedy, Constables Lonigan,
Scanlan, and McIntyre, being despatched
from Mansfield to Stringy Bark Creek in
search of the Kellys, who were reported
to be hiding in the neighborhood. Then fol-
lowed the Mansfield tragedy, which made the
name of the outlaws infamous throughout Aus-
tralia. 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 resistance to authority, they
halted on the banks of the creek. Dividing
their small force, Kennedy and Scanlon went
out to scour the bush, leaving Lonigan and
McIntyre in camp. So thoroughly unexpected
was what followed that no special watch was
maintained. Suddenly, about 5 o'clock in
the evening, McIntyre, who was engaged pre-
paring tea, heard a voice cry out, "Bail up!
Hold your hands up!" The constables dis-
covered that they were covered by the rifles of
four men, two of whom were Daniel and Ed-
ward Kelly. The other men, it was subse-
quently ascertained, were Steve Hart and Byrne,
both of whom were mere youths, and associates
of the Kellys. McIntyre, who was unarmed,
saw that his position was hopeless, and threw
up his hands, but Lonigan attempted to draw
his revolver and seek shelter behind a tree
three or four yards off. Before he could reach
cover he was shot dead by Ned Kelly, crying
out, "Oh! Christ, I'm shot." Ned Kelly
searched the tent for firearms, and took from
Lonigan'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 McIntyre, but Edward Kelly
said, " No, there is something better than hand-
cuffs here," tapping his rifle. " Don't attempt
to get away, for if you do I will track you to
Mansfield and shoot you at the police station."
McIntyre was then asked about his absent mates,
and when they were expected back in the camp.
He said, "Surely you don't intend to shoot
them down in cold blood, because I would
rather be shot a thousand times than give in-
formation of them, one being the father of a
large family." Edward Kelly replied, "No;
what should I shoot you for? I could have
done that half an hour ago. If you had been
Constable Flood I would have roasted you on
that fire." The gang then concealed themselves,
Edward Kelly telling McIntyre that he had
better get his mates upon their return to sur-
render. If he did so the gang promised to
allow the police to retire in the morning, but
without their hones, as they were wanted by
the outlaws. After a short lapse of time Ser-
geant Kennedy and Constable Scanlan came in
sight. Edward Kelly said; " Hush, lads, here
they come. You (to McIntyre) sit down upon
that log, or I'll put a hole through you."
Kennedy came up in advance, and as he ap-
proached, was ordered to bail up, McIntyre at
tbe 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, and the gang immediately
fired. Scanlan, having dismounted, endeavored
to seek cover, trying to unsling his repeating
rifle, but he fell mortally wounded before he
could do so. Kennedy also dismounted, and
McIntyre, fearing a general massacre, rushed
for the sergeant's horse and galloped off, leaving
Kennedy exchanging shots with the bushrangers.
Eventually he succeeded in making his way into
Mansfield, and gave the alarm. Search parties
were sent out, and brought in the bodies of
Lonigan and Scanlan, but for two days the fate
of Kennedy was unknown. Then his body was
found about half a mile from the camp. He
had evidently kept up a running fight with his
murderers, but was at last disabled by a bullet.
While lying helpless on the ground the gang
surrounded him, watching his sufferings. After
talking to him for some time Ned Kelly, not
withstanding his prayer to be left on the chance
of recovery, placed the muscle of his rifle to
Kennedy's breast and shot him mortally through
the body.
Profound excitement was occasioned by this
awful tragedy. The police for weeks after
wards showed the utmost activity in searching
for the murderers, but without success. A large
reward was offered for their apprehension, and
the members of the gang were declared outlaws
by special Act of Parliament. Though it was
reported that the Kellys had been seen at va-
rious places subsequent to the murders, they
committed no fresh outrages until the 9th
December, 1878, when they stuck up Mr. Young-
husband's station at Faithful's Creek, and sub-
sequently robbed the National Bank at Euroa.
The gang arrived at the station about noon on
the 9th December. Ned Kelly introduced him-
self to the person in charge (Mrs. Fitzgerald)
of the homestead by saying," Don't be afraid.
I am Ned Kelly; we won't do you 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 Gloster, who happened to
arrive at the station during the afternoon, was
also made a prisoner, and his waggon ran-
sacked. Each of the outlaws arrayed him-
self in a new rig-out from head to foot,
and even such luxuries as soaps and per-
fumery were not despised, the bushrangers
pouring bottles of the latter over themselves,
and pocketing the soap for future use. After
securing all they required from the hawker's trea-
sures 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 Euroa in two spring carts.
At about 4 in the afternoon they knocked at the
door of the bank office, and on its being partly
opened by W. Bradley, one of the clerks,
Edward Kelly said he wanted a cheque
of Mr. Macauley's cashed. (Mr. Macauley
is the manager of Mr. Younghusband's
station.) The clerk said it was too late, and
Kelly said he wanted the money and asked to
see the manager (Mr. Scott.) Thereupon 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 re-
volver was placed to the head of one of the
clerks, who held possession of the keys of the
bank safe. These were given up, and the out-
laws helped themselves to whatever money they
could find, amounting in all to £1,942. All the
bills and securities were left untouched. The
bank officials were allowed to put their books
away in the strong room, and then the manager,
his wife, children, two servants, and the bank
clerks were taken out the back way. The
premises were locked up, and the whole party
driven through the township of Euroa to Mr.
Youngbusband'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 again arriving at the station 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,
numbering about thirty, 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 served in the
kitchen, the bushrangers stopped about the pre-
mises until nearly 9 o'clock, when they rode
away. The first intimation of the robbery was
given upon the return of the captives to Euroa.
There was only one constable stationed in the
township. He was not aware of the robbery
before the return of the bank manager. The
police authorities at Benalla were communicated
with, and on the same night a special train left
Benalla for Euroa, conveying a party of police
and black trackers. Great excitement was
occasioned by this audacious robbery, and
a feeling of insecurity was generally
experienced throughout the entire dis-
trict. The Government, which had previously
offered £500 reward for the capture of the
gang, increased the amount to £1,000. A con-
tingent of the Defence Corps was sent to the
Mansfield district, and detachments were left
at various towns which it was feared might be
visited by the outlaws. Nothing was heard of
the gang daring the next few weeks, excepting
a number of wild rumors. On the 11th Feb-
ruary, 1879, the public was once more startled
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 reconnoitered the strategical
position of the township before making their
raid upon it, and to have executed
their schemes by means of a succession of
surprises. The police were 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 persons, and the build-
ings are scattered. The town was protected by
two policemen. Near midnight on the 10th
February the constables were awakened by the
cries of " Police, police." Both men got up im-
mediately, 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 be made prisoners. All firearms on the
premises were first secured by the outlaws,
and then they spent the remainder of the night
in the police station, of course keeping a close
watch over their captives. In the morning mass
was to be said in the local court-house, about
150 yards distant, and it was the duty of Mrs.
Devine, wife of one of the constables, to get the
court-house ready. Ned Kelly, dressed in
police uniform, accompanied her to the court-
house, and remained there until she had per-
formed her task, when he took her back again to
the barracks. Ned said to Constable Devine
that one object of his visit was to shoot him
(Devine), because he was like a black tracker,
and Richards. It appeared as if he was
going to carry out his threat, but Mrs. Devine
begged for her husband's life. Ned
Kelly looked at the woman, and evidently
at once abandoned the murderous intent. The
outlaws remained all day at the barracks, and
at night Byrne visited an hotel in the town-
ship. Next morning the first place in the
township which the gang made a halt at was
the Royal Hotel. All the inmates were ordered
to sit in the bar parlor, which was guarded by
Dan and Hart. Then the bank was stuck up.
Byrne entered the back door, and one of the
clerks said to him, " What do you mean by
coming in at the back doer like this ?" He
walked over to him, and about four
feet off Byrne suddenly levelled a
revolver, and breathing hard, said, "I am
Kelly." The clerk replied. "You be blowed ;
you are humbugging me." Byrne then de-
manded all firearms on the premises, and
conducted two clerks to the Royal Hotel. Ned
Kelly afterwards returned to the bank with
one of the clerks to look for the manager,
who was found having a bath. Dan Kelly
was left in charge of the people at the hotel,
and the other outlaws proceeded to search for
the money. They obtained about £2,100 alto-
gether, which was put into a bag. After this
they returned to the hotel, when Ned Kelly
suddenly returned to the bank to burn the
books. After staying some time longer the out-
laws took their departure. Byrne had left about
an hour before his mates. The inhabitants
were cautioned not to stir out of the town for
the remainder of the day ; but soon after the
gang had taken their departure information of
the outrage was communicated to different
stations. The New South Wales Government,
after the committal of this robbery, offered
£4,000 for the capture of the gang, and the
Victorian Government increased their reward
to a like sum. The outlaws, however, had so
many stanch sympathisers that they were able
to baffle all pursuit. So quiet have the Kellys
kept themselves during the last four months
that many persons believed they had succeeded
in making good their escape from the colony.
RE-APPEARANCE OF THE OUTLAWS.
A telegram was received in Melbourne from
Beechworth on Sunday, June 27, stating that
"Constable Armstrong, one of the search
party, rode into Beechworth at half-past
1 o'clock to-day and informed the police
that the Kelly gang were at Sebastopol last
night (Saturday) at 6 o'clock, and that Joe
Byrne, one of the gang, had shot Aaron Skerritt
through the eye and killed him. The gang
brought a German to Skerritt's hut, handcuffed,
there being several police in the hut at the
time, and forced him to ask Skerritt the way to
Sebastopol. As soon at Skerritt opened the
door a ball was sent through his eye and another
through his chest. The gang also fired several
balls into the side of the hut, and kept the police
prisoners for twelve hours." A telegram from
Beechworth, dated Jane 27, 8 p.m. stated: —
A party of five police left here at 3 o'clock in
charge of Senior Constable Wallace. Mr. Foster,
the police magistrate, proceeded to the scene
of the affray to hold an inquest, and decided
to postpone it. The police are reticent. It
is thought that Skerritt was shot in order to
check a feeling of disaffection amongst the out-
laws' friends. The house at which the affray
took place is situated about seven miles
from Beechworth, on the Eldorado-road,
and within half a mile of the residence
of Byrne's mother. It is a two-roomed
slab house and at the rear there is a
stable. In front there are several large trees
between the house and the main Eldorado-road.
At the time of the outbreak, about half-past 8
o'clock, there were six people in the house—Con-
stables Armstrong, Alexander, Ducross, and Dow-
ling, Aaron Skerritt, and his wife. The German,
Antonie Weekes, who was brought to the
house by the gang, is a resident of the place.
Skerritt it was supposed recognised his
voice and immediately opened the door,
when he was shot down by Byrne, who said
" You'll not blow what you will do to us any
more." Skerritt died instantaneously, without
a struggle. About eight shots were fired by the
outlaws. The marks of five balls are visible
on the outside wall of the house. After
Byrne shot Skerritt the gang retired be-
hind the trees, and called to the police,
" Come out of that you b—y dogs and sur-
render." The police said "they would sooner
die than surrender," and one of the gang then
threatened to burn down tbe house and roast
them inside. Numbers of persons have visited
the scene of the murder this afternoon, and the
greatest excitement prevails.
The hut where Aaron Skerritt met with his
death is a two-roomed place built of slabs, with
a stable in the rear and some large trees in
front between the house and the Eldorado-road.
It is situated about seven miles from Beech-
worth, and within half a mile from the resi-
dence of Byrne's mother. Skerritt built the
place quite recently, as he had not long been
married to Miss Burke, the daughter of a farmer
at the Woolshed. It appears that the
Kellys made it known in Beechworth some
weeks ago that they meant to take Skerritt's
life because he was acting as a private
detective, and giving information to the police.
Skerritt bore a very indifferent character, as he
had been several times in gaol, and on one
occasion was convicted with his murderer Byrne
for stealing a quantity of meat. The deceased
was also intimate with the Kellys, and when he
fenced his selection of 107 acres, situated on the
Woolshed Creek, Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne as-
sisted him in the work. Skerritt was only
twenty-four years of age, a very active fellow,
and an athlete in jumping aud running. His
father, John Skerritt, is an ex-policeman, and
lives at Sebastopol, about eight miles
from Beechworth. About two months ago
young Skerritt sold his holding to Mr.
Crawford, of the Eastern Arcade, Mel-
bourne. For months past the deceased had
been employed by the police, and afforded them
valuable information as to the movements of
the gang, who were aware that they were being
"put away" by their quondam friend. This
fact accounts for Byrne making use of the ex-
pression " You'll not blow what you'll do to us
any more" when he fired at the unfortunate man
in the doorway. The murder of Skerritt was a
most cold-blooded affair, and proves that Byrne
was one of the worst of the gang. The German,
Antoine Weekes, who was used as a decoy, re-
sided near Skerritt's place, and when he called
upon the deceased to open the door the
latter knew his voice. The door was
swung open, and Skerritt stood revealed
in the fall blaze of a brightly-burning
fire, while the party outside were shadowed in
the darkness of the evening, the time being
about half-past 8. Skerritt's wife and mother-in-
law were in the room, but constables Arm-
strong, Alexander, Ducross, and Dowling, who
were lying in wait, were concealed in the inner
chamber. After the murder had been com-
mitted Byrne stepped inside the house, and
asked Mrs. Skerritt who was in the bedroom.
She said, "A man," and was told to fetch him
out. When she got inside the police detained
her, and Byrne then threatened to shoot her
mother, but she also took shelter in the bed-
room. When Byrne stepped outside to speak to
the other members of the gang, the police drew
the body of Skerritt clear of the door, and shut
and barricaded it, being aware that if they
exposed themselves in the firelight they
would share the fate of Skerritt, without
being able to see their adversaries.
The outlaws continued firing into the house,
several bullets penetrating the walls, and others
being lodged in the slabs of the hut. Skerritt's
wife was in an agonized state when she saw that
her hushaud was a corpse. He died almost
instantly without a word or struggle. The
screams of the terrified women were mingled
with the curses of the gang as they called upon
the police to show themselves or come outside
and surrender. Finding the constables would
not throw their lives away the outlaws tried to
set fire to the hut, but failed in doing so, and
as daylight approached they began to have fears
for their own safety and retired from the scene,
affording Constable Armstrong a chance of
stealing away and conveying the news to
Beechworth.
FIGHT AT GLENROWAN.
[From our Special Reporter.]
Glenrowan, June 28, night.
Immediately on the receipt of the news by
Captain Standish on Sunday night that the
Kellys had at last broken cover, and committed
another diabolical outrage near Beechworth, he
ordered a special train to at once start from the
Spencer-street station, Melbourne. He was
induced to do so because of the fact that Sub-
inspector O'Connor had, with his black trackers,
been withdrawn from the Kelly country. They
were on the eve of their departure for Queens-
land, and were staying at Essendon. Captain
Standish ordered the special train to convey the
blacks to the scene of the outrage, so that they
might there pick up the tracks of the dreaded
gang; but no one at that time imagined that
the expedition would have such a speedy and
sensational termination; that, in fact, it would
end in the annihilation of the band in a manner
that must strike terror into the hearts of all
sympathisers and men inclined to imitate the
doings of the gang. When the news ar-
rived at the station that a special train
was required, all the engines were cold,
and it was not till a quarter past 10
o'clock that a start was made, and the small
party of press gentlemen who in good spirits
took their seats in the carriage little thought
that the journey they were undertaking was of
such a perilous nature. Only one gentleman
was armed.
At Essendon Inspector O'Connor and five
black trackers were picked up, together
with Mrs. O'Connor and her sister, Miss
Smith. The men were in excellent spirits. The
train proceeded rapidly, and at Craigieburn ran
through the gate and carried away the brake of
the engine, which necessitated a stoppage of 20
minutes. At Benalla Superintendant Hare and
his men with 17 horses were waiting, and joined
the party, together with Mr. C. Rawlings. The
night was splendid. The moon was shining
brilliantly, whilst a sharp frost in the air
earned the slightest noise in the forest beyond
to be distinctly heard. It was thought that the
Kellys friends might place some obstruction on
the line, and in order that the danger might be
avoided it was determined to lash one of the
police to the front of the engine that he might
keep a good look-out. At the last moment the
plan was abandoned. It was a merciful in-
tervention of Providence that it was me. Time
certainly was lost by the change of tactics, but
the loss was in the end a gain, as there was a
spare engine at the station which it was decided
to use as a pilot engine. This accordingly
started about half a mile ahead. The special
was intended to run through from Beechworth
to Glenrowan and on to the next station,
Benalla, fourteen miles distant. When within
a mile and a quarter of Gletrowan, and when
just opposite Messrs. Playbord's and De Sour's
paddocks, the special came to a sadden halt.
A danger signal from the pilot-engine
was the cause. In a few seconds the
pilot-engine came back with an intimation
that a man in a state of great excitement had
stopped the engine and stated that Glenrowan
was stuck up by the Kellys, who had torn up
the lines just below the station in order to
destroy the party which they knew would pass
along the line in the special train. He stated
the intentions of the gang to the police, who dis-
played great eagerness for action. The mas-
ters of the press barricaded their windows
with the cushions upon which they had pre-
viously sat. In response to a request which
some of their number made the lights in the
train were extinguished. It was then ten
minutes past 3 o'clock. Superintendent Hare
was not long in determining what to do. The
man who gave the information disappeared in
the forest as soon as he had imparted his news.
His story was accepted with caution,
but it was soon made apparent that
he had saved the lives of those in the
train, which otherwise to a certainty would,
along with the pilot-engine, have been hurled
into a deep gully just below Glenrowan sta-
tion. This gully is behind a carve in the line,
which would have prevented the conductors from
seeing the pilot-engine go over the embankment
where the rails had been torn up. Superin-
tendent Hare, with one or two of the police,
proceeded with the pilot engine to the railway
station, closely followed by the special. On
arriving at the station the horses were quickly
got out of the tracks by the men, whilst Super -
intendent Hare, with one or two men and Mr.
Rawlings, proceeded towards the Glenrowan
Hotel to seek information.
The township of Glenrowan consists of about
half a dozen houses, inclusive of two bush
hotels, Jones's Glenrowan Hotel being about
200 yards from the station on the west
side of the line, whilst McDonalds Hotel is
about the same distance on the other side of the
line. The instant the men stepped on to the
platform they were convinced by the report of
a shot fired from Jones's Hotel that they were
in the presence of the desperate outlaws. The
next few minutes were productive of pain-
ful excitement. The police abandoned
their horses and rushed for their arms.
The black trackers sprang forward with
their leader, and soon took up a good
position in front of the bouse. Superintendent
Hare, who would be plainly seen by the light of
the moon, walked boldly towards the hotel,
and when within about 25 yards of the verandah
the tall figure of a man came around the
corner and fired a shot which took effect
in Superintendent Hare's wrist, but Kelly
found in him one who would not
shrink. Senior-Constable Kelly and Mr.
Rawlings were close by, and the former returned
the fire which was taken up by Superintendent
Hare, although wounded, and Mr. Rawlings
followed his example. Just before Superinten-
dent Hare was wounded, Constable Bracken,
the local policeman, who had been made
prisoner in the hotel, made his escape, and
spread the information that about 40 inmates
were kept there under watch. The back
kitchen was constructed of slabs, and
into this the police poured about sixty
shots. Superintendent Hare's voice was heard
above the terrified screams of the women
and children giving orders to stop firing. These
orders were repeated by Constable Kelly to the
men outside at tbe back. The Kellys fired four
shots amongst the police and uttered brutal
language, calling upon the police to come on.
After the lapse of an hour Superintendent Hare
approached the railway station, saying he had
been wounded in the wrist, which was bleeding
very much. There was no doctor present and
the reporters bandaged the wound, and so stopped
the bleeding. During this time Mrs. O'Connor and
Miss Smith remained unwilling witnesses of
the scene from the railway carriage. The
bullets from the outlaws whistled past the train.
The women implored Superintendent Hare not to
go back, but he did so. His reappearance on
the trenches was a fresh signal for firing, and
the valley was soon filled with smoke. Superin-
tendent Hare became faint from loss of blood
and was compelled to retire. He went back to
Benalla on an engine in order to have the injury
attended to, and to send more men to the front.
A long and tedious interval followed, during
which time Mr. Stainstreet, the station-master,
suddenly left the hotel where he had been kept
a prisoner with other residents. He walked
boldly away and had a narrow escape of being
shot by the police, but he saved himself by pro-
claiming that he was the station-master. He
reported that the gang were still in the house,
and that the shots of the police had struck
a daughter of Mr. Jones, fourteen years of age,
on the head ; whilst a son named John Jones,
nine years of age, had been wounded in the hip.
Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Reardon, both of whom
were walking about the place disregarding the
danger to be feared from the volleys which the
police at intervals poured into the hotel, were fre-
quently called upon by the police to come away;
but they hesitated, and Mrs. Reardon and her
son were frightened to accompany Mr. Reardon
to the station. The poor woman was carrying a
baby only a few months old in her arms, but she
eventually ran to the station, where she received
every kindness. She was in a terrible condi-
tion. She stated—The gang took possession of
the town on Sunday morning. We were all in
bed, and were aroused by Ned Kelly, who
knocked at the door and told my husband to
surrender. He advised us all to dress. We did so,
and they made prisoners of Sullivan and another
platelayer. Kelly brought us to the station and
kept us there for some hours. Kelly took
Sullivan and my husband down the line to
destroy the rails so as to upset the approaching
train. I was taken to the hotel where a lot of
innocent people were kept, too frightened to
come out for fear the police would kill them.
Amongst those who were there were James and
Michael Reardon, my husband and son, Catherine
and Wm. Henderson, John Delany, and
others. I did not know when the poor
woman completed her story, for the firing of the
police at this stage became very brisk, and was
replied to by the desperadoes.
Senior-Constable Kelly, at this juncture, found
a rifle stained with blood lying by the side of
him, and from this supposed that one of the
gang had been wounded and had escaped
through the forest towards Morgan's Look-out.
Just then nine policemen, with Superintendents
Sadlier and Hutchinson, came from Benalla,
and almost immediately afterwards seven police
under Sergeant Steele, and on horseback,
arrived from Wangaratta, the alarm having
been given there by Trooper Bracken, who
caught a horse and rode ten miles in a short
time. The conduct of Bracken, and the prompti-
tude of the Wangaratta police are to be highly
commended. Just before their arrival a heavy
volley was poured into the hotel by the police,
and according to statements some of the
prisoners afterwards made, that volley proved
fatal to Joe Byrne. This desperado was stand-
ing close to young Delaney, drinking a nobbler of
whisky at the bar, when he was shot in the
groin. He was carried towards the back por-
tion of the building, where he gradually sank,
and died a painful death. This fact was at the
time unknown to the police. The morning
broke beautiful and clear. The police were
disposed all round the hotel, when they
were beset by dangers from the rear ; Ned Kelly
was the cause. It appears that he was the man
who shot Superintendent Hare, and that he was
himself wounded in the arm by the fire which
was returned. He could not without danger
get into the hotel, so he sprang upon a horse
during the exeirement which followed, and got
away to Morgan's Look-out. But it was
not the intention of the bold ruffian to
desert his comrades. He returned to fight his
way to them. He was protected with heavy
plates of quarter-inch iron. When within an
easy distance Senior -Constable Kelly, with
Dowsett, the railway guard, fired on the
ruffian. Nine of the police fired point
blank at Ned Kelly. Several of the
bullets staggered him, but he recovered
and laughed at the police. He returned
their fire with his revolvers. He appeared to be
a fiend and to have a charmed life. For half an
hour the contest was carried on. Sergeant Steele
closed in when Kelly was two yards off, and fired
at his legs, which brought the outlaw down
wounded, but he was still determined to carry
on the fights. Sergeant Steele closed and seized
the hand in which Kelly held the revolver.
Wlen on the ground he roared with savage
ferocity, cursing the police, but when
stripped of his armor he became sub-
missive, and was borne to the station.
Ned Kelly was quite composed when captured,
and in answer to enquiries made the following
statement :—What I intended to do, and in fact
was just about doing, was to go down with some
of my mates and meet the special train
and rake it with shot. The train, however,
came before I expected, and I had to return
to the hotel. I thought the train would go
on, and on that account I had the rails
pulled up, so that these — black trackers
might be settled. It does not much matter
what brought me to Glenrowan. I do not
know, or I do not say. It does not seem much
any way. If I liked I could have got away last
night. I got into the bush with my grey mare ;
and laid there all right. I had a good chance,
but I wanted to see the thing end. When the
police fired the first round I got wounded on the
foot. It was the left one. Shortly afterwards
I was shot through the left arm. It was in the
front of the house where I received these in-
juries. I don't care what people say about
Sergeant Kennedy's death. I have made my
statement of it, and if they don't believe me I
can't help it. At all events, I am satisfied
Scanlon was not shot kneeling. That is not
true. He never got off his horse. At the com-
mencement of the affair this morning I fired
three or four shots from the front of Jones's
Hotel, but I did not know who I was firing at.
I only fired when I saw flashes. I then cleared
for the bush, but remained there near the hotel all
night. Two constables passed close by me talking,
and I could have shot them before I had time to
shout if I liked. I would have shot several con-
stables at one time. I was a good distance
away, but I came back again. I have not a
charge of duck shot in my leg. Why don't the
police use bullets instead of duck shot? One
of the policemen that was firing at me was a
splendid shot. I don't know his name. Perhaps
I would have done better if I had cleared away
on my grey mare. It was just like blows from
a man's fist receiving the bullets on my armor.
I wanted to fire into the carriages, only the
police started on us too quickly. I knew the
police would come, and I expected them. In-
spector Sadlier here remarked, " You wanted
then to kill the people in the train?"
Kelly replied, "Yes; of course I did. God help
them, they would have got shot all the same.
Would they not have tried to kill me ?" Every
kindness was shown to Kelly by the police, and
his two sisters were permitted to remain with
him daring the afternoon. He was also seen by
Father Tierney, to whom it is understood he
made a confession, but the rev. gentleman
courteously declined to state the nature of it.
At various times during the morning more
police arrived, but the bushrangers could not
be dislodged from Jones's Hotel ; and what was
more perplexing still, the prisoners inuide could
not be persuaded to leave, although the po-
lice repeatedly called upon them to come out.
At 12 o'clock, however, the people inside, con-
sisting of about thirty men and youths, sud-
denly rushed out of the front door, carrying
their hands aloft. The police told them to ad-
vance towards where they were located, but
many of the unfortunate people were so terror-
stricken that they ran hither and thither
screaming for mercy. They then approached
the police and threw themselves upon their faces.
One by one they were called on, and having
been minutely searched were despatched to the
station. When the turn of two youths named
McAuliffe came, Superintendent Sadleir directed
Constable Bracken to arrest them as Kelly
sypathisers. They were accordingly hand-
cuffed and taken with the others to the railway
station. Young Reardon, who with his father
had been confined in the hotel, was severely
wounded in the shoulder by a bullet fired from
a rifle in the hands of one of the police.
The police after this kept up a constant fire
on the place, Dwyer and Armstrong in front
of the house, Andrcw Clarke, sen., and Con-
stable Kelly getting very close in at various
quarters of attack. It was noticed that
the fire from the besieged bushrangers was not
returned after 1 o'clock, but it was believed
that Dan Kelly and Hart intended to lie quiet
until night, and under cover of the darkness
make their escape. The police for a time also
ceased firing. A consultation was held amongst
the officers as to what was best next to be done.
The police had telegraphed for a cannon from
Melbourne, but fearing it would not arrive in
time to be of any use it was determined to adopt
another mode of dislodging the remaining out-
laws. Just as they were about to put this
newly-conceived plan into operation Mrs.
Skillion, sister of the Kellys, dressed in a dark
riding habit trimmed with scarlet, and wearing
a jaunty hat adorned with a conspicuous white
feather, appeared on the scene. Father Tierney
earnestly requested her to go to the hotel and
ask her brother and Hart to surrender. She
said she would like to see her brother before he
died, but she would sooner see him burned in
the house than ask him to surrender. This
in fact was the procedure to which the police
had decided upon in order to bring the outlaws
from their cover. Some 200 people by this
time had arrived on the platform.
The police opened up a heavy fire on the
hotel from the front and rear. This was done
in order to cover the operations of Senior-
Constable Johnstone, who rapidly approached
the house on the north side with a bundle of
straw, which he placed against the weather-
boards and set fire to. It was known that Mar-
tin Sherry, an old man, was still in the
house, and when the last prisoners had
escaped he was alive, though badly wounded.
The thought that the unfortunate man should
be sacrificed and perish in the flames with the
determined bushrangers who had made so long
a stand caused a feeling of horror to pervade
the crowd. Kate Kelly at this juncture came
upon the scene, but the only expression which
escaped her lips was the one uttered in heart
broken accents," My poor, poor brother." Mrs.
Skillion exclaimed, "I will see my brother
before he dies," and then sped towards the
hotel, from the roof of which by this time
tongues of flame were beginning to ascend. The
police ordered her to go back, and she hesitated.
Father Tierney emerged from the crowd, say-
ing he would save Sherry. The brave clergy-
man was encouraged on his mission by a cheer
from the spectators. He walked boldly to the
front door, was lost to view amongst the smoke,
and a moment afterwards a mass of flames
burst from the walls and roof of the dwelling at
the same instant. A shout of terror from the
crowd announced the fear that was felt for the
safety of the courageous priest. Constable
Armstrong, with some other policemen, rushed
into the building from the rear, and a few
seconds afterwards their forms, with that of
Father Tierney, were seen to emerge, carrying
with them Sherry, who was in a dying state,
and the dead body of the outlaw Byrne.
On reaching a place of safety they stated
that Dan Kelly and Hart were lying upon the
floor apparently dead. Nothing, however,
could be done to rescue their remains from the
fire. Soon afterwards the building was com-
pletely demolished, and on a search being made
amongst the ruins two charred skeletons were
raked out from the smouldering debris. Wild
Wright, Hart (the brother of Steve), and other
well-known friends were witnesses of this
terrible scene. All the bushrangers were clad
in the same armor as that worn by Ned Kelly,
which weighed as much as 97 lbs., and had
evidently been constructed by some country
blacksmith out of ploughshares. The marks on
Kelly's armor showed that he had been hit
seventeen times with bullets. The unfortunate
man Sherry died soon after being rescued from
the burning building.
THE STATEMENTS OF PERSONS
CONCERNED.
Superintendent Hare states: —The pilot-engine
was stopped half a mile from Glenrowan, and we
were told that the line had been pulled up by
the Kellys. The train and the pilot-engine
went up to Glenrowan Station. I jumped out
and went to the station-master's house. His
wife told me that everybody had been driven
into the bush by the Kellys. I ordered the
men out of the train. Bracken rushed up, say-
ing he had escaped from Jones's Hotel. I went
towards Jones's, and when 50 or 60 yards dis-
tant a shot was fired, which struck me on the
left wrist. I surrounded the house with police.
Mr. John Stainstreet, stationmaster at Glen-
rowan, says:—About 3 o'clock on Sunday
morning a knock came to my door, at the gate
house, within 100 yards of the station, on the
Melbourne side. I jumped up, and thinking it
was some one wanting to get through the gates
in a hurry I commenced to dress as soon as
possible. I half dressed, and went to the door.
Just when I got to the door it was burst in, but
previous to that there was some impatient talk,
which caused me to dress quickly. When the
door was burst in I asked, "What is that for," or
" Who are you ?" The answer was, "I am Ned
Kelly." I then saw a man, clad in an overcoat,
standing in the doorway. He pushed me into my
bedroom, where my wife and some of the children
were in bed. There were two girls and one in-
fant besides my wife. Then he said to me,
"You have to come with me and take up the
rails." " Wait," said I, " until I dress." He
said, "Yes," and I completed my dress and
followed him out of the house. On ths line
there were seven or eight men standing at the
gate which crosses the line to Mrs. Jones's
hotel, the Glenrowan Inn. He said, "You
direct those men how to raise some of the rails,
as we expect a special train very soon." I
objected, saying, "I know nothing about
lifting rails off the line; the only persons who
understand it are the repairers ; they live
outside and along the line." Ned Kelly then
went into Reardon, the platelayer's house.
Reardon lives outside the line on the Greta side,
about a quarter of a mile away. Steve Hart was
present, and Kelly left us in his charge. When
Kelly went away Hart gave me a prod with his
rifle in the side, saying, " You get the tools out
that are necessary to raise those rails." I said,
" I have not the key of the chest ;" and he said,
"break the lock." He told one of the men to
do so, and on arriving at the station he got
one of the men to do it. This was in the little
back shed used as a storeroom, between the
station and the gatehouse. The tools were
thrown out, and in the meantime Reardon and
Sullivan, the line repairers, arrived with Ned
Kelly. These two men and Ned proceeded
down the line towards Wangaratta to lift the
rails. We were still under Steve Hart, and we
remained where we were over two hours, and
then Ned Kelly and the repairers returned.
Ned then enquired about the signalling of
trains, as to how I stopped a train with the
signal lights. I said, " White is right, red is
wrong, and green is ' gently, come along.' "
He said, "There is a special train coming ;
you give no signals." Speaking to Hart he
said, " Watch his countenance, and if be
gives any sigual shoot him." He then
marched us into my residence, and left
us there under Steve Hart. There were
there then about seventeen altogether, other
persons subsequently being placed in my house
also. There were present Reardon's family,
the Ryan family, Cameron (son of the gate-
keeper on the other line), Sullivan, line repairer,
and others whom I do not remember. We were
locked up all day on Sunday, and were only
allowed out under surveillance. The women
were permitted to go to Jones's Hotel about 5
o'clock and shortly afterwards all the men but
me and my family went away. Steve Hart
stopped with us, and during the night Dan
Kelly relieved Hart, and he was afterwards
relieved by Byrne. Just before the special
train arrived I was ordered to the hotel by
Hart, who was on and off duty all the time, to
follow him to Jones's, and not signal the train.
I went into the back kitchen, where Mrs. Jones
and daughter, aged about 11, and two younger
children were. There was also a man there
named Neil McKew. By this time the train
had arrived, and firing was going on furiously.
I did not see Ned Kelly in the room. I with
others stood in the chimney. I did not hear
any remark passed by any of the gang, and they
disappeared. A ball passed through the hut,
and grazed Miss Jane Jones, 14 years of age, on
the forehead. The girl said." I'm shot," and
turned to me. I saw the blood and told her it
was nothing. The mother commenced to cry,
and soon afterwards I left the kitchen, and
went into the backyard. I then saw three
of the gang there standing behind the chimney.
They had their rifles in their hands. One of
them said, I don't know which, " If you go out
you'll be shot." I walked straight down the
path towards the house. The firing was then
going on all round me, but I was uninjured.
One of the police very nearly shot me, but I
said " Stationmaster" when he challenged me.
I forgot to mention that during Sunday after-
noon Steve Hart demanded and received my
revolver.
Robert Gibbous states—I am a farmer, and
have recently been stopping at Glenrowan with
Mr. Reynolds. I came to the railway station
about 8 o'clock on Sunday night with Mr.
Reynolds to ask about his little boy, who had
not been home. When we knocked at the
door Mrs. Stainstreet told us that Mr.
Hart was inside, and that they had been stuck
up ever since 3 o'olock on Saturday morning.
We followed her in, and saw Steve Hart. She
told him who we were, and he then put his fire-
arms down, giving us to understand that we
were not to go out. We remained there about
two hours, when Ned Kelly came, and Hart
ordered us to come out of the room. Ned Kelly
then told us that we would all have to go down
to the police barracks with him. He kept us
waiting there for about two hours, he having
gone for Bracken. He returned to us with
Bracken. He kept us waiting there about an
hour and a half. Byrne at that time was with
us. There he told me and Mr. Reynolds
we would have to go to Jones's Hotel. We
went to the hotel, and he told us to get into the
bar parlor. It was then about 10 o'clock on
Sunday night, and we remained there uutil the
train came. During that time the Kellys were
going about the place making themselves quite
jolly. Byrne was in charge of the back door,
the other door being locked. A little after 3
o'clock the train came. Prior to that the gang
drank quite freely with others. When the train
arrived Ned came and said, " You are not to
whisper a word that has been said here about me.
If I hear of any one doing so I will shoot you."
He went to the door of the room and said
" Here she comes," and then the gang busied
themselves in making preparations, but for what
I did not know. They came back and said
the first man who left the room in which we
were would be shot. Two of them then mounted
their horses and rode away, but I could not
tell which two. They came back in about ten
minutes' time. When they came back I saw
that Dan was one of the two who had gone
away. Dan went into a back room. All four
in turn went into the same room. Very soon
afterwards a hurried move was made, and firing
commenced. There must have been about forty
men, women and children in the house then.
The women and children commenced to shriek,
and Mrs. Jones's eldest daughter was wounded on
the side of the head, and the eldest boy shot in
the thigh. The bullets rattled through the side of
the house, and we laid down. We were packed
so close that we had to lay on our sides. It was
those who laid next the door who prompted us
to come out, and we did so because we feared that
the bullets would come through faster than ever.
We also feared a cannon would be used ; and
about 10 o'clock we ran out. I heard some of
them say that Byrne, or one of the gang, was
lying dead in the back. I know that Dan was
alive when I left.
Arthur Loftus Maud Steele states—I am a
sergeant of police at Wangaratta. I arrived here
with five men about 5 a.m. We were at once
challenged by police, and answered " Wangaratta
police." My men were then distributed around
the hut, and I got to the tree near the back door
of the hut. There was no firing then. A woman
and child came to the back door sereaming, and I
told the woman if she ran in quick she would
not be molested. A man then came to the back
door, and I asked him to throw up his arms or I
would fire on him. He was only about twenty-
five yards distant. The man stooped and ran
towards the stables, and I fired. He then
turned and ran back to the house, and I fired
again. I am certain I hit him with the second
shot, as he screamed and fell against the door.
There was then some hot firing, and the bullets
whistled all around me. The firing was kept up
for some time, and some of the men behind me
called out. It was then breaking day. I looked
round, and saw a man stalking down. I thought
he was a blackfellow, and called on the others to
be careful. I then saw him present a revolver
and fire at the police. I could see the bullets
hitting him, and staggering him for a moment,
with no further effect. I therefore thought he
had armor on, and determined to have a close
shot at him. I ran towards him, and when
within ten yards of him he saw me, and turned
round to fire at me. I then aimed at his legs,
and he staggered, but he still tried to aim at me.
I then fired the second barrel on the legs. We
were then in the open. He fell and cried," I'm
done, I'm done." I ran up to him then, and he
again tried to shoot me, but I caught the
revolver and pushed it down. I was behind him,
and he could not turn on me quick enough to
shoot me. While I held the revolver away
from me he fired it. Senior-Constable
Kelly then came up and assisted me to secure
him ; so did O'Dwyer, and a host of others at
once followed. We only found one revolver on
him and a bag of ammunition. We divested
him of his armor. I was strained with the
scuffle which ensued.
Senior-Constable Kelly said — When we
started from the platform we ran down towards
the railway gates, hearing that the gang were
in Jones's public-house. The men at that time
had not sufficient time to scatter, and all
made towards the hotel. As we approached
some one came out on the verandah and fired on
us. Mr. Superintendent Hare, with Mr.
Rawlings, a volunteer from Benalla, was close
to me. Mr. Hare said, "I am shot in the
wrist," but he continued to fire. We sought
cover, and Hare said to me, "For God's sake
surround the house, and don't let them escape."
He then fired again, aud gave the gun to
Rawlings. He then left, saying, " Kelly,
place the men under cover," and I placed the
men around the house. Mr. O'Connor and his
trackers got up a position in front of the
hotel. I then went round towards the back of
the premises. Constable Arthur was with me,
and we crawled about 400 yards. In this way
we got to within about 50 yards from the
house, at the back of a tree. In the scrub I
found a revolving rifle covered with blood, and
a padded skull cap. We kept in watch and fired
upon any one who attempted to leave the hut.
There were four horses saddled and tied up to
the back door. These we shot in order to pre-
vent the sudden escape of the gang. When we
left the station we met Constable Bracken, who
told us that the gang were at Jones's. He, I
believe, jumped on one of our horses and rode
off to Benalla to get further assistance, and at
half-past 6 o'clock he returned with the Wanga-
ratta police, Sergeant Steele being at their head.
We continued to fire, and at about 8 o'clock, so
far as I can remember. Ned Kelly made his ap-
pearance under the brow of the hill, 300
yards from the hut. He deliberately fired
at me. I returned the fire, and my men
closed around him. Sergeant Steele being on one
side of him, myself on the other, and Dowsett,
the railway guard, on the other. About ten
rifles were brought to bear on him, and we hit
him several times. His heavy armor, however,
protected him, and he walked boldly to and fro.
Near a fallen tree he fell, and we rushed for-
ward. I caught him by the head as Steele
grasped his hand, in which he still held his re-
volver. He fired it, but did no damage. His
armor was taken off, and he was carried to the
railway station, where he was searched, but
only 3d. was found on him, a silver Geneva
watch, and a lot of ammunition. I asked him to
tell me where Sergeant Kennedy's watch was,
and he said," I cannot tell you; I would not
like to tell you about it." He also said." I had
to shoot Sergeant Kennedy aud Scanlan for my
own safety. I cannot tell you any more." We then
gave him over to the medical gentleman and Mr.
Sadleir.
Constable Jas. Murdoch Arthur states:
—I was one of the party of police which
arrived at Glenrowan by the special train, just
behind Superintendent Hare. When he was
shot Hare asked Sergeant Kelly to place the
men and he did so, and took me round to
the north-western side of the hotel. We
crawled under what shelter we could
and, and paused behind a tree about 100 yards
from the hotel. There was bush close to the
tree. I kneeled down to get a look at the hotel,
and in doing so I put my hand on a revolving
rifle which was covered with blood. There was
a skull cap close by. I formed the opinion that
they belonged to one of the outlaws who had
passed that way just previously, and hearing a
sort of ringing noise I listened, but could
not see or near anything. I have no doubt
that Ned Kelly was near. I was told
afterwards that he said he could have shot both
me and Sergeant Kelly. We moved from that
to a log within eighty yards of the house, into
which I commenced to fire. Sergeant Kelly
left me there. A bullet from the hut tore up
the ground underneath my stomach, conse-
quently I determined to go to another part of
the log. I was very cold, and filled my pipe to
smoke. It was just daylight, and I was in the
act of lighting my pipe when I heard Ned
Kelly coming behind. His extraordinary
appearance so startled me that I let my pipe
drop and gased at the strange object for
a minute, not knowing but that it was a mad
man who had conceived some foolish idea of
storming the hotel with a nail can on his head.
I then said to him, 'Go back, you damned
fool, you will be shot.' The figure replied,
' I could shoot you, sonny.' At that moment
he fired his revolver at me, but missed. He
was evidently crippled, and he did not take
proper aim. We were then only between twenty
and thirty yards apart. I levelled my Martini-
rifle and fired at his helmet, thinking that I
would knock it off, but the bullet onty staggered
him. A eight-hole in the helmet looked like a
huge mouth, and I fired at that and hit him
again, but he still came on. I fired a third shot
at his body and heard the bullet scud off him.
I was completely astonished and could not
understand what the object was. The men
around me appeared astonished. Some one
said, " He is the madman Dowsett," and the
guard cried out 'He is the devil.'
Senior constable Kelly exclaimed, ' Look
out, boys ; by God he is the bunyip.' We at
once sought shelter at a tree and got round at
his back. We did so because we found that it
was of no use firing at him in front. Before we
could succeed in doing so Sergeant Steele ran
up from behind and shot him. When I shot at
him first Sergeant Steele thought I had made
a mistake, and called on me to stop firing."
KED KELLY LODGED IN GAOL.
By the first train on Tuesday, June 29, Ned
Kelly was forwarded to Melbourne in custody of
a number of police. He slept well on the pre-
vious night, and when the train started appeared
to be in good spirits. Superintendent Hare also
went to Melbourne to obtain medical advice.
It was feared that his arm would require ampu-
tation, but he has greatly improved.
The arrival of Ned Kelly in Melbourne was
anticipated by immense crowds, who went to
meet the outlaw. The police authorities by
skilful manœuvring prevented anything in the
shape of a rush occurring at the station. Barri-
cades were erected at the Spencer-street terminus,
and Sub Inspector Larner was despatched thither
with a party of police. These formidable
arrangements were thought to be a sufficient in-
dication that that was the place where Kelly
would be brought, and a large crowd accordingly
gathered there. The platform and yards were,
however, cleared, and the people congregated in
the street, and from windows opposite to the
station and from drays sought to obtain a good
view of what was expected to occur. All were,
however, disappointed, as it was decided pre-
viously that the captured outlaw would not be
taken to that place. Inspectors Montford and
Secretan in plain clothes, with Detective Wilson
and two policemen out of uniform, proceeded to
the North Melbourne station without any osten-
tation, and there waited. About fifty other
persons gathered there. The 2 o'clock ordi-
nary train from the north-east soon arrived
at the siding with two brake-vans
attached. The outlaw was in the last, lying
on a pile of mattresses and surrounded
by about a dozen armed policemen. He looked
terribly emaciated, and his spare countenance
was rendered more wan by the terrible bruises
with which it was covered, the effects of bullets
having struck the helmet which he wore when
fighting with the police. His utter helplessness
was apparent at a glance, and there was some
thing horribly pitiful in his appearance. A
crowd quickly surrounded the van, but the police
soon cleared the passage. A stretcher was
handed out, and the outlaw placed upon it ;
mattresses were placed on a four-wheeled
vehicle which stood outside the reserve,
and Kelly was carried on the shoulder
of policemen to it. Little time we
lost in placing him comfortably in the trap,
but ample opportunity was afforded for the
people present to see his face. The vehicle,
which was followed by several others, pro-
ceeded up Victoria-street, and thence to the
Melbourne Gaol. All the way the sudden
appearance of the escort caused people to rush
the shops in the streets through which the
vehicles passed with the view if possible of
seeing Kelly, but they were not afforded that
opportunity. Near the gaol there was an im-
mense concourse of men, women, and children.
The cab, however, did not stop, but drove right
into the gaol, the large gates being opened for
that purpose and immediately afterwards closed.
A strong guard of police was there to prevent
any rushing at the gaol by the crowd. Prepara-
tions had been made for Kelly's reception, and
he was placed on a water-bed for the more
effectual treatment of his wounds. The outlaw
was placed in the gaol hospital, and there ex-
amined by the doctors. There were no balls in
his body, but he was greatly bruised. He has
bullet holes in his arms and legs. He was
watched unceasingly. He slept well on the
night of June 29, but ate very littte. He was
restricted to farinaceous food. He expressed
regret at not having been killed as well
as his mates. Father Aylward visited him,
and saw Mrs. Kelly subsequently, and
broke to her the fate of her sons. She was
greatly affected. She has since been allowed to
remain apart from the other prisoners, and
when Ned gets better it has been stated that
she will be allowed to take care of him. The
Government have not yet decided when and
how the outlaw shall be tried, or whether he
will be arraigned in Melbourne or Beechworth.
THE INQUESTS.
An inquest on the body of Aaron Skerritt,
who was shot on Saturday night by Byrne, was
commenced on Monday before Mr. Foster.
The father and brother of deceased gave
general evidence. The mother-in law of
the deceased deposed to being in the
hut with her daughter, the deceased,
and four constables, on Saturday evening,
when a knock came to the door and a Ger-
man named Weeks asked Aaron to go out and
show him the road. The police on hearing the
knock disappeared inside the bedroom. The
deceased opened the door. Byrne, who was
standing outside with a gun, fired at Aaron,
who stepped back. A second shot was
fired, and he fell dead. Byrne called
on her to make the police go out.
Her daughter asked him why he shot
Aaron, and he replied, "Because he would
shoot me." A good deal of evidence to the
same effect was given, showing that the police
remained inside the bedroom, and would not
come out although defied by Byrne. Several
shots were fired at the house, which the outlaws
threatened to burn down but for the women
being inside. The enquiry was adjourned, and
was continued on June 30.
Mrs. Barry, the mother-in-law of the de-
ceased, further examined, said—During the
time I was outside Byrne placed me between
himself and the door. No one else could have
fired but Byrne. There were four shots fired at
the side of the house. No shot was fired by the
police. Ducross went into the bedroom after
he heard the shot so that he should
not be seen. Did not notice Dan Kelly
firing a shot as Aaron went to the
door. The doors were open some time after
Byrne fired the shot. He sent me to see whether
the boards had been removed. Byrne spoke
and told me that he was going to set fire to the
house. He asked if there was any kerosine in
the house. I said no. He then asked me what
was burning on the table, and I said a candle.
At that time Dan Kelly was gathering bushes
to set fire to the house. Weeks was standing
there all the time. I said to Joe Byrne,
"For God's sake don't burn the house, my
daughter is inside." Joe said fetch her
out. I said if I go they will not let
me out. I went and heard nothing more of
the gang. To a juror—Did not leave home
for the whole of the next day or during the
night. Some of the police were sent out in the
morning. Could not tell at what time. Some
of the police went into the front room from the
bedroom during the night. Byrne had a good
view of the police. The body of the deceased lay
on the floor all night. The police sent a message
to Beechworth by a Chinaman in the morning
as soon as it was daylight. The Chinaman
came back and said he could not go as he had
too much work to do. The police then sent the
schoolmaster, who came back and said that his
wife would not let him go, as he had nothing
to eat that morning. Could not tell what the
police were doing at Beechworth. Byrne,
asked me where Jimmy Dixon was. I said "I
don't know." He then enquired how many
were inside, and I replied. "Two." Byrne
did not mention a word about the policeman.
Byrne heard them cocking their guns, and said,
" Don't you hear them loading their guns." He
stood on the chimney side of the door.
At this stage great anxiety was exhibited
by the jurymen to ascertain at what
time the police showed their faces for the first
time outside of the door. No satisfactory
answer was however elicited.
Antonia Weeks, a German gardener, deposed :—
On Saturday night last I went out to visit
Weaner's place. Did not go further than the
house, and seeing no light retained. Weaner's
house is situated 10 or 18 yards from deceased's
house. While retaining and when about 15
yards from Weaner's, I met Byrne and Kelly
on horseback. Byrne was leading a hone and
riding another. I said," Good evening," but
they did not answer. Byrne rode about fifteen
yards, and then came back. He said, " What is
your name ?" I said," Weeks, from the Wool
shed.'' Byrne had come close to me and stood
with his head down, and said," I'm Joe Byrne." I
said, " I don't believe you." He then put his
hand back and showed me a revolver
and said " Will you believe me now?"
He handcuffed me and made me go to the door
of Skerritt's house and ask the way to the
township. Saw Byrne shoot deceased when he
came out.
Constable Armstrong, who was in charge of
the police, said—We stopped at the hat belong-
ing to Skerritt during the daytime and night.
We were engaged in watching Mrs. Byrne's
house. Generally left at 8 o'clock in
the evening and returned between 3 and
5 in the morning. I remember Saturday
last was in Skerritt's house in the
bedroom, and Constable Ducross was in the
kitchen having tea. At half-past 6 o'clock a
knock came to the door, and Ducross walked
into the room. Our instructions were to remain
close all day and avoid observation, and never
to venture out except at night, or early in the
morning. After the knock came I heard a
voice say," Skerritt I have lost my way." Mrs.
Sherritt said, "Go out there and show
him." Then heard a shot, and immediately
afterwards another. About two seconds elapsed
between the shots. Said "Take your arms my
boy, and get ready." Had a double-barrel shot
gun and revolvers. A bullet passed from the
front of the house quite close to my head.
Afterwards picked up the bullet on the floor.
Five or six shots were also fired during various
intervals. Next heard a man say, "Come
out and surrender, or else we will roast
you all." Replied "We will die first.'
These words were spoken loud enough for
any one to hear. Went towards the door
and gave an order to fire in the direction of
the voices. Mrs. Barry and Weekes were, how-
ever, in the way. Then said, " Boys, can we
break pot-holes in the boards?" We tried to
do so but could not succeed. Said," If I rush,
them will you be game to follow ?" I asked
this to each separately, and they all
said "Yes." We determined to wait for
a better opportunity. Thinking also that
as the outlaws were the attacking party
they might rush as, waited quietly for
awhile, expecting them to do so. When it got
daylight one of the constables went around the
hut and found that the outlaws had left. A
Chinaman passed, and I wrote a note and gave
it to him to deliver to the Beechworth police.
I proposed going myself, but decided that as
the party was small I should not separate from
them, as they might be attacked again. Gave
the Chinaman 5s., and put the note in his boat.
In a short time he returned, and said he
would not go. Then sent him with
the note to O'Donoghue, the schoolmaster.
O'Donoghue came back, and said he would
not do it as he was afraid of being shot.
Tried to get two others to go, but could not
suceeed. Then determined to go myself. On
the road I met a man, whom I stuck up, and
took his horse and rode to Beechworth. At the
time the firing was going on I heard whistling
in the distance at the rear of the house. To
Mr. Foster—I have reason to suspect that the
outlaws knew of our presence in the hut. I have
also reason to believe that our message was inter-
cepted on its way to Beechworth. On my way to
Beechworth I saw Patsy Byrne, the brother of
tbe outlaw, galloping backwards and forwards.
Did not care to leave sooner because I wished
to be near the spot when the reinforcements
arrived from Beechworth. Was disputed as a
digger. Had no horses at the place.
Constable Robt. Alexander corroborated the
evidence of the last witness, and concluded the
evidence.
The jury said they were quite satisfied as
to the cause of the death of deceased.
One juror stated it as his opinion that the
surviving member of the gang ought to be present
when the verdict was given, but Mr. Foster said

he could not adjourn the enquiry for that pur-
pose. The following verdict was thereupon
returned: —"That deceased, Aaron Skerritt,
died at Sebastopol, in the colony of Vic-
toria, on the 28th day of June, 1880, from
gunshot wounds received by him from the
hands of Joseph Byrne, and that such wounds
were inflicted by the said Joseph Byrne on the
said Aaron Skerritt with intent to kill the said
Aaron Skerritt; and that he did thereby
feloniously and wilfully and of his malice
aforethought kill and murder him, and that
Daniel Kelly abetted the said Joseph Byrne in
the murder of the said Aaron Skerritt.'' After
the jury were discharged the foreman men-
tioned to several persons within the court that
there were eleven in favor of adding a rider,
stating that the police did all that could be
expected of them under the circumstances.
It was at first announced that the inquest on
the body of Byrne would not be held until
Thursday, June 31, but quite unexpectedly
during Wednesday afternoon Mr. Robert
McBean and Captain Standish held a magis-
terial enquiry at Glenrowan. The proceed-
ings were conducted so quietly that no
one knew of the affair until it was over. There
were only two or three persons present in the
courthouse where the enquiry was held. The
proceedings were purely of a formal nature.
The first witness, Robert McIntyre, police
constable stationed in Melbourne, identified
the body in the possession of the police as that
of Joseph Byrne, one of the outlaws who shot
police-constables Kennedy, Scanlan, and Loni-
gan at Mansfield on the 26th of October, 1878.
The witness was one of the search party sent out
to arrest the four outlaws, but principally the two
Kellys, who were concerned in the shooting of
Constable Fitzpatrick, at Greta. Louis Piatza,
a contractor, living at Glenrowan, one of the
persons who were detained in Mrs. Jones's hotel,
also identified the body as that of Joseph
Byrne, the outlaw, who in conjunction with
the Kellys and Hart, resisted the police at Glen-
rowan on Monday last. Edward Cenny, police-
constable, stationed at Benalla, deposed that he
knew Joseph Byrne, the outlaw, as a member
of the Kelly gang, and for over eight years at
the Woolshed, Beechworth, and other places. The
body before the court was that of Joseph Byrne.
Mr McBean entered a decision of "jus-
tifiable homicide,'' and stated that Byrne
had come to his death at the hands of the police
while they were executing their duty.
The intention to hold an inquest on the
charred bodies of Hart and Dan Kelly was
abandoned. A number of armed police were
sent to Greta to take possession of the remains,
but were stopped at Glenrowan, where an intima-
tion was received that the police magistrate at
Wangaratta did not deem an enquiry necessary.
Byrne's body was interred in the pauper por-
tion of the Benalla cemetery, in the presence
of the undertaker and a body of armed police-
men; although the friends of Byrne demanded
that his body should be given up to them.
The bodies of Hart and Dan Kelly were
buried with great show at Greta by their friends,
many of whom have taken fearful oaths to
avenge their deaths. However, it is not gene-
rally believed that they will fulfil their oaths.
as the police are using every endeavor, by arrest-
ing disaffected persons, to put an end to the
reign of terror which has existed in this part of
the colony for the past two years.
An inquest on the body of the boy John Jones,
who was accidentally shot by the police in the
Glenrowan, encounter, was held at Wangaratta
Hospital on Wednesday. The magistrates found
that deceased had been accidentally shot. The
little girl, his sister, who received a scalp wound,
and was supposed to be in danger, has re-
covered. Mr. McBean, J.P., conducted an
enquiry at Benalla touching the death of the
railway line repairer, Martin Sherry, who was
made prisoner by the outlaws on Monday at
Glenrowan, and who was subsequently acci-
dentally shot by the police. The finding of the
magistrates was to the effect that no blame was
attached to the police or civilians who fired at
the Kellys at Jones's Hotel and kitchen.
GLENROWAN AFTER THE ENCOUNTER.
The scene of the encounter at Glenrowan
on the morning after the capture of the gang
was visited by a considerable number of persons.
Photographic operators from Melbourne were
also present, and took some excellent views
of the gutted building and its surround-
ings. The charred remains of Dan Kelly
and Steve Hart, after having been reco-
vered from the fire, were handed over to the
sisters and friends, and were conveyed before
night to Greta, where a wake on the bodies was
held. The next morning the coffins were
taken back to Glenrowan. They bore the
inscriptions: — "Stephen Hart, died 28th
June, 1880, aged 21 years;" and "Daniel
Kelly, died 28th June, 1880, aged 19
years." It is believed that both committed
suicide. It appears that Ned Kelly left the
hotel in which his mates were secured
before the special train arrived, and
was never seen by them afterwards. He
was not in the place during the time the
fight took place. Byrne, Hart, and Dan Kelly
became very anxious about his absence, and
seemed undecided how to act. They missed
their leader greatly and were continually calling
out for him. Up to the time Byrne was shot
they indulged in a great deal of firing. Byrne
used the most powder, firing whenever he got a
favorable opportunity. After he fell Hart and
Dan Kelly lost all heart and fired very
seldom. Just before the civilians left the
place the two outlaws were unhurt.
They, however, appeared quite despon-
dent, and Dan said to Hart, "What shall
we do now, Steve?" From the answer that
Hart made the people who were confined in the
place were impressed with the belief that they
intended to shoot each other. As the last of the
civilians left the building the two out-
laws went into an adjoining bedroom,
and it is thought fired at one another. Their
remains were found lying in close proximity to
each other, and were divested of armor. There
can be little doubt that in a final spirit of
desperation, and knowing the utter hopelessness
of escape, they took off their iron to allow their
shots to take effect.
The neighborhood swarmed with the friends
of the outlaws, many of whom at an early
hour on Wednesday morning were mad
with drink. More than one made a
threat that they would have revenge on
the police for what they had done to
the Kellys. Two police came in on Wed-
nesday from the neighborhood of Greta, and
reported that the population of that place were
very excited. Richard Hart had several times
on the previous night declared, that
if the police came for the bodies of Dan Kelly and
Hart they would have to fight for them. The
same morning a near relative was reported to
have made an oath to avenge the deaths of the
members of the gang. It is stated that when
in the presence of Kate Kelly, he raided his
right hand and swore that he would avenge
the death of her brothers. When he made
the declaration he was standing over the charred
corpses of the reckless outlaws.
The excitement in the Benalla district has
now subdued. A general feeling of relief is ex-
perienced by the respectable inhabitants now
that the gang is no longer in existence. Their
movements for the past twelve months will soon
be known. It appears that for the past six
months the police made it very unpleasant for
the gang. Some weeks ago it was rumored that
Joe Byrne had been seen near his mother's
residence at the Woolshed. This statement is
fonnd to be correct. The whole gang have
since been lurking in the locality. A week
before Skerritt's murder Superintendent Hare
visited his house and told the inmates that the
outlaws were not far distant. After killing Sker-
ritt the gang rode for Glenrowan over the Pioneer
Bridge across King's River, at Oxley, and
through Greta, where Mrs. Skillion and Kate
Kelly reside. The object of their visit to Glen-
rowan was to murder the police and the black
trackers. The dread of the latter by Ned Kelly
was most marked, and it had the effect of keep-
ing the gang quiet so long. Ned Kelly knew
the trackers had gone to Melbourne, and would
return by special train. His object in pulling
up the rails was to destroy the black men. He
would have succeeded but for the timely ap-
pearance of Curnow, who gave information to
the special train on Saturday night. Curnow and
his wife were driving through the railway gates
when they were bailed up and taken to Jones's
Hotel, whence they were permitted to go to the
police-station, when Bracken was bailed up by
Ned Kelly, who allowed Curnow to go home
with his wife. Curnow then learned that the
rails had been pulled up.
PUBLIC EXCITEMENT
rose to the highest pitch at the time of the
capture of the Kelly gang, but it has now
abated. Some days after the Glenrowan affair
a statement was published that Ned Kelly had
murdered old Martin Sherry in a most diabolical
manner, and that the generally accepted belief
that Sherry was shot by the police was not
correct. Subsequent telegrams throw doubt on
this sensational statement.
Ned Kelly continues in the gaol hos-
pital, and is improving in strength. He
maintains a reserved attitude and reticence.
He has seen bis mother, who is also incar-
cerated in the Melbourne Gaol for an attempt
to murder a constable at Greta two years
ago, which caused the outbreak of the gang.
The outlaw has been interrwwed by several
public officers and others, and his mother has
also been allowed to see him ; but of late
the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ramsay, has been so

beset with applications for leave to interview
the outlaw that he publicly announces that
under no circmnstances shall any one except the
clergy and medical officers have access to the
prisoner. On the 5th of July Mr. Smyth, the
Crown Solicitor, appeared in the Police Court
for the purpose of asking for the formal remand
of Ned Kelly, who is charged with a long list of
murders and other outrages. The prisoner,
owing to the wounds he received at Glenrowan,
was unable to attend. There will be several
remands before the case is gone into. The prin-
cipal charges are the murders of Sergeant Ken-
nedy and Constables Scanlan and Lonigan,
various bank robberies, the murder of Aaron
Skerritt, and the resistance to the police at
Glenrowan. There is also a long catalogue of
minor charges, which are more formidable than
any ever brought against any criminal in this
colony. It is proposed to assign counsel for the
defence in case of Kelly's friends declining to
do so. The magistrates, after a brief statement
from Mr. Smyth, consented to a remand. As
one of the outcomes of the tragedy, and as
showing the growing feeling that the police
were greatly to blame in connection with the
attack on Jones's Hotel at Glenrowan, it may
be mentioned that there is a probability of the
Government appointing a Royal Commission to
enquire into the whole affair, together with the
general organization of the force. The reward
for the capture of the bushrangers was to have
been withdrawn at the end of June, but as the
gang were captured before that date the reward
was still in force, and a communication has
been forwarded to the Government of New
South Wales to arrange for the appointment of
a board to distribute it. In the Benalla dis-
trict the excitement has subsided, but as it has
been feared that an outbreak might take place
at any moment on the part of the numerous
sympathisers with the outlaws in the district,
where the sisters of the latter live, and
where a cousin of the Kellys had been heard
to swear that he would be terribly avenged
for the slaughter of the gang, the police have not
yet been withdrawn from the disaffected district,
and are on the alert determined to immediately
nip in the bud any rising.

$