Project Gutenberg Australia

Title: History of Australian Bushranging Volume 2
Author: Charles White
* A Project Gutenberg Australia eBook *
eBook No.: 1201971.txt
Language: English
Date first posted: May 2012
Date most recently updated: May 2012

Produced by: Ned Overton

Project Gutenberg Australia eBooks are created from printed editions
which are in the public domain in Australia, unless a copyright notice
is included. We do NOT keep any eBooks in compliance with a particular
paper edition.

Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this
file.

This eBook is made available at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
of the Project Gutenberg Australia License which may be viewed online at
http://gutenberg.net.au/licence.html

To contact Project Gutenberg Australia go to http://gutenberg.net.au

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: History of Australian Bushranging Volume 2
Author: Charles White


*

_Author of "Convict Life in New South Wales and Van Diemen's
Land" and "The Story of the Blacks"_

*

_In 4 parts, picture covers, illustrated, 1s. each,
or 2 volumes, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. each_

*

CONTENTS


THE EARLY DAYS. -- Howe, Brady, Britton, Cash,
  Kavanagh, Jones, Donohoe, Underwood, Webber,
  Sullivan, The Insurrection at Bathurst,
  Armstrong, Chamberlain, Dignum, Comerford,
  McKewin, Davis, "Scotchey", Witton, Williams,
  Flanagan, Day, etc.


1850-1862. -- Gardiner, Piesley, Gilbert, O'Meally,
  McGuinness, Fordyce, Bow, Manns, Alexander
  Ross, Charles Ross, O'Connor.


1863-1865. -- Ben Hall, Dunn, Lowry, The Mudgee Mail
  Robbery, Heather, Daniel Morgan, "Thunderbolt",
  The Clarkes, etc.


1869-1880. -- "Moonlight", "Midnight", Power, The
  Kelly Gang.


*

_VOLUME II. -- _1863-1880_

BEN HALL TO THE KELLY GANG_


SYDNEY
ANGUS AND ROBERTSON
London: The Australian Book Company
38 WEST SMITHFIELD, E.C.
1903

*

CONTENTS


Chapter X -- Ben Hall's Gang

  Brief Sketch of its Members

Chapter XI -- The Raid upon Bathurst

Chapter XII -- The Dunn's Plains Tragedy

  The Numbered Notes, and how they were found
  The Surrender of Johnny Vane

Chapter XIII -- The Attack on Goimbla Station

  Death of O'Meally

Chapter XIV -- Ben Hall in Extremity

  The Shooting of Sergeant Parry
  The Act of Outlawry

Chapter XV -- The Mudgee Mail Robbers

Chapter XVI -- Daniel Morgan, Incendiary and Murderer

Chapter XVII -- "Thunderbolt" (Frederick Ward)

Chapter XVIII -- The Brothers Clarke

Chapter XIX -- The Kelly Gang

  History of the Family
  The Bushranger Power
  How the Kelly Gang was Formed
  The Murders in the Wombat Ranges
  The Search for the Murderers
  The Raid Upon Euroa
  The Raid Upon Jerilderie
  Fruitless Searching
  The Murder of Aaron Sherritt
  The Last Exploit of the Outlaws
  How the Special Train was Saved
  The Conflict at the Hotel and Capture of Ned Kelly
  Proceedings Within the Hotel
  How Hart and Dan Kelly Fell
  Ned Kelly's Trial and Conviction
  Agitation for Reprieve
  The Execution
  The Black-Trackers and their Work
  The End of Gang Bushranging


*

ILLUSTRATIONS

[not included in this text file]

Ben Hall
Constable Sutton
Mr. and Mrs. Keightley
John Vane
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell
Johnny Dunn
Death of Ben Hall
Capture of Dunn
Dubbo Gaol
Lowry After Death
Morgan at Round Hill
Morgan at Peechelba Station
Constable Walker
"Thunderbolt" Dead
Escape of Thomas Clarke
The Four Constables Murdered by the Clarke Gang
Surrender of the Clarkes
Thomas Clarke and John Clarke
Power at Time of his Release
Ned Kelly
Monument at Mansfield (Vic.) to Police Killed by Bushrangers
Dan Kelly
Joe Byrne
Aaron Sherritt
Steve Hart
Ned Kelly's Armour
Sketch Plan of Glenrowan

*


CHAPTER X.


BEN HALL'S GANG.


BRIEF SKETCH OF ITS MEMBERS.

For some time after the robbery of the Escort at Eugowra Rocks, Hall,
Gilbert, and O'Meally kept away from their usual haunts; but were by no
means idle during their temporary seclusion, and not a few cases of
"sticking-up" in lonely parts of the bush roads in the Lachlan district
were, not without reason, charged against one or other of them by the
authorities and the public.

While the fate of their late companions--Mann, Bow, and Fordyce--was
hanging in the balance they were arranging fresh plots under the very
noses of the police. As in the case of Gardiner, a perfect system of
"bush telegraphy" had been established in every locality where their
friends resided; and as they invariably moved with a given object from
their hiding places, and either returned direct to the place from which
they had started or made for some other friendly shelter in another
direction, they were always in touch with their "telegraphs", and were
thus kept posted in every movement made by the force whose aim it was to
capture them.

Upon these "telegraphs" the bushrangers depended as absolutely as did
the officers of an army upon their scouts when in the territory of an
enemy. Flitting on fast-footed horses from station to station in the
disturbed districts, or mixing with the people in the nearest town,
generally the headquarters of the police, the "telegraphs" would pick
up every scrap of information likely to be of interest to the hunted
men, sometimes times coming into contact with the police, and learning
directly all they desired to know. And having satisfied  themselves
concerning police intentions, they would suddenly disappear and convey
or send their news to the camp where the bushrangers were located.
Occasionally one of these "telegraphs" would be arrested, but as nothing
could be proved against him, a few days' confinement between the time of
his arrest and his discharge by the magistrate formed the worst of his
sufferings. And should a suspected "telegraph" find himself too closely
watched or be arrested, others were always ready to take up the work.
They were invariably young men, some of them mere boys, intimately
acquainted with the bush, who could cover miles of the roughest country
more speedily than the badly-mounted troopers could ride along good
roads. Ben Hall, Gilbert, and O'Meally had hosts of such friends in the
Lachlan district, where they had lived for years, and amongst whom their
bushranging instincts had been developed.

A brief sketch of the three men just mentioned will form a suitable
prelude to the account of their outrages.

Ben Hall was born at Breeza, Liverpool Plains, in February, 1837, and
was consequently but a young man--about twenty-five years of age--when
he assumed the command which Gardiner had renounced. While the colony
was ringing with the account of his exploits his parents were living at
Murrurundi, where his father was a freeholder, and well-to-do farmer. It
was at Breeza and Murrurundi that young Hall lived until he was ten
years old. While at Murrurundi he attended school for about two years
and a half, learned to read and write, and obtained sufficient knowledge
of arithmetic to enable him to conduct his own business. Thus early in
life, and while assisting his father upon the station, it is related
that he evinced a remarkable degree of perception and aptness in regard
to stock. If he saw a calf dropped, he could, in a year afterwards,
identify the cow and the calf and locate them. When this lad was about
ten years old, his father removed to the Lachlan district and took
charge of a station belonging to Mr. Hamilton, about fifteen miles from
Forbes, on the road to the Pinnacle. The son resided with his father
upon this station until he was about eighteen years old, and was almost
exclusively engaged in stock-keeping, looking after the stock of Mr.
Hamilton as well as that belonging to himself and father. About the year
1852, the elder Hall returned to Murrurundi and commenced farming on his
own account, leaving Ben on the Lachlan. Father and son never again saw
each other. It was much against the old man's desire that his son
remained behind; but the young man had formed an intimacy with Miss
Bridget Walsh, the second daughter of Mr. John Walsh, of Wheogo, and
nothing could induce him to leave the locality. The father, intent on
separating his son from this connection, also removed, not only his own
but his son's cattle to the other side of the country. A short time
before his father's departure, Ben surreptiously left home and went into
the employment of Mr. Walsh, at Wheogo, as stock-keeper. A year after he
married Miss Walsh. Two children were born to him by this marriage, but
the youngest was only about twelve months old, and still in arms, when
Mrs. Hall eloped with a man named Taylor, and went to reside with him
somewhere on the Fish River. Shortly after his marriage, Ben Hall, in
company with John McGuire, obtained the lease of a run adjoining Wheogo,
called Sandy Creek, which they stocked with cattle and horses. Up to
this period Ben Hall was held in high esteem by the settlers throughout
the district, not only for his generous, open-hearted qualities, always
showing a disposition to assist his neighbours, but for the enterprise
and energy he displayed in conducting his business affairs.

Very shortly after the elopement of his wife with Taylor, which occurred
while he was absent attending a muster at the Bland, and after he had
taken a most affectionate leave of her, without for one moment
entertaining the slightest suspicion of her infidelity, he was arrested
by Sir Frederick Pottinger at the Wowingragong racecourse, charged with
highway robbery under arms.

The residents of the district were greatly surprised that a charge of
this nature should be brought against a man who was held in such good
repute. After lying in the lock-up for four or five weeks he was taken
to Orange and tried, but the jury acquitted him without leaving their
seats. This was towards the end of May, 1862, and immediately upon his
release he returned to Sandy Creek station and commenced mustering his
horses. He had been engaged several weeks in this work, and the business
was still progressing, when Sir Frederick Pottinger and Sub-Inspector
Sanderson appeared upon the scene. They had good grounds for suspecting
that Hall had been doing something besides mustering horses. The Eugowra
escort had been robbed; and instinct and information had led the
officers to Sandy Creek station. Hall was arrested on a charge of being
in some way implicated in that robbery, and was straightway removed to
Forbes. He remained in the Forbes lock-up some six or seven weeks, being
brought before the Bench of Magistrates from time to time and remanded,
at the instance of the police, for the production of further evidence.
He was ultimately admitted to bail, himself in £500, and two sureties of
£250 each, to appear when called upon. He was not committed. When he
returned to Wheogo and Sandy Creek he found that all the labour of
mustering his horses had been in vain, some of them having perished in
the yards, and the greater portion having dispersed. After looking
about to see if he could recover them he found they were hopelessly
scattered, and gave up the idea of collecting them that season.

About this time the Police Station at the Pinnacle was stuck up and
robbed of firearms and other things by Patsy Daley. The same night this
was done, Ben Hall (unfortunately for himself, and by mere chance, he
declared), happened to be stopping at the house of a Mr. Allport, on the
Lambing Flat road. To this house Patsy Daley went after robbing the
Police Station. The police tracked one horseman to Allport's, and from
that point they tracked two horsemen, Daley and Hall. Hall knew at this
time that Daley was compromised with Gardiner, but subsequently
declared that he did not know Daley had just robbed the Police Station.
When he discovered that he and Daley were being pursued by the police,
knowing that he was in company with one of Gardiner's gang, he fled. The
police pursued and fired upon them, but they escaped, and from that time
both openly took to the roads, and Hall joined Gilbert and O'Meally.
Some two or three months afterwards Patsy Daley was captured when
secreted in a digger's shaft at the Pinnacle. Upon being tried he was
convicted at Bathurst and sentenced to fifteen years on the roads.

Johnny Gilbert, who was the right-hand man of Gardiner, before Hall's
troubles commenced, was a Canadian by birth, and came out as a boy to
Australia with his family in the "Revenue", from New York, landing in
Melbourne in October, 1852. Soon after his arrival young Gilbert
commenced a fast career, and bolted from the paternal roof. Shortly
after the first rush to the Ovens diggings he was located in Kilmore,
where he associated with gamesters; and as he was generally "flush" of
money, derived from no one knew where, he became an object of suspicion
to the authorities. Subsequently he crossed over to New South Wales,
and next came into notice as a stockman in the neighbourhood of Marengo.
Here he made himself a general favourite by a display of good temper and
fairly correct living; but towards the end of 1861 he suddenly left the
district, and about three months afterwards reappeared in company with
Johnny O'Meally, flashly dressed and flush of money. It then transpired
that he had fallen in with Gardiner, and joined his gang.

John O'Meally was little more than a boy when Gardiner commenced
operations on the road. His father kept a shanty at the Weddin
Mountains. Here he fell in with Gardiner. From being a sympathiser he
soon became an active ally, and having joined in the bold exploit at
Eugowra, he threw off all restraint, and plunged into the robber
business with an energy and daring that would have been meritorious in a
better cause.

There was another member of the gang who should be referred to here, for
he became a member very shortly after Hall had assumed the command. His
name was John Dunn, and he also was a young man. Born in December, 1846,
at Yass, he was but 17 years of age when he broke away from the home
circle, and chose the life of a bushranger, Gilbert and another member
of the gang, yet to be mentioned, having persuaded him to that course.
His father was a respectable settler in the district, and, it is said,
rode many miles in the effort to find and reclaim his erring son when he
was made aware of the ruinous course upon which he had entered. His fall
was certainly not the result of bad upbringing. He outlived all the
rest of the gang, but after narrowly escaping death from a policeman's
bullet he was captured and ended his life on the gallows, having been
convicted of shooting down a policeman in cold blood.

In June, 1863, exactly twelve months from the date of Eugowra Escort
Robbery, six highway robberies were committed in one day near Lambing
Flat, and every succeeding day brought forth its "report" of travellers
being "stuck up", by either two or three bushrangers. Now it would be
of a solitary traveller "bailed" up and stripped of his possessions; now
it would be of her Majesty's mail stopped on the road and the letters
sorted by hands not legally appointed to the work; now it would be of a
store invaded and ransacked, provisions and clothing being carried off
in cornsacks and by the hundredweight. It was a serious time, a time of
tremulous anxiety to every traveller, every householder, every
storekeeper in the Lachlan district; and a time of ceaseless worry, hard
riding and fruitless chasing for the police.


Let me give a few illustrations culled from letters and papers of the
period:-

I was stuck-up about eighteen miles from here (on my way from Tumut) by
two armed bushrangers (writes a resident storekeeper of 'Young, Lambing
Flat, under date 30th June, 1863). They took my watch and chain, a gold
pin, and £2 in money, and a railway wrapper. They did not attempt to
molest me, and appeared very jolly and well up to their business. I had
a little conversation with them and asked them their names. One told me
his name was Gilbert, but from the description I gave of him I very much
doubt whether it was him. The other would not give his name. They
ransacked my buggy, not being exactly satisfied with the amount of money
they got, and came across a little box containing some cakes and candy,
to which they helped themselves, and then rode off, politely telling me
they did not want to delay any any longer. One of them asked me my name,
which T told him. "O," says he, I know you; I had some of your
lobsters." So I told him he forgot to mention that he also had some
gin and tobacco. He was one of the men that stuck up my drays some time
back, and took those articles from the dray. There were no less than six
persons stuck up that day, some within a mile of the township, and
others on different parts of the diggings. This place is really in a
frightful state, and it is dangerous to ride out of the town. They don't
care about the police, and only laugh at them; they always have good
horses, and can ride away from the police with the greatest ease.

There was no small amount of excitement here yesterday (says a letter of
the same date, and from the same place). Yesterday Coupland was stuck up
by two bushrangers, about two miles down the creek. The same two stuck
up Howard, Murphy's bookkeeper, and robbed him of five or six pounds, in
the afternoon. Emanuel was stuck-up the other side of Wombat, and robbed
of his watch and two pounds, and so on. About the same time the local
paper contained the following paragraph:-

On Sunday last a travelling German saddler called on our reporter to
state that on the previous Wednesday he was stuck-up on the
Bathurst-road, near the Gap, by three armed bushrangers, and robbed of a
packhorse and property to the amount of £60; likewise 15s, which was all
the money he had about him. He describes one of the bushrangers as a
young man, apparently not more than 18 years of age, light hair and fair
complexion, riding a dark bay horse; another a tall man, with bushy
black whiskers; and the third as a full faced man with foxy whiskers.
When about to leave, the youngest of the three robbers turned to the
German and handed him 5s of his own money to help him on the road,
observing that he was not so badly off, as he had the horse he rode to
sell, if he liked. About four miles from where the robbery took place,
the German called at a settler's hut, and on making the people there
acquainted with the loss, he was told that Gilbert and O'Meally had been
there two days before. In answer to a question from our reporter, he
said he gave no information to the police, nor did he intend to do so,
as he, in common with everybody else, considered it useless. How long is
society to continue thus disorganised, and its present state of
insecurity to life and property to exist, and how long will the country
bear with the reign of terror before it hurls the present imbecile
police before the winds?


The fact is that popular conversation was divided between the daring of
the bushrangers and the inefficiency of the force empowered to catch
them. And it was about this time that "Bell's Life in Sydney", in a
jocular sketch of the state of the bushranging news market, published
the following soi disant telegram:-


Narrow Escape of the Police!!! Last evening three bushrangers espied
a large body of troopers, and immediately gave chase. The darkness of the
evening favoured the escape of the troopers, and baffled the
bushrangers. The appetites of Captain McLerie and Sir F. Pottinger
continue in undiminished vigour.


The following letter, written by a traveller about this time, will
enable the reader to understand the delights of travelling in the
disturbed district while the bushrangers held the road, and also the
indifference to the presence of the police displayed by Hall and his
gang:-


I relate the following incident (wrote this gentleman) to show how very
little Hall, Gilbert, and O'Meally cared for the police, and how they
kept on good terms with the residents of the parts they frequented. I
left Lambing Flat diggings by Greig's coach, which started at four in
the morning, to go to the Lachlan goldfield, about 90 miles distant. The
coach being full, the agent allowed me to ride on the rack with the
mailbags, with strict injunctions to hold well on to the ropes. It was
well he did, for some portions of the road were laid down with logs from
12 to 18 inches thick, and when the coach came on to these the effect
was anything but exhilarating. First a terrible shock, and then a
continued bump, bump, bump for perhaps hundreds of yards. These parts
were called "corduroys", and were a rough-and-ready way of making a road
passable over bogs and swamps, until other improvements could be
effected. The stages were from 12 to 15 miles apart, and in the
afternoon we reached the last but one before we came to the township,
and it being a public house, most of the passengers got down, and so did
I, to stretch my legs. And when I did I noticed something unusual going
on in the yard adjoining the inn. There were four men on horseback, two
standing, seemingly stable men or rouseabouts, and a woman, who I heard
was the landlady. I did not know them, but heard after we started that
the four men were Ben Hall and his mates, and the reason of their
visitation at the time was the following:- The landlady, who was a
widow, had a week or so before gone to Forbes to settle some business
affairs, and was away for two or three days, during which period it
appears that the man she left in charge of the bar had started drinking,
with the result that the yardman and groom and neighbours, and in fact
all hands who came along, had joined in the spree, and the quantity of
liquor consumed as well as provisions was something enormous, especially
as there was very little money to show that any had been paid for. So,
at their wits' end for an excuse, the two principals agreed to swear to
the landlady on her return that it was the bushrangers who had come and
helped themselves. She, who was always friendly to them, happened to
tell this to one who informed Ben Hall, who came over and made the real
culprits confess their guilt. At that time they stuck up no one on the
coach nor any one in the house. But it was a well-known fact that they
never did stick up many of the places on this line of road, and it was
the general opinion that they were afforded valuable information as to
the movements of the police by a very large proportion of the residents
in these localities in consequence. As I looked at them over the gate I
noticed that the spokesman was a rather tall, robust-looking man, with
a fine frank-looking face, and wore a high felt hat and cord breeches
and top boots--that was Ben Hall. A slight, fair man, looking like a
horse trainer, had a slight, fair moustache and cabbage tree hat,
breeches and boots, and had one leg crossed over the pummel of the
saddle, listening to what was said--that was Gilbert. A flash,
rowdy-looking young fellow, with keen flashing eyes, who was looking at
the two men standing with no pleasant countenance, was O'Meally. At this
time there were between 30 and 40 mounted police at Forbes, only a few
miles distant, under Sir Frederick Pottinger.


But it was time for the gang to change quarters, and as a few days
passed without report of fresh outrages in the Young district people
began to look for reports from some other direction. And what everybody
anticipated shortly came to pass. The gang had taken across country and
quietly entered Carcoar, where instead of blackmailing travellers on the
road or calling upon the driver of the mail to "chuck out the bags",
they proceeded to "stick-up" the bank. This was no midnight descent,
after the manner of the ordinary burglar, but a bold and open onslaught
in the broad light of day, and it was quite by an accident that the
designs of the robbers were frustrated. Under ordinary circumstances the
mere fact of two horsemen riding up to the Commercial Bank (which was
situated in the main thoroughfare of the town), alighting, and entering
the bank, would not have excited suspicion; but there was something
extraordinary in the appearance of both men and horses on this
occasion. The former were dressed, not like ordinary customers of the
bank, but as "flash" bushmen, and the latter were animals of a superior
class, with suspicious-looking pouches attached to their saddles. The
door of the bank was invitingly open. There were no customers on the
public side of the counter, and only one of the bank officials was in
his place on the business side. That official was Mr. J. Parker, who, in
his capacity as chief clerk, had full control of the institution for the
time being. The manager, Mr. McDonald, was not far away, however. He had
crossed the street to "see a friend", and happened to look towards the
bank just as the two men entered the door. A suspicion at once crossed
his mind that his presence at the bank might be required.

Having entered the bank Hall and Gilbert strode up to the counter and
one of them handed to Mr. Parker a rather dirty-looking piece of paper,
in form like a cheque, at the same time asking him to cash it. Mr.
Parker took the document, but had no sooner begun to inspect it than he
was startled by having a revolver presented at each side of his head,
the action being accompanied by an assurance from the bushrangers that
if he made the least noise or resistance he would find his brains on the
floor. It was at this moment that McDonald, the manager, made his
appearance at the door, and the noise of his approach caused both the
bushrangers to turn their heads, although they kept their revolvers
presented at Parker's head. One of the men, no doubt thinking that the
visitor was one of the customers of the bank, at once called out "Come
in, mate;" but McDonald had taken in the situation at a glance, turned
on his heels, and sped down the street to give the alarm at the police
station.

The momentary distraction of the would-be robbers was not
lost upon Parker, who, although much alarmed at the situation, had not
lost his presence of mind. In anticipation of a visit of this kind the
bank authorities had sought to make provision for defending their
treasures, and loaded revolvers became part of the bank furniture in
every country branch. There was a revolver beneath the counter within
reach of the startled clerk on this occasion, and as the bushrangers
turned their heads to the door Parker dropped behind the counter, seized
the revolver, and fired--not at the intruders, for the counter
intervened, but into the air, for the purpose of at once creating an
alarm and scaring the robbers. Both ends were accomplished. A Mr.
Harrison and his daughter, living on the opposite side of the street, at
once ran over, the latter calling loudly for assistance and attracting
the attention of a number of the townspeople, who also began running
towards the bank. At the same time Miss Harrison attempted to let the
horses loose from the post to which they were hitched, but the
bushrangers rushed from the bank, having realised the danger of
remaining longer on the spot, and warning those who displayed an
inclination to intercept them that if they did not keep
back they would be shot, hurriedly remounted and galloped away.

Suddenly there came a report from another quarter. The gang had gone
east, along the old Lachlan Road*, and had made a raid upon Caloola,
quietly robbing the local store, kept by Mr. S. Hosie. Here also two
members of the gang only presented themselves, Gilbert and O'Meally
doing the business. They made their appearance in the afternoon, and
going to the counter presented revolvers at the heads of Mr. Hosie and
his assistant, ordering them to stand in one corner of the shop while
they proceeded to ransack the place. It wasn't money they wanted so
much as provisions, and of these they found abundance. Nevertheless they
were not prepared to overlook money in their search. One of the
intruders found £20 in notes and £5 in silver in the till, and this he
appropriated with the remark that it might "come in useful." The other
bushranger chiefly acted as sentry, keeping one watchful eye upon the
"bailed up" proprietor, and the other upon the road; and while thus
engaged he passed the most jocular remarks, and issued directions to his
mate concerning the best things to take. Each of the robbers wore a belt
in which four revolvers found a resting place. Having gathered together
all they required, the booty was placed upon two of Mr. Hosie's horses,
brought from the stable for that purpose, and then the unwelcome
customers said "Good day!" to the proprietor of the store and rode off.
Shortly after their departure a messenger was dispatched to
Bathurst with information for the police, and before midnight four
mounted troopers were clattering along the highway in the direction of
Caloola; but before they reached the scene of the robbery the
bushrangers had disappeared, and no person in the locality could give
information concerning the direction they had taken. Subsequent events
proved that they had made back for the Carcoar district.

[* The road passed Carcoar, a little south of the town, towards Cowra,
and crossed the old Bathurst-Trunkey road near Caloola.]

Hosie's store had been "stuck up" on the Thursday. On the Sunday the
bushrangers paid a visit to Mr. Icely's homestead at Coombing; but in
the interval between those dates the gang had been strengthened in
numbers, a young man named Johnny Vane having cast in his lot with them.
This young man had been living with his parents, most respectable people
and reputed to be very well-to-do, in the eastern portion of the
Carcoar district. He was a typical Australian youth--well-built,
active and fearless, a splendid horseman, and fairly intelligent,
having an intimate knowledge of the bush. That he had previously come
into contact with one or other of the gang there can be no doubt, and
Hall was no doubt pleased enough to receive him into the ranks. Little
wonder, therefore, that he should appear as a prominent figure in the
gang within a short time after joining.

The attack upon Coombing was made at night, and all the members of the
gang appear to have taken part in it. Mr. Icely was a magistrate and one
of the wealthiest men in the district. It was one of the most natural
things in the world that he should keep a good stable and that in that
stable there should be exceptionally good horses. Now, good horses were
in their way more valuable to the bushrangers of the sixties than
firearms; hence they were always on the lookout for fresh mounts and
those of the swiftest foot and soundest wind. It was not a strange
thing, therefore, that they should set longing eyes upon Mr. Icely's
possessions, neither was it a strange thing that having the longing they
should seize the first favourable opportunity of gratifying it.

Shortly after dark on Sunday the venturesome quartette stole quietly to
the stables, and while two entered two kept guard outside.

On the night of the attack Mr. Icely had a distinguished visitor, in
the person of Inspector Morrissett, who had turned in at Coombing for
the night, after a day's weary ride through the bush after the
bushrangers. It appears that the inspector and his men had come across
the tracks of Hall and his mates heading towards Caloola, and they had
followed these until they came across fresher tracks of the same horses
making back towards Carcoar. These they followed until within three
miles of the town, when darkness set in, and the inspector sent his men
back to the barracks at Carcoar, himself deciding to accept shelter
under the hospitable roof of Squire Icely. Sub-Inspector Davidson had
previously called in at Coombing and left his horse for a rest at the
homestead, the animal having been well-ridden about the bush in the
previous search for the bushrangers. The stables were about a hundred
and fifty yards from the house and were in charge of a man named Charley
the German, one of Mr. Icely's employees. This man happened to observe
some movement at the stables while the host was entertaining the
inspector and other visitors in the house, and suspecting that something
was wrong he went towards the stables, carrying a gun with him. As he
neared the building he saw two of the horses being led out and at once
discharged his piece, but without doing any damage. The fire was
returned by one of the bushrangers, and with truer aim, for Charley was
struck in the mouth. The alarm having been raised Mr. Icely and his
visitors rushed out, but only in time to see the robbers making off. A
glance at the stalls showed that a favourite grey horse of Mr. Icely's
had been taken and also Sub-Inspector Davidson's animal, which happened
to be one of the few good horses bearing the Crown brand. Morrissett
then proceeded with others to Carcoar, and set the town in a ferment of
excitement by the news of the robbery and shooting. The townsfolk did
not know what next to expect, and they determined to make provision for
the worst that might happen. It was clearly the duty of the police to
follow the bushrangers, and if the town were left unprotected the gang
might at any moment suddenly swoop down upon it and make a clean sweep
of all its portable treasure. To guard against a surprise, therefore,
twenty-two of the residents presented themselves before a Justice of the
Peace and were sworn in to serve as special constables to protect the
town, taking two hours' watch about in small companies. This
arrangement having been perfected, the police were free to take saddle
and scour the bush, which they did without delay--and, as usual,
without success.

The wounded man was taken into Carcoar and placed under the care of the
local surgeon, Dr. Rowland. It was found that the revolver bullet had
lodged in Charley's neck, and some days elapsed before it was considered
safe to operate for its extraction. The wounded man slowly recovered,
and thus for the present the bushrangers were free from any charge of
actual murder.

As a spur to the police and a temptation to any of the friends of the
bushrangers who might not have any scruples concerning the taking of
what was called "blood money", Mr. Icely caused the following notice to
be published in the district newspapers and posted in conspicuous
positions:-



£100 REWARD.


Whereas the stables at Coombing Park, Carcoar, were robbed on the night
of the 2nd August, instant, by two or more men, unknown, and the man in
charge was fired at, and dangerously wounded; I hereby offer a
REWARD OF £100 to any person who will give such information as will lead
to the conviction of the guilty parties.

T. R. ICELY, August 6th, 1863. Coombing Park.


Finding that they could not catch the bushrangers while the telegraphs
were allowed to watch them and report, the police decided that the next
best thing open for them to do was to catch the telegraphs; but in
carrying this decision into effect they brought themselves into very
serious trouble, which very nearly cost at least one of them his life.
After spending a week in the bush, riding hard by day and not
infrequently camping out under a tree, almost perished with hunger and
cold--for it was winter, and large quantities of snow had fallen on the
ranges among which the chase had been pursued--they succeeded one
morning before daylight in arresting three men who, they had good
reason to believe, had been aiding and abetting the bushrangers. These
three men were taken at once into Carcoar, and about noon were
despatched in the mail coach en route to Bathurst. Fearing an attempt
might be made to rescue the prisoners, Superintendent Morrissett,
Sergeant Grainger and Senior-Constable Merrin accompanied them in the
coach, while Trooper Sutton rode the Superintendent's horse behind the
coach.

That the Superintendent's fears were not groundless was proved before
the escort had proceeded far on the road. When about four miles on the
Bathurst side of Carcoar, three mounted men galloped up to the coach
calling upon the driver to "pull up." This he immediately did, and the
police who were inside the vehicle at once jumped out on to the road
prepared to fight, for they knew that fight was intended, and that they
would for the time being have to act upon the defensive. No sooner had
Morrissett and his companions alighted than the bushrangers fired upon
them, although in their haste they did not take good aim, and no damage
was done. The police at once returned the fire, and the bushrangers
fired again, this time also without doing damage--it is probable they
hesitated in their aim from fear of wounding their friends who were
still in the coach--and then drew back. At this moment Constable
Sutton, who was the only member of the force on horseback, came up and
charged at the attacking party, firing two shots from his revolver as he
did so; but as he raised his hand to fire a third, one of the men shot
him through the arm, which fell to his side powerless, and being unable
to do anything further he turned his horse and rode back to the coach,
the bushrangers firing at him as he went, evidently with deadly intent,
for one of the bullets passed through his hat and knocked it off.
Emboldened by this success the bushrangers rode forward and commenced to
fire again, the fire being returned by the police, but without other
effect than that of causing the bushrangers to again retreat. The firing
was kept up on both sides with considerable spirit, the bushrangers
being well equipped and armed with double barrelled guns and revolvers,
and having discharged the former they, continued to fire with the
latter, until they found they had no chance of success, and as the
police advanced upon them they gradually backed their horses out of
reach and then galloped off.

The three men were very stylishly dressed and looked like gentlemen; but
they were soon discovered to be no other than Gilbert, O'Meally, and
Johnny Vane. O'Meally was riding Mr. Icely's horse, and Vane was mounted
on Mr. Davidson's--the two horses which were on the previous Sunday
night stolen from Mr. Icely's stables at Coombing, when the German was
shot in the mouth.

The wounded trooper Sutton, who certainly deserved praise for his
plucky attempt, proceeded with the coach to King's Plains; but as he was
weak from loss of blood, the Superintendent arranged for him to stay at
McNamara's inn, while the coach with the prisoners and their escort
proceeded on the journey to Bathurst, which town they reached without
further molestation or mishap, and the prisoners were safely lodged in
gaol.

On the following morning Dr. Machattie proceeded to King's Plains by
the mail coach for the purpose of attending to Sutton's wounds, which
he found to be of a serious nature, the ball having entered his arm
between the elbow and the shoulder and passing upwards crossed into the
body and came out about the centre of the right breast. It will thus be
seen that his escape from death at the hands of the bushrangers had been
a remarkably narrow one. The same day he was driven into Bathurst by Mr.
Major West, jun., and thereafter suffered a tedious recovery. It may
interest the reader to know that Sutton was until lately an active
member of the police force in the western districts, being stationed in
Orange, and during the thirty years that have elapsed since this
memorable brush with Ben Hall's gang his name has been constantly before
the public as a steady, painstaking, zealous, and efficient officer.

The following letter written by a gentleman in Carcoar to a friend in
Bathurst shortly after the occurrence here related will indicate how
completely the bushrangers were masters of the situation:-


Carcoar, 9th August, 1863

...We are all here upon our mettle, and in a considerable
state of excitement. The attempt to rescue the prisoners
from Edric (Morrissett) and the three troopers shows that there are men
not many miles from us prepared to do almost anything. You will know
full particulars of the affray long before you get this Sutton was the
only man wounded, and he was shot by O'Meally. O'Meally rode Comus, John
Vane Davidson's grey, and Gilbert a racehorse called Matheroo, stolen
some ten days since from Grant--three first-rate horses, and Edric
says all in splendid condition. Comus seemed to have been taken great
care of and he said looked as well as he ever saw him, but became
unmanageable, and almost brought his rider to grief. The attack
doubtless was daring, but I don't think the bushrangers showed much
pluck. They each had a double-barrelled gun and a brace of revolvers,
but they seem only to have used their guns--the only shot fired from a
pistol was the one that wounded Sutton. Pottinger and Morrissett are
here with six troopers and a black tracker and are just starting out
again. This part of the country really is in a fearful state and will, I
am sure, get worse and worse. I am satisfied from what I have seen
during the past week when in company with the police that it will be
impossible to put bushranging down unless the harbourers are punished
with the greatest severity. I believe there is scarcely a house between
Mount Macquarie and the Abercrombie River that will not afford any
criminal shelter when required, and I am satisfied that there are
hundreds of lads in that neighbourhood under twenty that would give one
of their eyes to have the same notoriety as Gilbert and Gardiner. They
never work, never have worked, and arc without exception the flashest
lot I ever did see. Something must be done by the Government or things
will become worse and worse, and what will be the end of it no one can
tell. At present the police can get no reliable information. Morrissett,
as you may fancy, is most anxious and would give anything to take these
fellows, but he works as it were with a blindfold, and you may depend on
it if the Government do not take the most stringent measures to punish
most severely all harbourers, bushranging and its accompanying evils not
only never will be suppressed but will get worse and worse, until
consequences will follow which, I believe, it would be difficult to
overrate.


Some time after the mail and its occupants had left the scene of the
encounter, Gilbert and his companions--Hall appears to have been
otherwise engaged when this attempted rescue was made--returned and
found the revolver that had dropped from Sutton's hand when he received
his wounds. About seven o'clock the same evening Chesher's Inn at
Teasdale Park was "stuck up" and about £40 in money and property taken
away. Amongst the property that was taken there was a good deal of
spirits, on which, it was supposed the bushrangers intended to regale
themselves for a few days. Before leaving Chesher's they insisted upon
having some hot punch made, and compelled the landlord to partake of it
before they touched it themselves.

The three prisoners were remanded from time to time by the Bathurst
Bench, but no definite charge could be brought home to them, and they
were eventually discharged. Shortly afterwards one of the three became
one of Ben Hall's most active allies.

The bushrangers were next heard of at Trunkey Creek, where in one day
they stuck up three store, kept respectively by Messrs. Jamieson,
Dominique and "Alick the Greek", and one hotel, kept by Mr. Stapleton.
They plundered each of these places, removed a large quantity of
provisions, ammunition and clothing, and then disappeared as suddenly as
they came. The police appeared on the scene shortly after they had gone,
and when out in the bush searching for them Sub-Inspector Davidson
managed to shoot himself through the foot.

And it was just here that the _canard_ of "Bell's Life" resolved itself
into utterance truly prophetic. The bushrangers did actually chase the
police. Among other detachments sent out into the bush near Carcoar was
one of three, consisting of Sergeant T------ and two ordinary troopers.
Fatigued with riding through the bush and not getting sight or
information of those for whom they were supposed to be searching,
T------ and his companions turned into a hut occupied by a man named
Marsh, who had told them that there was a horse with saddle and bridle
on running near his place. After dinner one of the policemen went out
with Marsh for the purpose of catching the horse. The bushrangers, who
had followed them to the hut, suddenly swooped down upon the two, and
before any resistance could be offered they found their hands fastened
behind them, their arms round a sapling, and their horses tied up at
some distance from them. The bushrangers next went to the hut, and
before the other troopers had realised the position they too were
prisoners. Marsh and his companion were then released and brought down
to the hut, and the bushrangers proceeded to appropriate the carbines,
revolvers, ammunition, and even the handcuffs which had been intended
for use against themselves; and having released the other two police
horses--they were not worth taking, for police horses in those days were
"queer cattle" at the best--they laughingly took leave of their victims,
advising them to furnish a true and faithful report of the occurrence
when they returned to police quarters at Carcoar.

About this time the Inspector-General of Police, Captain McLerie, made
his appearance in the Carcoar district. So much had been and was being
said, both in the press and in Parliament, about the failure of the
police to capture the gang or any of its members, that the head of the
force found it wise himself to pay a visit to the disturbed districts.
But he had no opportunity to distinguish himself as a bushranger
catcher, and the most he did was to visit the police stations at Cowra
and Carcoar and make reports upon their condition.

The frequent outrages and prolonged stay of the bushrangers in this part
of the country had the effect of attracting thereto Sir Frederick
Pottinger, with all the men under him from the Lachlan district. On the
day that the attack was made upon the Carcoar coach, when trooper
Sutton was shot, Sir Frederick was swimming his horse and men--ten or
a dozen in number--across the swollen Lachlan river at Cowra, a feat
not by any means safe or pleasant; and under his direction the bush was
shortly afterwards kept alive by the constant forward and
backward--generally the latter--movements of small bodies of police.

But still the robberies continued, and every other day cases of
"sticking up" would be reported. One rather sensational piece of news
was circulated shortly after Sir Frederick's arrival. He had been joined
by the Superintendent of the Bathurst police, Mr. Morrissett, and it
was said that these two officers at the head of a number of their men
had actually chased, and lost, several members of the gang. The story
ran that they sighted Gilbert, O'Meally, and Vane and immediately gave
chase; after some miles Vane's horse fell with him, when Gilbert, who
was riding Mr. Icely's stolen grey, immediately pulled up and Vane
vaulted on to the horse behind him, the grey bearing them away in
gallant style; the police still pushed on, and were gradually creeping
up to the overburdened animal, when the two bushrangers jumped off and
plunged on foot into a dense scrub, through which the mounted pursuers
could not follow them. But the abandoned horses were not forthcoming,
nor did the story account for their absence. Closely following this a
report was circulated that the bushrangers had loft the district and
crossed the Lachlan for their old haunts; but if anyone experienced
satisfaction at this intelligence that satisfaction was very
short-lived. While the story was passing round, the members of the gang,
whose numbers had been increased by the addition of at least one other
district-bred youngster named Burke, formerly a "mate" of Vane's when
the latter was engaged in "lifting" cattle, were busy carrying out
schemes of plunder under the noses of the police.

It was soon evident that the plans formulated by them were on a somewhat
larger scale than formerly. One of the first was carried out between
Bathurst and Blayney, when, during one afternoon the gang "bailed up"
the Bathurst-Carcoar mail and six or seven individual travellers,
chiefly horsemen, amongst whom was an ex-police magistrate and a
constable. They had chosen a spot convenient for their purpose, on the
top of a rather steep hill, and there, as the travellers one by one
began to give their horses breathing space after toiling up the height,
they were suddenly called upon to "stop and throw up your hands." The
order having been obeyed, the captives were marched into the bush off
the road and there ranged together so as to give one man full command
over them with his revolver. Only three of the bushrangers were engaged
in this case--Gilbert, O'Meally and a young man wearing a mask. While
one stood guard over the company the other two scientifically "went
through" the pockets of the luckless travellers, the while cracking grim
jokes, and assuring them that if they behaved themselves properly they
need not fear any violence. The constable was on his way back to
Bathurst from Carcoar, where he had been doing duty, and from him they
took his carbine--not for use but breakage. One of the bushrangers
tried to discharge the piece in the air, but the lock proved useless,
and he then broke it over a convenient log. The ex-police magistrate,
Mr. O. C. Beardmore, submitted to the searching process with a very bad
grace, although he had not much money about him. He had his cheque-book,
however, and when this was brought to light he proposed to O'Meally to
draw a cheque for £20 and fight any one of them at twelve paces.
O'Meally treated the offer and challenge as a good joke and laughingly
replied: "What a fool I should be! And if you shot me you would gain
nothing, for my mate would at once shoot you." So what might have proved
an interesting duel did not come off.

Having finished searching their prisoners, the bushrangers apologised
for not letting them go, explaining that to do so would be impolitic, as
they were waiting for the Bathurst mail to arrive. Shortly afterwards
the mail drove up, and was quickly stopped and overhauled. Gilbert and
O'Meally assisted to take the horses out of the coach, and then
proceeded to open the mail bag, and sort the letters, all of which they
opened. Six happened to be registered ones, containing in the aggregate
£500 in cheques and drafts, which the bushrangers merely looked at and
then threw down on the road. There was only one passenger in the coach,
and from him they took £5. but returned him ten shillings for expenses
on the road. Silver they returned, and they would not have anything to
do with watches. One of those stuck up was riding a racehorse buck to
Its owner at the Lachlan; they took the horse, and returned the saddle
and bridle, observing that as the man in charge was a native they would
not suffer him to go afoot; and they presented him therefore with one
of their own horses in exchange.

As soon as news of this outrage reached Bathurst and Carcoar, men were
despatched to look for and if possible arrest the bushrangers. But when
the police got there Gilbert and his mates were many miles away. Two
days after the mail robbery they crossed the Lachlan at Cowra on their
way back to their old haunts, within half a mile of Cudgelong, the
residence of Mr. T. H. West, J.P., from whom they had a week previously
stolen a racehorse.

The gang's next appearance was between Lambing Flat and Cootamundra--
then a hamlet of one or two houses, a store, a blacksmith's shop, an
inn, and a small police station. The store, which was owned by Mr.
Barnes, of Murrumburrah, had been "stuck up" some time previously by
bushrangers, and O'Meally and the others who were with him proposed to
stick it up again. Evidently they did not make a secret of their
intention, for intelligence was conveyed to Mr. Barnes by his son, and
that gentleman immediately started from Murrumburrah for Cootamundra,
but was met on the way by O'Meally, who demanded his saddle and bridle.
These Mr. Barnes refused to give up. He put spurs to his horse, and
immediately galloped away. But O'Meally, determined not to be baulked so
easily, followed, fired at Mr. Barnes as he rode, and shot him in the
back. The unfortunate gentleman at once fell from his horse and died
upon the road. The shocking affair was witnessed by some persons on
Mackay's station, near which it took place, but no effort was made to
avenge his death or capture the murderer, although O'Meally subsequently
rode up to the station store and took all that he required.

Within a fortnight after this murder, Gilbert and O'Meally were back
again in the Carcoar district, and resumed operations on a somewhat
different scale. Hall, Gilbert, O'Meally, Vane, and Burke rode down one
evening to the homestead of a well-to-do settler named Louden
(Grubbenbong), a short distance from the little town of Canowindra.
Admittance was at first refused. "We are police!" cried the visitors,
but the cautious Scotchman replied through the door that they were more
likely to be bushrangers. "Then" called out O'Meally, "open the door or
we'll fire!" and in a moment there was the sound of a volley and the
crashing of bullets through the wood of one door, with the sound of
another door being broken open. There were four men in the house at the
time--Mr. Louden, Mr. D. Wilson, Mr. J. Kirkpatrick and the
overseer--and seeing that further resistance without firearms would be
useless, they yielded to the demand, opened the door, and marched out
into the verandah. Here they were at once seized by the bushrangers and
handcuffed together, and then it was discovered that there were three
other men on the premises, in a storeroom adjoining the house; these
Hall and Gilbert told to keep quiet, at the same time locking the
storeroom door on the outside to prevent them from coming out. The
ladies of the house were naturally much alarmed, but Gilbert assured
them that no harm should come to anyone and ordered chairs to be brought
for their accommodation. When Mrs. Louden was asked to "take a chair"
she indignantly replied "I'll have none of your chairs!" "I beg your
pardon, madam," said Gilbert with a laugh, "but it's your own chair."

When all the inmates were in safe custody, Gilbert, Hall! and O'Meally
proceeded to search the house, going, all the rooms and turning out
every floor. They then ordered food for their horses and supper for
themselves. Accepting the situation with the best grace possible, the
ladies had supper spread, and the whole party were soon enjoying a
hearty meal, each of the bushrangers taking care to have his revolver
handy in case of a Surprise. They helped themselves to two bottles of
wine and handed a glass all round, meanwhile chatting pleasantly with
their prisoners. The leaders treated the ladies with the utmost
courtesy, and when Burke proceeded to light his pipe after the meal,
Gilbert called out "For shame! in the presence of ladies!" and ordered
him out of the room. After her fear and indignation had evaporated Mrs.
Louden talked a good deal with Gilbert, who had rather gained upon her
good graces by his somewhat pleasant manner and boyish look. She advised
him to try some other way of earning a living. He said he would be most
happy to drop it if he were allowed, but they would not let him work for
an honest living; he had tried it lately, and even gone to New Zealand
to be out of the way, but there he was hunted like a native dog, and had
to fly from that country and come back to where he was known. They left
about two o'clock in the morning, assuring their unwilling hosts that
they would not be troubled again.

From Grubbenbong they went direct to Cliefden, the residence of Mr.
Rothery, "stuck-up" the inmates, and took their pick of the station
horses, which they rounded up into the yard and spent about three hours
in testing. This was an exercise which appeared to give them great
enjoyment, for they were adepts in the art of horse-catching and
horse-breaking. They chose three of the best, and also selected two of
the best saddles belonging to the place; and having eaten a hearty
dinner, served up by the servants under command, they toasted each other
in Rothery's champagne and sherry, and then rode off.

From Cliefden they proceeded to the residence of Mr. T, Grant, near the
Belubula, and having spent some time in that locality, they made a
sudden swoop upon the little township of Canowindra. Here they remained
masters for at least two days, although the police were out in numbers
in the bush all around them; no less than ten, indeed, were in the
neighbourhood of Cowra in blissful ignorance of the extraordinary
events that were transpiring within a few hours' ride.

They entered the town on Monday, the five coming down with a rush upon
it from as many different directions. In their rush they swept up every
horse within half a mile of the place, and rounded them up on a flat in
the centre, near the hotel No person in the town at the time of their
arrival was allowed to leave it, nor any who entered the town during
their stay. The horses had been rounded up to a spot within sight with
the object of preventing any resident from stealing away with
information; and the movement was effective.

Having imprisoned the solitary constable, they entered Mr. Robinson's
public house, and made kind enquiries for the landlord, who happened to
be absent. They then examined the till, and finding only a small sum,
said that as "Billy" was not at home they would not take anything. Next
proceeding to Pearce and Hillyar's store, they found three or four
pounds in the till. This they appropriated, as well as some goods to the
extent of £27 or £28. From the store they went to the other hotels, and
bailing up every one who came in their way, caused those who were likely
to resist or go for the police to keep within sight, making Robinson's
house the centre. When all had been secured, the bushrangers prepared to
spend the night in innocent revelry, and make themselves as agreeable as
possible to their prisoners. It then became evident that their chief
object in capturing the town was to create a big sensation, and show how
effectively they could set the authorities at defiance. The townsfolk
were not long in discovering that the bushrangers did not intend to do
them much harm. Only a very few of the prisoners were called upon to
hand over their money, and most of the money taken was spent in the
township. As an eyewitness subsequently described the proceedings:
"All hands were treated to what they would drink; it was then walk up,
ladies and gentlemen, singing, dancing, negus, punch, instrumental music
and all sorts of fun."

The "Bathurst Free Press" of the day thus describes some of the
proceedings:-

On Tuesday morning, about 10 o'clock, Messrs. Hibberson and Twaddle, in
a buggy, accompanied by Mr. Kirkpatrick, who was riding in a dog-cart,
drove up to Mr. Robinson's inn, of which, in the meantime, the
desperadoes had taken possession. The three gentlemen were at once
ordered to alight, and were bailed up. Mr. Kirkpatrick was commanded to
deliver up a revolver which he had in his possession; but he thought the
whole affair was a lark, designed for the especial benefit of the
visitors. However, that impression was very speedily removed, as the man
who made the demand placed a revolver at Mr. Kirkpatrick's head,
threatening to shoot him unless he complied without delay. The gentlemen
then went into the inn, and found several other persons there who had
already been bailed up. The bushrangers treated all hands to grog, but
we have not heard of their treating any one of them with violence or
taking anything from them. Gilbert went out and purchased a box of
cigars, which were placed upon the table for the use of all present; and
when one person enquired as to the propriety of using stolen goods,
Gilbert said they need not be under any apprehension on that score, as
the cigars were bought and paid for. They then induced a young lady
present to play the piano for them, two of them dancing to the music
inside, while the others were scouting or watching outside. The robbers
would not drink anything themselves except bottled ale, and that only
when they opened the bottles themselves. Messrs. Hibberson, Twaddle, and
Kirkpatrick were anxious to get on their journey towards Cowra, but were
not allowed to start forward until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
when the scouts who had been in the outskirts of the township
reconnoitring returned. There were three gentlemen present who were
desirous of having dinner, and written passes were given to them
authorising them to be absent for an hour. The hour passed over, and the
gentlemen not having returned, Hall at once rode after them, and meeting
them on the road they returned together. It is said that the bushrangers
were in Canowindra at least three full days, during which time they
acted the parts of rollicking, good-tempered fellows, treating everybody
they met, and paying for all they took; and so far as we can learn,
their spoils amounted only to £3 taken from Mr. Robinson, and the
revolver (which they promised to return) from Mr. Kirkpatrick. It is
also currently reported that ten policemen, with an officer at their
head, were at Cowra when information reached that place of the state of
affairs at Canowindra; but instead of proceeding, as persons anxious to
meet with the bushrangers would have done, by the nearest and most
direct route, they crossed the Lachlan at Cowra, and whether they got
lost in the bush, or, as the river was rising at the time, could not
recross it, we are unable to say; but it is pretty certain that up to
the period of our informant's leaving they had not arrived at
Canowindra. A large party of the police left Bathurst on Thursday
morning, and another party yesterday, who, we understand, have orders,
if possible to circumvent the bushrangers, or get upon their track and
follow them; but not to return to Bathurst without fighting with, or
taking them.

A resident of the district, writing a few days after the raid, thus
described the individual members of the gang:-

The whole five are sober youngsters--none of them drink. They all have
breech-loading rifles, and each has four revolvers. Gilbert is a very
jolly fellow, of slight build and thin--always laughing. O'Meally is
said by everyone to be a murderous-looking scoundrel. Ben Hall is a
quiet, good-looking fellow, lame, one leg having been broken; he is the
eldest of the party and the leader--I fancy about 28 years of age. Vane
is a big, sleepy-looking man, upwards of 12 stone. Mick Burke is small.
They seem at all times to be most thoroughly self-possessed and to
perfectly understand each other, and being sober men are not likely to
quarrel. They appear to be always talking of their exploits and of the
different temperaments of the people they "bail up."

The winter of 1863 was rainy, and riding through some parts of the bush,
over ground that would scarce bear the weight of a man without
"squirting", much less that of a horse going at full speed, was no easy
matter. This boggy state of the bush was one of the difficulties that
militated against the success of the police; but it did not appear to
hamper the movements of Hall and his mates, whose knowledge of the
country allowed them to choose the soundest track. Not that they always
came through easily. After leaving Canowindra they essayed to cross the
Belubula river--generally flowing in an inconsiderable stream, but at
this time "running strong" with flood water--and Vane was nearly drowned
in the attempt; his horse, saddle, and bridle were swept away in the
current, with all his revolvers and about seventeen pounds in money. But
the loss was speedily made good; proceeding direct to Bangaroo, at the
junction of the Belubula and Lachlan, the gang appropriated two fresh
horses, and then lost no time in getting away from the neighbourhood.

A couple of days after leaving Canowindra they were heard of near
Mulgunnia, where they fell in with two young residents of Bathurst,
Messrs. R. Machattie and B. Batty e, who had been out on survey duty and
were returning leisurely homewards. Machattie and Battye endeavoured to
"strike a bargain." They offered to run a footrace or engage in
fisticuffs on level terms with their adversaries, to decide whether they
should give up or retain their horses and money. Hall was much amused at
this proposition, but did not "catch on." The gang rode off, taking with
them the surveyors' horses, saddles, and bridles, saying they would
leave the horses where they would be found as soon as they were better
suited. Mr. Machattie had to walk several miles before he could procure
another horse, after which he rode into Bathurst, and gave information
to the police. When in conversation with the bushrangers, Machattie
dared them to come to Bathurst at any time--and that challenge produced
strange fruits.

Meanwhile the gang had arranged another raid upon Caloola. Their first
visit was to the store kept by Mr. Hosie, which, it will be remembered,
had only a short time previously been robbed by Gilbert and O'Meally.
Hosie thought at first they were policemen, as they were accoutred
exactly like mounted troopers; but on a nearer approach he recognised
one of them. After a short resistance he was overpowered, and
surrendered. The robbers then placed handcuffs on their prisoner, took
him into the store, and proceeded to ransack the place.

In the meanwhile others of the gang went across the road to a
shoemaker's shop, and marched the two inmates across to Hosie's with
handcuffs on their wrists. They also visited the local blacksmith, who
was at work in his shop adjoining, and fetched him, too, into the store.
All the most valuable drapery and other goods taken from the shelves
were now placed in three-bushel bags, while the articles not considered
suitable were thrown on the floor. The horse previously taken from Mr.
Hosie, which had returned, was again seized, while several other horses
in a paddock adjoining were driven up; as some of them refused to
stand still, one of the bushrangers fired among them and wounded two. A
man passing along the road on foot at the time saw what was going on and
mended his pace, but O'Meally followed hard after him and brought him up
standing before he had got very far. O'Meally asked him if he were not
one of the men they had stuck up at the time they stopped the Carcoar
mail, "Yes, your honour", said the poor fellow, humbly touching his hat.
"You deserve shooting," said O'Meally, "for giving my mare such a
sweating;" and the humble captive replied "Don't shoot me, your honour!"
O'Meally then marched his prisoner to the store, where he was kept
with the rest until the packing was completed. Then they proceeded
leisurely on their way, cautioning their victims against making too
hurried an attempt to convey information to the police. Many of the
articles taken from the store were useless to the bushrangers
personally, but they had many friends who looked for reward, and these
shop goods were accepted by them as payment for services rendered as
telegraphs or harbourers just as readily as money would have been. After
the robbery there were gay ribbons and fine feathers available for use
in more than one house in that district, which had not been paid for by
the occupants of those houses, although they at one time adorned the
shelves of the unfortunate Caloola storekeeper.

After leaving the store with their booty the bushrangers called at
the public house, which was at no great distance, and coolly put up
for the night, after having laid the landlord under a £3 contribution;
but they returned ten shillings of the stolen money, and paid the score
for accommodation supplied and refreshments served to the amount of £2
8s.

After the bushrangers came the police--as usual, a long way after. As
soon as the coast was clear, a messenger was dispatched to Bathurst with
information of the robbery. Mr. Morrissett, police superintendent,
happened to be at home, and he straightway rode up the hills to Caloola
with his men--and rode back again. They might just as well have stayed
at home and whistled for the bushrangers to come and be caught. They
interviewed the victims at Caloola, inspected the premises through
which the bushrangers had ho recently passed, and then set off upon the
track which they were supposed to have taken, but found themselves
again outwitted and outpaced; although, had they hut known it, the full
gang of which they were in search was almost within hailing distance,
engaged in arranging for an attack upon the very headquarters of the
Western police--the centre from which issued all local orders, and to
which all reports were sent. Like Mohammed, if the mountain would not
come to them they would go to the mountain.



CHAPTER XI.


THE RAID UPON BATHURST.


Surveyor Machattie, when conversing with the members of the gang on the
road from Mulgunnia, had dared them to pay a visit to Bathurst. By men
whose whole career had been one uninterrupted series of successes such a
challenge was not likely to pass unheeded. They would go to
Bathurst--not so much to make a haul as to create a scare and make a big
sensation. They left the police looking for them among the mountains
between Caloola and Carcoar, or watching the houses of those suspected
of being harbourers, and came quietly towards the headquarters which the
police had left. It was a bold, yet not an unexpected movement, for many
a half-earnest jest had been passing among the townspeople for some
time concerning such a visit. It would not give the bushrangers much
trouble, and was not likely to be attended with more danger than many of
the exploits in which they had engaged right under the eyes of the force
specially charged with their capture.

A beautifully calm Saturday night in October, and an hour when the
citizens had temporarily ceased from business to partake of the evening
meal, was chosen for the sensational raid. Oil lamps and candles were
beginning to shed their light in shops and through the windows across
the footpaths in the main thoroughfares--there was no gas in those
days--when five horsemen were seen by the few persons abroad jogging
quietly down William-street in the gloaming. The sight was not by any
means an unusual one; it was the practice then for the country youth to
ride into town in companies of four and five to "see the sights o'
market nights", and the general market night of the week in Bathurst,
as in other places, was that of the last day of the week.

Having posted Vane in a lane just off the main street (the lane which
runs along the side of the Technical College buildings), the other four
(Hall, (Gilbert, O'Meally, and Burke) crossed the street to a gunsmith's
shop kept by Mr. Pedrotta, in front of which two of them dismounted and
handed the reins of their horses to their companions, who sat on their
horses facing the shop. Entering the shop as ordinary customers they
said no word and made no sign calculated in awaken the curiosity or
suspicion of the proprietor, who at once proceeded to ask "What can I do
for you, gentlemen?" They wanted some revolvers, and politely asked Mr.
Pedrotta to show them one or two of his best. The best goods were
exhibited, but these customers appeared hard to please. They wanted
"rifle revolvers." Mr. Pedrotta shook his head and informed them that he
did not keep such articles in stock. "Then show us some double trigger
revolvers." But this article also was absent; and after critically
examining the "six-shooters" that were exhibited to them, they declared
that none were good enough, left the shop, and quietly remounted their
horses.

A few doors lower down the street was a shop kept by Mr. McMinn,
watchmaker and jeweller. Another halt was quietly called; the same two
again dismounted, while their companions remained in charge. Mr. McMinn
and his family were at tea at the time in a room at the rear, having
left the shop in charge of a young male assistant. Stepping forward to
serve, this young man was startled into terrified silence by the
discovery that he was looking straight into the barrel of a revolver. He
was ordered into a sideroom, and from it saw the other "customer"
preparing to help himself to the valuables contained in a glass case on
the counter. But the case was locked and could not be opened without
breaking; and as breaking glass makes noise and noise attracts
attention--two things which the men in the shop desired to avoid--they
abandoned the case, and were appropriating articles from another
part of the shop, when an interruption occurred. Miss McMinn opened the
door leading into the shop, took in the situation at a glance, and
screamed. The bushrangers hurried from the shop and remounted their
horses, warning the lady and the other members of the family who had
rushed forward upon hearing the cries of alarm, that they would meet
danger if they followed them to the door.

Meanwhile the two mounted members of the gang had summoned the
proprietor of a fruit shop adjoining, and ordered some of his best
oranges; and the shopman was in the act of handing up the oranges when
the others emerged from McMinn's. To vault into the saddles was the work
of a moment, and snatching some of the oranges the five men rode in a
bunch down the street at a "jog". They had not gone many paces,
however, when Mrs. McMinn came to the door of the shop and raised a
public alarm, crying out that the horsemen were bushrangers and that the
shop had been robbed by them. This brought all her neighbours into the
street, and as one and another began to run out the bushrangers put
spurs to their horses and set off at a hand gallop, heading down the
street in the direction of the police barracks. At the corner where the
School of Arts now stands, however, a further cause for commotion
arose. Three of the men turned their horses into Howick-street, but as
the other two were heading straight for the barracks, one of the former
fired a revolver in the air to attract their attention, and they at
once took the hint, checked their horses and wheeled round after their
companions. The shot from the revolver rang out upon the night air as a
note of war, and the townsfolk who were running after the horsemen
dodged into places of safety, imagining that they were being fired at.
From Howick-street the bushrangers crossed the Square, then mostly open
land, into George-street, and headed for the top of the town; and when
they reached a quarter which had not been disturbed by the noise, they
slackened their pace and eventually pulled up in a quiet corner,
arranging a visit to another citizen well known to at least one of the
gang.

While they were thus engaged the whole of the business portion of the
town was in a great state of perturbation. Information of the raid had
been conveyed to the police barracks, and within a very short time
every available man at the station belonging to the mounted police was
in the saddle. All told, the number of mounted pursuers only amounted to
five, and these started off at a brisk pace along the course taken by
the bushrangers. They had a brisk night ride for nothing, for while they
were plunging along one of the roads leading from the town, believing
that the men they wanted to catch had again taken to the bush, and were
making back towards either Caloola or Carcoar, those men were coolly
continuing their depredatory work within the town boundaries. In their
haste the police had overlooked the bushrangers, riding past the very
spot where their horses were standing and within a stone's throw of the
very house which they were overhauling.

Meanwhile the civilians had abandoned business. Several of the
shopkeepers hurriedly put up their shutters, fearing they knew not
what. Those who had no shops to attend to formed in knots at street
corners and elsewhere to exchange opinions concerning the probabilities
of the chase, leaving their womenkind to lock the doors from within.
Suddenly a fresh turn was given to the conversation. Word was passed
round that the bushrangers were still in the town, and that while they
had been pictured as riding at a breakneck speed over the gullies and
ranges leading back to their retreat, they had been making merriment for
themselves and trouble for others in the house of a popular alderman of
the borough.

That report was true. Having placed their horses where they could not be
seen from the street they had entered the hotel kept by Alderman
DeClouet, in Piper-street, and had bailed up the inmates, who had not
yet heard of the disturbance in the centre of the town. Gilbert, who had
formerly been a jockey in the service of Mr. DeClouet, took possession
of the bar, revolver in hand, and examined the till, but finding only
silver he put it back. He, however, continued in occupation, whilst
another of the men walked into Mrs. DeClouet's bedroom, where she was
just preparing the children for bed. From her he obtained the contents
of the cashbox and a silver watch. Meanwhile two of the other men were
engaged with Mr. DeClouet himself, from whom they took a valuable silver
watch and a one pound note; they also took two pounds from a young man,
a lodger in the house. During their stay they enquired from the landlord
where "Pasha" was. This was a favourite racehorse which Gilbert knew was
kept by the alderman. Information had been received during the day,
however, that the party were near the town and might require a good
horse, and to provide against the possibility of losing his favourite,
Mr. DeClouet had him removed during the day to a horse box; and as on
search the animal could not be seen, the bushrangers were obliged to
leave without having accomplished this part of their purpose.

They disappeared quietly, taking the direction of Caloola, while their
pursuers were heading for Carcoar.

It subsequently transpired that they had not forgotten the promise made
to Mr. Machattie, when parting from him near Mulgunnia, after having
robbed him of his horse. They said they would return the animal and send
him word where it was to be found. This undertaking they carried out to
the letter; before leaving the Sportsman's Arms they left a message for
him to the effect that his horse and also that taken from Mr. Battye
would be found in Mutton's paddock on the Vale Road, about a mile from
town. On the following morning Mr. Machattie's horse was found in the
spot indicated, but the other horse either was not left there or was
subsequently taken away again by the gang, as they passed the paddock on
their way out of town. They also told Mr. DeClouet that if Mr. Machattie
had not dared them to come to Bathurst they would never have thought of
coming, but they were not disposed to neglect a good chance of "having a
lark" when the opportunity offered.

The excitement in Bathurst did not die out with their disappearance. On
the Sunday it formed the topic of conversation in church and out of
church. During the day the Police Magistrate, Dr. Palmer, issued
circulars to all the principal inhabitants, requesting them to attend
at the Courthouse on the following morning to "consider what course
should be taken to protect the town in the present emergency." Many
others besides those invited attended on Monday morning, and business
was partially suspended while the best means of protecting the town in
case of another raid--which many considered not a remote
contingency--was fully discussed.

Dr. Palmer, the Police Magistrate, was called to the chair. After
explaining the motives which had prompted him to convene the meeting, he
said he thought it was not probable that the bushrangers would visit the
town during the night; but he hoped that all the residents who could do
so would arm themselves and be prepared to meet them if they should
visit Bathurst again. The police appointed to town duty were fourteen in
number, being one senior-constable and six others for day duty, and one
senior-constable and five others for night duty, besides the
watchhouse keeper; these men were all well and fully armed, and were
ready and willing at any moment to give every assistance, if required.
He was of opinion that it would be better at that meeting to deal with
the question in a general way rather than to go into minute particulars,
for he believed there were some who would convey the intelligence to the
bushrangers, and he had no doubt there were some in that room who were
prepared to adopt that course. This was rather a reflection upon the
loyalty of the meeting, but no one resented the remark, and he
proceeded to express the opinion that it would be wise to appoint a
committee to deal with the minutiae of the matter, and by that means
arrangements might be made that would not reach the ears of the
bushrangers.

Then followed a discussion. It was argued that five policemen were not
sufficient for night duty in the town, and that for the proper
protection of the inhabitants a number of special constables should be
sworn in, who with the town police should be placed under the orders of
the Police Magistrate (who resided in town), and not have to wait for
instructions from an officer of the force, whose duty might call him
fifty or sixty miles from Bathurst.

Eventually the following resolutions were put and carried _nem con._:-


1. It is the opinion of this meeting that, for the better protection of
life and property in this town, a number of special constables should be
immediately sworn in and equipped by the Government, and parties willing
to volunteer to form a mounted body (and find their own horses) for
protection at night, be immediately enrolled, and that they may be
placed under the control of the Police Magistrate and Magistrates; and
that the Inspector-General be requested to place the police (at present
allotted for the protection of the town) under the same authorities.

2. That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the
necessary steps for protecting life and property in Bathurst, and also
to communicate with the Government as to the schemes to be devised for
the capture of bushrangers, and the suppression of bushranging--the
committee to consist of the Mayor, the Police Magistrate, Mr. Webb, Dr.
Machattie, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Hawkins, Dr. Connell, Mr. W. Lee, sen., Mr.
John Dargin, Mr. Stanger, Mr. J. C. White, Dr. McDonagh, Mr. Kinna, Mr.
J. DeClouet, and Mr. W. Farrand; five to form a quorum.


Before the meeting closed the chairman said he had already communicated
with the Colonial Secretary in Sydney, informing him of the steps that
were being taken, and he had just received a wire from that gentleman
to the following effect:-


The Government will most cordially co-operate with the inhabitants of
the town of Bathurst in any steps such as you suggest. Keep me apprised
of anything you hear. In the absence of the police officer you may do
what you think best.


A number of those present then presented themselves to be sworn in as
special constables by the Police Magistrate, and arrangements were
perfected for these to patrol the town, singly or in batches, during the
hours of darkness, fully equipped with such weapons as were deemed
necessary to enable them to defend the lives and properties of their
fellow townsmen from any attack the bushrangers might make upon their
persons and possessions.

Sunday and Monday passed quietly, but on Tuesday evening Bathurst was
again thrown into a state of great excitement by the announcement that
the gang had committed a series of robberies on the Vale Road, within a
mile of the town. They had found a safe shelter during the intervening
time with some friends, who kept them posted in every movement of the
police; and when the latter had returned to headquarters on Tuesday
evening, they were ready to commence work afresh.

Their first visit was to a store kept by Mr. E. Mutton, on the Vale
Road, about a mile from the police barracks; this happened to be
closed, and all the doors fastened, so that they could not obtain an
entrance without resorting to force. Foiled here, the bushrangers paid
a visit to the owner's mother, who resided near the store. She admitted
them, but refused to let them have the key of the store. They then
searched her house, and whilst turning over the bedclothes one of them,
who was holding a candle, accidentally set fire to the bedcurtains. They
at once exerted themselves to the utmost to extinguish the flames, and
one of them burnt one of his hands severely; Mrs. Mutton gave him some
Holloway's ointment with which to dress it, meanwhile talking seriously
to them about the evil courses they were pursuing. They listened in
patience for a time, but soon mounted their horses and rode away along
the main road leading to Caloola. As soon as they had left, Mrs. Mutton
sent her son, Mr. John Mutton, who resided near, into Bathurst for the
police, who went out at once, arriving about half-an-hour after the
bushrangers had left.

Meanwhile the gang had reached a hotel on the Vale Road kept by Mr.
Walker, about a mile and a half from Mrs. Mutton's, and adjoining Orton
Park homestead, the residence of Mr. C. McPhillamy. Here the police
would have come up with them had they kept on the road; but the
"superior" officer in charge decided to take a branch road, and so kept
his men beyond the range of the bushrangers' revolvers.

At Walker's they stayed twenty minutes, but found little worth taking;
at a roadside store half-a-mile beyond, however, they made quite a large
haul in the shape of tobacco, tea, sugar, sardines, flannel and
draperies, and spent fully three-quarters of an hour upon the premises.
The goods--amounting to about £50 in value--they packed in pillow
slips taken from the bedrooms, and regaled themselves while at work upon
tinned fish and sauce. They emptied the till of its contents, some
twenty-five shillings, and took one shilling and sixpence from one of
the children's boxes, in spite of the mother's protest. They then rode
off, laden with stolen property.

While Hall and his mates were at the store, Captain McLerie and his men
arrived at Walker's on foot, having left their horses--for some reason
best known to themselves--at some distance. They were returning from
an unsuccessful hunt at the back of the Bald Hills, and had crossed over
to the Vale Road. Entering the inn the gallant captain found Walker
calmly smoking, with the view no doubt of soothing his nerves after the
shock to which they had been subjected. He at once ordered Boniface to
take the pipe out of his mouth, and then proceeded to search the rooms
for bushrangers, although Mr. Walker informed him that they had only a
few minutes previously left the house. Having satisfied himself that the
men of whom he was in search were not hidden about the premises, the
captain of police braced up his nerves, and proceeded . . . . back to
Bathurst! hearing along the road that the bushrangers had been before
him, and that another party of police had been taken out by
Superintendent Morrissett to look for them.

This latter party was lucky enough to reach house after house just as
the bushrangers had left. At Mutton's they had been half an hour behind
at the second store they were only ten minutes in arrear, but had left
their horses some way off, so gave the robbers a very good opportunity
to get clear away. But the latter were in no greater hurry than their
pursuers, and instead of disappearing into the bush or pushing at full
speed along the road, they quietly cantered along with their booty until
they came to Mr. Butler's hotel, about a mile farther on the road
leading to Caloola. It was about ten o'clock at night when they reached
the place and at once began operations. There were eight men in the bar,
and Mrs. Butler was attending to them. Four of the bushrangers entered,
armed like the police. They rummaged a side room and the drawers, but
took nothing excepting a chain; a watch which they were told belonged to
a widow woman, which had been left there to be raffled for, they allowed
to remain where it was. One of the gang asked his mate to drink, but he
refused, saying he was on duty. They demanded Mrs. Butler's money; she
emptied her pocket, but as there was nothing but silver they returned
it. They enquired from the men in the house what money they had. It was
produced; there was only silver, and they suffered them to retain it.
One man asleep on the sofa they awoke and asked him for his money; he
said he had only silver; they searched him and finding some notes they
took them and the silver too, as a punishment for telling them a lie.
This man had a draught horse in the stable; they took that, but left
those of Mr. Butler. In their search through the house they came to the
door of the bedroom occupied by Mrs. Butler's mother. A girl who was
there said "If you are gentlemen you will not go into the old lady's
room, she is nervous and you would frighten her", and they then turned
away. They called for six nobblers for people in the house and paid for
them, themselves drinking, nothing stronger than lemonade; and having
rearranged their plunder on the spare horse they took their departure,
just as the sound of the police horses' hoofs were heard along the
highway, the sound indicating that they were proceeding very leisurely.
This was explained five minutes afterwards, when the police made their
appearance, two of them walking ahead of the others to reconnoitre! It
was, doubtless, with a sigh of disappointment that Superintendent
Morrissett learned the bushrangers had gone. But there was glory still
ahead. The sound of the horses that had just been ridden from the hotel
door could be heard in the distance, and Mrs. Butler informed the
newcomers that the men had only just left the house, that they had heavy
swags with them, and had taken a draught horse out of the stable to
carry some of the goods; that they were still in the fenced-in road,
and must be taken if pursued quickly. The superintendent was not to be
hurried. He held a short conversation with a person living opposite the
hotel, and then started along the road. Shortly afterwards, however, he
returned to ask the person he had been conversing with to go with them!
Seeing that precious time was being lost, Mrs. Butler asked one of the
police what they were waiting for; and the reply came growlingly (for
the "men" had no sympathy with their superior in this delay) "For orders!"
The order to proceed again was shortly afterwards given, but it is
almost needless to say no good result followed the proceeding. The
police returned as they had started, and the men shared--unjustly
enough--the reproach and ridicule which their timorous and hesitating
leader had earned.

When this news reached Bathurst, public feeling was divided between
shame, disgust, and indignation. The action of the Superintendent formed
the subject of adverse comment in almost every circle. Through his want
of generalship--to say nothing more--the gang had been allowed to come
and go almost as it pleased them, and the people began to openly debate
whether they would not be better off without any police at all, than
with police led after the fashion above described. In this case the
inefficiency of the force had been so marked that reports other than
those sent from the Superintendent's office found their way into the
hands of the Colonial Secretary, and the head of the department in
Sydney wrote some remarkably strong minutes to the responsible officers.
The whole colony was aroused to indignation by the oft-repeated tale of
ineffectual pursuits, and the subject was brought before Parliament and
debated on more than one occasion. The raid upon Bathurst, and the
subsequent robbery of the people living along one of the principal
approaches to the town, showed that the bushrangers held the law and its
administrators in supreme contempt; and it was urged that unless more
effective measures were adopted they would go to lengths never before
heard of. But Hall and his mates, as it happened, lay quiet for some
time, and those who watched for their reappearance watched in vain--
though reports were circulated to the effect that they had made back
across country to their old haunts on the Southern side. And while the
police in the west were thus undisturbed by fresh surprises, the whole
question of the management of the force was vigorously dealt with by the
authorities in Sydney, who were themselves charged with the
responsibility of the failures daily recorded.

In order that the reader may better understand how it was that police
efforts were so persistently futile, it is necessary to give some
account of the system--for it was the system that was at fault, more
than the individual employed under it. Frank Gardiner had only just set
the ball rolling when the late Sir Charles Cowper, who was then Premier
of the colony and leader of the Government--for it must be remarked
that in Australian Governments the Premier is not always the leader--
succeeded in passing through the Legislature a new Police Act. Formerly
the police in country districts were under the supervision and control
of local police magistrates; this Act brought the whole of the police
in the colony under one central head, resident in Sydney; and that head
was, at this time. Captain McLerie. Mr. Cowper was very proud of his
legislative offspring, but he had chosen a most unfortunate time for
bringing it to the birth. Bushranging had already assumed a vigorous
growth, while the system was by no means in working order to confront
it. It may have answered very well in the streets of the Metropolis,
where the daily round of police duty was circumscribed, and dealt with
city rogues and vagabonds; but in the country the nepotism which
flourished under it, and the restrictions placed upon the men by
officers who knew absolutely nothing of bush duty (and who, if they had
known, would not have been qualified to engage in it from lack of the
experience born of active exercise) opened the way for wrong-doers to
run a free and easy course. The men were harassed by contradictory
orders, or rendered fretful by enforced inactivity pending the arrival
of instructions which their inexperienced officers sought from the head
centre, hundreds of miles away. The system looked well on paper, but was
hopelessly futile when contrasted with the requirements of the infested
districts. The men were right enough, if they had been permitted to know
anything; but this was denied them, and every single movement was
nothing but the clockwork of graduated office. All was done by reference
upward, and the officer in command was the oracle. It was a secret
society, and all the actual knowledge of an inferior became ignorance
the moment he had communicated the information he had received to his
superior. There was too much rank and file and commission in the system;
and although the Government went out of its way to make it more
effective, actually giving more liberty than could be taken without
putting the machinery out of gear, internal friction continued, and
external disgust and dissatisfaction kept pace with it.

Even before the ridiculous exhibition on the Vale Road, the outcry
against the system had become general. The House of Assembly badgered
the Premier and Colonial Secretary, in whom the control of the police
force was vested. The Colonial Secretary importuned the
Inspector-General, and even went so far as to reprimand and threaten
him. The Inspector-General passed the trouble on to those immediately
under him in command, who in turn worried the rank and file to the verge
of resignation. Disorganisation reigned supreme, and while officers
fought with each other, and Parliament and people raved and stormed and
bemoaned the powerlessness of the system to cope with the first evil
that confronted it, the bushrangers and their friends laughed consumedly
and sought every opportunity of openly defying the police and
intensifying the confusion.

The Inspector-General at last determined to leave his comfortable
quarters in Sydney and visit the disturbed districts, with the view of
rallying his officers and showing them how to do bush duty. He went to
the central stations in the south and west, and himself led small
companies in pursuit; but it was all so much wasted energy. Outrages
multiplied, and while Hall's gang ran riot over the wide area in south
and west, Other bushrangers sprang up in other districts, to the dismay
of the residents and the further annoyance of the authorities.

Now the full force of the condemnatory blast was felt in Parliament, and
the Government were at their wits' end to stand against it. They could
not defend a force as inefficient as that under McLerie's command had
proved itself to be, but Mr. Cowper would not admit that it was the
system that was in fault. He was loyal to his offspring, but terribly
indignant at the manner in which those in whose charge he had placed it
were acting. A bitter correspondence ensued between Mr. Cowper and the
Inspector-General, during which the Premier threatened at one time to
"set the regular police aside and organise another band under an
entirely different arrangement", and in a later letter added--"The
Colonial Secretary is, however, unwilling suddenly to withdraw the
Inspector-General, but intimates his intention of doing so, if within
one month, Gilbert and party are not apprehended. It will then become a
question for immediate determination what modification of the police
system shall be made to remedy the defects so loudly complained of."

The raids made upon Bathurst and along the Vale Road forced the
Government to introduce a new course of procedure. One portion of the
plan was to offer a reward of £500 each for the capture of Gilbert,
Hall, O'Meally, Vane and Burke. These rewards were to be paid, not into
the police reward fund, but directly to those persons who either
captured these bushrangers themselves or gave such information as should
lead to their capture by others. The strictest secrecy was to be
observed relative to the parties giving information; and to prevent
publicity the money was to be paid from the Treasury direct to the
parties entitled to it without passing through any second hand. In the
next place, private persons were to be employed in a way and under
circumstances which the Government deemed prudent not to make public. It
was stated that various offers had been made by parties desirous of
undertaking the ridding of the country of the dangerous and troublesome
pest; but they wanted to be well paid for their trouble, and one of
them stipulated for no less than £6000 as the price of his efforts if
successful. Others, however, were much more moderate in their proposals.
A further measure resolved upon by the Government was to send six
special parties of six or eight men each into the disturbed districts.
These constables were not to be clothed in uniform, or accoutred in the
heavy dragoon style, but in the usual bush costume, armed with rifles
and revolvers. Each party was to have a black tracker. The horses were
to be of a first-class character, and the officers in command were to
choose their own men. They were to take packhorses, with tents and
provisions, so that they might be able to keep the bush for a
considerable period; and they were to have no other duty than to follow
up the bushrangers until captured. Each of these parties was to be
placed under the command of officers who had distinguished themselves by
their courage and activity.

As it turned out, the gang in the west was broken bit by bit, not by any
newly infused energy on the part of the police under better leaders, but
by the courage of private individuals; who instead of yielding fought,
at the risk of losing life as well as money: and whose steady hand and
correct aim rendered their fighting--in each instance against "long
odds"--successful.



CHAPTER XII.


THE DUNN'S PLAINS TRAGEDY.


For about a fortnight after the raid on Bathurst very little was heard
of the gang, and it was thought that they had quietly stolen away back
across the Lachlan, near Cowra, knowing that as soon as their exploits
in the vicinity of the City of the Plains were officially reported the
main body of police would hasten thither, and give them opportunities of
prosecuting their calling near their old haunts without much
molestation. But they had not left the district. Watching their
opportunity, they suddenly attacked the residence of Mr. Keightley, Gold
Commissioner, at Dunn's Plains, near Rockley, and about thirty miles
from Bathurst. They made no secret of the reason of their visit to this
homestead. Mr. Keightley, who was a man of splendid physique and
undoubted courage, had openly assisted the police in their search for
the bushrangers, and had declared that he would show them no mercy if he
should happen to come across them. Like every other word or movement of
those who sought to break up the gang, Mr. Keightley's sayings and
doings reached their ears; and they determined to put his courage lo the
test by sticking up his household. From the beginning of Peisley's career
bushranging in New South Wales had proceeded by gradations--from
idleness and petty stealing to cattle stealing; from cattle stealing to
robbery from the person; then to robbery (under arms) of mails and
escorts; followed by the ruin and extermination of honest storekeepers,
attacks on the officers of justice, raids on banks, country towns, and
private establishments. The time had now arrived for a further advance--
to the Neapolitan system of ransom. This made, the question was
seriously discussed in certain quarters whether the next successive
movements would not be to the formation of camps, stations, regiments,
batteries, and open attack upon the united Government forces.

At about sunset on Saturday evening, 24th October, 1863, Mr.
Commissioner Keightley stood in the doorway of his house, when he
observed five men riding along the fence at some distance from the
dwelling. At first he thought they were a party of police who he knew
were in the neighbourhood, they having been in his paddock on the
previous evening; but as he desired to give his guest. Dr. Pechey, a
shock, he called out to him, "Here are the bushrangers!" Mr. Keightley
and the doctor watched the men to within twenty-five yards of the house,
when they saw them simultaneously leap from their horses and make a
sudden rush into the yard, at the same time presenting firearms and
calling out, "Stand! if you run into the house we'll shoot you!" Before
the last word had sounded, however, Mr. Keightley and his companion had
turned and made for the open door, which was {fortunately near at hand.
The men fired at them as they ran, but the bullets did not find their
mark, and the door having been made secure prompt measures were taken to
repel the coming attack. A plan of procedure had been previously
arranged, and was now followed. Dr. Pechey hastened in the direction of
a room occupied by the man servant (who was at the time absent, having
gone to Rockley for the letters), his intention being to secure some
firearms and ammunition there stored; but finding that he could not
reach the room without exposing himself to the fire of the bushrangers
he returned, to find Mr. Keightley armed with a double-barrel gun and a
revolver, which he had obtained from his bedroom, after having told Mrs.
Keightley that the dreaded gang had made its appearance--a fact of which
she had already been made aware by the firing that had taken place.
Taking up their station at the door nearest to the yard where the
bushrangers had congregated, Keightley and his companion prepared to
make a stubborn resistance. But the failure to reach the other arms and
ammunition somewhat disconcerted them, although the assailants were not
aware that the occupants of the house were so poorly provided with the
means of defence. Knowing something of Keightley's determination and
skill, the bushrangers kept themselves under cover, posting themselves
in the form of a semicircle, so that they could command the doorway from
all points. As the two men came to the open door the bushrangers fired;
but none of he bullets did any harm. Keightley and his companion took
care not to expose themselves, although closely watching the movements
of their assailants. What followed is best told in Mr. Keightley's own
words. And this is his story:-


As I appeared at the door several shots were fired; the men were in a
semicircle around me, at varied distances; at the time I took up my gun
I fancied it was loaded in both barrels--one with snipe shot, and the
other with buck shot; when I went to the door I noticed a man near me on
my left, who was firing very rapidly; he fired several shots; he
appeared to draw out from a cask, behind which he was concealed, with
the view of firing at the door; the last time he came out I slung up my
gun and fired the right barrel, which, I thought had the small shot in
it; I could not see the effect of the shot otherwise than the man put
his hand on his stomach and fell back; I then said to Dr. Pechey, "Now
for the roof!" which I had had barricaded for some time; when on the
roof I saw Vane for the first time; he was going across the yard, and
when the party saw me on the roof they commenced firing at me again, but
I cannot say how many shots; when I had fired I looked for my powder
horn but could not find it; I concluded that Dr. Pechey had got the arms
and ammunition I had sent him for previously; I left the house open when
I went on to the roof and Mrs. Keightley and child were below; when on
the roof I asked the doctor for the other gun and loading materials, and
he said he had been intercepted and could not get at the arms; I then
looked at my own gun and found that the other barrel was discharged; the
shooting at this time was very close, one ball went close to my face, I
think it was Hall's, and another through my hat; they called upon me to
surrender or they would burn the house down; and as I had no arms I
thought it best to do so as we had no ammunition; two of the voices
called out "If you lay down your arms and come down we'll not touch
you;" I said "honour bright?" and they replied "honour bright;" I said
"Very well, we will come down", and I came down the ladder into the
garden in front of the house; I concluded that the party knew at the
time that one of their party was hit; when we came down they made a rush
at us; Vane struck Dr. Pechey with a revolver and knocked him down; I
said "What did you do that for? he has done nothing;" one of them said
"Is not that Keightley?" and I said "No, I'm Keightley;" Vane then said
"You b----y wretch, you have shot my mate;" I denied it, saying, "I
never killed your mate"; I did not know then the result of my shot; he
said I had and that they would shoot me for it; they then brought me to
the spot where Burke was lying, and they held a consultation, the result
of which was that I was to be shot; I was told to go into the paddock;
from their statement I learnt that Burke had, after he was shot, fired
at himself and shot himself through the head; I was then told that I
should be shot, and to say good-bye to my wife and come up the hill; as
I had been ensnared in my position and had no means of defence, I begged
them for God's sake not to shoot me and commit murder; it was then
arranged that Dr. Pechey should proceed to Rockley for his instruments
with the view of affording assistance to Burke, and while he was away
Gilbert came to the foot of the hill and called out "Mickey is dead", or
words to that effect; one of the party remarked "He (meaning me) had
better be shot at once and waste no more time."


Mr. Keightley's position was a very critical one. That the bushrangers
fully intended to kill him when they found that Burke was dead was
proved by their efforts to shoot him when he appeared on the barricaded
roof, and their threat that if he did not come down and surrender they
would burn the house down.

Mrs. Keightley and the servant woman, who was also on the premises, saw
Dr. Pechey knocked down and witnessed the preparations which the
bushrangers were making to shoot Mr. Keightley in cold blood; and it
goes without saying that they begged hard for his life. It is said that
the servant actually threw herself between her employer and one of the
bushrangers who had raised his piece to fire at him. In the end his life
was spared. Vane was not the leader, and had to swallow his resentment
at the command of Hall and Gilbert, neither of whom was more
bloodthirsty than the average run of bushrangers. Keightley was removed
into the bush, and the leaders remained at the house, while further
parleying took place; eventually the bushrangers agreed with Mrs.
Keightley to spare her husband's life on condition that the sum of £500
was paid to them. When Dr. Pechey from Rockley he was made aware of
the bargain, and informed that it had been arranged that he should ride
into Bathurst and get the money from Mrs. Keightley's father, the late
Mr. Henry Rotton, of Blackdown. If the money was not handed to them,
said Gilbert, between ten and twelve o'clock on the following (Sunday)
morning, Mr. Keightley would assuredly be shot; as he would be if
during his visit to Bathurst the messenger gave any information to the
police. In reply to a question from Dr. Pechey, Hall said they would
have the money in £5 notes, and that they had fixed upon £500 as the
ransom because that was the sum which Keightley would get for shooting
Burke--there being at that time a reward of £500 upon each of their
heads. It was then arranged that Mrs. Keightley should go to Bathurst
with Dr. Pechey; the horse was caught and harnessed, and the pair
started on their urgent mission. Before leaving, however, Mrs. Keightley
was allowed to have a brief interview with her husband, who was brought
down to the house for the purpose.

The journey to Bathurst was accomplished in smart time, the reader may
be sure, the horse being kept at top speed; but it was two o'clock on
the Sunday morning before Blackdown was reached. There was excitement
bordering upon consternation in the household when the anxious daughter
made known her errand to her father, and then the question arose--How
was the money to be obtained? The large sum required was not in the
house, and innumerable difficulties might arise to prevent it being
obtained in time. The Blackdown squire was known to be a wealthy
man, but even wealthy men cannot always lay their hands upon a large
sum of money at a moment's notice. An appeal must be made to the bank in
Bathurst, and the time spent in waking the bank manager, making
explanations, and counting the money would considerably shorten the few
hours of grace allowed for the ransom to be paid. And another difficulty
presented itself. The object for which the money was required must be
kept secret; yet the bank manager must be told, and he might consider it
his duty to inform the police before the messenger had got well away
with the price of the ransom. There were difficulties and risks on every
side, but they were boldly faced and overcome. Fresh horses soon covered
the distance between Blackdown and Bathurst, and very shortly after the
visitors had poured their tale into his astonished ears notes to the
amount required were counted out by the bank manager, and Mr. Rotton and
Dr. Pechey were "making the pace" towards Dunn's Plains.

Meanwhile Mr. Keightley was kept a close prisoner by the bushrangers on
a rocky hill (known as the Dog Rocks) about a quarter of a mile from his
homestead, the spot being chosen because it commanded a view of the
Bathurst Road. Here some members of the gang made themselves comfortable
for the night, and the others took turn about as sentries, keeping a
close watch upon Keightley, who had voluntarily pledged his honour not
to make any attempt to escape. When morning dawned the party had
breakfast, and then settled down to await events. Seven, eight, nine
o'clock passed, and still no signs of the messengers returning. Ten
o'clock found the waiting party painfully impatient; but a little later
Mr. Rotten and the Doctor drove up to the house, and learned from the
inmates that Keightley was with the bushrangers at the Dog Rocks.
Alighting from the vehicle they entered the house and Mr. Rotton
proposed to take the money to the bushrangers, but this was deemed
inadvisable, as the appearance of a stranger on the scene might lead to
trouble. As quickly as possible, therefore, the notes were recounted in
the house. Mr. Rotton hastily took their numbers with a view of tracing
them should they pass into circulation in the district, and then handed
them to Dr. Pechey, who mounted his horse and rode to the bushrangers'
camp. As he came forward Gilbert met him and asked "Have you brought the
money?" "Yes," replied Dr. Pechey, "will you set Mr. Keightley at
liberty?" "Come along," Gilbert responded, "he's all safe;" and he
conducted Pechey to where his friend was standing under close guard. As
soon as Keightley saw him he anxiously repeated the question, "Have you
the notes?" For answer Pechey threw the notes to Gilbert, who counted
them, found they were all right, and told Keightley he was at liberty.
The ransomed man returned hastily to the house, his captors meanwhile
leaving the locality with all speed.

After Burke's death, the remaining members of the gang did not concern
themselves very much about his body. They saw, however, before they left
Dunn's Plains that arrangements had been made to convey the remains to
Carcoar, that task being entrusted to one of Mr. Keightley's servant men
and another. Concerning the exact manner of Burke's death, it may be
here remarked that some people have doubted whether Mr. Keightley shot
him at all, and thought the first wound must have been accidentally
inflicted by one of his mates. It is certain that the shot which killed
him was fired by himself after finding that he had been wounded. On the
way to Carcoar the party conveying the body was met by the police, who
had received word at Cowra of the attack upon Keightley's house and were
making for that locality. There were twelve policemen in the party, and
two of these were told off to accompany the men with the body to
Carcoar, the other ten proceeding to Rockley, the nearest station to the
scene of the outrage. At Carcoar an inquest was held upon the body,
which everyone pressed to see. After the inquest the body was handed
over for interment to Burke's friends, some of whom made no secret of
the fact that they considered the remains they were committing to the
grave were those of a hero and a martyr.

After the return of Mr. Keightley and the disappearance of the
bushrangers, Mr. Rotton tried to induce the employees at the homestead
to go for the police, but in vain. Then he decided to go himself; a
horse was brought up from the paddock, and he rode into Rockley and made
known at the police station what had occurred. Returning, he started for
Bathurst to give information to the authorities there. But the news had
already reached Bathurst, and within three or four miles of the town he
met a party of mounted troopers pushing forward at full speed for the
scene of the outrage. The news had by some means reached Carcoar shortly
after breakfast on the Sunday morning. A magistrate of that town at once
procured a horse and enlisted the services of a lad to ride post haste
to Bathurst, giving him a sealed letter to the police and a written
communication to all whom it might concern, requesting that if the
bearer should require a fresh horse on the road he might be immediately
supplied. Young Bonnor--that was the lad's name--covered the distance
between Carcoar and Blayney in very short time, and finding that his
horse was fagged he after some difficulty obtained another, and made a
fresh start on the road. Within two hours from leaving Carcoar the lad
was in Bathurst and the letter delivered to the police, the distance
covered being about thirty-five miles. A party of troopers was at once
formed and sent off, some of them half inclined to disbelieve the report
which had come to them in such a roundabout way; but the meeting with
Mr. Rotton dispelled all doubts, and they pushed along the road at a
faster pace, while Mr. Rotton continued his journey to Blackdown to
assure Mrs. Keightley of the safety of her husband and the faithfulness
of the bushrangers to their pledges.

During the same afternoon Mr. Keightley and Dr. Pechey drove into
Bathurst, where they received many congratulations on their escape from
death at the hands of the bushrangers, and much praise for their courage
and heroism. Mrs. Keightley also received a full share of praise, for
none but a stout-hearted woman could have maintained her presence of
mind sufficiently to assist even her husband under such trying
circumstances. The servant woman subsequently received due approbation
for the part which she had sustained in the affair; indeed, there was at
one time quite a heated public discussion as to which of the ladies was
most to be honoured.

There was already a reward of £500 for each of the gang, and Burke's
head money was paid by the Government to Mr. Keightley. Two days later
the offered reward was increased by the following proclamation, which
appeared in most of the newspapers:-


£4000 REWARD,

For the apprehension of JOHN GILBERT, JOHN VANE, JOHN O'MEALLY,
and BENJAMIN HALL.

and

£100 REWARD FOR ACCOMPLICES.

Whereas the abovenamed persons are charged with the commission of
numerous and serious offences, and have hitherto eluded the efforts to
apprehend them: It is hereby notified that the Government will pay a
reward of One Thousand Pounds for such information as will lead to the
apprehension of each of the offenders named.

The Government will also pay a reward of One Hundred Pounds for such
information as will lead to the conviction of any person or persons for
harbouring, assisting, or maintaining either of the abovenamed
offenders.

All such information communicated by any person charged with the
commission of an offence will entitle his case to favourable
consideration by the Crown, and will in all cases be regarded by the
police authorities as strictly confidential; and in the event of
payment of any of the rewards above offered, the name of the recipient
will not be disclosed.

The above rewards are offered in lieu of all others previously payable
by Government for the apprehension or conviction of the offenders
abovenamed.

WILLIAM FORSTER.
Colonial Secretary's Office, October 26, 1863.


In addition to the pecuniary reward, however, Mr. Keightley's services
were recognised by the Government by an appointment in the public
service as Police Magistrate. He was well fitted for the post, and
faithful and efficient service in that capacity proved that the
confidence of the authorities had not been misplaced.

While Mr. and Mrs. Keightley were yet in the Bathurst district, the
latter was made the recipient ol a handsome present from the ladies of a
distant part of the colony, in recognition of her bravery when Hall and
his gang visited Dunn's Plains. The present took the form of a handsome
silver tea service, upon the chief piece of which were engraved the
following words:--"Presented to Mrs. Keightley, by the ladies of
Maitland, through Mrs. Mullen, as an appreciation of her heroic conduct
in defence of her husband against bushrangers, at Rockley, on Saturday,
October 24th, 1863."

But here it is necessary that I should diverge somewhat from the
straight course of the narrative, and show how some of the ransom money
was traced after it had left the hands of the bushrangers.


THE NUMBERED NOTES, AND HOW THEY WERE FOUND.

It will be remembered that before Mr. Rotton handed over the notes that
were given to Gilbert he hurriedly copied their numbers. It was a wise
precaution, and fruitful of results. From this list copies were
subsequently made and handed to various tradesmen in Bathurst and the
neighbourhood, and it was arranged that immediate information should be
given to the police if any of the notes were presented at their
establishments.

Within a week after, a young man from a district known to be friendly to
the gang entered Bathurst, and purchased at different shops a revolver,
several boxes of percussion caps, a quantity of Mack crape, seven gold
rings, and some articles of clothing. While he was still in the town it
was discovered that some of the notes paid away by him corresponded with
those on Mr. Rotton's list, and before he had completed his purchase he
was apprehended and safely lodged in the lock-up. There were found upon
his person the sum of £11, a piece of paper, the seven gold rings, and
five invoices of the goods he had purchased at the stores. In his valise
were found the revolver, caps, crape, etc., and it was ascertained that
out of £35 which the articles had cost, the prisoner had paid away five
of the £5 notes given to the bushrangers. Upon the piece of paper was
written a memorandum of what the prisoner was to purchase for six
different persons, whose names were left blank. The singular and
incriminating document ran thus: "For mother, bottle of medicine; for
----, pair of pistols, box of caps, gold ring; for ----, revolver, box
of caps, gold ring", and so on. One other article was found in his
possession--a piece of used blotting paper, bearing on it the words
"Patrick Burke"--the name of the father of the bushranger who had met
his death at Keightley's hands. The arresting constable charged him with
receiving the notes, "knowing them to have been stolen", and the
prisoner made no reply to the charge. It was afterwards elicited that
the young fellow was a cousin of Vane's, and it was publicly stated that
the father of the dead bushranger, Burke, was connected in some way with
his family.

As may be supposed, the news of his arrest caused great excitement in
Bathurst and its immediate neighbourhood, and for a time even the
bushrangers and their doings were forgotten. In due course the prisoner
was brought up at the police court charged with receiving stolen
property, and was committed to stand his trial at the following Bathurst
Circuit Court, at which he was found guilty.

The Chief Justice, after making some impressive remarks upon the
enormity of the offence, and expressing an earnest hope that the crime
of bushranging would now effectually cease, sentenced the prisoner to
five years' hard labour on the roads, or other public works of the
colony.

There was an appeal to the Full Court in Sydney on some legal
technicalities: but their Honours were of opinion that the conviction
should be sustained.

The news of the ruling was received with joy in Bathurst, as it tended
to intimidate the already too bold friends of the gang, who had their
doors ever open to receive the bushrangers and their hands ever open to
receive the bushrangers' ill-gotten gains.


THE SURRENDER OF JOHNNY VANE.

After leaving Dunn's Plains, Hall, Gilbert, O'Meally and Vane rode
across the bush in the direction of Carcoar, calling in to see some of
their friends on the way. They stayed long enough in this locality to
quarrel amongst themselves; but the cause of the quarrel has never been
made known, although its results were most startling to the public. In
a letter from a gentleman at Carcoar which now lies before me, and which
is dated 27th October, 1863, I find the following sentences: "I have
heard that Vane was seen alone at the back of Mount Macquarie (a
prominent district landmark near the town), and again at the foot of
Mount Fitzgerald, on both occasions well armed. . . . . Gilbert, Hall
and O'Meally supposed to have cleared out. Vane still at the back of the
Mount--was at Number One school yesterday and had a black eye given him
by Gilbert--says he got not a sixpence of Keightley's ransom money."

How the quarrel between Vane and his mates originated was never clearly
explained, but whatever the reason, within three weeks from the time of
Burke's death, Vane yielded himself up to the authorities.

When riding through the bush in the direction of the Abercrombie Ranges,
the Rev. Father McCarthy--one of the pioneer priests of the Bathurst
and Carcoar districts, whose genial good nature and zealous labours made
him most popular with the residents, particularly those scattered
through the isolated parts which seldom or ever saw the face of priest
or parson, other than his--happened to fall in with Vane. There was
mutual recognition, for the good priest was well acquainted with the
bushranger's family--although not of his flock, for they were
Presbyterians--and a long conversation ensued. The substance of that
conversation never transpired, but the reader can imagine how earnestly
Father McCarthy pleaded with Vane to forsake the course which was
keeping the community in a state of terror, breaking the heart of his
mother, and leading him to certain death. They parted, and before the
day closed Father McCarthy told Mrs. Vane that he had met her son. The
poor woman wept bitterly, pouring out her troubles in the presence of
her sympathetic listener, and bemoaning the dreadful circumstances in
which her boy had placed himself and her. Before leaving, Father
McCarthy advised the disconsolate mother to seek an interview with her
son in the bush and beseech him to surrender, pointing out that by so
doing he would be likely to win favour which could not otherwise be
extended. Mrs. Vane promised to do this, and without delay she sought
her son in his retreat and pleaded with him only as a mother could. Her
prayers and tears were effectual, and in sorrowful joy she returned to
send a message to Father McCarthy, to the effect that her erring son
desired another interview in order to make arrangements for his
surrender. Within a few hours the priest and the bushranger were again
together, and in the latter's hiding place these arrangements were
completed. Vane agreeing to meet his newly-found friend at a certain
spot before midnight, and accompany him to the headquarters of the
police at Bathurst.

At eleven o'clock that night the bushranger faithfully presented
himself at the place appointed, where Father McCarthy was already in
waiting. A start was made for Bathurst, forty miles away, through the
bush; they reached it before five o'clock next morning, their chief
anxiety being to enter the town unobserved. A brief rest at the Fitzroy
Arms in George-street; a short consultation between Father McCarthy and
his venerable superior. Dean Grant; a message to Dr. Palmer, the
Police Magistrate, and another message to Superintendent Morrissett;
the formal surrender of Vane to the latter; a quiet walk to the gaol
gates--and the Bathurst residents woke up to learn that Vane had
voluntarily surrendered and was safely domiciled in the gaol on the
central Square.

In due course he was brought before the local bench of magistrates, when
three charges of robbery under arms were preferred against him, and two
charges of shooting with intent to kill. Evidence in each case was
given, and the prisoner, who made no defence, was fully committed on
each separate charge to take his trial at the next Bathurst Circuit
Court, to be held in April of the following year.

Vane had been five months in gaol--bail had not been sought, and would
not have been granted--when the Assize Court to which he had been
committed opened. Sir Alfred Stephen, Chief Justice, presided, and as
several very important cases besides those against Vane were set down
for trial, nearly all the leading members of the bar attended, the
circuit work of prominent barristers in those days being quite as heavy
and quite as remunerative as that of the Judges. Mr. Edward Butler acted
as Crown Prosecutor. Bathurst was full of people and the people were
full of excitement, to the no small benefit of the hotel keepers.

When Vane was placed in the dock his personal appearance was made the
subject of general remark. He was a good-looking young fellow, and in
the slimness of his build was a typical Western "native." Those who
expected to see a repulsive-looking desperado of the Bill Sykes type
were disappointed--no doubt pleasingly--for there was nothing
repulsive-looking about him, and the court visitors could scarcely
believe that the youth before them was the daring bushranger who had
assisted in keeping the countryside in terror and for so long set the
law and its officers at defiance.

Mr. Dalley had been retained for the defence, and it was no doubt under
his advice that the prisoner pleaded guilty to being concerned in the
raids on Caloola, Grubbenbong, and Canowindra, and the attack on Mr.
Keightley. To a fifth charge, concerning the sticking up of the mail
coach near Carcoar and the shooting of Constable Sutton, he pleaded not
guilty.

Mr. Dalley's defence was able and successful, and the jury acquitted
Vane on this charge--the more readily, perhaps, because they knew that
for other offences he would receive punishment commensurate with his
crimes.

As the hour was late, his Honour ordered the prisoner to be removed and
brought up for sentence on the following day; but knowing that many of
his relatives were in the court, in order to ease their minds, he
announced that the sentence he should pass would not be death.

On the following day the Court was again crowded, and shortly after the
Chief Justice had taken his seat Vane was called up to receive sentence.
Before judgment was pronounced Mr. Dalley pleaded with the judge for
leniency, urging prisoner's youth in extenuation, and referring to the
fact that he had borne a good character before abandoning himself to
lawless pursuits and that he had given himself up and shown true
contrition for his crimes. He also called several prominent public men
to bear testimony to the fact that Vane, prior to becoming a bushranger,
had been a most exemplary young man.

His Honour, after a long address, passed sentence as follows:--For the
outrage at Dunn's Plains, 15 years' hard labour on the roads or other
public works of the colony, and for each of the other three offences 10
years' hard labour--the sentences to be concurrent.

It is right that a word or two should be said concerning the subsequent
action of the good priest through whose instrumentality the district was
freed from the presence of this member of the notorious gang. Father
McCarthy was entitled to the reward of £1000 which the Government had
offered for the capture of Vane. He did not accept that reward. In his
ministerial capacity he had effectively preached repentance to the
sinner, and the consciousness of having done his duty was reward
sufficient In another case, yet to be recorded, in which a bushranger
not connected with Hall's gang was concerned, he was instrumental in
recovering for one of the banks some £2000 in notes which had been
stolen from one of the Western mails. The bank had offered £100 reward
for the recovery of the notes, but Father McCarthy refused to accept
that reward also. The act was characteristic of the man, who in his
priestly office laboured for something more precious and more enduring
than earthly treasure.



CHAPTER XIII.


THE ATTACK ON GOIMBLA STATION.

DEATH OF O'MEALLY.

After Vane's severance from the gang, Hall, Gilbert and O'Meally did
not remain long in the Carcoar district, but hurriedly pushed on for
their old quarters in the Weddin Mountains. They knew that the Bathurst
police, the men who had recently arrived from Maitland under
Superintendent Lydiard, and the Carcoar and Cowra police, were
concentrating on Dunn's Plains; and while the police were still hunting
up their tracks in the country about Caloola, Rockley and Trunkey, the
three were again creating a sensation in the neighbourhood of
Canowindra.

They entered the town just as daylight was creeping over the eastern
hills, a morning or two after the quarrel between Vane and Gilbert.
Riding quietly up to the door of the local inn, which was still kept by
Mr. W. Robinson, they awoke the landlord and asked if there were any
police about: hearing of none, they went into the house and had some
grog. They stayed about a quarter of an hour, and on going away asked
for two bottles of wine and two of Old Tom, in payment for which
they offered a £5 note--doubtless one of the number paid for Keightley's
ransom. Mr. Robinson said he could not change the note, and they replied
that he must do without the payment in that case, as they had no other
money; they then rode away.

Mr. Robinson informed Mr. K. Cummings, a
magistrate, who was stopping in the house, of what had occurred, and a
messenger was sent for the solitary policeman, who lived about half a
mile away. While they were conversing about the affair Mr.
Superintendent Chatfield and a party of policemen rode up to the house,
heard the news, found out which way the robbers had gone, and started
in pursuit, taking a black tracker with them. They very soon got upon
the bushrangers' tracks, and after riding six or seven miles the tracker
sighted them and the chase commenced. When the bushrangers were first
seen a young man named Hurkett was with them; and as soon as they saw
the police they galloped off, and, according to Hurkett's account, his
horse ran away with him so that he could not stop for some time.
However, as soon as he possibly could he pulled up and the others went
on by themselves; the police galloped up, dismounted, and fired at
Hurkett, whose horse was shot. He had a bad time of it altogether, in
fact: he was handcuffed at once--when he got back to Canowindra Sir F.
Pottinger threatened him with arrest again, and when Chatfield returned
from a fruitless chase the threat was carried out. Chatfield's party
followed the bushrangers for about forty miles, in the direction of
Bangaroo, but as the darkness came on they could no longer follow the
tracks; however, they went on to Bangaroo and on riding up to the hut a
little half-caste girl called out "There some men coming." O'Meally and
Hall were then in the hut at tea, and had to get out in a hurry and on
to their horses and off again. Hall, not having time to put on his
boots, carried them under his arm. In the meantime Gilbert had been in
an adjoining paddock looking for some horses, and when he rode back for
his mates he found the police in the hut. A policeman called out
"Who's there?" and Gilbert, turning his horse, rode away: the
policeman fired at him, but the result was nil. The bushrangers were
not seen again by the police, but on Thursday morning breakfasted at a
station of Mr. Icely's, three miles below Canowindra, and on Friday
morning were at a station of Mr. Grant's, not far from Carcoar. So
sudden was the departure of Hall and O'Meally that they had not time to
take all their things with them, but left a coat belonging to
Gilbert, in the pocket of which was found with other things a bag
containing a quantity of revolver bullets and a bullet mould.

On the following day they stuck up several teamsters between Canowindra
and Toogong, but took nothing but some horse feed for their own
animals, which they proceeded at once to feed, while the horses were
feeding the police were observed coming up, and the bushrangers at once
mounted and rode off, pursued by the police. Several shots were
exchanged. In crossing a swampy flat Hall's horse got bogged, and the
police, had they pushed on, might have made Hall prisoner. O'Meally and
Gilbert pulled up and came to his assistance, and the police observing
this pulled up and commenced reloading. This proved so tedious an
operation that before it was concluded the horse was got out of his
difficulty, and the three bushrangers cleared off, pursued at a
respectful distance by the police.

On the night of Thursday, 19th November, at about a quarter to nine
o'clock, the three bushrangers rode up to Goimbla, about thirty-two
miles from Forbes. Mr. Campbell, the station-owner, had made no secret
of his abhorrence of the freebooters, and on one occasion had started
out in pursuit of them, accompanied by a few of his immediate friends.
Mr. Keightley had been paid out for his audacity: now it was Mr.
Campbell's turn.

The first notification he had of their presence was the sound of
footsteps under the front verandah of the house; suspecting the true
cause of the sound, he sprang towards the chimney corner, seized one of
two double-barrelled fowling pieces which were ready loaded there, and
ran into the next room, where he confronted one of the bushrangers, who
stood at an outer door of the same room that opened upon the verandah.
After an ineffectual exchange of shots the fellow rejoined his mates,
who proceeded deliberately to set fire to the barn and stabling, which
formed two sides of a quadrangle. As the barn contained a large quantity
of hay, the whole structure was quickly in flames, which raged so
fiercely that the premises in the immediate vicinity were brilliantly
illuminated; and a favourite horse of Mr. Campbell's was roasted to
death.

In the meantime Mrs. Campbell had with great bravery and at the risk of
her life secured the second fowling piece and some ammunition, luckily
unhit by a volley which the gang fired at her through the window.
She and her husband then posted themselves in the passage leading
from the house to the kitchen, where they could command all approaches,
the lady reconnoitring every now and then. Presently she reported that a
man with a cabbage-tree hat stood watching the flames. Mr. Campbell
rushed round the house to the front corner, took deliberate aim at the
fellow's throat, fired, and returned to load his gun.

Just before this several shots had been fired, but now there was a dead
silence. At half past eleven he cautiously approached the spot where the
man had stood, and on the opposite side of the fence, found a carbine
and cabbage-tree hat; at daylight he and a constable who had arrived
followed a track into the oaks, and discovered the body of the man, who
was wounded in the neck.

Early on the following morning word was sent to the Police Magistrate at
Forbes, who at once started for the spot to hold a magisterial inquiry
over the body. Mr. Campbell was not yet certain whether it was O'Meally
who had fallen before his fire.

As Saturday dawned upon the smoking ruins, the place presented a
melancholy spectacle. Everything combustible inside and around the
tottering walls and barns and stables had disappeared, and the charred
remains of the dead horse, swollen to nearly double its natural size,
lay inside the inclosure. No vestige of nearly £1100 worth of property
remained save the crumbling shells of the two buildings. Under the
verandah of an out-building hard by lay the disfigured corpse of the
dead bushranger, the body covered by part of a woolpack and the face by
a towel. It was clad in a pair of strapped breeches, high boots with
spurs, and three Crimean shirts, and underneath the neck lay a white
comforter. The frame was athletic, the arms muscular, the hands as small
and delicate as a lady's. The lower limbs were light and apparently well
knit, and the figure as a whole gave the impression of activity and
strength combined in more than an ordinary degree.

It was at first intended to remove the remains to Forbes for interment,
but the heat of the weather rendered this impossible. They were interred
at Goimbla, on the near bank of the Eugowra Creek. Subsequently,
however, they were removed by relatives and friends to Forbes and there
interred amidst much ceremony, as though they were those of a hero who
had lost his life in the performance of a noble duty.

The following letter from Mrs. Campbell to her mother after the
occurrence will further illustrate the fact that the danger which
threatened her and her husband on that awful night was exceptionally
great; and it will also show how empty was the boast made by the
bushrangers and their friends that in all their raids Hairs gang were
careful to treat females with the utmost consideration and respect.
Writing on the 21st November Mrs. Campbell said:-


You will be anxious till you hear direct of our safety. It is indeed
owing to the great mercy of God that the lives of David and William are
spared. So many people have been here taking notes, that I doubt not you
will read a most truthful account of all in the papers. I need not
therefore weary you with another. We had no time for fear. The most
dreadful part was the burning of the barn and stable. They are not much
farther from the house than your stable; and at one part an outhouse,
which is connected with the man building, is only divided by a road. You
cannot imagine my agony while the flames were towering above us. Had the
wind only blown towards the house all must have gone. The ground between
the stable and outhouse was strewn with straw from the haymaking; there
was also a large heap of woolpacks and a cart, all of which were set on
fire. I was in such deadly fear of its catching at this point, that I
rushed out and succeeded in getting the road cleared with the
assistance of the cook. By this time the roofs had fallen in, so that
the danger was passed. I imagine the ruffians had also retreated. Mr.
Campbell had ventured out to the spot where he had aimed at the man. He
found his gun and hat, but not the body, for his mates had dragged it
some distance away, and his idea at the time was that the man had merely
been wounded, and would return for his things. A short while after we
heard a rustling as of some one creeping stealthily through the oats,
and were afraid to go out again lest the bushrangers should be lying in
ambush. The men in the huts had now recovered from their panic, and came
up to see what was going on. David stationed them at various posts, and
they watched till morning. It was by this time 3 o'clock. I was very
tired, went to bed and managed to sleep a little: but was awakened
before dawn by the arrival of the police. They found the body, and I
cannot describe to you the state of my feelings when I heard of it--
heard that the unhappy man had been shot by the light of the fire which
he had helped to raise--for at the moment he fell the country round was
as light as day. It appears the ruffians retreated to one of the huts,
where they were cursing and swearing in a most fearful manner that they
would yet have revenge; and I am grieved to add that a female servant
heard one of them regretting not having shot the woman--meaning. I
suppose myself; but his comrade called out to him to hold his tongue,
and mind what he was about. When the alarm took place, William rushed to
the back door, not knowing that Mr. Campbell was in the house, and that
the shots had been fired at him. William there received a charge of
slugs in his breast, four wounds in all, but fortunately not deep.
Startled, he staggered on, got outside of the place, and could not find
his way back. He is now all right.


As soon as the excitement had somewhat subsided, the public began to
discuss how best Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's bravery could be rewarded, and
their losses made good. Public meetings were held, laudatory speeches
were made and subscriptions were raised. The reward of £1000 offered by
the Government was, of course, handed over to Mr. Campbell, but the
value of the property destroyed by the fire raised by the bushrangers
was estimated at nearly double that amount, and although a goodly sum
was raised, and every reputable person in the colony applauded them to
the echo, the response was really not at all what it ought to have been.
Mr. Campbell did not count the cost to himself, however, when
single-handed he defied the common enemy, and he earned the gratitude,
poorly expressed though it may have been, of every decent man and woman
in New South Wales.

The two remaining members of the gang made no attempt to avenge the
death of their comrade, but stripped the body of its valuables and
disappeared in the darkness, making haste to reach a place where the
police would not be likely to look for them for a day or two. Thus it
happened that while the bush round Goimbla was being scoured by the
authorities, Hall and Gilbert were many miles away laying their plans
for future operations. After a few days' quiet they resumed operations
on the road near Burrowa, in the Southern district, and some twenty
cases of sticking-up were reported in one day.

About this time the gang was joined by a young fellow named Dunleavy,
and a man named Gordon, generally known as the "Old Man." Of the
latter's history previous to his association with Hall very little was
known, and as he was captured soon after joining the gang he did not
have many opportunities of distinguishing himself as a freebooter.
Dunleavy was a smart young fellow, about twenty years of age, who up to
the time of joining the gang had lived with his mother on a station in
the Forbes district. He was well known about Bathurst, where in his
youth he had attended one of the public schools, and those who knew him
were greatly surprised when they heard that he had cast in his lot with
the gang.

They were engaged with Hall in six highway robberies of the usual type,
the road between Bathurst and Blayney being the scene of several. They
then pushed on towards Cowra, stopped five drays which were on their way
to Forbes, and ransacked the residence of Mr. T. P. Grant, J.P., soon
afterwards leaving the Carcoar district for the Lachlan.

Shortly after this the gang came into collision with a party of police
under Sir Frederick Pottinger, near Forbes, and shots were exchanged,
when both Hall and Dunleavy were wounded, the latter severely, having
his wrist shattered by a bullet, but the former not very seriously. The
bushrangers lost their horses, but managed to escape. Two months
afterwards the "Old Man" was pressed very closely and escaped from
Wheogo to the Murrumbidgee, and was cleverly tracked by two policemen
and Billy, the black tracker, and arrested in a public house. He was
brought back to Forbes, and it is said that Hall watched him being taken
into town by the police. He was subsequently sent down to Bathurst,
where he was tried and convicted and sentenced on three separate
charges--for the first offence, ten years' hard labour on the roads,
the first three in irons; for the second offence ten years: and for
the third offence five years, the sentences to be cumulative.

The brush with the police appears to have intimidated Dunleavy, and a
report was circulated that he had asked Hall's permission to give
himself up, as Vane had done, but that Hall had refused to consent.
Whether this was a fact or no, certain it is that Dunleavy did follow
Vane's example, and voluntarily surrendered himself to the Rev. Father
McGuinn, who was at that time labouring in the Carcoar district. He sent
a message to the priest saying that he desired to see him, and the
priest answered the call, when Dunleavy said he was sick of bushranging
life and wanted him to go with him to Bathurst and deliver him over to
the authorities. The two then rode into Bathurst and the bushranger was
incarcerated in the gaol. The two men were called up together at the
Circuit Court in April, 1865, at which Judge Wise presided, and each
of them pleaded guilty--the "Old Man" to six and Dunleavy to five
charges of robbery under arms.

These rather rapid developments from the choice of a bushranging life to
surrender, trial, sentence, and the entrance upon an almost life-long
term of imprisonment, formed a powerful deterrent to other young men
who may have been enamoured of the lawless life in the bush. Henceforth
there were no more fresh recruits in the Western District Banditti, and
one by one the remaining members of the gang established by Frank
Gardiner came to the inevitable goal--the grave or the gaol for
long-sentenced prisoners.



CHAPTER XIV.


BEN HALL IN EXTREMITY.


Shortly after the shooting of O'Meally, Gilbert disappeared from public
view, and there were rumours that he and Hall had quarrelled and
separated. That they had separated soon became evident, as Hall
committed several robberies single-handed, and was known to be acting
alone. This was before Gordon and Dunleavy joined him; and Gilbert was
not present at any of the robberies in which Hall and the two men named
engaged.

Hall had one very narrow escape from arrest while acting alone. He had
returned to his old quarters at Wheogo, and had apparently been hard
pressed, for he was almost famished with hunger, had only one boot on,
and could scarcely walk when he alighted from his horse, his lameness
being caused, so he said, by a bite from some insect in the bush. In
this condition he called at Sandy Creek Station, and stayed there for a
day and a half, making the owner cook his meals, and refusing to let any
of the station hands leave the place. On the second morning two troopers
and a black tracker rode up. Hall at once ran out of the kitchen, where
his breakfast was being cooked, leaped on his mare and set off at a
gallop towards the slip-rails; but to reach them he was compelled to
ride within ten yards of the black tracker and one policeman. Before
they had realised the situation, Hall had nearly passed them, but then
they saw who he was, and the trooper fired, calling upon the black boy to
do likewise. The shots did not tell, however, and Hall's return fire was
equally futile. There was a short and fruitless chase; Hall was on a
horse that was a splendid goer, and soon outdistanced his pursuers, who
returned to the station and demanded his rifle, which they said he must
have left behind. Wilson denied that Hall had any rifle when he came
there. The troopers then searched the place, but no rifle was to be
found, and disappointed at losing Hall they arrested Wilson for
harbouring him, at the same time telling him to get his horse and go
with them. This he did, and very shortly thereafter was being escorted
to Forbes in custody.

Meanwhile Hall was not far off. He had doubled back, and was watching
the movements of the troopers from a convenient "rise" in the ground, no
greater distance than 150 yards away. The police did not see him, but
Wilson did, and in reply to a statement from one of the troopers, when
some distance along the road, to the effect that they had at any rate
sent Hall some distance for his breakfast, Wilson informed them that if
they sent the tracker back he would find the hoof marks of a horse with
only one shoe on at the spot indicated. But the police would not believe
him, and pushed along the road with their prisoner.

In less than an hour after the troopers had left the place Hall
reappeared, much to the surprise of the man who remained in charge. He
led his horse up to the kitchen and said to the man "Good morning, old
fellow. I have been watching them take my cook, and must now finish
cooking my breakfast myself." He then breakfasted on five eggs with bread
and butter, and two pints of coffee, and finally departed, leaving a
message for the police that he had been back to secure the meal of which
they thought they had deprived him.

A month had not elapsed before another sensational attack disclosed the
fact that Hall and Gilbert had again come together, and that a young
fellow about eighteen years of age, named Johnny Dunn, had fully cast in
his lot with them. As previously stated, the bushrangers were as anxious
to obtain good horses as they were to secure good firearms, and several
well-known racehorses had been stolen from their owners, including Mr.
Chisholm's Troubadour. They were invariably well mounted, and the speed
and endurance of their steeds were frequently put to the test by the
hurried journeys from one place to another, the gang not infrequently
covering eighty or ninety, and on one or two occasions fully a hundred
miles in the twenty-four hours. None but good horses would suit them and
none but good horses would they have; and these they were repeatedly
changing, having fresh mounts always available.

Races had been fixed to take place at Young, and no less than five noted
race horses had been despatched from Cowra to take part therein--Dick
Turpin, Jemmy Martin, Duke of Athol, Hollyhock, and Bergamot. The
knowledge that the bushrangers were somewhere in the Lambing Flat
neighbourhood had made the owners of these horses more than ordinarily
careful; hence they travelled together, and as Troopers McNamara and
Scott, of the Bathurst mounted police, had, on the day of their starting,
arrived from Bathurst, they accompanied the racing contingent, donning
plain clothes for the journey.

At the Koorawatha Inn, Bang Bang, a temporary halt was called, and the
horses properly stabled, while the party proceeded to take their ease in
the verandah. While sitting here they were suddenly startled by the
appearance of three splendidly-mounted men, who without ceremony rode up
to the verandah, covered them with their revolvers, and called upon them
to throw up their hands. This they did as a matter of course, and while
Hall, who was well-known to one or two of the party, stood guard over
them, his two companions, Gilbert and Dunn--although the latter's
identity was doubtful, and he was thought to be a ticket-of-leaver named
Long White--rode to the gateway leading into the yard. Here the two
troopers were busily engaged grooming their horses, which were standing
in the yard unbridled and feeding. They were startled by hearing a voice
commanding them to "leave them horses", and to find themselves covered
by a carbine and revolver.

The troopers not immediately complying with the request, one of the
bushrangers, flourishing his revolver, again exclaimed "I say once more,
leave them horses!" On this Scott and McNamara drew their revolvers, and
a brisk exchange of shots commenced. Soon the troopers advanced, Scott
chasing Hall up the road, while Gilbert and Dunn posted themselves
behind trees on the further side of the road, commanding the inn. When
Scott returned, Gilbert fired at him: the ball struck the ground close
to where the constable was standing and ricocheted into the hotel bar,
but without doing any injury. The bushrangers now retreated to a
distance, and after firing a final shot, left altogether. They had fired
between twenty-five and thirty shots during the action, and the
troopers, who had reserved their ammunition for closer quarters, only
nine. On leaving, Hall called out that they would come again directly,
and this the police fully expected they would do after reloading their
pieces. They therefore made every preparation for giving them a warm
reception, barricading the doors and loading with slugs the only
available weapon in the house--an old double-barrelled gun--and as early
as possible despatching a message to Cowra for assistance. The encounter
occupied about fifteen minutes.

A vigilant watch was kept until midnight, when Sir Frederick Pottinger
arrived with four troopers from Cowra; but as nothing further occurred
during the night two of these were sent back in the morning. Shortly
after daybreak the two troopers, Scott and MacNamara, proceeded to Young
with the race horses, where they arrived in safety at 5 o'clock in the
evening, while Sir Frederick scoured the bush in the neighbourhood.

As there was a danger that the gang might seize some of the crack horses
while taking their "breathings", a detachment of police was told off
to do duty on the course up to the termination of the race meeting, and
a police escort accompanied the horses on their departure from the
district.

Shortly after the unsuccessful raid at Bang Bang, Hall and his mates
reappeared at Canowindra, and stuck up Messrs. Pierce and Hilliar's
store. On the following night they revisited the homestead of Mr.
Rothery, but found the house so well prepared for them that they were
afraid to attack it. They, however, secured three or four of Mr.
Rothery's horses, and then set fire to a stack of hay, containing about
fourteen tons, which, with a large shed, was entirely consumed.

Then for a space that locality had rest. They had operated sufficiently
long in the Young and Carcoar districts to draw the main body of Western
and Southern police thither; this done they suddenly shifted ground,
making their appearance near Yass, about three days' ordinary journey
distant. One of their first exploits in the locality was sticking up the
coach than ran between Young and Yass. This exploit, however, realised
only about twenty-five pounds. For two hours the coach was detained, as
Hall said he expected other travellers to pass. A horseman and a carrier
coming along the road were stopped and overhauled, each of the
bushrangers taking from the loading on the latter's dray an assortment
of clothing and other things. Shortly after the coach had been permitted
to resume its journey a man named Barnes, who had been a special
constable at Goimbla after O'Meally had been shot, was stopped and well
flogged, Gilbert even proposing to lynch him.

The gang next lay in wait for the mail from Binalong to Yass; but a
party of police happened to be on the road in advance of the mail, and
seeing a camp fire near the road, they turned off to inspect. As they
rode forward they were challenged, and a volley discharged at them; and
before they could recover from their surprise, Hall and his mates were
galloping off. Each was mounted on a stolen racehorse, three of the
animals being recognised by the police as Harkaway, Teddington, and
Troubadour, the latter being used as a pack horse. The police reported
that one of the number was very close to Hall when he fired his
revolver, and that the flash covered the bandit's face, and it was
believed that he had been seriously wounded. Even a report of his death
was circulated--an untrue one, needless to say.

The traveller who carried much money about him during this reign of
terror invited loss, and all manner of dodges were resorted to by those
whom business called to travel to secrete money and valuables about
their persons, their horses or their vehicles, in order that the
bushrangers might not find it, should they happen to be stopped on the
road. I was acquainted with one carrier who proved a man of ready
resource in this direction. He had delivered a load of goods to a
storekeeper in one of the larger towns and had received a large sum in
payment, carriage at that time being high. He was afraid to trust his
treasure to the mail, and equally afraid to carry it about his own
person; and having obtained some back loading, the night before starting
on the return journey he unhooked the grease-horn which swung under his
dray, and having emptied it deposited the money in the bottom and then
replaced the fat. It proved a safe bank, and when he reached home his
"plant" of sovereigns was sound, though greasy. Had the bushrangers
molested him on the road--which they didn't--they would not have thought
of looking in the dirty grease-pot for booty.


THE SHOOTING OF SERGEANT PARRY.

So rapidly did mail robberies follow each other on the Southern road (I
have mentioned only one or two out of many) that the authorities
determined upon sending police guards with the coaches.

Early on the morning of 17th November, 1864, Hall, Gilbert and Dunn
appear to have resolved upon "making a day of it" on the main road near
Jugiong. Before many hours had passed they were standing guard over a
motley group of scared mortals, many of them residents of the immediate
locality, in a spot just off the road. They bailed up people in buggies,
drays and carts, horsemen and pedestrians, "without respect of persons,"
and for the time being well-dressed men of means were compelled to rub
shoulders with dust-begrimed carriers and unkempt swagmen, while
ladies--to be very correct, there was only one--had to stand cheek by
jowl with loose-robed Chinamen, the whole number bordering upon three score.
And over this little army sometimes three and sometimes only one of the
bushrangers stood guard. The reason of their being kept thus together
was obvious. If any of them had been permitted to enter the town the
presence of the gang on the road would have been made known before they
had accomplished their primary object, which was to intercept the mail
from Albury to Sydney. Hence all must wait until the mail arrived.
Before it came, however, a police constable was added to the throng: the
three attacked him one after the other, and when he had emptied his
revolver at them without effect he was compelled to surrender.

Shortly after this the Gundagai mail was seen approaching. There were on
the coach at the time Constable Roach, of the Yass police, who had gone
as guard of the mail on the previous day to Gundagai and was now
returning to his station, and Mr. Rose, Police Magistrate of Gundagai;
while two mounted troopers. Sub-Inspector O'Neil and Sergeant Parry, of
the Gundagai police, acted as the escort. When the bushrangers were
first sighted the two troopers were riding together behind the coach, a
short distance from it, but at a preconcerted signal they galloped to
the front, O'Neil confronting Hall and Dunn, and Parry exchanging shots
with Gilbert, who called on him to surrender, and then, taking more
deliberate aim with his gun, shot his opponent clean through the breast.
Parry fell dead from his saddle. By this time O'Neil had pretty well
expended his stock of ammunition, and seeing his companion fall before
Gilbert's fire he surrendered and was conducted to the "camp," where the
other prisoners still stood watching the proceedings and afraid to move.

On the termination of the fight Gilbert looked at the dead body of Parry
and said to one of the bystanders "I am sorry for him, for he was a
brave fellow; I don't like to shoot a man, and he's the first man I ever
shot, but I can't help the poor fellow now."

Meanwhile the coachman had retained his seat, as also had the Police
Magistrate; but Constable Roche had slipped out behind and disappeared
in the bush. The Police Magistrate had commanded him not to fire from
the coach and had advised him to get behind a tree within firing range;
but finding that one of his comrades had been shot and that the other
had surrendered he took to his heels. After all his conduct was only on
a par with that of the Police Magistrate, whose orders he was bound to
obey, and both were afterwards called to account for having shown the
white feather.

The mail was a heavy one, and the gang made a good haul from the bags,
in addition to about £100 gathered from the parties whom they had
previously bailed up. Shortly afterwards the bushrangers left. Parry's
body was placed upon one of the drays and taken to Jugiong, where a
magisterial investigation was held by Mr. Rose, and a verdict of wilful
murder was returned against Hall, Gilbert, and Dunn, for whose
apprehension warrants were there and then issued. The police were, of
course, active for some time after, with the usual want of result.

The shedding of Sergeant Parry's blood appears to have made the gang
more determined than ever in their attacks, knowing that they could not
expect any mercy if they fell into the hands of the authorities. Hall
began to make enquiries as to the whereabouts of the Bishop of Goulburn
and the Attorney-General, who were travelling in the district, saying
that he intended to bail them up and hold them in custody until the
Government granted him and Gilbert a pardon.

The gang found it prudent, however, to get right away from the district
and to keep away, for a time at least; and they were next heard of as
having crossed the Lachlan, making for their old quarters near
Canowindra, and subscribing towards some races that were to be held at
Bandon. But they kept very quiet, and did not engage in any sensational
exploits; and while the police were making efforts to discover their
hiding place in this locality, they suddenly reappeared on the Goulburn
and Braidwood side.

This time they found one man, at any rate, who was not inclined to cower
before them. A Mr. William Macleay had been to Wagga Wagga, and had
reached Goulburn on his return journey to Sydney, when he heard that
Hall, Gilbert and Dunn were on the road in advance of him, and that they
had held the road for several hours that morning near Towrang,
successfully sticking up a large number of people. But he was not to be
deterred from prosecuting his journey, and proceeded along the road in
his buggy, with a boy as driver. On reaching Towrang, and at different
places on the road between that place and Shelley's Flats, he was told
that the bushrangers were riding leisurely along the road ahead of him,
but he saw nothing of them until he sighted the hill which looked down
upon Plum's inn, at the Flats just mentioned. Some half mile or so from
the top of the hill he met the up-coach and was informed by the
passengers that they had just been stuck up and then allowed to proceed
on towards Goulburn. They pointed out to Mr. Macleay the bushrangers on
the hill, where there were some teams and a number of people stuck up,
and endeavoured to persuade him either to return, or at all events to
send his arms (a Tranter revolver and a Tranter revolving rifle) back in
the coach to Goulburn, as he could scarcely contend by himself against
three. Mr. Macleay, however, preferred to go on and keep his arms. When
he approached within three or four hundred yards of the gang, who were
dismounted and apparently engaged in ransacking some cases taken from
the drays, he got out of his buggy and told the boy to drive the horses
slowly along the middle of the road, while he, rifle in hand, walked on
the right hand side. The robbers immediately discontinued their work,
mounted their horses, and cantered into the bush on the left hand side
of the road. Mr. Macleay walked on to where the people were standing,
and inquired whether they had not been stuck-up, but could get no
answer, as they appeared afraid to give him any information. He then
proceeded down the hill towards Plum's (half a mile off), still walking,
while the boy drove the buggy, and reached the bottom of the hill
without seeing anything more of the bushrangers. At that point the land
was cleared on both sides and fenced in. Mr. Macleay then got into his
buggy, about three hundred yards from Plum's, and told his boy to drive
on rapidly to the inn. He had scarcely entered the buggy when two of the
bushrangers rode after him from the left hand side of the road, and one
of them fired at him without effect. On reaching Plum's, he found a
number of persons collected there for a wedding; while he was speaking
to them, the bushrangers dismounted at the comer of a paddock on the
road side, near the spot where he was when they fired at him, and
remained there for a few moments, apparently in consultation. He was
anxious to get Plum's verandah cleared ol the people, most of whom were
females, before fighting began; as soon as this could be done, he went
to the comer of the verandah to fire at the bushrangers, who at once
mounted their horses and rode off. He fired one shot at them, apparently
without effect, and saw them no more; but ten minutes after they had
ridden off two troopers from Marulan came up, and shortly after four
more from Goulburn. These immediately set out in the direction taken by
Hall and his mates, but they did not happen to come up with them.

The news of Mr. Macleay's daring movement reached Sydney before him, and
he arrived at home to find his praises being loudly sung in public.

Macleay's, however, was an isolated case. Mail robberies again became
frequent, and every day brought some fresh case of highway robbery.
Towards the end of February the Goulburn police came into actual
collision with the gang and very nearly succeeded in capturing them in
the barn of a house on Breadalbane Plains: in this encounter Hall was
wounded and a trooper was shot in the leg. It is refreshing to find that
the combatants were at last beginning to shoot fairly straight.

A day or two afterwards a man out looking for a horse came across a
number of letters in the bush. He gave information, and Captain Zouch
proceeded to the spot, where he recovered as many letters as were
sufficient to half fill a three bushel bag, and drafts and cheques to
the value of about £7600.

Not long after this the gang took complete possession of the road near
Collector, and stopped no less than twelve carriers with their drays,
keeping them together in a crowd while they overhauled the loading. One
or the other of the bushrangers meanwhile kept a look-out for other
travellers, and brought them up to the "camp," until there were about
thirty under their charge. From these they took various amounts ranging
from 2s 6d up to £11 12s, together with such watches and other valuables
as pleased their taste.

They broke open several of the cases and helped themselves to bottled
porter, biscuits, &c., and added to their arms a good double-barrel gun
that was among the goods. While the bushrangers were thus engaged Judge
Meymot passed the spot on his regular circuit work, attended by the
regulation escort--two troopers on horseback. He saw one of the
bushrangers, and so did the troopers, for Gilbert rode out from the bush
and one of the troopers immediately started in pursuit. But the judge
called him back, and as the bushrangers did not appear to think it worth
while to attack the judge, he reached Collector without molestation. The
local police at once started out in search, attended by the two troopers
who had acted as escort to the judge, and by a magistrate and a
civilian. But the bushrangers had shifted ground, and shortly afterwards
entered the township, and proceeded to stick up Kimberley's inn. Ben
Hall and Gilbert entered the house, Dunn being left outside. Presently
he gave the alarm, "Constables coming." "You can manage them. Jack,"
said Hall, and Dunn went out to meet the danger, which he had somewhat
exaggerated. A solitary constable--Samuel Nelson, the one man of the
force who had been left in the town--had heard the firing, and rightly
concluded that the bushrangers were near at hand. Seizing his carbine
and fixing his bayonet he at once proceeded in the direction of
Kimberley's hotel, walking smartly along the road by the fence. Behind
the fence Dunn crouched, and, with revolver at the "ready," awaited the
nearer approach of the hurrying constable. Almost out of breath with the
haste which he had been making, Nelson was within ten yards of the place
when the bushranger suddenly jumping up cried out '"Stand! Go back!" at
the same time firing his revolver. The shot took effect; but Nelson
staggered on towards his assailant. Before he could recover himself,
Dunn raised his rifle and fired, and Nelson fell shot through the heart.
Dunn went back to his mates and told them what he had done; they
stripped the corpse of belt and carbine and rode off with all the booty
they had accumulated.

Subsequently the police who had gone out sighted them on the brow of a
hill and immediately gave chase; but the bushrangers leaped their horses
over logs and plunged into the bush. The night being very dark, their
pursuers lost sight of them, and returned to Collector.

On the following day an inquest was held upon the body of the
unfortunate Constable Nelson, and a verdict of wilful murder was
returned against Dunn, and against Hall and Gilbert for aiding and
abetting. The murdered man had been in the police force for some years,
and was greatly respected. He left a widow and eight children, and it is
satisfactory to know that these received consideration at the hands of
the Government and the public at a later date, although no monetary
allowance could compensate them for the bread winner who had laid down
his life on the altar of duty.

The gang now beset the Goulburn to Braidwood road, sticking up the mail
coach and many travellers, and coming occasionally into conflict with
the police; they also made an attempt on the gold escort coming from
Araluen to Braidwood. But before the end of March they had forsaken this
field of prolific adventure and returned to their old haunts on the
Lachlan. Here they visited several stations for choice horses which they
knew to be there, and appropriated such as they deemed best suited for
their purpose, generally leaving in exchange those they had ridden
almost to breaking-down point in the service. Thus it was that sooner or
later the owners of the "bloods" that were taken in different parts of
the country regained their valuable steeds, but all considerably "the
worse for wear". Among other places visited about this time were
Strickland's Bundaburra Station, Bowler's Gumbidgiwa Station, and
Atkins', at the Billabong. But the one exploit which again directed all
eyes to that quarter was a raid upon one of the principal stores in
Forbes, made at a late hour one Saturday night in March. This resulted
in a booty of about £80 in cash, and nearly as much in clothing and
other stores. There was, of course, great excitement in the town, and
the police were informed of the visit shortly after the gang had left
the store; but, as it happened, there were no men available for
immediate pursuit, and the robbers were far enough away, or safely
enough hidden, before their tracks through the town had been picked up.


THE ACT OF OUTLAWRY.

The continued outrages of the bushrangers, and the powerlessness of the
police to capture or shoot them, as may be readily imagined, gave the
Government great concern, and at last they determined to resort to
extreme measures. At every sitting of Parliament the subject was
referred to, and every individual representative of the people was
prepared to propound a scheme for the capture of the gang which should
prove more effective than any that had yet been tried. Volunteers had
more than once been engaged in the infested districts, to work
independently of the police; the police force had been strengthened to
the fullest limit possible, the cream of the force being sent into the
bush with almost unlimited powers at their command; but the bushrangers
had laughed at both alike, defied both alike, outwitted both alike. It
was then decided to pass an Act--the Felons Apprehension Act--which
should make the bushrangers outlaws, and place it within the power of
anyone who might come across them to shoot them down like dogs. How
stringent the provisions of this Act were may be seen from the following
summary of its provisions.

The first section was to the effect that against any person charged on
oath made before a justice of the peace with the commission of a felony
punishable by law with death, and who might be at large, a warrant might
be issued. Any judge of the Supreme Court, being satisfied by affidavit
of these facts, was empowered to issue a bench warrant for the
apprehension of the person so charged, and to order the insertion of a
summons in the "Government Gazette" requiring the accused person to
surrender himself on or before a given day and at a place specified to
abide his trial for the crime of which he stood accused. The judge might
also direct the publication of such summons in such manner and form as
should appear to him to be best calculated to bring such summons to the
knowledge of the accused.

Section two ran as follows:-


If the person so charged shall not surrender himself for trial pursuant
to such summons or shall not be apprehended or being apprehended or
having surrendered shall escape so that he shall not be in custody on
the day specified in such summons he shall upon proof thereof by
affidavit to the Judge of the Supreme Court and of the due publication
of the summons be deemed outlawed, and shall and may thereupon be
adjudged and declared to be an outlaw accordingly by such Judge by a
declaration to that effect under his hand filed in the said Court of
Record. And if after Proclamation by the Governor with the advice of the
Executive Council of the fact of such adjudication shall have been
published in the "Gazette" and in one or more Sydney and one or more
country newspapers such outlaw shall afterwards be found at large armed
or there being reasonable grounds to believe that he is armed it shall
be lawful for any of Her Majesty's subjects whether a constable or not
and without being accountable for using of any deadly weapon in aid of
such apprehension whether its use be preceded by a demand of surrender
or not to apprehend or take such outlaw alive or dead.


Section three enacted that proclamation should be evidence of outlawry;
and Section four read as follows:-


If after such proclamation any person shall voluntarily and knowingly
harbour conceal or receive or give any aid shelter or sustenance to such
outlaw or provide him with firearms or any other weapon or with
ammunition or any horse equipment or other assistance or directly or
indirectly give or cause to be given to him or any of his accomplices
information tending or with intent to facilitate the commission by him
of further crime or to enable him to escape from justice or shall
withhold information or give false information concerning such outlaw
from or to any Officer of Police or Constable in quest of such
outlaw--the person so offending shall be guilty of felony and being
thereof convicted shall forfeit all his lands as well as goods and shall
be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour for such period
not exceeding fifteen years as the Court shall determine and no
allegation or proof by the party so offending that he was at the time
under compulsion shall be deemed a defence unless he shall as soon as
possible afterwards have gone before a Justice of the Peace or some
officer of the Police Force and then to the best of his ability given
full information respecting such outlaw and make a declaration on oath
voluntarily and fully of the facts connected with such compulsion.


The fifth Section had reference to the form of indictment under the
previous section, and the sixth enacted that--


Any justice or officer of the police force having reasonable cause to
suspect that an outlaw or accused person summoned under the provisions
of this Act is concealed or harboured in or on any dwelling house or
premises may alone or accompanied by any persons acting in his aid and
either by day or by night demand admission into and if refused admission
may break and enter such dwelling house or premises and therein
apprehend every person whom he shall have reasonable ground for
believing to be such outlaw or accused person and may thereupon seize
all arms found in or on such house or premises and also apprehend all
persons found in or about the same whom such justice or officer shall
have reasonable ground for believing to have concealed harboured or
otherwise succoured or assisted such outlaw or accused person. And all
persons and arms so apprehended and seized shall be forthwith taken
before some convenient justice of the peace to be further dealt with and
disposed of according to law.


The seventh section made it lawful for any police officer or constable
in the pursuit of any outlaw to demand and take and use any horses not
being in actual employment on the road; and also arms, saddles, forage,
sustenance, equipments, or ammunition required for the purposes of the
pursuit. The eighth section fixed the duration of the Act--which was to
continue in force for the period of one year from the date of its
passing; and the last remaining section enacted that transfer or
conveyance of the property of harbourers should be voided on their
committal.

A more drastic measure could not well be conceived, and there can be
found in it a very fair reflection of the feeling of unrest which
stirred the breasts of the people's representatives and moved them to
its passing. When it is remembered, however, that it was directed, not
against a large and powerful force, but against less than half a dozen
young men, it will be seen that it was also a lamentable confession of
the inoperativeness of British law, and of the weakness of the
peace-preserving machinery of the country. Nevertheless, it, or
something like it, appeared to be necessary; and it had the merit of
inspiring the police, who had hitherto proved inefficient all along the
line, with the hope of reward; although at the same time it might
terrify settlers in the infested districts with the fear of undeserved
punishment.

In due course of time after the passing of the Act, Hall, Gilbert, and
Dunn were formally commanded through the "Gazette" and newspapers, by
summons under the hand of the Chief Justice, to surrender, the affidavit
and information necessary thereto having been judicially made and laid.
As they did not surrender, the next step was to issue the following:-


PROCLAMATION.

By His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir John Young, Baronet, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross
of St. Michael and St. George, Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of
the Colony of New South Wales, and Vice-Admiral of the same.

Whereas on the 12th day of April last, an information was duly filed in
the Supreme Court of New South Wales, by the Honourable John Bayley
Darvell, Esquire, Her Majesty's Attorney General for the said Colony,
charging John Gilbert, Benjamin Hall, and John Dunn with the crime of
Murder; And whereas by writ of Summons, bearing date the seventeenth day
of April last, under the hand and seal of Sir Alfred Stephen, Knight
Commander of the Bath, Chief Justice of the said Colony, the said John
Gilbert, Benjamin Hall, and John Dunn were, under and in pursuance of
"The Felons' Apprehension Act", duly summoned to surrender themselves
into the custody of the Gaoler of Her Majesty's Gaol at Goulburn, on or
before Saturday, the twenty-ninth day of April last, to abide their
trial severally for that crime: And whereas the said John Gilbert,
Benjamin Hall, and John Dunn did not, nor did any one or more of them
surrender themselves or himself as required by the said summons: And
whereas the said Sir Alfred Stephen, Knight, as such Chief Justice as
aforesaid, hath, by a declaration to that effect under his hand bearing
date the eighth day of May instant, duly adjudged and declared each of
them the said John Gilbert*, and John Dunn to be an Outlaw: Now I, the
Governor aforesaid, by and with the advice of the Executive Council of
the said Colony, in pursuance of the authority in me vested under and by
virtue of the said Act, do hereby notify and declare that each of them,
the said John Gilbert and John Dunn, was on the eighth day of May
instant, duly adjudged and declared to be an Outlaw by the said Sir
Alfred Stephen, as such Chief Justice as aforesaid, by a declaration to
that effect under his hand, and that the said declaration was, on the
said eighth day of May filed in the said Court of Record.

[* Ben Hall had been shot (see _infra_) before May 8, and his name is
therefore omitted here.]

Given under my Hand and Seal, at Government House, Sydney, this tenth
day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five, and in the twenty-eighth year of Her Majesty's Reign. (L.S.)
JOHN YOUNG.

By His Excellency's Command.

CHARLES COWPER. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!


Thus the clouds of doom gathered thick around the heads of the denounced
murderers; and those who aided them in any way were also threatened with
penalties of the heaviest kind. Although until the actual proclamation
of the outlawry the severest penalties of the new law were not incurred,
yet, as was set out in the Chief Justice's summons, the ordinary
criminal law provided for the punishment of all who gave assistance in
any manner to the accused criminals, for the purpose of enabling them or
either of them to elude justice, and such persons were warned that they
might "become thereby accessories to the murders with which those
parties stand accused". After the proclamation of outlawry on loth May
the penalties against harbourers, "telegraphs," and others were made
still more stringent, and any persons giving the slightest aid to the
outlaws rendered themselves liable to the punishment of fifteen years'
hard labour on the roads, with forfeiture of all real and personal
property, without any reference whatever to the crimes with which the
outlaws stood charged. As to the outlaws themselves, as has been stated,
anyone could kill them; one, indeed, had already been shot like a mad
dog.

After the robbery of Jones' store at Forbes the three bushrangers had no
rest night or day. The police by this time had become well acquainted
with their haunts, and were always watching the dwellings of those who
were known to be sympathisers, so that they were compelled to move with
the utmost caution when near those places; in addition to which the bush
was, to use the words of one who moved with them, "literally alive with
police". With every avenue of escape closely watched and every place of
shelter as carefully guarded, the wretched men were driven to seek
temporary rest among the fastnesses of the mountains; but even here they
were not safe; and they appear to have realised that their race was
nearly run. Only one or two stations were visited after they left Forbes
on the night of Jones' robbery, and before a month had elapsed, the
meshes closed around the leader of the gang.

Hall had separated from Gilbert and Dunn for the time being, and had
visited a house with the occupants of which he was reported to have held
a somewhat close connection. It was believed, indeed, that certain
moneys banked in Forbes by the head of the household had really been
placed there for Ben Hall, from whose hands he had received it; and that
Hall was camped in the bush close by, waiting to obtain some of the
money, when the police surprised and shot him. The manner of the
shooting is still in dispute. The police evidence, which I give,
certainly tells part of the story, but probably not the whole truth.

Giving evidence before the Coroner at Forbes, James Henry Davidson,
Sub-Inspector of Police, declared as follows:-


On last Saturday morning, 29th April, I left the police camp Forbes, and
started with five men and two trackers in pursuit of the bushrangers,
Hall, Gilbert and Dunn. On the evening of the fifth day from leaving
Forbes we came upon two horses hobbled in the scrub, about 12 miles from
Forbes, near the Billybong Creek. We watched the horses for about half
an hour when we saw a man approach, who caught the horses; he passed
close by where we were standing; he caught the horses and led them away
about 100 yards. This was about 10 o'clock in the evening. We did not
recognise the man; he took the horses about 100 yards and hobbled them
again. Shortly afterwards the tracker, Billy Dargin, informed me that he
heard the man he saw lead away and hobble the horses making a noise
among the dead leaves, as though he was preparing a bed for himself. I
then placed five of the men in my charge where we were standing and went
with Sergeant Condell and Billy Dargin on the other side of the man,
with the intention of attacking him in his camp, should we discover that
he was Ben Hall. We could not get within 100 yards of the man, in
consequence of his horses snorting at our approach. I then determined to
wait until daybreak. About half-past six in the morning I saw a man with
a bridle in his hand about 150 yards from where I was, approaching the
horses. By this time the horses were feeding on a plain, bordering the
scrub, and when the man was about half way from the border of the scrub
to the horses, myself. Sergeant Condell and Billy Dargin ran after him.
After running about 50 yards, the man became aware of our presence, and
ran in the direction where the five men were posted. By this time I had
identified the man as Ben Hall. I several times called on him to stand.
After running about 100 yards, I got within 40 yards of Hall and fired
at him with a double barrelled gun. Hall after my firing jumped a little
and looked back, and from his movements I have reason to believe that I
hit him. Sergeant Condell and Dargin the tracker fired immediately
afterwards; they were running a little to the left of me and not far
away. From the manner of Hall I have every reason to believe that
Condell's and Dargin's shots took effect. From that time he ran more
slowly towards a few saplings. The five police, who were stationed
beyond him, immediately ran towards him and fired. I noticed trooper
Hipkiss firing at Hall with a rifle and immediately afterwards the belt
holding his revolvers fell off him. At this time he held himself up by a
sapling, and upon receiving Hipkiss' fire he gradually fell backwards.
Several other shots were fired afterwards. There were about 30 shots in
all. Hall then cried out, "I am wounded, shoot me dead!" I then went up
to the body, and noticed that life was extinct. I also observed that the
bullet fired by Hipkiss passed through his body. I searched the body;
there was £74 in notes in two chamois leather bags--one in his trousers
pocket, the other in his coat breast pocket--three gold chains and a
gold watch, a portrait of a female, three revolvers, and a number of
bullets in his pockets, and a gold ring keeper on his fingers. Along
with his saddle was a quantity of wearing apparel; there were also two
single blankets. I know the body to be that of Ben Hall. His clothing I
observed to be perforated with bullets. We caught the horses, and fixed
the body of deceased on the saddle, and in this manner brought him to
Forbes.


Sergeant Condell's story was corroborative of that told by Davidson. He
said that when he fired at Hall he aimed at his back between the
shoulders, and believed he hit him. He also stated that when Hall had
hold of the sapling he cried out twice, "I am dying! I am dying!" and
then it was that the full volley from the other men was poured into him,
after which he threw out his feet convulsively, and rolled over dead.

Of the thirty shots fifteen took effect, and when examined subsequently
the body was found literally perforated with bullets; there were three
holes in the head, four in the left shoulder, two in the right side, and
others in other parts of the body.

During the day the body was tied up and packed on the saddle found in
the bushranger's camp, and brought into Forbes on one of the horses
which he had ridden to the spot--a favourite animal of Mr. Bowler's,
named Tomboy, which had been stolen from Gumbidgewa station about a
fortnight before. There was great excitement in Forbes when the news
arrived, and after the body had been brought in people flocked to the
barracks to view the remains of the man whose name for so long a time
had been a terror. At the inquest which followed the police told their
story, as I have given it here. Billy Dargin, the black tracker--a most
intelligent aboriginal--subsequently told a different story when
wandering about the country, which indicated that the bushranger
received most of his wounds when lying on the ground.

The body was buried in Forbes on the Sunday following, relatives and
friends attending the funeral as genuine mourners. It is said that the
miniature found upon his person after death by the police was that of a
favourite sister--then living near Maitland--and that he had constantly
carried it about with him during his three years of bushranging. The
reward of £1000 was duly paid over--£500 going to his betrayer and £500
to the police.

It is probable that Gilbert and Dunn were somewhere in the locality when
Hall was shot. A few days afterwards they were seen near Marengo, making
their way in the direction of Yass. At this time they presented a very
jaded appearance, while their horses were much blown and nearly
knocked-up, having evidently been ridden very hard. A few days after
this they appeared at the Rocky Ponds, near Binalong, where they stole
fresh horses, leaving those they had been riding in exchange; but they
do not appear to have committed any other robberies, their object in
visiting that part being to obtain temporary shelter and rest at the
house of a farmer named Kelly, who was Dunn's grandfather, and had on
previous occasions harboured the bushrangers.

Whether the penal clauses of the Felons' Apprehension Act bearing upon
harbourers had intimidated the old man, or the large reward offered for
the apprehension of the bushrangers tempted him, I cannot say; but that
he received them only to betray them does not admit of any question.
Gilbert and Dunn reached his house on Friday, 12th May. On the evening
of the same day the Binalong police were watching the house, a watch
which they preserved during the whole night, themselves being hidden.
But as nothing occurred to warrant any further forward movement, at
daybreak they returned to the police station. An hour after their
return, however, fresh information was conveyed to them, and they at
once retraced their steps to Kelly's, where they arrived at about 9
o'clock. After they had been waiting for about an hour, watching the
family move about, they made for the door, and Kelly, seeing them,
exclaimed in a loud voice, "Look out! the house is surrounded by
troopers."

The police then rushed the hot, firing through a closed door into an
inner room, and the two bushrangers bolted out through a paddock to a
creek. Here Gilbert took up a position behind a tree and aimed at the
constables with his revolving rifle, but it missed fire; he then went
down the bank, and two policemen almost simultaneously fired at him as
he was running along the dry creek bed. He fell immediately. Dunn ran
off, hotly pursued, and escaped in the scrub.

On the day following an inquest was held at Binalong upon Gilbert's
remains, and the jury returned the following verdict:- "That the said
John Gilbert came to Us death by a gunshot wound inflicted on Saturday,
May 13th, 1865, near Binalong, in the said colony, by one of the
constables in the police force of New South Wales, in the execution of
their duty, and that they were justified in inflicting the said wounds
which caused his death." The jury further expressed their approval of
the conduct of the constables in so gallantly attacking the bushrangers
and fighting one of them to the death. After the inquest the body was
kept for a time at the Binalong police barracks, and there was some talk
of having a plaster-of-Paris cast of the face taken; but whether this
intention was ever carried out I cannot say. The remains of the dead
outlaw were, without much ceremony, subsequently interred in the police
paddock at Binalong.

From the time that his name came prominently before the public in
connection with the Eugowra Escort Robbery to the time of his death,
Gilbert had participated in the following crimes:-


1862.

June 15.--Attacked the Gold Escort at Eugowra Creek, carried off a large
amount of gold, and wounded one of the police.

1863.

February 2.--Robbed a store at Spring Creek, and stole a saddle and
bridle.

March 14.--Robbed store at Fisher's Creek; stole saddle, bridle and
watch.

May 16.--Robbed Mr. Barnes' store at Cootamundra, and attempted to fire
the place.

May 29.--Stole a racehorse at Burrowa.

June 1.--Robbed a store at Spring Creek.

June 7.--Robbed a store at Possum Flat.

June 16.--Stole two racehorses at Currawang.

June 29.--Robbed several travellers on the Forbes Road.

July 3.--Robbed a man of money, watch and chain on the Lambing Flat
road.

July 13.--Robbed a man of £7 near Burrowa.

July 30.--Robbed a store at Caloola of money and goods to the value of
£300.

August 19.--Stole two horses from the Burthong Station, near Young.

August 24.--Robbed four storekeepers on the Hurricane Gully road.

August 27.--Robbed, two stores at Tirnee.

August 29.--Robbed Mr. Edmunds' house at Demondrill.

September 19.--Robbed the mail from Cowra to Bathurst.

September 24.--Robbed Mr. Hosie's store at Caloola.

October 10.--Assisted in the raid on Bathurst.

October 24.--Attacked Mr. Keightley's house at Dunn's Plains, on which
occasion Burke was shot.

November 19.--Attacked Mr. Campbell's house at Goimbla, when O'Meally
was shot.

December.--Robbed the mail from Burrowa to Binalong.

December 9.--Robbed the mail from Binalong to Yass; also, stole two
horses from Mr. Garry of Mylora.

December 16.--Stole a horse belonging to Mr. R. Salmon.

1864.

October 29.--Robbed the mail from Albury to Yass; robbed a store at
Jugiong of a quantity of goods; also, stole two horses.

October 27.--Robbed Mr. McCaush's store at Bagan Bagan, of jewellery,
&c.; robbed a Chinaman of money and a gold watch.

November 8.--Stole from Rossiville, near Goulburn, jewellery, three
horses, and some saddlery.

November 9.--Robbed the Sydney mail, six miles from Goulburn.

November 11.--Robbed the mail from Yass to Goulburn.

November 15.--Robbed the mail from Gundagai to Yass, firing on the
police and killing Sergeant Parry.

November 19.--Stole three horses from the Bolero station.

December 10.--Stole some property from Mr. McLachlan, of Young.

December 25.--Robbed and burned Mr. Morris's store, at Binda.

December 10.--Robbed Mr. Davidson's store at Murrumbah Plains.

1865.

January 19.--Robbed a store at Wheogo.

January 24.--Robbed John Ross and others on the Yass road.

January 27.--Robbed a public house near Collector, when Constable Nelson
was mortally wounded by Dunn.

February 6.--Robbed the Braid wood mail, twelve miles from Goulburn.

February 18.--Stole three horses, at Molonglo.

February 23.--Had an encounter with the Goulburn police at Mutbilly, when
Constable Wiles was wounded.

March 5.--Robbed the Goulburn and Gundaroo mail, at Geary's Gap.

March 13.--Robbed the Araluen Escort, when two constables were wounded;
stole two horses from Jinglemoney.

March 21.--Took two horses from Suitor's station.

March 23.--Stole two racehorses of Mr. Morton's.

March 25.--Robbed Jones' store at Forbes of £80 in cash and goods valued
at £50.

April 10.--Robbed Watts' public house at Newrea, the White Horse Inn, at
White Rock, and Gultimore's store, taking £48 in cash and £30 worth of
goods.


Shortly after the last-mentioned robbery he was killed.

The reward offered by the Government was apportioned as follows:- To the
informer, £500; to Senior-constable Hales. £150; to Constable Bright,
£130; to Constable King. £120; and to Constable Hall. £100.

By the death of this notorious scoundrel the gang was fairly broken up.
Two of the gang--Vane and Dunleavy--had saved their lives by giving
themselves up; two others--Burke and O'Meally--had been shot down by
settlers whose homesteads they had attacked; and two others--Hall and
Gilbert, the two acknowledged leaders--had been betrayed by trusted
associates and fallen dead before the fire of the police. Only one--John
Dunn--now remained to be accounted for, and as he had been wounded in
the leg by a bullet during the encounter in which his last remaining
mate had fallen, and had, furthermore, made his escape on foot, it was
thought impossible for him to evade capture for any length of time.

Dunn evidently realised his danger. Wounded as he was--he carried a
bullet in his leg--had he not been afraid to trust those who had
befriended him in the past, he would no doubt have sought refuge in one
or other of their houses for a time. But the only alternative before him
now was flight. Had the Binalong police followed up the pursuit speedily
it is probable that they would have succeeded in running the fugitive
down before he succeeded in obtaining a horse, as he soon did. Reaching
Mr. Julien's station, near Bogolong, about ten miles from Binalong, he
demanded and obtained from Mrs. Julien--the men folk were away--a horse,
saddle and bridle; and, well-mounted, but evidently weak from loss of
blood, which had flowed freely from his wound and covered his clothes,
he set out across country, taking back tracks and unfrequented roads,
with the object of passing away from his old haunts unobserved. He rode
hard and long without rest. Water was scarce, and time was too precious
to spend in searching for it. He overtaxed his horse's strength at last,
and as the poor beast staggered and fell beneath him, he opened his
knife, cut its throat, drank the hot blood, and then lay down in the
dead horse's narrow shade until the sun sank below the western horizon,
when he "humped his swag" and resumed his flight, making his way by the
help of the stars. Near daylight he reached a small, lonely out-station;
he was nearly exhausted and was obliged to ask for rations, after he had
drunk his fill at the waterhole. The stockman was away at the head
station, mustering; the wife was alone and was full of pity for the slim
lad with the heavy swag. After she had left him, and when he was
sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, she gave way to an impulse of
curiosity, opened the heavy swag which he had left on the table, and
shivered when she saw the weight was accounted for by two big loaded and
capped revolvers. She did it up again carefully, plied the lad with all
manner of good things to take with him when he went on refreshed, and,
enlightened by subsequent events, she told her children, and tells her
grand-children now, by the way, how she entertained Johnny Dunn at
breakfast.

For eight months after this nothing was heard of Dunn, and the
authorities concluded that he had either perished in the bush or had
escaped from the colony. But he was neither dead nor distant, and at the
expiration of the time stated the police at Bourke and Walgett received
certain information which led them to patrol the courses of the Culgoa,
Bemo and Bokara. They expected to find the missing outlaw working with
another bushranger named Ward, more generally known by the significant
title of "Thunderbolt". This was not true, but Dunn was in the
neighbourhood, having been engaged for some time as a horse-breaker on
one of the stations there. The police actually called at this station,
but the outlaw had by some means become aware of their proximity, and
had made off with one of the best colts on the run. Subsequently
Sergeant Flynn and Constable Drake, of the Walgett police, set out upon
a journey of sixty miles, which distance they covered in a day, and
encamped within sight of McPhail's station, on the Wammerawa Creek. Made
wise by the experience of the past the police adopted precautions,
fearing that even at this remote spot Dunn might have a "telegraph" on
the watch, ready to warn him of the approach of the police.

That these suspicions were correct and the precautions necessary was
proved by subsequent events. Dunn was not at the station, but a
confederate was, and at the very time the police arrived he was in
communication with the outlaw. After consulting the station owners the
constables arrested and questioned the confederate, who after a good
deal of hesitation agreed to lead them to their quarry. They approached
to within one hundred yards of Dunn's camp unobserved, and then it was
apparent that the "telegraph" had done its work. There stood Dunn,
holding a fine bay horse, which he was in the act of mounting--holding
the reins in one hand and a revolver in the other. The moment he saw the
police he vaulted into the saddle and challenged them to "Come on!" The
challenge was accepted, but the police soon realised that the horses
they rode were very inferior as racers to that upon which the outlaw was
mounted. For six long miles the chase was tenaciously maintained, Dunn
keeping just out of pistol shot, displaying a seat which proved him a
perfect horseman, and nursing his horse in a manner that indicated he
meant a long run for his life. Throughout the chase it did not appear
that Dunn desired to outstrip his pursuers, but rather to exhaust them,
and for this purpose he frequently waited until they approached within
three hundred yards of him, and then he would gradually increase the
distance again, leading them through tall wire brush ten feet high,
across broken swamps and plains, and lastly into a dense pine scrub,
known as "The Monkey". It was in the latter place the pursuers were
reluctantly compelled to relinquish the pursuit; and once more Dunn had
got clear away.

A fortnight elapsed, and then he was heard of as heading for his old
haunts in the Lachlan district, having a companion with him; but no
definite information concerning his movements could be obtained, until,
by the merest accident, a party of police who were on the look-out for
other game in a lonely part of the bush encountered him. Troopers
McHale, Hawthorne and Elliott, of the Canonbar police, had started out
in search of a sly-grog cart which was reported to be somewhere in the
neighbourhood of Perry's station on the Marthaguy; and at the same time
were keeping their eyes open in the hope of catching sight of a somewhat
notorious character named "Yellow George", half-caste, who was gazetted
as "wanted". Having called at the station they found that in order to
secure their quarry they must proceed very carefully, and they therefore
turned out their horses and continued their journey on foot, carrying
their blankets and provisions, as ordinary "swagsmen". They were making
for a certain hut occupied by a man named Walton, where "Yellow George"
was supposed to be, and as night came on before they had covered the
whole distance they camped until daylight, when they started again in
single file through a dense scrub, Elliott leading. When within a
quarter of a mile of the hut they reached an open space of ground, from
which they could see the building and sheep-yard, and they then made a
more rapid movement. As they drew nearer the hut, however, the sheep
dogs began to bark furiously, and as soon as this alarm was raised a man
was seen looking cautiously round the end of the hut. Catching sight of
Elliott, the man immediately bolted for the bush, Elliott giving chase
and McHale taking an opposite direction with the view of intercepting
the fugitive in running. But when putting on speed McHale noticed
another man (who turned out to be Dunn) running across the sheep yard,
and abandoning his first intention, gave chase to him. As Dunn jumped
the fence McHale noticed that he carried two revolvers, and calling upon
him to stand he drew his own revolver and fired at him, but missed.
Still keeping up the chase McHale saw that he was gaining on the
fugitive, and when within about seventy yards of him he again challenged
him and fired, the shot evidently passing close to Dunn's head, for he
suddenly jerked aside as he ran. McHale then cried, "Stand, if you're
Dunn, and fire!" and Dunn at once turned round to measure the distance
(as he afterwards declared), but before he could use his weapon, McHale
fired a third time, and with more effect, the shot wounding the outlaw
in the fleshy part of the back and causing him to fall forward heavily
on his face, while blood was seen to spurt through his shirt.

Even when wounded, however, Dunn was a formidable enemy, shooting McHale
in the thigh and keeping the others at bay until he had emptied his
revolvers. As soon as his last shot had been fired, he suddenly rose to
his feet and darted off, with Hawthorne and Elliott in hot pursuit.
McHale had been incapacitated from running by the wound he had received,
which was bleeding copiously, and he was compelled to lie down; but his
companions continued the pursuit and after a short run managed to
overtake and secure the wounded bushranger. Then "cooeying" for McHale
they awaited his arrival, and under his instructions Dunn was taken to
the station, and after a time removed to Dubbo, where he and McHale were
both handed over to the care of the local surgeon, who found them
suffering severely from the wound which each had inflicted upon the
other.

Dunn's wound, was pronounced by the medical attendant to be a very
dangerous one, and at one time his recovery was considered hopeless. So
bad did he become several days after his arrival that the doctor ordered
his irons to be struck off, as he had eaten nothing for two days and
appeared to be on the point of death. At this time he was incarcerated
in a room in the police barracks at Dubbo, with McHale as a fellow
lodger, and five other troopers in an adjoining room.

The last to look in upon the apparently dying outlaw were the constables
who returned to barracks from patrol duty in the town at one o'clock,
and as they passed through the room they noticed that both McHale and
Dunn were sleeping soundly. But some time after this McHale awoke and
was reaching over for a drink which had been placed at his bedside, when
he saw that the blankets which had been on Dunn's bed were lying in a
heap on the floor, and Dunn had disappeared. McHale at once raised the
alarm, and the other troopers came rushing in, to find that the prisoner
who had been so carefully guarded since his arrest, and who a few hours
previously had appeared too weak to move, had vanished.

Search was at once made for the missing man. The whole of Dubbo was in
an uproar. Sunday passed in fruitless efforts to find Dunn's tracks.
Towards dusk on Monday, a horse-driver named John Smith drove up to the
barracks and informed the constable in charge that he had come across
the man for whom everyone was searching. He had left Dubbo, he said, at
about two o'clock that day with his horse and dray for the purpose of
getting a load of wood; while engaged in his work, at about half past
four, a man bareheaded and barefooted came up to him, leaning on a
stick, and apparently in a very exhausted condition. This man asked for
a drink of water, and having obtained it lay down on the grass. Smith
taking a seat by his side. While lying on the grass the man asked Smith
if anyone was looking for him, and then Smith concluded that he was
Dunn. He further asked if Smith would take him to the river, and the
wood carter replied that he could not, as people were out looking for
him in every direction. "Ah!" said Dunn, "if it had only been Wednesday
night instead of Saturday night, I could have got clear." A boy on
horseback now came up, and Dunn asked if the lad would let him have the
horse, saddle, and bridle, at the same time expressing regret that he
did not feel as well as he did on the Wednesday night. He then put a few
questions concerning the lay of the houses about Dubbo and the direction
of Mudgee, which Smith explained to him, and Dunn said: "If I could have
got away on Wednesday night I expected to meet a friend with a good
horse, and then I would have put the traps at defiance." While Smith was
loading his dray, Dunn demanded that he should take the horse out of the
shafts and let him ride away, saying "I am choking and want water, and
must get to the river." This fairly frightened Smith, and he thereupon
whipped up the horse and drove into Dubbo as quickly as possible, gave
information at the barracks, and conducted the constable to the spot
where he had left the outlaw.

When the two reached the place they found Dunn lying beside a log,
thoroughly exhausted, and incapable of resisting arrest, if he had felt
so inclined. Without loss of time he was conveyed to the lock-up, where
he was again placed under the doctor's care, and a more vigilant watch
kept over him.

After he had recovered somewhat he told the police that if he had had
his revolver he would have shot every man that had come near him,
reserving the last bullet for himself. He also told them the manner of
his escape and his experiences in the bush after getting away, his story
being briefly this:- During the night, after the effects of the opiate
administered by the doctor had worn off, he became very feverish and
exceedingly thirsty, and called out two or three times for a drink; but
as there was no reply, and he could hear McHale breathing heavily in
sleep, he tried to get up, but found that he was too weak to rise. His
thirst at last, however, became unbearable, and making an extra effort
he managed to get out of bed and crawled across the room to the door
communicating with the apartment in which the five troopers were
sleeping. Finding this door locked, and almost mad in his craving for a
drink, he made for the window which overlooked the street, and finding
it slightly open he succeeded in dragging himself through it. He fell
from the sill on to the verandah floor, and lay there for several
minutes, being unable to stand: but the fresh air revived him, and
although his only thought up to this point had been to obtain water, he
now determined to make a further effort to regain his freedom. He
crossed the deserted and silent street, and was endeavouring to climb
over a fence when he fell heavily down an embankment on the other side,
severely hurting himself. In this hollow, however, he found the water
for which he was longing, but he was so weak that it was with difficulty
he could get his face back out of the water into which in his eagerness
he had plunged it. From this point he crawled away a short distance into
the bush near the racecourse, about a quarter of a mile from the town,
and here he lay hidden during the whole of Sunday. During Sunday night
he managed to catch a horse which had been hobbled out, and having made
a sort of head-stall of the bandages which had been placed on his
injured foot, he led the animal to a leaning tree and endeavoured to
mount it; but when he had nearly effected his purpose he fell backwards
and hurt himself still more, while the horse got away. He then crawled
to a log and lay beside it until the afternoon of Monday, when he
determined to try and make his way back to the barracks, as he felt that
he must die if he remained longer without relief. It was then that he
encountered the wood-carter. He declared that he had no thought of
escape when he first got out of bed in the room, and only thought of
getting away when he felt the cool night air after crawling through the
window.

No further opportunity of escape was allowed to the outlaw. When he was
well enough to be moved, he was transferred to Bathurst, where the
bullet was removed from his loin; and less than a fortnight afterwards
he set out for Sydney, still closely guarded.

On the 9th February, 1866, he was committed for trial on two
charges--the murder of Constable Nelson, and "shooting with intent" at
McHale; a week later he was arraigned before Chief Justice Stephen at
the Central Criminal Court on the charge of murdering Nelson.

The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and his Honour straightway
proceeded to pass sentence of death.

During the trial Dunn maintained a calm, almost indifferent, demeanour,
and when sentence had been passed he quietly turned round and gazed at
the crowd in court; after which he was removed to the condemned cell by
two policemen, and a month later was brought out for execution. From the
time of his conviction, he was most attentive to the admonitions of his
religious instructors, giving no trouble to his keepers, not questioning
the justice of his sentence, and seemingly perfectly resigned to his
fate.

In conversation with the gaol authorities, Dunn attributed his fate
chiefly to Gilbert, who, he said, had persuaded him to leave his
parents' roof for the lawless and murderous career which had ended on
the gallows. He made no regular confession of his guilt, neither did he
deny it.

Next to Constable Nelson and his family, Constable McHale, perhaps,
suffered the greatest injury at Dunn's hands. The wound inflicted upon
him by the revolver shot incapacitated him from active duty during the
remainder of his life. He received his share of the reward which had
been offered for the capture of the outlaw and retired from active
service some time afterwards on a pension.

The speedy and effectual break-up of Hall's gang after the passing of
the Felons' Apprehension Act furnished ground for hope that bushranging
in the Western and South-western districts of the colony would speedily
cease; but even while the last of that gang was being nursed into health
in order that he might be tried and hanged, reports of numerous other
outrages were daily being made, the ruffians committing them being
scattered over different parts of the country, and acting principally
each "on his own account". The following brief list of bush
"occurrences" recorded during two weeks preceding Dunn's conviction will
indicate that the crime of bushranging was still popular:-


1866.

February 5.--The down mail from Bathurst to Sydney stuck-up near the
Pulpit Hill, and the mail bags and passengers plundered of a large
amount of money and valuables, by two armed men.

February 6.--The post office, and Mr. Affleck's and Mr. Fraser's store
at Gundaroo, robbed by four armed ruffians.

February 6.--Several highway robberies committed in the neighbourhood of
Mudgee, by a mounted and armed bushranger named Lloyd--a. youth only
seventeen years of age.

February 7.--A man, name unknown, murdered at Warland's Flat, near
Murrurundi.

February 8.--The body of a man named Wood, who had been murdered,
discovered at Dubbo.

February 8.--Mr. Davis's public house at Currabubula stuck-up and robbed
by two mounted and armed men--identified as the same persons who had
robbed the place on the 9th December last.

February 9.--The White Horse Hotel at Windsor robbed, at noon, by two
men.

February 9.--Clarke and another bushranger encountered the police, near
Ballalaba, but got clear off.

February 10.--The post office, and Mr. Cameron's store, at Michelago,
stuck-up and plundered--it is supposed by Clarke and his companion.

February 13.--Constable Nichols, one of the Orange police, stuck-up and
robbed of his horse, firearms, &c.

February 14.--Mr. M'Kay's inn, near Murrurundi, stuck-up and robbed, by
a single bushranger.

February 15.--Two bushrangers attacked two men engaged at a
quartz-crushing machine at the Ironbarks--shot one of them, and robbed
them of a large cake of gold, when although one of the plunderers was
shot dead by a spectator, the other got clear off with the booty.

February 16.--The Yass mail, and also Mr. Baker's place at Millbank,
attacked and robbed by three men armed and disguised.

February 19.--Mrs. Green's residence near Kissing Point, entered at
night and the inmates attacked.

February 19.--Mr. McElroy's inn, at Warri, Shoalhaven River, stuck-up by
two armed and mounted men.



CHAPTER XV.


THE MUDGEE MAIL ROBBERS.


On the 13th July, 1863, when the attention of the colonists was rivetted
upon the exploits of Ben Hall's gang in the Lachlan and Abercrombie
districts, Sydney was startled by the news that the Mudgee mail had been
"stuck up" by two armed bushrangers, and that gold and bank notes to the
amount of £5700 had been taken from an accountant of the Australian
Joint Stock Bank, who was a passenger on the coach. It was at once seen
that the robbery could not have been committed by Hall's gang, as they
were then busily engaged in the neighbourhood of Lambing Flat, some two
or three hundred miles distant from the spot; and the authorities awoke
to the fact that there was another gang "on the roads".

On the night of the 12th July (Sunday) the mail left Mudgee at ten
o'clock, having only one passenger, Mr. Kater, the accountant of the
Mudgee branch of the Joint Stock Bank, who had in his charge notes
amounting to £5700. These were carefully tied in a bundle, first in
paper, then in canvas: outside the oilcloth they were attached by string
to his carpet bag the whole being stowed away in the front boot of the
coach. Mrs. Smith, wife of an inn-keeper on the road got into the
conveyance on Monday morning. About half-past eleven o'clock the two
passengers were walking up the steep hill, generally known as the Big
Hill, sixteen miles from Bowenfels. Two men on horseback were observed
to be coming down the hill, and stopped when opposite the mail. One of
them stopped the horses, the other approached Mr. Kater, without
dismounting, and presented a revolver at his head. Mr. Kater, having a
revolver in his coat pocket, immediately commenced unbuttoning; the
robber, seeing this, told him to hold up his arms or he would shoot him
dead. The bushranger then ordered the coachman to lead the horses into
the bush, where any person passing on the road would not observe what
was going on. The smaller man of the two rifled Mr. Kater's pockets, and
gave him ample opportunity of noticing the robbers. They were not
common-looking  men, but well-dressed, in black coats, having the
appearance of settlers or squatters: they wore gold chains, and were not
disguised, but their horses were not first-rate. After finishing with
Mr. Kater, they took the mail bags and the bank parcels from the coach.
When taking the revolver one of the rascals lifted up his coat and
exhibited seven revolvers--putting the other in his belt he said "Now I
have eight." Mrs. Smith, the female passenger, had between one and two
hundred pounds upon her, but they said they never molested women*.
Having secured their booty the scoundrels made the coachman and Mr.
Kater take out the horses and destroy the harness, and they then drove
them into the bush, riding off themselves in an opposite direction. Mr.
Kater made his way to Hartley, and gave information to Inspector Norton,
who immediately, with four mounted police, rode off in pursuit.

[* More than 30 years after the event here recorded the writer was
assured by one who knew the bushrangers well, and who was in fact an
associate of theirs for a while, that this version was not quite
correct. The money was actually taken from the woman, he declared, but
subsequently, and without her knowledge, replaced in her pocket, where
she afterwards, much to her surprise, found it. When, some months later,
she was confronted by one of the bushrangers then under arrest for the
mail robbery, she declared she could not identify him. _Verb, sap._]

For several weeks the Hartley and Bathurst police scoured the bush, but
without any good result. They arrested several suspected persons, but no
case could be proved against them and they were discharged. At last they
got upon the proper scent, and began to look for two men whose names had
previously been "known to the police", and it then became pretty
generally known that Frederick Lowry and John Foley, erstwhile residents
in the Fish River neighbourhood, about thirty miles from Bathurst, were
"wanted". Each of these men had a history, the first named being looked
upon as a hero in criminal circles by reason of the fact that he had cut
a hole through the massive brick walls of the Bathurst Gaol when a
confinee, and got clean away from his pursuers.

This escape created a great sensation in Bathurst at the time, no less
than five prisoners having broken out of the gaol. It happened five
months before the Mudgee mail robbery. The prisoners had, while in the
exercise yard, obtained possession of a pick-axe, which (it was
afterwards supposed) had been conveyed to them by friends through a
drain communicating with the outer yard. The men in the inner yard
congregated in one corner, and while one or two were engaged in removing
bricks from the outer wall with the pick-axe, they were sheltered by the
others from the gaze of the warder, who was stationed on a platform at
the opposite end of the yard. A hole was made in the wall from eighteen
inches to two feet square, through which five prisoners made their
escape. The alarm was given by a citizen who was crossing the public
square, in the centre of which the gaol stood, and observed the hole in
the gaol wall. He saw two men get through the hole, but, thinking that
the bricklayers were at work upon the wall, did not take much notice of
the matter until one of the men hurriedly passed him, saying, "Don't say
anything about it, old fellow."

His suspicions being thus aroused, he ran to the gate of the gaol and
gave the alarm. In the meantime three other prisoners made their escape.
At once a hue and cry was raised, and the whole place was in a ferment.
One of the local Justices of the Peace happened to be near when the
alarm was given, and seeing a man in prison clothes running down one of
the streets he jumped on the first horse he saw and headed the escapee,
who was afterwards secured in a yard into which he had darted, hoping to
baffle his pursuers. A second escapee was also captured on Piper-street,
and by this time the mounted police were in their saddles scouring the
country in every direction. A third capture was effected by the police
between White Rock and Macquarie Plains, about seven miles from
Bathurst, the same afternoon; but the remaining two--Lowry and
Woodheart--could not be traced, and three months elapsed before the
latter was rearrested at Braidwood, a reward of £50 having been offered
by Government for his apprehension. Of Lowry no trace could be found,
although good reasons existed for the belief that he was in hiding
somewhere in the Abercrombie or Fish River districts, about thirty miles
from Bathurst.

Shortly after the robbery of the Mudgee mail, in July, the police
received information that a third man who was "wanted" for being
concerned in bushranging exploits, named Larry Cummins, had joined
Lowry, who was evidently forming a gang, and that they were somewhere in
the Goulburn district. Arrangements were at once made for a thorough and
eventually successful search of the locality.

The first of the trio to fall into the hands of the police was Foley,
who was captured in a very simple manner. Early in the month of August
the police at Hartley (the police station nearest to the infested
district) received information that one or more of the bushrangers might
be found in the neighbourhood of Campbell's River; and without delay
three mounted police and a black tracker started in that direction.
After suffering considerably from exposure during very inclement
weather, having to cross rivers swollen by the winter rains, sometimes
up to their waists in water, they reached Campbell's River and at once
proceeded to a public house kept by one Jack Mackie. As they approached
they saw a woman push a man into one of the rooms and hurriedly close
the door. While one of the police watched the house the others went to
the stables, where they found a horse ready saddled which a lad on the
spot said was his; but his story was disbelieved, as it was found that
the stirrups were adjusted, for a rider with legs very much longer than
his. A visit was then paid in force to the suspected room, but the man
within refused to open the door, and it had to be forced, a couple of
shots being fired into it to intimidate the occupant. Finding that
further resistance was useless, he quietly surrendered, and to their
delight the troopers discovered that he was the redoubtable Foley. Upon
being searched he was found to have in his possession two fine
revolvers, loaded and capped, a massive gold watch and chain, and about
£60 in notes--which were subsequently identified as a portion of those
stolen from the Mudgee mail. Having properly secured the prisoner, the
police escorted him to Bathurst; he was afterwards placed upon his
trial, convicted of the mail robbery, and indicted on two other charges
of highway robbery under arms. He was sentenced to fifteen years hard
labour on the roads or other public works of the colony, and shortly
thereafter was forwarded to Darlinghurst Gaol, the prison in which all
long-sentenced criminals were incarcerated.

Foley proved that he was not altogether bad by subsequently revealing
(through a priest who was acquainted with him) the hiding place of his
share of the stolen money, or what remained of it; and thus the bank got
back something over £2000.

The capture of Lowry and Cummins was effected some time afterwards by a
party of Goulburn police, led by Senior-sergeant Stephenson, after an
encounter in which Lowry was so badly wounded that he died twenty-four
hours after. The account may be given in Stephenson's own words:-


On the 26th August, 1863, I left Goulburn to go in the direction of
Tuena. I had three men with me, one of them a German, and about thirty
miles from Goulburn we put up at a roadside inn for the night. The next
morning, long before break of day, I was astir and had my men out. The
landlord remarked that we were making an early start and asked in what
direction we were going. I told him I did not know, nor did I, for we
were merely on the look out for something. The landlord then told me,
confidentially, that he had heard Lowry was at a house some fifteen
miles distant. I said nothing to my men but pushed on, and just at
daybreak got to the house indicated. I had never been there before, and
when in sight of the house I told the men whom I was after, and arranged
their positions so that no one could leave the place without being
challenged. We were in uniform, but had monkey jackets on, as it was a
cold morning. I went to the front door, which was opened by a young
woman who had apparently just got up, and her first exclamation on
seeing us was, "Oh! we'll all be shot." I asked where the landlord was,
and very shortly after he came out of his bedroom with his trousers over
his arm. I asked him if he had any strangers staying in his house, and
in a frightened sort of way he pointed to a room opening out on the
verandah, and said--"In there, in there." I went to the door indicated
and called out to whoever was inside to open it, saying at the same time
that we were the police. There was no reply, and I then said that if the
door was not opened at once I would force it. Still it remained closed,
all inside being perfectly quiet I then put my shoulder to it and it
gave way. I had retired a few paces when a man from the inside stood in
the door way with a revolver in each hand. Without speaking he fired at
me, the ball passing close to my head, and I fired in reply, hitting the
handle of the door. I stood sideways to him on the verandah, and his
next shot hit me on the knuckles, striking my revolver barrel and
traversing inside my coat sleeve came out at the elbow. I found that out
afterwards, but my next shot took effect in his throat when he threw up
his hands and fell backwards. Although wounded he was not killed, and I
ran in and dragged him outside, where, with the assistance of the other
men, I had him secured. When the German, who was at the rear of the
place, heard the firing, he seemed to lose his wits and kept firing off
his revolver in the air. Having secured one man I began to search for
the other, and ultimately found Cummins hidden in the bedroom. He
surrendered without any show of resistance. In Lowry's purse I found
£160 in A.J.S. Bank notes, corresponding to those stolen from the Mudgee
mail, and a similar note upon Cummins. As Lowry was bleeding internally
I secured a dray and started with my prisoners in the direction of
Goulburn. We reached Woodhouseleigh that night, and I sent a man on for
Dr. Waugh. He arrived about 3 o'clock a.m. and gave Lowry every
attention, but he expired about 7 a.m., or twenty-four hours after being
shot. Cummins was subsequently tried at Goulburn, charged with robbery
under arms. He was convicted and sentenced to fifteen years.


Stephenson received promotion in the ranks for his service on this
occasion, and was also presented with a silver salver and purse of
sovereigns by the people of Goulburn.

What became of Lowry's share of the money was never made known to the
authorities; but there are some persons now living who know all about
it. Many of the notes were put into circulation about Bathurst and
Goulburn during the succeeding twelve months, but although several
persons were prosecuted for having the stolen money in their possession,
no convictions were obtained.

For the purpose of prefer identification a photograph of Lowry was taken
as he lay dead, and copies of the gruesome photograph were held for
years and much prized by his friends and admirers in the district in
which he found shelter and where his ill-gotten gains were spent.



CHAPTER XVI.


DANIEL MORGAN, INCENDIARY AND MURDERER.


In each of the characters hitherto revealed by the acts of robbery or
violence in bush townships or on bush roads recorded there has been
brought into prominence more or less of the ruffian--generally more. The
Australian bushranger of any "standing" was necessarily a ruffian, even
if robbery was his only crime; but there were many degrees in this
particular species of viciousness, each of which had its proper
representative. Taking only the latter-day bushrangers, from Gardiner,
the father of them all, down to Johnny Dunn, the last of Hall's gang to
fall a victim to the laws which he had outraged, we find each differing
from the other in certain particulars, the strong individuality of the
man showing out in the acts of the bushranger. Thus Gardiner, although
the leader in the attack upon the gold escort at Eugowra and in other
smaller affairs of the road, did not display the coarser and more brutal
instincts which marked the career of Gilbert, O'Meally and Dunn. The
same remark applies to Ben Hall, who never during his career attempted
to wound or kill either the persons whom he robbed or the police who
hunted him; although, being associated with others who added violence
and murder to robbery--(or a length of time being their leader--the
guilt of the more serious crimes in which they engaged attached to him.
Gilbert, O'Meally and Dunn were, however, regardless of human life in
cases where resistance was offered, while the last-named committed at
least one act of exceptional atrocity. Whether they had it or not, each
assumed a particular virtue--or what they chose to consider a virtue.
One prided himself on courteous behaviour to women; another boasted of
his kind-heartedness, declaring that he had never "pulled trigger upon
any unarmed cove"; a third claimed credit for robbing only those who
could afford to part with that which he took from them; and a fourth
avowed that he had "never shot anyone, not even a 'bobby'." They were
all thus concerned for their reputation, having regard for the good
opinion of one section or another of the people to whom they made their
boasts.

But we have now to do with one who was a monster rather than a man--who
tortured his victims because the sight of their writhings gave him
pleasure--who committed murder from sheer wantonness, and a tigerish
lust for blood. This was Daniel Morgan, and the scene of his exploits
was the southern district from Gundagai to Albury, over which he ruled
by mere terror longer than any other bushranger or gang known to
Australia.

Of his early history very little reliable information can be gleaned,
but the following account, given by an old man who adopted him when only
about two years of age, may be taken as fairly correct. Morgan's proper
name was Owen, and he was the illegitimate son of a woman of that name
and a man named Fuller, being born at Campbelltown about the year 1830.
Both father and mother were well known characters in the neighbourhood,
the latter being known as "The Gipsy", and the former a sort of
costermonger, who many years afterwards was stationed as a barrow-man in
the Haymarket, Sydney. Until he was about seventeen years of age young
Owen remained under the roof of the man who had adopted him--and who was
also a "character" in the neighbourhood of Campbelltown, rejoicing in
the nickname of "Jack the Welshman"--after which he went to the
Murrumbidgee, where he was employed as a stockman until 1854. Then he
returned to Campbelltown, and for some ten months luxuriated in idleness
at the old Welshman's hut; after which he proceeded in the direction of
Bathurst, giving out that he was going to see his mother, who was then
living in that locality. That he might perform the journey with greater
ease and more speedily, he appropriated two horses without asking the
owner's permission, and was chased for several miles on the road by the
Campbelltown police, whom he managed to evade. Whether he carried out
his intention and visited his mother, who was now married and the mother
of a legitimate family, does not appear; and he was next heard of in the
Murrumbidgee district in the latter part of 1863, as a bushranger whose
every exploit was marked by ruffianism of the very worst kind.

It is not my intention to follow closely the career of this arch-fiend;
even a brief account of three or four of the deeds of blood in which he
engaged will enable die reader to fully understand his character, and
the terrorism which he exercised.

At one time he worked in company with a "mate", but the two did not run
together long, and the latter came to an untimely end, being discovered
in the bush dead after an encounter with the police. In that encounter
the then Police Magistrate of Wagga, Mr. H. Bayliss, was engaged; he
volunteered for service in hunting the bushrangers, who were at the time
infesting the district, received a wound during the affray, and was
subsequently presented with a gold medal for his bravery. It was
supposed by some that he had shot Morgan's companion; but others
declared that the man must have been shot by Morgan himself in order
that his own escape might be rendered more easy.

On one occasion the two bushrangers paid a visit to Mr. Gilbank's
station at Wallandool. They were mounted on two fine horses and
intercepted two overseers who were making their rounds. After conversing
with them for a few minutes the bushrangers suddenly presented their
revolvers, and before the overseers had fully realised the situation
they were stripped and tied up to two convenient trees, in which
position they were left, minus their portables, Morgan informing them as
he bade them adieu that he and his old companion were about to pay a
visit to "old Gilbank" himself. Cantering up to the station they found
Mr. Gilbank, and, assuming the characters of station-hands in search of
work, they asked him to give them a "job". The station holder told them
that he had job on hand on which he could engage them and they then said
they "must have a feed", at the same time giving Mr. Gilbank a shock by
presenting their revolvers at his face and ordering him to "bail up".
Having secured him as they had secured his two men, they proceeded to
make a deliberate survey of the premises. Shortly afterwards they rode
away, leaving Mr. Gilbank the poorer by about £60 worth of property,
including two horses and their trappings.

After the death of his mate Morgan invariably operated single-handed,
and committed outrages which made his name feared in every settler's
house in the district, and by every traveller along the road. On one
occasion he visited Mr. Gibson's house, near Piney Ridge, and compelled
the owner to draw a cheque for £90, keeping him prisoner while a man was
sent to get the cheque cashed. He also visited Messrs. Stitt Brothers'
station at Wolla Wolla, and compelled the proprietor to bring rum to the
wool shed and treat all the shearers. He made particular enquiries as to
the treatment the servants received, and instructed the servants to
acquaint him if they were ill-used, as he was always to be found
thereabouts. In this particular he followed the practice of the
early-day convict bushrangers, whose fellow-feeling for assigned
servants made them "wondrous kind". But this considerateness was not by
any means natural to him, and it soon became known that he would sooner
shoot those with whom he came in contact, no matter what position in
life they might occupy, than minister to their necessities or order for
them luxuries.

Shortly after the visit to Wolla Wolla Station, the desperado committed
an outrage which for cold-blooded atrocity had never been equalled by
any of the "gentlemen of the road" since the days of Mike Howe and
Jeffries. Shearing was in full swing at Vincent's Mittagong Station,
when one morning die police rode up and asked Mr. Vincent if he could
give them any information concerning Morgan. They had previously sought
information from the same quarter, but had either not acted upon it when
supplied, or had failed to follow die instructions given; so on this
occasion Mr. Vincent replied: "What is the use of giving you
information? it appears to me you do not want to meet him; if you do,
your horses are in much better condition, and you could run him down; I
am quite convinced I could do it with any of the horses I could point
out to you in the yard." "Oh," they remarked, "you give us die
information, where we are likely to fall in with him, and if you don't
hear a good report of us, and Morgan's capture, we will not blame you."
"Well," Mr. Vincent said, "I will try you again. You know, some miles
from here, where there is a wattle-sided stable; if you see a chestnut
horse in it Morgan is not far away. He is riding a horse he stole from
this station; if the horse is not there, there is some thick scrub
within a very short distance of the stable, where you can remain unseen,
and in all probability Morgan will turn up some time during the night."
After refreshment, the party rode away, and had not gone far before they
met a horseman, from whom they made similar enquiries, and who professed
that he knew nothing of any one named Morgan. The result was that Morgan
was not captured that night, nor for a long time afterwards. But he was
in the neighbourhood, as Mr. Vincent soon to his cost discovered.

A few days after the visit of the police, the bushranger himself called
at Mittagong, sticking-up the whole body of shearers, and making
particular inquiries for Mr. Vincent, who shortly afterwards appeared on
the scene and was at once made prisoner. Having secured him Morgan
ordered him to a paling fence some sixty yards from the shearing shed,
and called on one of the shearers to strap him tightly to the fence.
This was not done to Morgan's satisfaction; he examined the work and
peremptorily ordered the man to strap his employer "much tighter",
standing over him during the operation and seeing that the straps were
drawn so tightly round his wrists as to stop the circulation almost
completely. Then, "You are the man," said he, "who gave information to
the police the other day. You can see they have not taken me, and your
life is forfeited. I will give you five minutes to live, and if you have
anything particular to say to your wife and family, I will have them
called up to see the last of you."

One of the men was at once despatched to the house with a message for
Mrs. Vincent and other members of the family, and while he was away on
this Message, Morgan amused himself by placing the muzzle of his gun
close to the face of his victim. Morgan also tauntingly said: "You also
told the police you had several horses with which you could run men
down, and that if you once had your hand upon me you would hold me. You
are quite in error if you think anyone harbours me; they do not, but I
force my company upon them, as I am doing upon you."

In due course the ladies arrived on the scene, and prayed for the life
of the husband and father, with such effect that Morgan hesitated, after
pointing his rifle, and offered Vincent his choice either to have the
woolshed and wool burnt, or be shot.

To this alternative offer Vincent replied that if Morgan had a grudge
against him it would be poor satisfaction to bum the wool and shed, as
they belonged to his mother and brother and sisters equally with
himself, but that he had no desire to be shot. After some delay men were
told off from the gang of shearers to cut open the bales; another man
was sent for a firestick, and in a very short time the fire was
completely master. The heat from the burning shed was so intense that
the unfortunate prisoner at the fence became utterly exhausted, and
being apparently forgotten in the new excitement, narrowly escaped death
by slow roasting.

But the devilish work was not to end with the destruction of the
woolshed. When that building and its contents were nearly consumed
Morgan marshalled the shearers--there were some eighteen of them on the
ground, but not one of them offered resistance on their own or their
master's account--to the station store, some distance away, intimating
that he desired to "treat" them. The store contained a large quantity of
clothing, provisions, saddlery, and all the etcetera of a well-furnished
establishment at shearing time, including no less than ten tons of
flour, a new dog-cart and harness, and other articles of the more
valuable kind. Having reached the store Morgan told the men that they
could help themselves to whatever they might require. He then commanded
the Storekeeper to produce the station books, containing an account of
the goods supplied from the store to the shearers, and this having been
done he threw it into the building and ordered that a firestick should
be applied. His orders were carried out, and in a few minutes this
property was also being consumed by the flames.

The property destroyed was valued at about £1600. I have not been able
to ascertain whether the unfortunate station-holder ever received
compensation from the Government, although his claim for compensation
was undoubtedly a good one, seeing that his loss was clearly brought
about by his efforts to assist the police in the capture of the
notorious ruffian who was holding the whole countryside in terror.
Morgan's object in committing this act of incendiarism was undoubtedly
to intimidate other settlers from conveying to the police information
concerning his whereabouts, and it had the desired effect.

Mail robberies were of frequent occurrence shortly after, diversified by
the "sticking-up" of settlers, small and large, and the robbery of
travellers on the roads; the wonder was that one man could so frequently
and with such perfect ease "bail up" and rob as many as a score of
persons at one time. But all these events were ordinary when viewed in
the light of other exploits in which this monster engaged. To rob for
the sake of enriching himself was the natural work of the bushranger,
but to make targets of the men who had obeyed his command to "bail up"
from sheer love of blood-shedding was work natural only to a devil in
human shape, and Morgan gave himself up to that work.

An outrage committed by him at Round Hill Station, in the Albury
district, was marked by more cold-blooded brutality than any committed
by bushrangers during any of the bushranging periods, early or late. The
station in question was owned by Mr. Henty, and was about forty miles
from Albury. On a Sunday morning towards the close of 1863, four persons
belonging to the station--Mr. Watson, the superintendent; Mr. McNeil,
the overseer; Mr. McLean, cattle overseer; and Mr. Heriot, a visitor,
son of a neighbouring squatter--were sitting in a room of the house
quietly conversing, when Morgan suddenly made his appearance. He entered
the house unobserved and looked in through the door of the bedroom in
which Mrs. Watson was engaged, enquiring where her husband was. Mrs.
Watson was naturally alarmed at this unlooked-for intrusion, and her
alarm was increased when she recognised the intruder as Morgan, having
seen him on a previous occasion. But she pointed out the room in which
her husband was engaged with the other men named, and thither Morgan at
once proceeded, introducing himself to the occupants, after opening the
door, by presenting two revolvers at their heads, and commanding them
not to move from their seats on peril of their lives. He asked where the
grog was kept, and on being informed desired to know how many bottles
there were available. Mr. Watson replied that there were six bottles of
gin in stock and that one of them was broached; whereupon the bushranger
ordered the four men to march to the apartment indicated, himself
following with a revolver in each hand and fingers on the triggers. Mr.
Watson poured out a glass of the liquor and offered it to Morgan, who
smiled and said "Now drink that yourself; you may have it readied up for
me." Having thus assured himself that the grog had not been "doctored"
for his special delectation, the bushranger drank a glass himself, and
then called the female servant and ordered her to get dinner for him, at
the same time instructing her to tell one of the men to put his horse in
the stable and give him a feed. While the meal was being prepared
Morgan conversed freely and pleasantly with his four prisoners, among
other things questioning Mr. Watson concerning the rations given to the
station hands. He continued to act in a friendly manner while eating his
dinner, although he was careful to let his prisoners know that he had
not forgotten his mission, for during the meal he kept a loaded revolver
in one hand and displayed other similar weapons in his belt, keeping an
eye always upon the corner before him where the four men were standing
by his orders. He reminded Mr. Watson that he was "not a man to be
played with", and declared that he came to the house fresh from a brush
with the police, who had, however, been unable to capture him, although
they had chased him for about four miles through the bush. This
statement was subsequently found to be correct. The police had come
across him when resting in a shepherd's hut on an adjoining station, but
he had managed to get away scathless. running the gauntlet of their fire
and outpacing them on die magnificent horse that he was riding.

Having appeased his hunger, Morgan marched his prisoners out and
mustered all the men, making a total of eleven, at the stable door while
he went to examine his horse. He then ordered them to precede him to a
small cattle shed, and take their seats on a bench there, while Mr.
Watson returned to the house for the bottles of gin. These having been
brought, one of the men, at the bushranger's desire, handed round the
spirits until the four bottles had been emptied, Morgan making his
prisoners drink the spirits raw, and himself taking at each round a
small "nip" of brandy from a bottle which he had with him. He told the
men that he had been drinking hard for a whole week, and his subsequent
conduct left no room to doubt the correctness of his assertions.

After the spirits had been consumed the bushranger ordered his horse to
be brought, and while this was being done he fired several shots from
one of his revolvers over the heads of his prisoners. He then proceeded
to mount the horse, having a revolver in each hand; but as he was in the
act of crossing the saddle the horse shied and one of the revolvers was
accidentally discharged. In a moment Morgan had secured his seat, and,
thinking that the shot had been fired at him, began firing right and
left, using both revolvers. One of the shots struck young Heriott,
passing clean through his leg between the knee and ankle, shattering the
bone, and striking one of the station hands standing behind him without
doing much damage, as its force was spent. Another shot was aimed direct
at Watson's head, but that gentleman instinctively put up his hand, and
the ball passed through it, afterwards grazing his scalp. The other
shots fortunately missed, for the men scattered as soon as the first two
had been fired. Young Herriott fell to the ground, but rose again
immediately and managed to drag himself after some of the others for a
considerable distance, when he fell from pain and exhaustion. Watson had
hid himself behind the shed, and Morgan galloped round looking for him,
declaring that he would have his life for having fired at him. Some of
the others then interfered and convinced Morgan that it was his own
revolver that had gone off, and that Watson had not fired at him; but
although he abandoned his intention of shooting Watson the murderous
instinct was still operating, and observing young Heriott in the
distance he galloped towards him, leaped from his horse, and, putting
the revolver to his head was about to fire, when the wounded man
appealed to him for mercy, declaring that his leg was broken. At the
same moment Watson rushed from his hiding place and besought the drunken
madman not to murder the boy.

Then in a moment Morgan changed his tactics. A wave of compassion seemed
to sweep over him, and he called upon the station hands to assist him in
attending to the wounded man, declaring with an oath that if they did
not come at once he would shoot every man on the station. At the same
time he knelt down and cut the boot from the wounded leg, and tenderly
lifting the unfortunate youth, carried him to the gate near the house,
when two of the men came forward and relieved him of his burden,
carrying Heriott, under Morgan's direction, into the house and laying
him on a bed. Then Morgan cut off the other boot, and set a man to
attend to the wounded boy, after which he returned to Mr. Watson and
bound a handkerchief round his wounded hand, expressing regret for
having in a moment of passion disabled him, adding that the police and
drink had driven him mad, and that he scarcely knew what he was doing.

While attention was being paid to the wounded men two strangers appeared
upon the scene--one of them a half-caste aboriginal--and it soon became
evident that they were the bushranger's "telegraphs". These men remained
on the station observing everything that transpired, and apparently
keeping a watch upon the now terror-stricken company.

Seeing Morgan apparently relenting as if satisfied with the damage done,
Mr. McLean suggested the advisability of sending for surgical assistance
for the wounded men, and asked if he might go for a doctor. Morgan
assented and said he would accompany him on the road. McLean started,
but had not gone more than two or three miles towards Walla Walla when
suddenly Morgan rode up and exclaimed, "You wretch! you are going to
give information", and at once fired at McLean's back, shooting him
clean through the body. The unfortunate man fell from his horse mortally
wounded, and his murderer rode away, but returned again after a short
time, and, having assisted him to remount his horse, held him in the
saddle until the return journey to the station had been made.

As may be imagined, the appearance of the dying man attended by his
murderer increased the consternation of the people at the station.
McLean was in too great agony to give any explanation of the affair, and
Morgan declared that he must have been wounded by one of his (Morgan's)
mates, as he himself had not fired. McLean was carried into the house,
and received what poor attention the inmates could give him. He lingered
in great agony until the following night, when death put an end to his
sufferings.

Having brought McLean to the house, Morgan joined the two men who had
come to the station after him, and the three caroused until about one
o'clock on the Monday morning, when they hurriedly left, a party of
police calling at the station within an hour after their departure--just
too late to see the man for whom they were looking, and not a little put
out at the circumstance; although, for some reason not stated, they
remained at the station for about twelve hours, within easy reach of the
murderer--if they had but known it--for it was afterwards discovered
that Morgan had camped within two miles of the place for the remainder
of the night.

The remains of the unfortunate man McLean were subsequently conveyed to
Albury, and a magisterial inquiry into the cause of death was held by
Captain Brownrig, the local Police Magistrate, the result of which was a
finding of wilful murder against Morgan.

Poor McLean was buried by his friends, and Heriot was by his nursed back
to life, but the shattered leg never became thoroughly sound. Meanwhile
the murderer was committing other outrages, and the authorities were
putting forth strenuous efforts to effect his capture or compass his
death, but without avail, although the Government sought to stimulate
police energy and encourage the bushranger's friends to betray him by
offering £1000 for his capture.

Some of the Victorian papers were particularly severe upon the police of
this colony, and boasted that no bushranger could reign for more than a
week or two in their territory, where the police knew their work and
were competent to perform it. However, the Victorian "blowers" were in
later years compelled to eat the leek. The men of the New South Wales
force were as energetic and as brave as men could be, and it was not
their fault that bushrangers lived so long. The fault lay with the
system, and with some of the higher officials appointed under it. One
writer, who had wide experience of the Morgan-infected country, wrote
thus in defence of the police:-


I have travelled about 300 miles in and about the district and have had
opportunities of witnessing some of the movements of the much-abused
police. I have likewise held many conversations with the inhabitants,
and I consider it my duty to give to the public what came under my
observation some few days back, upon three different occasions, and at a
distance of about twenty-five miles apart. I met two men riding in the
bush who, at first sight, I took to be bushmen in search of employment,
but, upon closer observation, I found they were police officers with an
ordinary swag, which was merely composed of one pair of blankets and
holsters for pistols, and not loaded like elephants and with turbans, as
your contemporary's informant describes, and their horses appear to have
been ridden for a long period. Upon the 17th of this month I had
occasion to pull up at a hut in the bush, which to me appeared to be a
deserted one, at about eight o'clock in the evening, and where I was
surprised to find a sergeant and three or four blacks who had just taken
shelter for the night, and were as ragged as gipsies. If your
contemporary's correspondent had only seen what I then saw, and had a
spark of humanity, he would not have spoken about "scented
handkerchiefs" and other nonsense. The men appeared--like the
horses--literally and thoroughly knocked up, and the horses nearly
starved, in consequence of the want of sustenance in the grass, and
being upon duty since November last. Instead of stowing themselves away
comfortably in bed at night, they just unrolled their pair of blankets,
and went off to sleep in five minutes. Next morning I said to the
sergeant, "If Morgan were to gallop across the plain now in your sight,
what could you do?" He answered, "Nothing, for we have not got one horse
that could stand an hour's chase." I maintain that the attack made upon
the character of the police is not warranted. The right horse should
wear the saddle--the fault lies with the Government in not supplying the
police with more horses; good judges should be appointed to select
these. The horses at present used by the police are of the very worst
description. In my opinion, two good officers, well mounted, should be
stationed or billeted on every station in the tainted district, so that
if sticking-up occurred at one station, and the ruffian escaped, they
could gallop off to the next station, and then the pursuit could be
taken up by the fresh horses and men, who would be able to run him down.
It is not generally known that this south-western district, under
Superintendent Carne, is nearly as large as the whole of Victoria, and
the number of constables under his command only thirty-five, while they
have 900 men in Victoria, and stations every fifteen miles or so. They
have nothing to do if an offence is committed but to gallop up to the
next station, and the pursuit is taken up. It is laughable to hear the
feather-bed police in Victoria brag what they would do if they were in
Morgan's country; about one month's service with the police that came
under my observation would be quantum sufficient for them. I, for one,
wonder not that Mr. Carne should resign.


Two sergeants of police were shot dead by Morgan, one of them in an
encounter on the road, and the other when at camp in his tent in the
bush. The former--Sergeant McGinnerty--was out with a constable named
Churchley when he came across Morgan near Tumberumba. They exchanged
shots, and the horses of both sergeant and bushranger were shot under
them. The former then rushed at Morgan and grappled with him; they
struggled together, and in the struggle Morgan shot his assailant
through the spine. Churchley's horse, not standing fire, bolted with his
rider, and with one more life to answer for the bushranger escaped. The
second sergeant--Thomas Smyth--was out in the bush running the outlaw's
tracks very closely, and had camped for the night when Morgan surprised
him and fired at him in his tent, inflicting wounds from which he died
three weeks afterwards.

And these were not the only tragic events in which this bloodthirsty
desperado engaged. Although he bailed up numbers of people and robbed
coaches on several occasions the events were deemed scarcely important
'enough for record unless attended with some act of violence. One of his
victims was an inoffensive shepherd on the Wollondool station, about
forty miles from Albury. The man was quietly feeding his dogs on the
station when he was suddenly and without warning shot by the bushranger,
who had approached him unawares. The ball from the revolver struck the
unfortunate shepherd in the thigh, and after he had fallen Morgan went
forward and expressed regret for having wounded him, saying that he had
mistaken him for someone else. Such was the demoralised state of the
people in the neighbourhood that the wounded man had to apply to
seventeen different persons before he could get any one to convey him to
the Albury hospital. The wound was fortunately not dangerous, and the
shepherd was discharged from the hospital cured shortly afterwards.

The following account of one day's doings, supplied by a correspondent
from Kyamba to the Albury "Banner", will serve as an illustration of the
prowess of this notorious ruffian, and the disregard of human life which
characterised his lawless movements:-


Tragic events in connection with bushranging follow each other in such
rapid succession that no one one will be surprised to hear that Morgan
paid us a visit here last evening. At about 12 o'clock noon he made his
appearance in the camp of Mr. Adams, road contractor, when he bailed up
all his men, about fifteen in number, and, as a warning to the
contractor for having no cash in hand for the supply of his wants, he
set fire to the tents, thus ruthlessly destroying at least £15 or £20
worth of property. Five Chinamen having made their appearance, he caused
them also to join the rest of the men; and, having ordered them to
strip, with a view to search their garments, they, not understanding the
command, and therefore apparently hesitating to put it in force, he shot
one of them in the arm just below the shoulder joint. This man is now
lying at the Kyamba hotel in a precarious state, and the ball has not
been extracted. After all, the money found on them was trifling--one
small gold piece and about 30s. in silver--which latter Morgan threw
away from him in chagrin, expecting to have obtained a larger sum. He
remained at the camp till 5 p.m., having caused tea to be made and a
damper prepared for him by the cook of the party. The position of the
camp is above a mile north of Kyamba Inn; and everything, including the
account-book of the contractor, was destroyed. He did not tie the men or
secure them in any way, but kept them in such a position as rendered it
impossible to have rushed him without incurring a further loss of life,
otherwise the men were well disposed, and would, if opportunity had been
given, most undoubtedly have made resistance. The only weapon in the
place was a double-barrelled gun, which was unloaded; but, remarking
that "he did not like double-barrelled guns", he expressed his intention
of taking it away with him. About one o'clock in the afternoon, Mr.
Jones, another contractor, paid a visit to the camp (which was soon
after it had been set on fire); he was likewise secured, besides a
traveller, and two or three other men residing in the neighbourhood who
came there on horseback. On leaving he took these men with him, as also
Mr. Jones, four in all, they being each mounted on horseback. He made
them carry the gun with them, and took them by a circuitous route over
the mountains to a small bridge on the Little Billabong, about eight
miles south of Kyamba. Here were two buggies, in one of which were Mr.
and Mrs. Manson, on their way to Braidwood, and in the other two young
men, travelling to the same destination. These he immediately stopped,
ordering them out of their buggies; and, because Mr. Manson seemed to
hesitate, he threatened to shoot the whole of them on the spot. Having
got them out, he pointed to the four other men standing where he had
placed them in a rank close by, and spoke of them as belonging to his
own party. This effectually set aside all idea of resistance; and, after
having stripped Mr. Manson to his shirt, and searched the pockets of the
others, he succeeded in taking about £6 in all. They then asked his
permission to proceed, but he said they must wait twenty minutes, as the
mail was expected, and the buggies would be useful in stopping the
passage of the coaches. The time having expired, however, and the mail
not arriving, they were allowed to proceed. It may be important to
mention here that he conversed freely at the camp for hours with the
men, detailing his exploits at great length, and dwelling particularly
upon the murder of McGinnerty and Smyth, of which he made no attempt at
concealment--indeed he stated that he had watched Smyth's party five
days in order to make sure of the right man. Soon after Mr. Manson had
escaped from his clutches the mail to Albury arrived at the scene of
action. The mailman had been previously warned, but did not consider it
to be his duty to take any steps by way of special security. Being very
light he allowed it to pass after a merely formal examination; but
shortly afterwards, and it was now nearly eleven o'clock, the Albury
mail arrived, when he demanded of the driver to stop. This not being
instantly complied with, he fired a shot at him to bring him to. He then
made him get out and hold the horses' heads while he ransacked the
mails. This inspection lasted a considerable time, in the course of
which nearly all, if not the whole, of the letters were opened, and
though many cheques were found, which he threw on one side as useless,
it is supposed that he obtained but little booty in the shape of bank
notes, for he complained bitterly of the mails. A box of pills and some
photographs were disposed of with sovereign contempt. Having
accomplished this much, he is supposed to have visited Mr. Williams'
station, where it is said he pressed two men into his service, taking
also a horse, saddle, and bridle. But the circumstances connected with
this portion of the story have not yet been sufficiently authenticated.
He took with him the gun obtained from Adams' camp. Perhaps the worst
feature in this affair is the telegraph having been cut down by his
order, and the wire severed, thus, he supposed, stopping the
communication; but fortunately the line to Albury being open, allows
communication northwards by way of Deniliquin. I omitted to state that,
in the course of conversation, the bushranger spoke of three men whom he
was determined to shoot before "retiring from business", namely, Mr.
McKenzie, late of Mundaloo, identified with the capture of Peisley; Mr.
McLaurin, of Yarra Yarra; and Sergeant Carrol. On these he expressed
himself determined to be revenged; and with respect to the former, he
declared that if he once had him in his power, £5000 would not save his
life. Otherwise he said there was "no good in bushranging", and he felt
inclined, after a time, to give it up. You may implicitly rely upon the
accuracy of all that has been related above; many other particulars
could have been furnished, but they would probably only tend to pamper a
morbid curiosity.


At last the day of reckoning arrived. Outrages had become so frequent
and were attended by such brutal violence that no settler in the
district felt safe; yet the daring of the ruffian seemed to have a
paralysing effect upon those who under other circumstances would have
resisted attack and made some effort to capture their assailant. The
vigilance of the police was redoubled, and they managed to press him so
closely that Morgan was at last compelled to forsake his favourite
haunts and seek fresh fields for robbery across the Border--on Victorian
soil. But he did this without letting the New South Wales police into
the secret, and they were still busily engaged in searching for him when
they received word that he had been shot at a station near Wangaratta,
some miles on the other side of the Murray from Albury.

As soon as he had crossed the Murray--which he did on April 5th,
1865--he commenced what he was pleased to call a "raid upon Victoria".
He had heard of the boast of the Victorian police that they would arrest
or shoot him within a week if he entered their territory, and told one
of his first victims on that side that he had come to show he was not
afraid to enter Victoria and that, notwithstanding the smartness of the
police, he would "go through it in a week". He certainly commenced well;
on the first day he stuck up Mr. Evans' station at Whitfield and a
number of carriers on the road near Winton, taking from them sums
ranging from £3 to £50. He fired Evans' granaries in revenge for a wound
which the owner had inflicted on him four years previously, when he was
engaged at that station. In addition to these exploits he visited and
stuck up McKinnon's station at Little River. He then passed on to Mr.
Rutherford's Peechelba station, about twenty miles from Wangaratta. He
arrived at the station on Saturday night and bailed up all the
occupants--as he thought--in one room, having as prisoners eight females
and four males. One of the women, a nursemaid named Alice MacDonald,
pretending that she heard one of the children crying in an adjoining
room, demanded that Morgan should let her go to attend to it; but he
refused and she then boldly smacked his face and declared that she would
go in spite of him. Unused to such treatment, and evidently as much
amused as annoyed, the bushranger complied with her demand, and passing
out of the room she managed to convey intelligence to one of the station
hands who had been overlooked in the "mustering". Morgan happened to
hear her talking, and when she re-entered the room he questioned her,
but she said she had only been talking to the dog. Among the prisoners
was Mr. McPherson, who was part owner of the station with Mr.
Rutherford. Morgan proceeded to enjoy himself, and tea being ready he
made all the company sit down together, including Mr. and Mrs.
McPherson, and the other ladies who were present. During the night the
bushranger was very chatty and confidential, speaking of the hardships
he had to endure, and of his father and mother, who he said were still
alive. He made one of the ladies play the piano, and allowed them to
retire at bedtime. He said he was blamed in the Round Hill affair for
more than he had done, and that Heriot's messenger would not have been
shot only that he took the wrong road, which made him think that he was
going to give information to the police, and that he (Morgan)
consequently shot the messenger. Morgan was very sleepy, and nodded
occasionally but always kept a revolver in hand; he said he had not
slept for five days and nights, but told the people to be cautious, as
he always slept with one eye open. He treated Mr. McPherson, to whom his
remarks were chiefly addressed, civilly all through the night, declaring
that he would be content if supplied with a good horse in the morning.

Meanwhile the man with whom Alice MacDonald had spoken had gone to a
neighbouring station and carried the news, and all the men were
immediately supplied with firearms and proceeded to Peechelba house,
which was quietly surrounded, awaiting the arrival of the Wangaratta
police, for whom a messenger had been despatched on a fleet horse. When
this messenger reached the township he found that all but one policeman
were absent, but the news having spread, six civilians volunteered for
service, and placing themselves under the lead of the
policeman--Senior-constable Evans--the party were soon on the road,
making for the scene of what they had every reason to believe, from
Morgan's character, would be murder. Arrived at the house they found the
other party lying in ambush near the various outlets, and a whispered
consultation ensued as to what was best to be done. There were fourteen
persons all told outside the house, each carrying arms, among them being
Mr. Rutherford, McPherson's partner. At first some of the civilians
wished to rush the place, expressing a fear that at any moment Morgan's
murderous propensities might be given play, and there would be a
repetition of the Round Hill affair; but better counsels prevailed, and
it was resolved to lie in wait round the house until daylight, when the
bushranger was expected to show himself. During the night the watchers
were reinforced by some additional policemen.

Towards daylight Morgan went to the door and cautiously looked out, as
though feeling that there was danger near; but not a sound or movement
came from the watchers, and he returned to the room and drank a glass of
whisky, the first spirits he had tasted during the night. He then made
preparations to leave, and cocking his two revolvers, he ordered Mr.
McPherson and the three other men to precede him to the stable to catch
the horse that had been promised him. When he was well out, and while he
was watching his men, those behind closed cautiously on him, and an
Irishman named Quinlan, employed on the station, stepped in front to a
stump. McPherson glanced round as if talking to Morgan, and seeing the
men advancing, stepped a little on one side to allow them to fire, which
action was observed by Morgan, who was in the act of turning his head to
see the cause when Quinlan took aim at him and fired. The shot struck
the bushranger in the back near the shoulder; he fell to the ground on
his face, and in a moment was secured and disarmed.

As soon as his captors laid hands upon him he cried out, "Why didn't you
challenge me fair, and give me a chance?" but he made no attempt at
resistance, doubtless feeling that he had received his death wound, for
the shot had entered at the back of the shoulder and passed upwards and
out near the windpipe. He lingered in great agony from 8 o'clock a.m.
when he was shot down until 2 o'clock p.m., when he pointed to his
throat as if choking and expired.

When searched he was found to have on him £86 in notes, a bank draft on
Albury for £7, and two revolvers, one of which proved to have belonged
to Sergeant McGinnerty, whom he had shot some months previously.

During the afternoon the body was removed to the police camp at
Wangaratta, where an inquest was held and a verdict of justifiable
homicide was returned. The body was subsequently buried at Wangaratta;
but it was not a whole body, the head having been removed and taken to
Melbourne to Professor Halford, presumably to advance the cause of
science. But if all that was reported was true the body had been
mutilated even before the head was removed. Here is what the Wangaratta
"Despatch" of the day said on that subject:-


It may not be generally known that an act, the parallel of which might
in vain be looked for among the stories of the most savage tribes, was
perpetrated upon the remains of the bushranger Morgan, as he lay exposed
in the police camp, after the coroner's inquisition had decided upon and
recorded the verdict, and the majority of the public had departed, after
their curiosity was glutted by gazing on the peculiar features, the
flowing locks, and the luxuriant beard and moustache of the unfortunate
man. The razor or knife was, by the order or the act of some high
official, brought into requisition, the lower part of the face hacked
and the skin and portion of the flesh dragged round and over the chin,
till the operator performed the task of taking from the corpse his
massive beard. This disgusting job finished, the official departed with
his trophy, to be gazed at and admired by distant friends. Those who
were eager to see the corpse, and who were late in gratifying the
feeling, were horror-stricken with the spectacle which presented itself
to their view. The decomposed state of the head when it arrived in
Melbourne may have precluded perhaps, the possibility of the detection
of the horrible desecration; but numbers of our townspeople are aware of
it. We have now drawn attention to the fact, and it becomes incumbent on
the proper authorities to institute an investigation, and let us all see
the credentials of the perpetrator for the atrocity he has committed.


A greater act of barbarity was perhaps never committed in any civilised
community; and when the rumour circulated public indignation found loud
expression. A board of inquiry consisting of four Government officials
was appointed to investigate the affair, and that board sat in secret at
the Wangaratta Court House, certain charges in reference to the outrage
having been preferred against a prominent police officer and the coroner
for the district. Whether the Board found the charges proved, and if it
did what penal consequences followed, I have not been able to ascertain,
for the matter was hidden as much as possible from public view. That the
mutilation took place, however, was proved beyond doubt, and the horror
of the public when they heard of the act of barbarity was only equalled
by the indignation which they felt towards the savages who had committed
it.

Shortly after Morgan's death a responsible officer from police
headquarters in Sydney visited Wangaratta for the purpose of more fully
inquiring into the circumstances concerning the shooting of the
notorious bushranger and distributing the reward. The £1000 offered by
the New South Wales Government for his capture was paid over by that
official as follows:- £300 to Quinlan, who fired the fatal shot; £250 to
Alice McDonald, who courageously conveyed information to the station
hands, and communicated to McPherson and others, who were guarded in the
house by Morgan, what was being done, and who finally gave the signal to
the armed men outside when Morgan left the house; £200 to James Frazer,
who volunteered to ride into Wangaratta with information and for
assistance--(when another man selected would not go)--riding the
forty-two miles in about three hours and a half, and afterwards taking
his post under arms as directed, until Morgan was shot; £100 to Donald
Clarke, who conveyed the information to Mr. Rutherford, and then
volunteered (others having refused) to go up to the schoolroom for guns,
cleaning and loading them with his own--watching the house all night,
and arranging plans with others--then following Morgan down to try and
shoot him, in which attempt he was prevented by Mr. McPherson and son
being too near; £50 to Alice Keenan, a fellow servant with Alice
McDonald, for her presence of mind in communicating between the parties
guarded by Morgan and those outside. The balance of the money was handed
over to Mr. Rutherford and one of the officers of police to be
apportioned among the Victorian police and the other civilian volunteers
who assisted on the occasion.

There was not one redeeming feature in Morgan's career as a bushranger.
He entered upon that career of pillage and blood from choice, and not
one single regret can be felt that the wretch who could so ruthlessly
slaughter innocent men from sheer tigerish love of blood, should himself
be shot down without warning. "Why not challenge me fair and give me a
chance?" he asked with his dying breath; but fair challenges and chances
had not been given to any of the unfortunate men who had fallen before
his murderous fire. He had shown no mercy to others, and no mercy was
shown to him; the only regrettable circumstance connected with his final
disappearance being the brutal mutilation of his body after death.



CHAPTER XVII.


"THUNDERBOLT" (FREDERICK WARD).


Next to Morgan, perhaps, no individual bushranger earned greater
notoriety than did Frederick Ward, otherwise called "Thunderbolt". He
was an old "Cockatoo" bird, and one of the few prisoners who escaped
from that gruesome island. The escape was effected on September 11th,
1863, and Ward had for a companion in his flight a fellow convict named
Britten. Having evaded the sentries and got across the water dividing
the island from the mainland, the two men headed for the Hawkesbury, and
despite the efforts of the police to recapture them managed to get clean
away. Ward was a native of Windsor, and at the time of his flight was
about twenty-seven years of age. He was in point of size and agility a
good sample of the "Hawkesbury native", a splendid horseman, and
fearless and daring to a degree. To stimulate the police in their
efforts to re-arrest the bolter, the Government offered a reward of £25;
but very shortly after his escape he disappeared from the district, and
all efforts to trace him were for a time fruitless.

When next he was heard of he was making a name for himself as a
bushranger in the New England District. Like Morgan, he preferred
generally to work single-handed; but one person knew all his secrets,
sympathised in all his troubles, sheltered him, watched for him, and
proved a faithful friend. That person was a woman, and it is
questionable if ever bushranger had a "mate" more serviceable or more
devoted. "Thunderbolt" had a long reign, and during live or six years
his name was kept prominently before the public, while his person was
eagerly sought after by the police of the district chiefly infested by
him. He was a terror to the mailmen of the North, and, sometimes alone,
sometimes in company with others, "stuck-up" the drivers, rifled the
mailbags, robbed the passengers, and then leisurely decamped. His
paramour did not accompany him in his raids, but was generally near at
hand in some secure camp, to which "Thunderbolt" would resort when hard
pressed by the police or in want of provisions. She was an intelligent,
pleasant-looking half-caste, able to read and write fairly well, and
more refined in her speech than many of her European sisters, having
been carefully trained in her younger days. At one time she was in the
habit of riding about in man's attire, collecting horses or information,
procuring supplies, or doing any other odd jobs which it would be unsafe
for her comrade to engage in. It was by her means and through her
indefatigable exertions that "Thunderbolt" was enabled for so long a
time to evade capture; and although the police arrested her on a charge
of vagrancy, nothing could be proved against her, and she was released,
again to serve the master whose critical fortunes she had elected to
follow. On more than one occasion, when hard pressed for food in some
lonely retreat in the bush, and when a visit to any settler's house or
wayside store would have furnished a clue as to the hiding place, she
was known to hamstring a young calf (using a sharp shear-blade fastened
to the end of a long stick for the purpose), cut up the carcase, and
carry the meat to the "camp". During a portion of the time she had
several children with her, but towards the latter part of 1866 she went
"down the country" and left all but one, the youngest, with some of
"Thunderbolt's" friends. She proved faithful to her hunted paramour to
the last, and, as will be seen farther on, "Thunderbolt" proved faithful
to her, inasmuch as at great personal risk he found for her a
comfortable resting place in which she could breathe her last.

On four different occasions he stopped and robbed the Warialda mail, and
on each succeeded in making a good haul. In February, 1867, the mail was
being driven to Tamworth by Abraham Bowden, who had with him a passenger
named Derrington. They had just passed Manilla when the command to "bail
up" was heard, and having obeyed the mandate the two men were ordered to
pass into the bush a mile from the road, where "Thunderbolt" had a
second horse tied up. Here Bowden was commanded to hand out the mailbags
and to take up his position with Derrington about thirty yards distant
while the bushranger rifled the bags, taking from the letters all the
notes, cheques and orders which they contained. He then took the
mailman's saddle, which he said he would return, and eased Derrington of
some cheques and silver, but handed back the latter; after which he rode
off, leading the second horse. As soon as he had disappeared Bowden rode
back to Manilla for a saddle, and while there observed two horses on the
upper side of the rive which he believed to be 'Thunderbolt's." Having
resumed his journey towards Tarn worth he met Constables Norris, Shaw,
and Doherty, who were returning to their stations from the sessions at
Baraba. To these he told his story, and then pushed on to Tamworth to
acquaint the police there. After robbing the mail, the bushranger
crossed the Namoi to Mr. Hill's public house, and while he was there
McKinnon, the superintendent of Manilla Station, rode up. "Thunderbolt"
saw him coming and at once went out, and mounting his horse sat in the
saddle awaiting his approach. Thinking that the stranger was some
traveller McKinnon paid no attention to him, and having finished his
business at Hill's crossed the river to Veness' public house, where he
saw several persons in excited conversation, and learned from them that
the mail had been robbed. Before the narration concluded there was an
interruption. Hearing Mrs. Veness utter a scream, McKinnon turned his
head and saw the supposed traveller whom he had met at Hill's standing
behind him and presenting a revolver at his head. "Thunderbolt" ordered
him to dismount and take his place with the other people, whom he also
commanded to "bail up". After overhauling the superintendent and making
an exchange of saddles, he entered into conversation with his prisoners
and partook of some grog, for which he paid. After an hour had elapsed,
McKinnon begged to be allowed to proceed on his journey to Tamworth,
saying he was on his way to the doctor's, and having obtained permission
was fixing the saddle on his horse preparatory to making a start, when
all were startled by hearing the bushranger ejaculate "What's that?" and
looking down the road they saw Constable Norris approaching.
"Thunderbolt" at once mounted his horse and rode leisurely round the
corner and along a fence towards the river, leaving the pack horse at
the hotel. As Norris rode up the people at the hotel cried out to him
"Bushranger! after him!" and the constable at once let the packhorse he
was leading go, pulled the revolver out of its pouch, and followed. But
the chase was short and ineffectual, for Norris was soon back at the
hotel, and "Thunderbolt" was seen on the opposite bank of the river. As
Norris returned to the hotel, Constable Shaw drove up in a buggy, and
after a consultation the two policemen got into the buggy and drove
towards the river. As they ascended the opposite bank they caught sight
of the bushranger, who had evidently been waiting for them, for when
they came within hailing distance he called upon them to stand. Shaw
replied with a shot from his revolver, but his aim was defective and
"Thunderbolt" put spurs to his horse and disappeared. The two policemen
then drove up to Hill's house, and while Shaw proceeded to take the
horse out of the buggy Norris ran back to Veness' for the horse he had
left, to find that the bushranger had crossed the river and ridden down
the road, picking up as he went the packhorse which the constable had
been leading. Sergeant Doherty at this juncture appeared on the scene,
and Norris having joined him the two started in pursuit of the
bushranger, who they were informed was more than half drunk and might be
easily captured if they were smart. Before they had proceeded very far
they caught sight of "Thunderbolt", and getting within range they fired,
but without effect; and finding that the chase was getting too warm the
bushranger abandoned Norris' packhorse and soon outpaced his pursuers,
who returned to the hotel to report another failure. Attention was then
directed to the packhorse which "Thunderbolt" had left at the hotel,
and in the saddle-bags were found the cheques and orders that had been
taken from the mailbags, amounting in all to £427; but the more easily
negotiable bank-notes that had been taken were not there, the bushranger
having doubtless considered his own pockets the safest place for them.

Shortly after this "Thunderbolt" made his appearance on the road with a
boy as his robber companion, and the queerly-assorted pair committed
many depredations on the road, her Majesty's mails still forming the
chief attraction. The boy's name was Mason, and it was not long before
he established a reputation for reckless daring equal to that of his
chief. In many instance they abstained from robbing the passengers or
the driver, and contented themselves with rifling the bags and "sorting"
the letters, in which work they became quite proficient. Together they
held the road, defying all the efforts of the police to capture them,
for they took care to be always provided with the fleetest horses,
well-known racers having to leave their owners' stables and do duty as
hacks for them. How they managed to evade the police for such a length
of time was a mystery, for credit must be given to the latter for
putting forth every effort to take them. All attempts to discover their
camps or hiding places while occupied were fruitless, although the
baffled officials would now and then succeed in following a trail
leading to a deserted retreat, the "birds" haying flown to some other
locality before their arrival.

But while so frequently levying blackmail upon the post in its transit
from one place to another, "Thunderbolt" and his boy-mate were not
particular as to the victims. The money they stole from the mailbags was
not spent in the purchase of stores, although some of it may have gone
into the pockets of active sympathisers and assistants, who, themselves
not bold enough to "take the bush", kept the bushranger posted in the
movements of the police. If stores were wanted they were generally
obtained in sufficient quantities by a sudden descent upon some roadside
pub-store (in those days the publican generally served in the double
capacity of grog-seller and grocer), from the stock in which a good
choice of needful articles could be made. "Thunderbolt" and his boy
would present themselves at the establishment, each leading a
packhorse--not the heavy animal usually led by the traveller, and whose
chronic pace was a slow jog-trot, but a well-bred, fleet-footed beast,
equal to the task of a break-the-record pace if necessity arose--which
they would load with flour, tea, sugar, potted fish, and anything else
that the unfortunate storekeeper might have in stock, not forgetting a
bottle or two or spirits. When fully loaded they would ride off as
suddenly as they appeared. If there did not happen to be a general store
near when provisions ran short, a visit would be paid to the house of a
well-to-do settler, and if nothing more than provisions were taken the
latter would count himself remarkably fortunate. Shortly after
"Thunderbolt" had committed a series of depredations, ending with the
robbery of the Tamworth-Singleton mail, the Government awoke to the
necessity of offering further inducements to the police and others to
effect his capture, and the following notice was published in the
"Gazette" and newspapers:-


Colonial Secretary's Office,

£200 REWARD FOR THE APPREHENSION OF FREDERICK WARD (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"THUNDERBOLT") AND £50 EACH FOR ACCOMPLICES.

Whereas, the abovenamed convict, who effected his escape from the Penal
Establishment, Cockatoo Island, on the 11th September, 1863, is still at
large, and is further charged with the commission of divers other
serious crimes: And whereas, by notice dated the 4th December, 1865, a
reward of £100 was offered by the Government for the capture of this
offender: Notice is hereby given that an increased reward of £200 will
be paid by the Government for the apprehension of the abovenamed
offender, or, if effected upon information received, then one half the
reward to the person giving such information, and the other moiety to
the person or persons effecting the capture; and, further, that the
Government will pay a reward of £50, to be similarly divided, for the
apprehension of any accomplice of the said Frederick Ward, arrested in
his company, or associated with him in the commission of crime.

The above reward to be in lieu of all other rewards payable by the
Government under previous notice for the apprehension or conviction of
this offender.

HENRY PARKES.


But still the depredations continued. As month followed month, and as
report after report was published of highway robberies by one man whose
immunity from arrest caused men to marvel, only those who were
compelled to do so travelled through the infested district; and these
resorted to every imaginable device for secreting the money and
valuables they were compelled to carry with them, in the hope that they
would be able to pass scathless. A serious block to business was caused
by this state of things, and the residents of the northern district
fretted under it. Business people were afraid to forward money through
the post; when they were compelled to do so they sent it in the form of
cheques. But even these were not allowed to pass by "Thunderbolt", who
invariably took them away with him, and either concealed them in the
bush or destroyed them, uttering many complaints about the "infernal"
custom which had sprung up of paying for everything with "paper" which
in a bushranger's hands was not negotiable.

For some time after Mason joined him, the two worked together, and
occasionally the older ruffian would stand aside and allow the younger
to do the whole work, himself keeping a watchful eye upon the
intercepted travellers, who were naturally indignant that they should
have to submit to be robbed by a boy scarcely out of his teens.
"Thunderbolt" was one of those men of the road who could boast with
truth that he was always courteous, if not kind, to females, who might
happen to be in the company of those "stuck up"; and he trained his
bushranger apprentice to act courteously also. On one occasion when he
had stopped the mail coach between Murrurundi and Wallabadah, there were
two females among the passengers, and he ostentatiously instructed Mason
to confine his attention solely to the mail bags, and not to molest the
passengers in any way for fear of "hurting the ladies' feelings". The
lad was armed with a gun, and seemed inclined to "show off" a little in
front of the women, grumbling not a little that his "boss" should allow
the men to escape for the sake of the women, especially as the principal
letters contained the objectionable "paper" instead of money.

A little later some excitement was created by the news spreading that
the police had encountered "Thunderbolt" on two occasions and had
captured him--nearly. The first part of the report was correct.
Senior-constables Dalton and Cantrill had been vigorously scouring the
bush and had come across tracks which they believed to be those of the
bushranger and which they concluded were leading to his camp in the
mountains. They followed these tracks to a point which they knew would
not admit of any turning, and then dismounted. Leaving their horses they
proceeded cautiously into the bush on foot in the direction of the spot
where they concluded the camp would be. It was night when they began
this march, and they could not make much headway, but as day dawned on
the following morning they saw that for once they had hit upon a good
trail; at a distance of about sixty yards they saw the bushranger, who
was in the act of putting on his boots preparatory to catching his
horse, which was grazing near. He had one boot on and the other and a
bridle in his hands, but a slight noise caused him to look up, and
catching sight of the police he dropped the boot and bridle and dashed
off into the scrubby range close at hand, the police following as fast
as they could and firing as they ran. But neither their firing nor their
running proved effective. "Thunderbolt" had an advantage over his
pursuers in knowing the course, and after a race of about a mile he
succeeded in getting away at a spot where the scrub was more than
usually dense. Returning to the camp the police secured a boot and two
horses, one of which was supposed to belong to the boy Mason, and
returned with them in triumph to the station. At a later hour of the day
another party of police came across "Thunderbolt" on the same range.
They had been escorting the mail from Warialda to Tamworth, and had
turned off the road on the return journey when they saw two horsemen
talking to a woman on the range. At first they thought the man belonged
to the police, as one of the horses looked like a "force" animal, but on
nearer approach they saw that it was "Thunderbolt" and Mason, and that
they were talking to the mistress of the former. The police made a rush,
and so did the bushrangers, each of whom held a spare horse, which was
dropped as soon as the flight commenced. Shortly after starting
"Thunderbolt" and the boy separated, each taking a different road
through the bush, but the police continued to chase the larger game,
being more anxious to catch the master than the apprentice. They fired
several times, but the bullets did not hit the mark at which they were
aimed, and the bushrangers again escaped, although the pursuers reported
that they had seen blood on the track, as though either a man of a horse
had been wounded. "Thunderbolt" was still minus one boot, the foot
having a black cloth wrapped round it. When the police returned to pick
up the two spare horses the woman whom they had at first seen had
disappeared.

The separation between the master and his boy proved fatal to the
latter. He made no effort to rejoin "Thunderbolt", believing that he had
fallen into the hands of his pursuers, and at once started off for
another part of the country. The encounter in which he and his master
were separated took place on the Borah Ranges, and for some time the
police concentrated their forces in this locality, imagining that
"Thunderbolt" and the boy would endeavour to rejoin each other near the
spot at which they had been driven apart. Mason was riding a good horse
when he disappeared, but the hard riding took all the "go" out of it and
before he had reached Dangar's station, about thirty miles from Millie,
it had completely knocked up. Leaving the horse. Mason put away his arms
and the saddle and bridle, and performed the rest of the journey on
foot. Here word was conveyed to the police, and Senior-constable Connery
and other members of the force started in pursuit from Narrabri, and
captured Mason without any resistance on the latter's part. The
youngster admitted that he was "Thunderbolt's" boy, and that he had with
him committed several robberies. He had on his person when arrested,
cheques amounting to about £100, which had been taken from the Merriwa
mail. During his trip to Tamworth he became very communicative to the
police, giving them an account of his life. Among other things he told
them that he was apprenticed out of the Orphan School to a Mr. Shaw, in
the employ of Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, & Co., of Sydney, at the age of
twelve years; that he remained with him for some time and then proceeded
"up country", where he engaged with different persons; that he was doing
a job of fencing when he fell in with "Thunderbolt", who represented
himself as a squatter, and engaged him to assist in taking a mob of
horses overland; that he soon ascertained "Thunderbolt's" real
character, and did not hesitate to join him in the free but dangerous
life that he was leading. Mason was at the time of his arrest only about
sixteen years of age, of slight build, fair complexion, and not by any
means a formidable-looking character.

In due course the youthful bandit was brought before the court and
committed for trial, was tried and sentenced to a comparatively short
term of imprisonment, which term he served only to be released and
imprisoned again, a proceeding which was repeated several times,
sentences of ten, fourteen, and twenty years following each other.

After the capture of his boy mate "Thunderbolt" continued his
single-handed depredations, his extraordinary power of keeping out of
the hands of the police still being the constant theme of conversation.
Occasionally, however, the hunters and the hunted would come near each
other, but the report made by the former after the event presented a
monotonous sameness.

Towards the end of 1867 "Thunderbolt" made his appearance at the house
of a settler on the Goulburn River, near Muswellbrook, and told the
woman of the house a story which at once aroused her pity. His faithful
mistress was sick unto death, and he desired to secure for her a little
comfort during her declining hours. He had nursed her for some time in
their secret camp; but the rough life which she had been compelled to
lead and the constant anxious look-out which she had kept had undermined
her health, and she was slowly dying. Would Mrs. Bradford take pity on
her, admit her to the shelter of the house, and permit her to breath her
last beneath a roof? It would not be safe for him to attempt to bring
the woman to the house, but he would describe the place so that it could
be easily found if Mrs. Bradford would agree to perform this act of
charity; otherwise, he would seek aid from the clergyman (Rev. Mr.
White), who happened to be in the neighbourhood, and ask him to report
her condition to the police, and have her attended to, for he must leave
the district, which was getting too warm for him, at once. Mrs. Bradford
readily consented to do as "Thunderbolt" desired, and herself proceeded
to the spot described by him, and found the poor half-caste woman lying
helpless and speechless in an extemporised camp near a cave on the
mountain side, sheltered from the sun's rays by some boughs. Without
delay a cart was procured, and "Yellow Long"--that was the name by which
she was commonly known--was slowly carried to Mrs. Bradford's house.
"Thunderbolt" had stated correctly that she could not live many hours.
It was seen that she was dying, and while one messenger went to inform
the police another was despatched for the clergyman. The latter arrived
shortly before the woman died, and the police immediately afterwards. It
was only natural, of course, that "Thunderbolt" should seek aid and
shelter for his faithful paramour in her dire extremity, and it was not
less natural that he should desire for her decent burial after death.
Yet, in comparison with some of the early bushrangers, he was singular
in this respect. The reader may remember how Michael Howe turned upon
the woman who had served him so faithfully and in cold blood shot her
down when she was running by his side endeavouring to escape from the
police. The sick woman must have been a constant source of danger to
"Thunderbolt" during the month preceding her death, yet he tended her
carefully until all hope of recovery had fled, and did not scruple to
reveal his hiding-place in order to secure for her an easy death-bed.
When the police subsequently visited the camp they found one of the
bushranger's horses tied up near the place; but the bushranger himself
had disappeared, and search for him proved fruitless.

For several weeks nothing was heard of him, and many persons concluded
that he had carried out the intention expressed to Mrs. Bradford, and
left the district. But all uncertainty on the point was set at rest one
morning by the report that he had been seen and chased--ineffectually of
course--by the police. Owing to his frequent raids, police were told off
to patrol the roads between certain places, and while carrying out that
duty two troopers unexpectedly came across him when shoeing his horse in
the bed of the Namoi River, near Manilla. Not expecting to find him in
that locality they were proceeding leisurely on their way, talking
rather loudly as they rode, when they suddenly espied a horseman in the
river's bed. There was a mutual recognition, and simultaneous excited
movements, the troopers on the bank, which at this spot was very steep,
riding at good speed towards a point which they knew would afford the
man below an opportunity of ascending to level ground with them, and the
bushranger pressing forward at top speed, eagerly looking for a
tolerably easy spot to climb. He discovered that spot before the
troopers could close upon him, and facing his horse at the bank he
scaled it within view and almost within range of his pursuers. Then
ensued a rather exciting chase for a couple of miles; but "Thunderbolt"
was riding a very fine blood animal which he had stolen from Mr. Clift,
of Breeza, and almost without effort he outpaced the horses ridden by
the troopers, and disappeared in the bush, one of his pursuers firing a
harmless shot after him.

For fully two years after this harmless encounter "Thunderbolt" remained
at large, making occasional raids on travellers, coaches, and wayside
stores, and then hastening back to some close retreat in the mountains.
But in May, 1870, his long career was brought to a close, and in a
manner as sudden as it was unexpected. He was at this time near the
little town of Uralla, whose inhabitants were one afternoon about dusk
thrown into a fever of excitement by the intelligence that the
bushranger was at that moment engaged in sticking-up travellers and
others at Blanche's inn, about three miles from the township. The news
was brought in by a hawker who had himself been robbed by "Thunderbolt",
but who had obtained permission to proceed on his journey, taking the
road leading away from the town. At a convenient spot, however, he
turned and made all haste to Uralla, where he made his errand known to
the police, and Senior-constable Mulhall, the officer in charge of the
station, at once started out for the scene of the operations, instructing
Constable Walker, the lock-up keeper, to follow him as soon as he had
changed his uniform for a private suit. Approaching Blanche's place
Mulhall saw two well-mounted men talking together near a garden at the
end of the inn, and at once concluding that one of them was
"Thunderbolt", he galloped forward and fired his revolver. His horse
took fright at the sound of the shot, and made away; but it had not gone
many hundred yards back towards Uralla when Walker was met with.

Pointing to the men in the distance, Mulhall said to Walker, "There are
the wretches--I have just exchanged shots with them." Walker advanced by
himself, and the men at the same moment separated, one of them coming
along the road and the other starting off at a gallop through the bush.
Rightly concluding that the latter was the man he wanted, Walker put
spurs to his horse and galloped after him, but coming into contact with
a sapling where the bush was thick he "came a cropper", although he
managed to stick to the reins. Just as he fell the bushranger turned in
his saddle and fired, the ball whistling close to Walker's ear.

Quickly remounting, the constable resumed the chase, and then saw that
his man was trying to double round the paddock which adjoined the garden
with the object of getting back to the main road. Putting his horse to
speed he managed to block the way in that direction, and forced the
bushranger into a small gully and through some swampy ground up a hill
on the other side. From this vantage point the bushranger again took aim
and fired upon his pursuer, but without result; he then galloped up to
some large granite rocks at the edge of a pool, plunged into the water,
and swam over, leaving his horse on the other side. But Walker was "up
to the dodge". He saw that the design of the bushranger was to "spell"
his horse, double round the hole to him if his pursuer followed, and
thus have a clear escape back to the road again. He thereupon turned his
attention for the moment to the horse, and riding up to him sent a
revolver bullet through his brain. By this means he literally destroyed
the enemy's boats, and forced him to an encounter.

Having destroyed the horse, the plucky constable then rode round,
crossing a narrow slip of water by which the hole was connected with
another of somewhat similar dimensions. "Thunderbolt", making another
dash, got across the narrow strip, and had just reached the top of the
bank when his pursuer reached the edge of the opposite side. Here the
two men paused, facing each other, and the bushranger spoke. "Who are
you?" he asked. Walker replied "Never mind; surrender." "Are you a
policeman?" queried the other. "I am; you surrender", replied his
opponent. "What's your name?" again asked the bushranger. "My name is
Walker." "Have you a wife and family?" asked the man of the road. Walker
replied "I thought of that before I came here; you surrender."
"Thunderbolt" replied "No; I'll die first"; and then Walker stuck spurs
into his horse, and crying out "You and I for it!" sought to urge his
animal across the water separating him from his opponent. But his haste
nearly cost him his life. As the horse jumped forward under the
spur-stabs he missed his footing and plunged into the creek almost head
first; before he could recover the bushranger rushed forward and
endeavoured to pull the constable from the saddle into the water, his
object no doubt being to either disable or kill his opponent, and then
escape on his horse. That he did not succeed in his object was not his
fault, for he was a strongly-built, muscular man, while Walker had only
just recovered from a long sickness, and if it had been a mere test of
strength between the two men the constable must have gone under. But the
latter was fortunate in having reserved one charge in his revolver, and
in having kept the weapon out of the water. At the critical moment he
managed to press the revolver against the bushranger's body and pull the
trigger. Simultaneously with the discharge of the piece "Thunderbolt"
uttered a cry of rage and pain, and staggered back, but speedily
recovering himself--although, as was afterwards seen, the bullet had
passed clean through his body, tearing his right lung and coming out at
the back--he made another clutch at his opponent. Walker knew that he
had fired his last shot. He at once turned the revolver and used it as a
club, striking his assailant on the head and knocking him back into the
water, which at this spot was about four feet deep. He then jumped from
his horse and dragged his fallen foe to the bank, where, after two or
three gasps, "Thunderbolt" expired.

Night had now fallen, and the officer, leaving the body of the
bushranger on the bank of the lagoon, rode back to Blanche's, near which
place he again met the man whom he had seen with "Thunderbolt" on his
arrival. Thinking he was an accomplice, Walker, who was now without
ammunition, boldly called upon him to surrender, which he did.
Explanations followed; it turned out that the man, who was a drover, had
some horses in his charge, and had himself been "bailed up" by the
outlaw, and the horse the constable had shot was one that "Thunderbolt"
had taken from him and was giving a trial to. This explained the attempt
made by the bushranger to double back to the inn, where he had left his
own horse--a splendid thoroughbred; had he succeeded in doing this he
would have easily shown his pursuer a clean pair of heels.

Having informed the people at Blanche's inn of what had taken place.
Walker started with some of them to remove the body, but owing to the
darkness of the night the exact spot where the body lay could not be
found, and it was decided to abandon the search until the following
morning. No difficulty was experienced in discovering the spot in
daylight, and the body having been removed to Uralla a magisterial
inquiry was held before Mr. Buchanan, J.P., and a verdict of justifiable
homicide was returned.

Walker received the reward which the Government had offered for
Thunderbolt's capture, and in due course was further rewarded by
promotion in the ranks of a force of which he had proved himself so
useful a member.

What "Thunderbolt" had done with all the money he had taken during his
bushranging career was a mystery which no person was able to solve, and
to this day that mystery remains unsolved. Unlike many of the other "men
of the road", he had very few friends in the district to which his
depredations were confined, and his takings could not have been
dissipated in gifts as hush-money or payments for services rendered as
telegraphs. The general impression was that he had "planted" the bulk of
the spoil in the bush, and that impression was strengthened by a
discovery that was made twenty years afterwards in a cave which had been
used by him and his half-caste paramour near the Goulburn River. A lad
was hunting for birds' eggs at this spot in 1890 and found an oil-bottle
containing a large number of £5 Commercial Bank notes. The notes were
damp and mouldy, and it was only with difficulty that the numbers could
be deciphered on some of them, the pulpy mass being neither good for
ornament nor use. There can be very little doubt that the notes were
hidden by the bushranger in readiness for the flight which he
contemplated making with his dark-skinned companion, all hope of which
had been destroyed by the latter's illness and death, and the tragic
ending of his own career in the encounter with Constable Walker.



CHAPTER XVIII.


THE BROTHERS CLARKE.


The career of the Clarkes, who infested the Braidwood and neighbouring
districts during the sixties, is one of the most fearful in the annals
of Australian crime. They illustrated tribal lawlessness in a civilised
land, for the family, root and branch, was steeped in viciousness. John
Clarke, the father of the family, died in Goulburn Gaol, while under a
charge of having murdered a black tracker. His wife, whose maiden name
was Connell, had four brothers. One of them was charged with being
accessory to the murder of a party of policemen; another was serving ten
years in Darlinghurst Gaol, having previously served five years for
highway robbery; and his wife was in the same place for receiving stolen
property. A third brother was shot dead by the police; a fourth had
sentence of death passed upon him for highway robbery and wounding. Two
of John Clarke's sons--Thomas and John--were executed for highway
robbery and murder, and a third was imprisoned for three years for
receiving bank-notes stolen from the Queanbeyan mail by Thomas Clarke,
his brother, and a brother of Mrs. John Connell's. Thus the three
families combined in a strong confederacy of violence, robbery and
murder. It is with the two Clarke brothers, Thomas and John, however,
that I purpose here particularly to deal.

If the brothers commenced their bushranging career in company they did
so in a very quiet way, for only Thomas was sought after by the police
when public attention was first directed to the family. Thomas was
caught by the police and placed in Braidwood gaol on a charge of robbery
under arms; he made a successful effort to escape, and on October 3rd,
1865, was posted as missing. From that day he kept the whole police
force of that and the neighbouring districts in full cry after him for
eighteen months, while he perpetrated outrages which at last became
abominable. His record reads thus:--Stole a horse from Dransfield, at
Jembaicumbene, October 27; stole a horse from Mulligan, at same place,
December 1; stole a horse from Mallon, at Mericumbene, December 13;
robbery of Mr. Hosking's, at Foxlow, December 29; of Summer's store, at
Jembaicumbene, January 13, 1866; of Frazer and Mathison, on Major's
Creek Mountain, January 15; of the Post-office at Michelago, February 3;
of John McElroy, Manar, February 10; of Edward Eaton, of Crown Flat,
February 13; of Morris' store at Mudmelong, February 23; of Cullen and
Harnett, near Cooma, March 22; of the Nerrigundah mail, when a Mr.
Emmett was seriously wounded, April 9; murder of Miles O'Grady--for
which offence he was outlawed--April 9; robbery of Armstrong's store at
Araluen, May 22.

From this point Thomas Clarke was associated with his brother John, and
the exploits of the pair may be thus summarised:--Robbery of Levy and
others, at Michelago, June 1st, 1866; of Thomas Well, at Jindera, June
4; of the Moruya mail (mailboy's horse taken), July 16; of King and
Morris' stores at Mudmelong, July 16; fired at the Ballalaba police,
July 17; of F. H. Wilson, at Manar Station, July 24; robbery of the Yass
mail, July 27; of the Queanbeyan mail, July 30; of Hoskings, at Foxlow,
August 22, also September 10; of Myers and Badgery, at Jembaicumbene,
August 27; of a Chinaman, on the Araluen Mountain, October 9; of a
Chinaman, at Jembaicumbene, November 20; of a number of Chinamen, at
Major's Creek, same day; of the Yass mail, at Razorback, December 7; of
a Chinaman, at Mudmelong, December 31; of James Hyland, at Crown Flat,
same date; suspected of murdering four special constables, at Jindera,
January 9, 1867; robbery of John Hornby, on Araluen Mountain, January
13; of Chowry and Lamb, at Mongarlo, January 14; of the Yass mail,
January 22; of James Myers, at Jembaicumbene, January 26; of the Goulburn
mail, February 22; of Frazer's store at Gundaroo, March 7; feloniously
wounding Constable Walsh and Sir Watkin, the black tracker, when being
captured at Jindera, April 27; tried at Central Criminal Court, Sydney,
May 29; executed at Darlinghurst, June 25, 1867.

The list is not quite complete; but it is long enough and black enough,
surely, to satisfy anyone that no more remarkable confederacy of
robbery, violence and murder has ever been known to exist in any
civilised community. The details of some only of the more serious of the
offences above recorded need be given, for this story is not written for
the purpose of satisfying morbid curiosity or pandering to the vitiated
tastes of those who delight to hear or read of deeds of violence and
blood; but simply in order that the Australian citizen of today may
know something of the strange vicissitudes through which the settlers of
earlier days had to pass--a knowledge to which they could not attain
without a record of this kind being placed before them.

Mention has only been made of two brothers, but they were associated
with others of the family, Connell being prominent in several cases, and
a man named Fletcher being also with them. The four were together when
the attack was made upon Nerrigundah township in April, 1866. Towards
dusk on the evening of the 9th they rode into the town, two abreast, and
while two of them stopped at Wallis' hotel, the other two rode on to
Pollock's store. The two at Wallis' made all the persons at the hotel
deliver up their cash and valuables, and were standing guard over them
when Thomas Clarke brought in Mrs. Pollock and placed her with the other
prisoners, at the same time taking from her about £7 in money and the
key of the safe. Standing with the key in his hand near the door, Clarke
was suddenly surprised at feeling it snatched from him by Mrs. Pollock,
and he rather angrily demanded that it should be at once returned; but
the plucky woman threw the key over his head into the street, and though
he searched for it with a lamp from the hotel, he could not find it.
Shortly after other residents of the town were brought in. Mr. Pollock
about this time returned from the upper town, and as he turned the comer
at Wallis' he was told to dismount. He at first thought it some
practical joking, and refused, but the bushrangers pulled him from the
horse and walked him into the bar. As he resisted, one of them put down
his gun and struck him on the face, the others keeping him covered, and
Clarke threatened to blow his head off. Seeing that resistance was
useless. Pollock became quiet. The number of victims had by this time
swelled to about forty, as the bushrangers forced every individual that
came near to stand with the others in the house, where they were kept
under cover of the revolvers.

By this time the news had spread among the inhabitants, and they either
hid away with their money or ran down to the hotel to see what was there
going on, only to find themselves ordered to take up their positions
with the other victims. The leading butcher of the town, Drew, foolishly
carried his money with him to the hotel, and was immediately commanded
to take his place with the others. He hesitated a good deal when he was
commanded to "fork out your cash", and when passing the door of a side
room suddenly threw his roll of notes inside the tap-room through the
door. One of the bushrangers observed his action and at once called for
a light in order to ascertain what it was that Drew had thrown away; but
before the light was furnished there was an interruption. Constable
O'Grady and another constable, who at the time had sole charge of the
town, had received word of the bushrangers' presence, and bravely
determined to tackle them at the hotel. Coming to the place, O'Grady saw
the four bushrangers inside, and raising his revolver took aim and
fired. The shot told and Fletcher fell, upon which Thomas Clarke at once
rushed out with the others and commenced firing. The constables
retreated down the street, but before they had proceeded far, O'Grady
fell, mortally wounded. The bushrangers then galloped away in the
direction of Deep Creek, a village about three miles from the Gulf,
threatening to come back and shoot every person in Nerrigundah.

O'Grady's death was followed by a proclamation against Thomas Clarke
and Connell under the Felon's Apprehension Act. A summons was issued
against them under the hand of the Chief Justice, calling upon them to
surrender to the Governor of Braidwood Gaol by the 4th May, and the
period of grace allowed having expired they were formally outlawed. A
few days after the outrage the police and some volunteers came across
the bushrangers near Boralo Range, leading a packhorse, and fired upon
them, but Clarke and his companions escaped, although "Tommy" was
supposed to have been disabled by a spent revolver bullet striking him
in the knee.

On several occasions the police had "brushes" with the bushrangers, and
came near arresting one or other of them more than once. But their
failure to capture the band formed the subject of much debate. Those who
were unacquainted with the difficulties under which this special class
of police duty had to be performed could not understand how it was that
a small band of men could so successfully, and for such a length of
time, evade capture, when every available man in the police force was
engaged in the hunt for them, and power had been placed in the hands of
any person to shoot them down as outlaws. But it was the old story of
strong sympathetic aid from numerous friends--harbourers, scouts and
"telegraphs". Several of the more prominent settlers and squatters in
the wild locality in which they chiefly sought refuge were pronounced
friends of the outlaws; but although it was known that they harboured
the criminals, and in their interests watched every police movement,
from the nature of the country and the confederation that existed it was
not possible to bring home effective proof. The Government had been
recommended to cancel the lease of the run upon which these people had
settled, and had adopted that recommendation, but in a weak moment had
subsequently revoked the order at the request of a member of Parliament
who had suffered himself to be misled. Thus the nest of robbers remained
undisturbed, and the State contributed to the defeat of its own
officers.

Towards the close of 1866 a party of secret police--under the command
of a man named Flynn--was organised for the special purpose of breaking
up this gang, but after a short period of ineffective service, internal
disagreements arose and the party was discharged from duty. But the idea
of a secret police was not abandoned, and an effort was made by the
authorities in Sydney to form a second party, stronger than the first
and more fitted for the peculiarly difficult and dangerous work. A
senior warder in Darlinghurst gaol, named Carroll, who had been in the
police force, volunteered for the service, and undertook to get certain
other reliable men to join him. Carroll was a singularly efficient
warder, and was remarkable as a man of great activity and physical
strength, of undaunted courage, of wary caution, of determined will, and
with an intelligence superior to his station. He offered to go after
Clarke's gang, having some special reason for believing that he could
get on the track of the outlaw. The conditions were that if he failed he
was to receive no recompense for his trouble, but that if he succeeded
he was to have suitable promotion in the public service. His offer was
accepted, and he was allowed to choose his own party. Two of the men he
chose--Patrick Kennagh and Eneas McDonnell--had been warders, and the
other--John Phegan--had been in some connection with Clarke's gang, knew
the country, and had served his sentence.

Each member of the party was furnished with Tranter's revolvers, and the
leader carried with him as an introduction to the chief magistrates of
the district an interesting document under the hand of the late Sir
Henry Parkes, who was then Premier of the colony. That document read as
follows:-


The Colonial Secretary to Mr. John Carroll. (Strictly secret.)

Colonial Secretary's Office, 22nd September, 1866.

Sir,--You are hereby authorised by the Government to proceed, by
steamer, to Braid wood, in charge of a secret expedition for the capture
of the bushranger Thomas Clarke and his associates.

The Government approves of your engaging the services of the three men,
named Patrick Kennagh, Eneas McDonnell, and John Phegan, to act under
you in this expedition, and agrees to the terms of engagement with you
and them, as specified below.

In respect to yourself, your remuneration is to depend entirely on your
success. If you fail, you are not to receive any compensation whatever.
If you succeed in capturing Clarke, dead or alive, or in performing any
similar service equal in importance to the protection of society, you
shall receive pay for your time, at the rate of 12s 6d per diem, from
the day you leave Sydney until the day on which you return to Sydney,
and you shall be appointed to an office in the public service superior
to any you have hitherto held.

In respect to the persons acting under you:--If as a party you fail in
the objects of the expedition, they shall be entitled to receive 7s per
diem from the day they leave Sydney until the day on which they return,
but shall have no other claim on the Government. If as a party you
succeed in capturing Clarke, dead or alive, or in performing any equal
service, they shall receive 10s per diem, calculated in the same manner,
and shall be further entitled to be employed in the public service, in
any situation for which they are properly qualified.

These terms are irrespective of any reward or rewards that have been or
may be offered for the capture of the bushrangers.

On arriving in Braidwood, you will all be sworn in as special constables
for the district by Messrs. Rodd and Bennison, Justices of the Peace.

Your obedient servant,

HENRY PARKES.


Thus equipped and authorised, Carroll and his companions were sworn in
as special constables, disguised themselves as surveyors, and proceeded
to measure out a flat near the residence of Clarke's father, near
Jingera. While so engaged they were subjected to an unexpected night
attack, and narrowly escaped being shot down round their camp fire
before they had well entered upon their work.

After finishing some bogus surveying they returned to their camp and had
tea. They were standing round the fire conversing, when suddenly they
were startled by the report of a rifle, and the "ping" of the bullet as
it struck the tree against which the fire had been made. They rushed
for their arms, but before they could use them they were again fired
upon from opposite directions. The night was very dark, and Carroll's
party could not see their assailants, but they fired in the direction
from which the shots had proceeded, and several volleys were exchanged,
but without injury to either side.

After this murderous attack, disguise was at an end, and Carroll set
himself openly to work to root out the harbourers. Some of Clarke's
acquaintances, including two of his sisters, were brought up before the
magistrates and committed for trial. When in court in connection with
these trials Carroll complained that the police rather hindered than
helped him. In a report to the Government he repeated that charge, and
even implicated some magistrates in winking at the conduct of the
bushrangers from a regard to their own property. Accusations of this
sort could not, however, be acted upon by the Government in the absence
of more specific information; and it is possible that Carroll, baffled
in his first attempt, may have laid more blame on others than they
deserved. So far as the police were concerned, it was clear that Carroll
operated among the harbourers to an extent that had not been previously
practised. Yet it had to be confessed that all the special expeditions
sent out against the bushrangers had failed, and that whatever may have
been the shortcoming of the police in capturing bushrangers, no other
set of men had done what they had left undone.

Having abandoned the pretence of performing surveying work, Carroll and
his men now openly hunted the bushrangers from the same level as the
police, whose efforts were not in any degree relaxed, jealous though the
subordinate members of the force may have been of the party whose
movements were untrammelled by red-tape regulations or official
mandates. But the bushrangers defied alike police and "specials", and
still pursued their course of open robbery. There was no conclusive
evidence, of course, that Clarke and his mates had been the assailants in
the attack recorded; but no one doubted that the shots had been fired by
them.

For a time Carroll's party were more cautious in their movements. They
decided never to camp in a tent, which favoured a surprise by the
bushrangers, who could approach them unseen and unheard. They also
adopted the plan of rapid movements from one place to another, and
succeeded in keeping the hunted men in a state of suspense and constant
watchfulness. Failing by direct pursuit to accomplish their purpose.
they tried what bribery could do among some of the many friends of the
outlaws, and by this means they learned who were the chief harbourers of
the gang and who kept them supplied with the munitions of war. In this
way they were enabled to make several arrests, the most important being
that of Michael Connell, a relative of the outlaws, and postmaster and
storekeeper at Oremmeir, and that of another relative named Berry. It
was during the hearing of the charges against them that Carroll charged
some of the police with having actually partaken of the plunder of the
Foxlow robberies, and with having been unduly familiar with some of the
female members of the bushrangers' families.

On the night of the 8th January, 1867, Carroll and his companions
started on foot from Jinden at about eight o'clock, intending to visit
the house of a man named Guinnes, about four miles distant, which they
believed to be a favourite resort for the Clarkes and their companions.
To reach Guinnes's house they had to pass through a very dense scrub,
about half a mile from Smith's place. That scrub proved their grave. The
sound of firing was heard at Smith's house about half an hour after the
party had started; then there was silence, broken some time afterwards
by the sound of another volley. Yet no one appears to have thought the
occurrence sufficiently serious to call for immediate inquiry, and the
inmates of the house retired to rest, in blissful ignorance of the fact
that Carroll, McDonnell, Phegan, and Kennagh lay in the bush stark and
stiff.

The position of the bodies when found on the following day indicated
pretty clearly that the men had been taken by surprise and shot down as
they walked through an open space in the bush. Some stockmen, the first
to learn that any outrage had been committed, came across the bodies of
Phegan and McDonnell riddled with bullets. The latter had apparently
been first shot in the thigh, and his leg was twisted under his body,
which was lying in a pool of blood, having several other bullet holes in
it also. Phegan's body was fairly riddled with bullets, and the two men
had evidently fallen together. The bodies of Carroll and Kennagh were
discovered by a party of police shortly afterwards, about half a mile
from the spot where those of their two companions lay. The former had
been shot through the temple and the latter through the throat; it was
conjectured that they escaped the first volley, ran for cover, were
followed, called on to surrender, and then deliberately shot as they
faced their murderers. Carroll was lying on his back with a handkerchief
neatly folded across his breast, and a one-pound note pinned to it. That
the object of the murder had been revenge and not robbery was clearly
proved by the fact that in the pockets of the leader there was a large
sum of money left untouched, as also was the money in the possession of
his companions. Mr. Smith immediately informed the authorities at the
nearest station, and the bodies were conveyed to Jinden, where an
inquiry was held before a magistrate, after which the bodies were
hurriedly buried, sheets of bark being made to do the double duty of
winding sheets and coffins. Some days afterwards the bodies were exhumed
in order that a public funeral might be accorded them, that being the
wish of the Government.

The news created a great sensation throughout the whole colony. Never
before had an outrage like this been committed, and never before was
such general anxiety manifested to hunt down the murderers. Carroll's
party had probably been led into this trap by the Clarkes, and every
detail of the murder had been carefully planned by the outlaws.

Shortly after the news reached Sydney the following proclamation was
issued in a "Gazette" Extraordinary:-


To the Magistrates, Freeholders, and other of her Majesty's subjects
resident in the Police Districts of Braidwood, Broulee, Queanbeyan, Eden,
Bega, and Cooma. Whereas the notorious outlaw, Thomas Clarke, whose life
is forfeit to the laws of his country, and certain other lawless men
associated with the said outlaw, have committed numerous depredations on
the property, and by repeated acts of murder have taken the lives of her
Majesty's subjects: And whereas the said outlaw and his lawless
associates, from the physical character of the district which they
infest, and the facilities which it is believed are afforded them by
evilly-disposed persons, possess unusual means of escape and
concealment: And whereas the existence of this gang of murderers is
incompatible with a settled state of civil society and that security
which ought to be everywhere maintained under British law, and cannot be
suffered without public disgrace: Now, I, Sir John Young, the Governor
aforesaid, do call upon you, the Magistrates, Freeholders, and other of
her Majesty's subjects resident in the several Police Districts
aforesaid, individually and collectively, by the allegiance which you
owe to law and authority, to set aside for the public good all reasons
of profit and convenience, and employing every means within your power
to support and assist the officers of police, and other servants of her
Majesty, in arresting the aforesaid outlaw, Thomas Clarke, and his
associates in crime, and in bringing to speedy justice all abettors,
harbourers, and receivers in anywise unlawfully connected with the said
offenders.

FIVE THOUSAND POUNDS REWARD.--MURDER.--Whereas the undermentioned
persons, John Carroll, Patrick Kennagh, Eneas McDonnell, and John
Phegan, whilst engaged in the service of her Majesty the Queen, were
murdered near the Jinden Station, in the Police District of Braidwood,
on the 9th January instant, by some person or persons unknown, under
circumstances of great atrocity: Notice is hereby given that the
Government will pay a reward of five thousand pounds for the
apprehension of all the parties concerned in the murder; or a reward of
one thousand pounds will be paid for the apprehension of any one of the
murderers; or should the capture be effected by information supplied to
the police, then one-half the said rewards will be paid to the
informant, and the remainder to the person or persons who may effect the
capture. It is also further notified that, in addition to the above
rewards, the Government will recommend that her Majesty's free pardon be
extended to any accessory to the said crime, not being one of the
persons who were actually present assisting in the commission of the
said murders, who will first give such information as will lead to the
capture of the murderers, or any of them. And all parties are cautioned
that by harbouring, assisting, or maintaining the murderers, they will
make themselves accessories to the crime of murder, and render
themselves liable to prosecution accordingly.

HENRY PARKES.


The Government also decided to equip a special force, composed of picked
men and under the command of a selected officer, and despatch it without
delay to scour the district; and a hope was expressed that, with the
law-abiding residents of the district roused to activity, the career of
the lawless gang would be speedily brought to a close. But from this
point the gang appears to have assumed a more generally aggressive
character. Within a week after the murders they were out again on the
road, "bailing up" all the mails and robbing every traveller that passed
along the highways; and from the fact that such robberies occurred in
different places in the district simultaneously the authorities rightly
concluded that the party had divided, each section "holding" particular
portions of the district. On January 15th, the two Clarkes and another
stuck up the coaches between Braidwood and Araluen, and robbed the
passengers of every penny they possessed. On the following Tuesday
morning they robbed the Araluen coach at Reidsdale, and secured about
£40 from the passengers; and simultaneously another coach was robbed on
another road and between £70 and £80 taken from the passengers; while
the people of Braidwood were startled by the circulation of a rumour
that ten armed men were on the Major's Creek mountain on the look out
for the Araluen escort, but the escort subsequently passed without
molestation and the report was then believed to have been spread by some
of the bushrangers' friends for the purpose of drawing the whole of the
police away from the town.

Meanwhile the local police were not inactive, although, do their utmost,
they could riot catch sight of the outlaws or their companions. But they
gained information which led them to arrest Michael Connell, James
Griffin, and a man named Guinness, family connections, on a charge of
being concerned in the murder of the special constables. They were
brought before the court and not a little sensation was created by the
former being admitted by the magistrate to bail. The public of Araluen
rose in a body in protest, and a monster public meeting was held at
which the conduct of the magistrate was condemned and resolutions
praying the Government to protect them from judicial acts of wrong as
well as from the bushrangers were passed. Shortly after this a
commission was appointed and sent up from Sydney to inquire into the
condition of affairs in the district; and on the very day they arrived
in Braidwood other distinguished gentlemen visited the place, in the
persons of Sub-Inspector Stephenson and a company of picked men, and
Sub-inspector Brennan and a black tracker of high repute in the police
force. A third party of police from Sydney also arrived on the following
day. The Commission had gone to look after the magistrates, who had been
openly charged by the public with favouring the bushrangers' friends in
order to curry favour with the bushrangers, and thus save their own
persons and property from injury. The police had gone to look after the
outlaws.

At this time there were about forty mounted troopers scouring the bush
in the Braidwood district, and one would have thought that with such a
force menacing them day and night the outlaws would have experienced
great difficulty, even in hiding. But they did not attempt to hide, and,
in fact, appeared to grow bolder in open movements, although they were
always on the watch against a surprise, and always prepared for a fight.
Evidently they had no thought of seeking safety in flight, and were
determined to fill their cup of guilt to overflowing. While the police
were hunting for them on the mountains they would visit the plains and
seek victims on the roads, or at the wayside inns. On one occasion it
was reported that they had actually been seen drinking publicly at a bar
in the heart of Araluen, passing right before the noses of the town
constables when making their exit.

The gang was reduced about this time by the accidental death of a member
named Doran, and by the capture and conviction of Thomas Connell for
wounding one Thomas Emmett and stealing from him twenty-five ounces of
gold-dust and some money. Emmett had been stopped on the Moruya-road,
and on attempting to gallop off was fired at and shot in the thigh, his
horse being killed under him by a rifle bullet at the same time. In this
attack five bushrangers were engaged, the Clarkes leading the party, and
Connell forming one of them. Found guilty by the jury, sentence of death
was pronounced upon him; but the death sentence was not carried out, it
being subsequently commuted to imprisonment for life, "without
mitigation", the first three years in irons.

The Commission of Inquiry exhausted all evidence procurable in the
district concerning the relation of the magistracy to bushranging,
sitting for several days and furnishing a most voluminous report, based
upon the evidence given, no less than forty witnesses having been
examined. Shortly after that report was handed in to the Government, an
official announcement was made that a certain prominent magistrate of
the district had been superseded--or, in other words, dismissed. Beyond
securing the removal from the Bench of an occupant adjudged to have been
unfaithful to the trust reposed in him, the labours of the Commission
were not fruitful of much good; but its presence in the disturbed
districts served as an assurance to the people that some regard was
being paid to their complaints, and that there was a disposition to
correct the evils to which they were so frequently calling attention.

Still the Clarkes held the road, the army of visiting police being as
powerless to arrest them or to check their outrages as the few who
resided in the district had been. Cases of "sticking up" were of weekly,
if not daily, occurrence, and it really seemed as if the outlaws were
possessed of charmed lives, so easily and often did they appear and
disappear without leaving their pursuers a trace that they could follow.

It was about this time (April, 1867) that Goulburn was adorned with the
presence of one of the Clarke family, as the following letter will
show:-


It was to be expected that with so many important criminals, some of
whom had been closely mixed up with bushrangers, we should have a
dilution of the Braidwood notorieties. We have had no male Clarkes nor
Connells, and I should be very sorry to refer to any of their relatives
had there not been a conspicuousness that rendered it almost impossible
for me to shut my eyes or leave my pen still. I daresay that you have
not forgotten what has been reported about Annie Clarke, sister of the
outlaws, and one of the police who, if I recollect rightly, got into bad
bread on the occasion referred to. Well, Annie Clarke is in Gout bum,
and it is supposed that her presence here is one of sympathy, I can't
say about that. She is, however, here, and would no doubt have passed
without notice, had she not apparently coveted distinction. Let me
afford her vanity scope. She is really not a bad-looking girl, about
twenty years of age, fully the proper height for a woman, with a figure
that would pass anywhere. But she strives for observation. I only saw
her during one day, and then--mimicking the ladies of the land--she
changed her dress four times--possibly more than that because I did not
see her "full-dressed for the evening" There was something quiet in the
first two costumes, but in the afternoon she came out in a "blood-red"
one, with hat and feather, and nether pendants well ankled; presently,
out she appeared in blue silk, with white shawl, ankled as before, but
without that finish as to hose that lends its particular charms to
criticising eyes. I would not have dwelt on the subject had it not been
my impression that the Protean change of costume appeared to be as if in
bravado--as if to show the less aspiring of her sex how much value there
was in being connected with the most worthless of the "manly" sex. Such
an example does more harm than fifty revolvers. I have nothing to say
against the girl herself, except to condemn her want of judgment and
womanly taste.


But the end of this lawless career was drawing very near. The police
were working with a diligence that indicated their anxiety to come to
close quarters with the desperadoes, who within the past few months had
been three only--Thomas Clarke, John Clarke, and Scott. On one occasion
they pressed the trio very closely, and having done so they strained
every nerve to get to closer quarters with them. Just here the value of
an experienced bush policeman in such a place and under such
circumstances was made very apparent Senior-constable Wright, whose
character for efficiency in such service stood very high with his
superior officers, had been sent to the district specially to hunt down
the outlaws, and with four men, and a skilful black tracker, he at last
succeeded.

It was on Saturday, April 27th, 1867, that the "running down" took
place. The party of police had been camped at Fairfield, about twenty
miles from Ballalaba, on the road from Jinden and Cooma, and lying on
one side of the Jingeras, in the fastnesses of which the bushrangers had
for such a length of time defied all efforts to capture them.

The police, consisting of Senior-constable William Wright, the officer
in charge. Constables Walsh, Egan, Lenehan, James Wright, and a black
tracker named Sir Watkin, picked up the tracks of the bushrangers at
about one o'clock in the afternoon and followed them, the party being
all on foot, until darkness and heavy rain prevented further movement
for the time. They had their suspicions that the bushrangers were making
for the house of a settler about two miles away, and concluding that
they would there seek temporary shelter, they cautiously pushed forward.
Reaching the hut, they saw sufficient to convince them that the men of
whom they were in search were inside, and they at once made arrangements
for spending the night on watch in the open--a not by any means pleasant
task, owing to the heavy rain and dense darkness. Seeking shelter behind
a small haystack some distance from the dwelling they waited until the
moon rose, and then they observed a couple of horses grazing in the
paddock, which upon closer inspection they saw were the "bloods" which
were known to be in the possession of the Clarkes. Having driven the
horses to the far end of the paddock so that they could not be easily
reached by the bushrangers, Senior-constable Wright and his men waited
patiently behind the haystack until daybreak, when they saw the two
brothers emerge from the hut with bridles on their arms, intending to
bring up the horses. Before reaching the animals, however, one of the
brothers called out, "Look out, there's someone at the stack", and the
pair immediately turned and commenced to run back to the hut. The police
party at once left their hiding place, called upon the bushrangers to
stand, and fired at them, but the shots did not take effect, and the
fire was returned by the brothers as they ran, they having their
revolvers with them. Several shots were thus exchanged, but the brothers
succeeded in regaining the hut, apparently unscathed, although it was
afterwards found that Johnny Clarke had been wounded, a rifle ball
having struck him in the breast near the socket of his right arm, and in
a most remarkable manner passed clean through his body without touching
a bone or vital part. Having gained the shelter of the hut, which was of
slabs, the bushrangers seized their rifles and fired at their pursuers
through the interstices, compelling them to retire behind whatever
shelter they could find in the yard. For some time an irregular fire was
kept up, and two of the attacking party--Constable Walsh and Sir
Watkin--were wounded, the former in the thigh and the latter in the arm.
Meanwhile reinforcements had been sent for to the nearest police
station, Ballalaba, and when Sergeant Byrne and six additional troopers
appeared on the scene, the bushrangers, seeing that further resistance
would be useless, called out that they would surrender. Opening the hut
door they came out, unarmed, and submitted to be handcuffed. Having been
secured they were taken to Ballalaba, where they were met by another
posse of police under Superintendent Orridge and Dr. Patterson, the
services of the latter being called into requisition to dress the wounds
of Johnny Clarke and the black tracker.

The value of the services rendered by the black tracker was greater than
many persons imagined. As has been seen, Sir Watkin, who was looked upon
as one of the best of trackers, not only conducted the party under
Senior-constable Wright to the retreat of the bushrangers, but took an
active part in the assault upon the hut, and was, during the encounter,
more seriously wounded than any of the party. From the first it was seen
that his arm had been wounded so severely by the bullet from Tommy
Clarke's Tranter rifle that amputation would be necessary; and shortly
after his arrival in Braidwood he was admitted as a patient in the local
hospital. A few days after his admission Dr. Patterson performed the
operation, taking off the arm above the elbow. With the stoical
indifference to bodily pain for which the aborigines--equally with the
Red Indians of America--were celebrated. Sir Watkin bore the painful
operation without a murmur. He coolly walked from the upstairs' ward
down to the dissecting room below, and after the operation unconcernedly
walked back again, as if he merely had had a finger punctured. The old
fellow--he had seen fifty-one summers--was not inclined to bear his
honours meekly, and with pardonable pride strutted about exhibiting the
stripes which had been attached to his ordinary uniform by the
Superintendent of Police, declaring that he had been promoted to the
rank of "sergeant-major". It may be remarked here that Sir Watkin did
service as a tracker on many subsequent occasions, and was always
treated by his comrades as an "officer" who had "won his spurs".

The prisoners underwent a private examination in Braidwood Gaol on the
Thursday after their capture before the Visiting Justice and one or two
other magistrates; but prior to its commencement their mother and sister
were permitted an interview. In due course, they were committed for
trial at Sydney, and were sent thither by one of the Clyde River boats,
the escort consisting of Superintendent Orridge, Sub-Inspector Wright
(he had been promoted from senior-constable after the capture), and
Constable Walsh. When it became known in Sydney that the notorious
bushrangers of Braidwood were in the harbour, crowds of people assembled
at the different wharfs in expectation that the landing would be
effected at one or other of them. But in order to avoid the mob the
police authorities sent out the official boat and intercepted the
steamer as she was coming up the harbour, received the prisoners, and
conveyed them to the Circular Quay, which was bare of spectators. An
expectant crowd which had assembled at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair caught
sight of them, however, and at once rushed down to the wharf, and had
the satisfaction of witnessing the landing. A good deal of
disappointment was expressed at the appearance of the two men. Instead
of seeing two strong-bearded, villainous-looking desperadoes, they saw
two sheepish-looking, overgrown native youths, and they could scarcely
bring themselves to think that these were the ferocious, bloodthirsty
bushrangers who had robbed and murdered people in the Braidwood
district, and frustrated every effort of the police to capture them for
such a long period. Both men were heavily ironed, and immediately upon
landing were conveyed in a cart to Darlinghurst Gaol, where they were
kept entirely separate from the other prisoners, pending the preliminary
enquiry, which was conducted privately. A committal followed, of course,
and the public looked forward somewhat anxiously to the opening of the
Central Criminal Court in Sydney, at which the fate of the two
bushrangers was to be decided.

That court opened on May 28th, 1867, before his Honour, Sir Alfred
Stephen, Chief Justice, and the two prisoners were jointly charged with
having wounded Constable William Walsh with intent to murder him. Mr.
Isaacs, Solicitor-General, prosecuted for the Crown, and Messrs. Dalley
and Blake appeared for the defence. His Honour, at the commencement of
the proceedings, directed the strictest order to be maintained in Court,
and announced that the constables had been ordered to arrest anyone
attempting to contravene that command. He was determined that a
repetition of the display of public sympathy which had taken place on
the occasion when the Eugowra Escort robbers and Gardiner were tried in
Sydney should not occur.

A question was raised by prisoners' counsel concerning the legality of
the proclamation by which Thomas Clarke was made an outlaw, for the first
summons calling upon him to surrender before a given date, having been
discovered to be faulty, had been supplemented by a second summons. The
point was argued at great length before the evidence closed, but it did
not affect the issue.

Both Mr. Blake and Mr. Dalley delivered powerful addresses to the jury.
Their contention was that it had not been satisfactorily proved that the
shot that wounded Walsh was fired by either of the prisoners, and that
even if it had been, no felonious intent had been shown in the firing,
the men having simply sought to defend themselves from a sudden attack,
at the time not knowing that their assailants were police.

The Crown Solicitor addressed the jury in reply, and the Chief Justice
having summed up, the jury re turned a verdict of guilty.

Asked if they had anything to say why sentence of death should not be
passed upon them, the brothers simply replied "No", and then his Honour
addressed them thus:-


Prisoners Thomas and John Clarke, if in the opinion of most of those who
hear me, and of a large portion of the community, it should be thought
that you are about to receive a just retribution for your crimes, it
will be proper for me to say that no such feeling influences this court,
or is known to our laws. You are not to receive sentence of death as
retribution--which belongs not to mortals--but the taking of your life
is believed to be necessary for the peace and good order, for the safety
as well as the welfare of the community; because of the example and
warning that a capital execution may hold out to others to restrain them
from committing similar crimes to those for which you stand convicted.
This is the principle upon which all our punishment--certainly the
punishment of death--rests, or it has no justification whatever. Now, I
told the jury that they were to believe you innocent of those various
crimes in respect to which the effort was made to apprehend you, and for
which you were finally apprehended; and of course the jury took it for
granted that you were innocent. But now I am not restricted by any such
necessity or duty; on the contrary, without wishing to wound your
feelings or add any sense of shame or humiliation, I must address you
for the good of the community, and also to show what really is the
extent of the crime committed by, or reasonably supposed to be committed
by you, in respect to which the Executive will have to pronounce whether
they can with propriety, or with any sense of decency, commute the
sentence about to be passed upon you. Thomas Clarke, I hold in my hand a
list of the offences on which you stand charged within the last two
years. They amount in the whole, exclusive of the murders of which you
are suspected, to nine robberies of mails and thirty-six robberies of
individuals. Among those individuals robbed were all classes of
persons--Chinamen, labouring men, publicans, storekeepers, tradesmen,
and settlers. With respect to you, John Clarke, I find that offences are
charged upon you, committed within the last year, most of them in
company with your brother, numbering twenty-six. Now this is the result,
you see, of a long career of bushranging. You have had many abettors;
you must have had a large number of them in the district from which you
have come. I believe that not only those but others--violent and
infamous as they are--sympathise with you in your crimes--I hope not in
the murders of which you are suspected. I shall not waste words in
respect to such people. The community is disgraced by such crimes, but I
would ask others--not you--and possibly it will be well for you to
reflect before you die--what is the value of this course of violence and
outrage that you have been pursuing for so long a time? In all
cases--and I have tried many--of robbery, it has been a question with
me, as with others, where is the money they have gained--where are the
results? You have not one shilling in the world to call your own, and
therefore you have not profited by it in the way of money. I never knew
a bushranger, except one, who is now suffering a sentence of thirty-two
years' hard labour, who made any money by it. Well, if you have not made
anything by it, what could have induced you to pursue it? Crimes must
end eventually in murder. Human life taken, life imperilled, misery
inflicted upon hard-working men, and all this for no earthly good to any
one of you! And yet you, young men, might have been happy--happy fathers
of families, living happily with your wives--happy, because happiness is
confined to the virtuous. Instead of which you are to die a dishonoured
death on the gallows. Another consideration; all along from the
beginning you must have had the idea of the gallows hanging over you.
You must have known that the result of all this must be death, shocking
and infamous to think of. I hope all those who ever think of pursuing
such a course will only reflect that there is this horrible feeling of a
public execution hanging over you for years or months that they can
never escape from. You must have been constantly in terror; always in a
state of alarm lest the police should track you out in your haunts. I
have no wish to harrow your feelings--God forbid; I am saying this that
it may sink into the hearts of others, and that it may restrain them
from entering on a career so fatal. I say that during all this time men
like you must have been dreading the intrusion of the police in your
hiding places. Hunted about like wild beasts, you must actually have
undergone an amount of labour and fatigue greater than you would had you
been working on the roads--an amount of fatigue which, through honest
labour, might have resulted in happiness, with a consciousness of
virtue, and finally competence and honour. I say the amount of fatigue
and want of comforts of all kinds surrounding you must be taken into
consideration. The balance is all against you. I have said I never knew
a man, or heard of one, who through a course of bushranging, gained a
shilling's worth of property that he could call his own, or could gain
it if let loose tomorrow morning. Where is there one flourishing in any
single respect? I will read you a list of bushrangers, many of whom have
come to the gallows within the last four and a half years. I believe
they are all caught but one. Many of these were young men, capable of
better things; but died violent deaths:--Piesley, executed; Davis,
sentenced to death; Gardiner, sentenced to thirty-two years' hard
labour; Gilbert, shot dead; Hall, shot dead; Bow and Fordyce, sentenced
to death, but sentences commuted to imprisonment for life; Manns,
executed; O'Meally, shot dead; Burke, shot dead; Gordon, sentenced to
death; Dunleavy, sentenced to death; Dunn, executed; Lowrie, shot dead;
Vane, a long sentence; Foley, a long sentence; Morgan, shot dead;
yourselves, Thomas and John Clarke, about to be sentenced to death;
Fletcher, shot dead; Patrick Connell, shot dead; Tom Connell, sentenced
to death but sentence commuted to imprisonment for life; Bill Scott, a
companion of your own, believed to be murdered--by you. There is a list!
The murders believed to have been committed by you bushrangers are
appalling to think of. How many wives made widows, and children made
orphans! What loss of property, what sorrow have you bushrangers caused!
I have a list here of persons killed or wounded in the perpetration of
robberies since August, 1863--six killed and ten wounded. Unfortunately,
of the police seven have been killed and sixteen wounded in three years.
I say this is horrible. Much as I dread crime, and much as I have had to
do with the punishment of criminals, I don't know anything in the world
that could furnish such a long list of horrors as that which I have laid
before this crowded court tonight. And yet these bushrangers, the scum
of the earth, the lowest of the low, the most wicked of the wicked, are
occasionally held up for our admiration! But better days are coming. It
is the old leaven of convictism not yet worked out, but brighter days
are coming. You will not live to see them, but others will. Others who
may think of commencing a course of crime like yours may rely on it that
better days are coming, and that there will be no longer that expression
of sympathy with crime which sometime since disgraced the country, and
sunk it so low in the estimation of the world. Though the people among
whom I move are much above those who sympathise with crime, it
humiliates me to think that in this very court in which I am now
sitting, one of the greatest ruffians of bushrangers, who was the very
head and front of offenders, stood in the dock and was acquitted--and, I
say it, acquitted wrongly--and when that verdict was announced there
were expressions of rejoicing in the court, such as would disgrace any
community on earth. I am happy to think that those days are gone at
last. There may be some here who were guilty of participation in that
most abominable and most scandalous exhibition. You, young men, have now
to receive the last sentence of the law. You will pass from the country
which you might have helped to raise in the estimation of the world. You
will pan out of the world felons, convicts, bushrangers, and, I very
much fear, murderers.


Sentence of death was then passed on the prisoners in the usual form,
and in the most solemn manner, and immediately afterwards they were
removed from the dock. Both prisoners fixed their eyes on the Chief
Justice while he was addressing them, and appeared to be listening
attentively, but there was scarcely any emotion perceptible from their
manner. As soon as his Honour had ceased speaking, John Clarke turned to
his brother and made some remark with a smile on his countenance. The
police removed the prisoners from the dock, and the immense crowd of
persons who had thronged the court, and who had preserved the utmost
silence, began slowly to disperse.

The condemned criminals were then removed to Darlinghurst Gaol, and
after a week of suspense in their cells--although neither of them
expressed any hope of the sentence being commuted--they were officially
informed that the Executive had fixed the day for their execution, and
that they would be hanged on the 25th June. On the Friday following
their condemnation they were allowed to receive as visitors their mother
and sister, and a very affecting scene took place as they parted from
each other, never again in this world to look upon each others' faces.
The brother, who was then serving a sentence on Cockatoo Island, was
also permitted to visit them, and they strongly advised him to pursue an
honest calling upon his release from custody. The two men appeared to be
very attentive to the ministrations of Rev. Father Dwyer, Roman Catholic
chaplain of the gaol, and the Sisters of Mercy, who were constant in
their attendance at the gaol.

But if they were reconciled to their fate the lawyers who had defended
them at the trial were not. They moved the Full Court for an arrest of
judgment, and a new trial in the case, on the ground that there had been
a non-direction of the jury upon a point of law. The alleged omission
was that the jury were not directed by the Chief Justice as to their
right to acquit the prisoners of the capital offence (wounding Constable
Walsh with intent to murder him) and to convict them only of the minor
offence of unlawfully wounding, if they thought that the evidence
warranted and necessitated such a course. The answer given to this
objection was in effect that as the jury had already on their oaths
pronounced both prisoners guilty of the capital offence, the prisoners
had no right to complain of the omission referred to; for assuming the
finding of the jury to be correct, no question arose or could have
arisen as to the prisoners' guilt of any minor offence. Their Honours
upheld this view of the case and ruled that the judgment should stand.

There were some persons--prominent public men amongst the number--who
considered that the Government did not exercise a wise discretion in
putting the two Clarkes upon trial for their last offence, seeing that
no life had actually been taken, and that many even more serious
offences were understood to have been committed by the prisoners. But
although they were suspected of having murdered the four constables and
several other persons, including one of their own mates, it must be
remembered that the Crown could not hope for conviction in any one case
or a number of cases upon mere suspicion, and they had nothing but
suspicion to go upon in any of those cases. The shooting at Constable
Walsh with intent was, on the other hand, very easily proved; and
perhaps it was just as well that the bushranging fraternity and those
who sympathised with them should learn that there was danger in firing
at a policeman even in resisting arrest. To hear some persons speak
during the bushranging era, one might imagine that the members of the
police force were under a social ban--that they were engaged in a
conspiracy against the happiness of mankind--and that whatever happened
to them "served them right". To give confidence to the police, and to
intimidate those who were arrayed against their lawful authority was,
therefore, a matter of great moment at that period; and in enforcing
upon the Clarkes so awful a penalty, the administrators of justice gave
everyone to understand that a policeman's life was just as valuable as
that of any other man. And judging from the fact that bushranging
received about this time a temporary check--only a few cases of
lawlessness occurring--the lesson inculcated by the conviction and
hanging of the Clarkes was not altogether thrown away upon those for
whom it was chiefly intended.

The remarks made by the Chief Justice when sentencing the two brothers
had one good result--it secured for the services of the police a fairer
and higher appreciation than that generally accorded. The public had
simply expected marvels of them. It complained of them not being good
marksmen when it had not taken the trouble to teach them to shoot; of
their not riding down lighter men better mounted; of their not knowing
by instinct the entire topography of a district they had never so much
as ridden over. The public had continually ignored what they had done,
while taunting them with what they had failed to do. And yet, to take
the annals of one crime alone, the number of bushrangers whom they had
taken or slain formed a very respectable list, attesting their
efficiency, while the number of those who had lost their lives in
defence of the law afforded melancholy proof of their zeal and courage.
So much it is right that I should say concerning a body of men who,
under many disadvantages--some of which have already been touched
upon--efficiently performed a public duty that was both difficult and
dangerous.

And this brings me back to the murder of the four special
constables--Carroll, Phegan, Kennagh, and McDonnell--concerning which
something more remains to be said. Although the impression prevailed
generally that Thomas and John Clarke had committed those murders, it
was known that they must have been assisted by others, a few facts
connected with the mysterious affair that the police were able to gather
up pointing to the conclusion that at least four men had engaged
together in the bloody deed. The reader has seen that the Clarkes were
not charged with this murder--there was no necessity for that; but the
police had arrested one man, a connection of the Clarke family, and
against him they preferred the charge of murdering Carroll. The name of
the accused was James Griffin, a young man of about 21 years of age, and
who resided on a farm about twenty-five miles from Jinden, near which
place the murder was committed.

Griffin was placed upon his trial at the same sittings of the court in
Sydney as that at which the charge against the Clarkes had been heard,
and he also was defended by Mr. Dalley. The case occupied a very long
time, and created quite as much sensation as the trial of the Clarkes,
the court being inconveniently crowded during the hearing.

After evidence had been produced supporting the account of the murder
already given, and showing how the bodies of the four men had been found
lying dead in the bush--two in one place and two in another, with
gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies--witnesses were called
to connect the prisoner with the crime. Their evidence was of a
character so extraordinary that I make no excuse for the extensive
quotations, taken from the published report of the trial, which follow:-


Edward Smith deposed: On the 8th January last I was managing the Jinden
station, about forty miles from Braidwood; I remember some dead bodies
being found about a mile and a half from Jinden House; the dead bodies
were those of Carroll, Phegan, McDonnell, and Kennagh; I saw the
prisoner at my place on the evening of the 8th of January last. He did
not remain there more than a quarter or half an hour; he came to me and
said that Carroll and his party were on the road--that they were at the
Dirty Swamp as he passed them; prisoner was riding a bay horse, and when
he left my house he rode away towards Braid wood in the direction in
which he had said Carroll and his party were coming; on the same night a
young man named Dempsey--who was subsequently arrested--came to my house
and stayed about half an hour, and about sundown Carroll and his party
arrived and remained at my house all night; they left on the following
morning about seven o'clock, going towards the farm of a man named
Guinnes, a free selector; the prisoner came to my house on that morning,
about half an hour after Carroll's party left; prisoner told me that he
had seen Carroll and his party going towards Guinnes's place; Carroll
and his party left my place on foot, having left their horses with me;
prisoner stayed about half an hour, and when he left he went as if he
were going to Guinnes's place: he was riding a grey horse; he asked me
to lend him my breech-loading rifle; I refused to do so; I told him he
should not have it; he told me not to give it to Sergeant Byrnes or
Carroll; I did not see any other strangers about my place on the 8th
January; I know McEneny's place; it is about three-quarters of a mile
beyond Guinnes's; I was there about three days before; I did not see any
strangers about there or about Guinnes's; I next saw the prisoner on the
following Sunday at the house of Michael O'Connell, a publican at Stoney
Creek; some people call him Connell; Stoney Creek is sixteen miles from
my place; I had some conversation there with the prisoner alone; I saw
him there on the following Sunday, the 13th; he said, "After leaving
your place last night, I went towards Clarke's place;" Clarke's place is
between 20 and 25 miles from Jinden House; prisoner said, "I brought the
bushrangers up that night;" he did not mention any name; he said, "Bill
Scott and John Clarke stood behind one tree, and Tommy Clarke stood
behind the other;" he did not mention any place; he said, "Carroll and
his party advanced, and Tommy Clarke went out from behind the tree and
called upon them to surrender;" those are the exact words; "Phegan and
McDonnell fell; McDonnell fired one shot out of his revolving rifle and
his leg was broken; they fired into the detectives; Kennagh and Carroll
retreated down the fiat; Kennagh took two balls from the tree behind
which Bill Scott and Johnny Clarke were; Tommy Clarke ran round at the
back of Kennagh and fired a shot at Kennagh, and the ball went into a
sapling close alongside of him; Clarke called for a horse, and a horse
was brought down." He did not tell me by whom the horse was brought
down; that was after he told me Tommy Clarke got behind Kennagh; he did
not tell me which took place first; Tommy Clarke fired a shot at Kennagh,
and called upon Kennagh to surrender; Kennagh looked round and threw his
rifle on his arm and surrendered; there was one shot in the revolving
rifle when Kennagh surrendered; Tommy Clarke said to Carroll, "You are
Carroll;" Carroll said that he was not Carroll, that Carroll was lying
dead on the road; Tommy Clarke said "Make up you mind, you have not got
many more minutes to live;" Carroll then said, "Mercy!" Tommy Clarke
said, "You can't expect mercy, you did not show mercy to my sister;"
that is all prisoner said; he said that Tommy Clarke shot Carroll, and
that Bill Scott shot Kennagh; John Clarke did not shoot any of them;
Tommy Clarke shot three out of the four; he did not tell me whereabouts
the wounds were; he did not tell me what Tommy Clarke shot Carroll with,
or what Bill Scott shot Kennagh with; he said all the money on them was
only £1 2s 6d; that is all the prisoner said; he said nothing at all
about Kennagh; he did not say on whom the money was found; he made some
remark about Kennagh, but I do not remember what it was; prisoner said
he held the horses; I remember that now; I don't remember anything more
as to where he held them, how he held them, or anything else; he said
that he held the horses; he did not tell me who took the horse down on
the flat; he said Clarke called for a horse; prisoner expressed a wish to
go with me to Gippsland; I told him that it looked very suspicious, and
that he had better not go; he said Tommy Clarke had his boots off and
was barefooted; Mick Connell, the landlord, was present, and asked
Griffin if the gin had taken effect, and Griffin replied, "Only for the
gin I could not have got 'em up to the pinch;" when prisoner came to the
house on the 9th he had some gin in a square bottle; I was in the
parlour when I heard the two talking, and Connell said, "Then you
brought the horses there?" Griffin said that Tommy Clarke could not catch
Carroll running down the hill barefooted.


The witness was subjected to a rigorous cross-examination by Mr. Dalley,
who appeared for the accused, and admitted that he had sworn differently
at the Police Court, but explained that he was then in fear of his life,
some of the Clarkes' friends having declared that if he told anything
against them he and all belonging to him would be shot down. In answer
to the judge, Smith said that he had been previously fired at and his
place burned down, and that after giving evidence at the Police Court he
had sold out and left the district.

Catherine McEneny, who resided near Jinden at the time, identified the
prisoner as one of four armed men who had called at her hut on the
morning of the murder. She heard the firing in the bush after they left,
and subsequently saw them returning across the bush. This witness also
declared that she had been threatened and compelled to leave the
district, her pigs and geese having been shot.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. There was some manifestation
of feeling on the part of the crowd in the court; but the applause was
almost instantly suppressed by the police.

The prisoner was then remanded to gaol to be subsequently tried with a
brother for complicity with the bushrangers in other matters. In the
charge preferred against them, however, the Crown failed to make good
its case--in fact, circumstances redounding to the credit of one of the
accused were brought to light in the court. He had frequently given
information to the police regarding the movements of the bushrangers,
and it was upon his information and by his guidance that the party of
police under Wright surrounded the hut where the two Clarkes were staying
the night preceding their capture. When discharging the two men--the
jury having returned a verdict of not guilty--the Chief Justice said he
thought the authorities might have shown them a little more
consideration, in view of the services which they had rendered to the
police.

But James Griffin was not yet out of the toils. In September following
he was again placed upon his trial on the charge of being concerned in
the Jinden Murders, Special Constable Kennagh being specifically named
as the victim. He was ably defended by Mr. Dalley, but additional
evidence was forthcoming which clearly established his complicity in the
cowardly and bloodthirsty deed. One witness was called who declared that
on the day preceding the murder the prisoner had asked him to join in
the murder, while Smith repeated the evidence given by him on the former
trial, concerning the conversation he had heard between the prisoner and
Connell. Griffin was, on this occasion, found guilty and sentenced to
death; but that sentence was subsequently commuted to imprisonment for
life, the first three years in irons.

One more event in connection with the reign of the Clarkes remains to be
recorded. At least one man of the many who had by sheltering and
assisting them enabled the outlaws to successfully evade arrest for such
a length of time, was brought to account. Shortly after the Griffins had
been discharged, Michael Connell, brother of the bushranger of that name
who was a member of Clarke's gang, and who had been shot by the police
during one of their earliest encounters with the gang, was charged under
the Outlawry Act with having harboured and assisted the Clarkes. Connell
at the time of his arrest was postmaster and publican in that part of
the district forming the favourite resort of the Clarkes, and it was
proved that he had repeatedly furnished the bushrangers with provisions
and spirits, and even with ammunition. The principal witness against him
was a man who was serving a long sentence for highway robbery, he having
been captured when engaged with the Clarkes in "sticking up" a store.
This man declared that his principal duty was to obtain provisions for
the gang, and that he repeatedly visited Connell's house, sometimes with
another member of the gang, and obtained supplies, Connell knowing at
the time that they were for the outlaws.

Upon this evidence Connell was convicted and sentenced to a long term of
imprisonment, his land and goods being confiscated at the same time to
the Crown. His was the first case brought before the court under the
provisions of the Felons' Apprehension Act bearing upon secondary
offenders--aiders and abettors of the criminals outlawed, and it goes
without saying that Connell's fate served as a salutary warning to
others who had been guilty of similar offences, or who may have felt
inclined to commit them. It will be readily understood that the complete
break up of the Clarkes' gang and its large cordon of accomplices and
active sympathisers, gave satisfaction to the people of Braidwood. The
beginning of the end of bushranging had already been seen in that
district, and henceforth bushranging in gangs, either in this or other
districts of the colony, was to be looked upon as a thing of the past.
for although the crime of bushranging in New South Wales was not
completely stamped out, it was narrowed down until it became confined to
individual cases, one man preying upon his fellows, generally for only a
short time, until the now better-managed police force succeeded in
arresting the offender.

It must not be imagined that the "old leaven" of which the Chief Justice
spoke in his address to the Clarkes, had worked out of the social system
of what were known as the infested districts. The youth who were
inclined to bushranging had not been suddenly made virtuous by any moral
awakening to the sinfulness of that sin. But fear kept them from
indulgence--the fear of treachery on the part of trusted friends, or
the fear of the better police service which had developed--very slowly,
certainly--out of a system which had more than once, in Parliament and
in the press, been frequently characterized as "rotten". These were the
causes operating to the greater peace and safety of the dwellers in the
bush who hitherto had been the victims of the lawlessness that had
prevailed; and the reign of long-lived, daring bushranging gangs was, so
far as New South Wales was concerned, brought to an end by the execution
of the Clarkes and the death or imprisonment of their confederates and
their principal aiders and abettors.

It was reserved for the neighbouring colony of Victoria, whose constant
boast it had been that bushrangers could not live in her territory for
as many days as they had reigned years in New South Wales, to furnish,
some ten years afterwards, one of the most notorious of all notorious
bushranging gangs that ever cursed Australian soil--more daring, more
cool and determined, more skilled in bushcraft, more bloodthirsty than
any that had preceded it, and whose capture cost the State no less a sum
than £115,000. The story of bushranging in Australia would not be
complete if the extraordinary exploits of the Kelly Gang were not given;
and although they relate to a period not at all early in the history of
the colonies, their narration here will not, I trust, be considered out
of place.



CHAPTER XIX.


THE KELLY GANG.


HISTORY OF THE FAMILY.

As in New South Wales, so in Victoria, the last of the bushranging gangs
was the worst. The leading members of the gang in each case were
brothers, springing from a vicious stock. Each gang operated in a
district where tribal ramifications were strong and numerous, and
"telegraphs" and harbourers as plentiful as mushrooms on an old sheep
station after autumn rain. The most sanguinary deed of each was the
murder of a party of policemen, entrapped in a lonely part of the bush.
But the Kellys were in every way better generals than the Clarkes--more
systematic in their proceedings, having bolder conceptions, which they
carried out in a more daring manner.

It will be remembered that the Chief Justice of New South Wales, when
referring to the criminality of the Clarkes, spoke of it as the working
of the old leaven of convictism. For this statement he was taken to task
by not a few press writers, and was charged with vindictively recalling
things which should be carefully buried and kept out of sight. But
whatever was said concerning the Clarkes might have been said with
absolute truth concerning the Kelly's, who appear to have lived in an
atmosphere of crime and luxuriated in robbery and violence. The family
was, root and branch, morally diseased. "Red Kelly", as the father was
called, had been transported to Tasmania in 1841 for attempting to shoot
his landlord, and arrived in Victoria early in the history of that
colony, which received not a few of the worst of the Van Demonians. He
was first heard of at Wallan, thirty miles from Melbourne, which was in
those days considered quite an out-station. Here he became acquainted
with a family named Quinn, who had settled in the same locality; and
whatever else he may have been, there was no reason to doubt the
statement then made that he possessed a violent temper and was given to
frequent quarrels and brawls. This trait, according to the little that
was known, did not predispose James Quinn in his favour, and Kelly's
visits to the house were discountenanced by him as the head of the
family, although one of the daughters, the third, became violently
attached to him. The two were married; after the marriage the Quinns
became reconciled to the inevitable, as is usually the case, and the two
families lived in amity; and when Quinn moved north to a station between
Mansfield and Beechworth, called Glenmore, the Kellys went with him.
Finally, the whole party got as far as Greta, and there, and in that
neighbourhood, Kellys, Quinns, and relations of other names were settled
in such number as to form quite a formidable clan by themselves. As the
younger members grew up it became thoroughly well known that they were
engaged in an extensive system of cattle "duffing"--the colloquial term
for stealing. Squatters and others within a radius of many miles lost
cattle and horses in great numbers, and were not slow to attribute the
disappearance to the Quinns and their friends. Ned Kelly himself
admitted that during his bushranging career he alone had stolen over two
hundred and eighty horses; and he, be it remembered, was but one of a
large gang. Numerous prosecutions were, not always successfully,
instituted against various members of the confederation. It was
generally known that the stolen stock was taken northwards, and disposed
of mostly in New South Wales, but principally through the agency of the
allies on the Border.

"Red" Kelly's offspring consisted of three sons--James, Edward, and
Daniel--and four daughters, one of the latter being Mrs. Skillian. At
the time of the bushranging trouble there were two unmarried daughters,
Kate and Grace, and of the former some romantic stories have been told.
When Mrs. Kelly got into "trouble", she had an infant in arms, and when
the mother went to prison the baby had to go with her. "Red" Kelly
himself died some time before his two sons, Ned and Dan, attained full
development in the course of crime which was to end so disastrously to
them and those with whom they were associated.

Ned Kelly commenced his criminal career when but a raw lad, and cattle
"duffing" was the profession to which he was educated. When only about
sixteen years of age he was arrested as an accomplice of a notorious
bushranger named Power, for whose apprehension the Victorian Government
offered a large reward, and concerning whose exploits it is necessary
that something should be said.


THE BUSHRANGER POWER.

Harry Power, before making the acquaintance of Ned Kelly, had "put up" a
rather heavy criminal record, and had been convicted several times of
various offences, chiefly horse and cattle stealing; but imprisonment
apparently served only to whet his appetite for further wrong-doing, and
he became known as a confirmed law-breaker. The police had reason to
know that he was a remarkably "smart" man, a splendid rider, a skilful
bushman, and daring and reckless to a degree. When at liberty, he gave
the police great trouble to catch him, and when caught, he gave his
gaolers all they could do to keep him--in fact, more than they could do
on one occasion, just prior to the commencement of his bushranging
career, with which we have only now to deal.

He was undergoing a term of imprisonment in Pentridge Gaol, and was,
with other prisoners, engaged during working hours in drawing rubbish in
a small go-cart from the stockade outside the gaol. Power's work was to
assist in "drawing" the go-cart. There was a large heap of rubbish where
the cart-loads had to be tipped; and as one of the loads which he had
helped to draw was being emptied. Power quickly and quietly--without the
knowledge of the sentries, although some of his fellow prisoners must
have observed his movements--slid under the rubbish as it was shot down,
and at once became part of the heap. The other prisoners drew the cart
back, leaving Power concealed beneath the rubbish, and as they moved off
for another load the sentries solemnly escorted them, ignorant of the
fact that one of the "beasts of burden" was missing from the team. It
was only when the men were being subsequently mustered that Power was
missed, and immediate search was made for him, but without avail. He had
seized a favourable opportunity, crept from his hiding place, and
hurriedly made off.

The first concern of the escaped convict was to obtain a change of
clothing, for he knew that such a thing as uninterrupted liberty while
wearing gaol garb would be an impossibility. He stole a suit of clothes
from the first farmhouse he came across, and at once decided to turn
bushranger; but for this calling firearms as well as clothes were
needed, and his next concern was to procure the requisite "shooting
sticks". For some time, however, he was unable to find what he wanted,
and he started his bushranging career without gun, pistol, or revolver.
Arm himself he did, nevertheless, but his solitary weapon was such as
modern bushrangers, at least, would not think remarkably effective,
although it was formidable enough for his purpose. Finding the blade of
an old sheep shear. Power fastened it on a long stick and made a kind of
lance, and with this he operated with some success. Before long,
however, he came across an old traveller who possessed a revolver, and
from him he took the more effective and easily handled weapon, at the
same time relieving the traveller of his money.

Thus equipped, he proceeded to raid the country in a systematic manner,
and committed so many robberies on the highway or from settlers' houses
that his name speedily became a terror to travellers and persons living
in isolated localities in the Beechworth and other districts. He had
secure hiding places in the mountains, and having secured some of the
best horses procurable--of course, he did not buy one of them--he would
go backward and forward, sometimes riding fully seventy miles in the
day, and completely baffling the police.

Some very sensational stories were told concerning the bushranger's
operations when in full work on the road. One of these stories is worth
retelling. On one occasion he had "stuck up" several carriers on the
Seymour Road, and one of them refused to hand over his money, saying
that nothing in the world would induce him to part with it. Power
remonstrated with him, and said if he allowed him to pass without giving
up his money, others might refuse to hand over theirs when bailed up,
and his occupation would be gone, and the people would say he was afraid
to shoot a man. "I will, therefore," said he, "give you five minutes to
think over the matter, and if after that time you still refuse, I will
have to shoot you." Power then went behind a tree, and said he prayed to
God to soften the man's heart; at the end of the stipulated time he went
forward and again demanded the money, when the man handed it over
without a murmur. This story is given on the authority of Superintendent
Hare, who declared that he heard it from the bushranger's lips.

Profiting by previous experiences. Power did not make a close confidant
of any man or woman, and after his capture he attributed his immunity
from arrest to his practice of working "on his own hook". Being a
thorough bushman, and well acquainted with the district, he did not need
any guide or assistant in his nefarious work. For nearly two years he
"held the bush" unhindered, although the police maintained an untiring
search for him. At last information was supplied to the head of the
Victorian police which was considered reliable, and as it was made by a
man who was known to be intimate with the bushranger's haunts, special
arrangements were made for surprising Power. Who this man was is not to
this day known to the public, for one of the conditions of the compact
entered into by him to lead the hunters to Power's hiding-place was that
absolute secrecy as to his identity should be preserved. In their
reports the police called this man L------ and we shall refer to him as
L------ in the future.

A squatter had been stuck up and robbed by Power, who took from him, in
addition to other valuables, a much-prized gold watch. Subsequently the
bushranger sent a message to the squatter to the effect that he could
have the watch back for £15. Upon hearing of this offer the police
officers who had command of the search parties in that locality
determined to put the genuineness of the offer of help made by L------
to the test. The Victorian Government had offered a reward of £500 for
Power's apprehension, and the police promised L------ that he should
have the whole of this amount if he conducted them to the bushranger's
hiding-place and enabled them to make the capture. After much demur,
L----- consented, and the party started from the squatter's station into
a lonely, mountainous part of the country, properly armed, and having
the £15 which was to redeem the stolen watch. The party consisted of
Superintendents Nicholson and Hare, one trooper, a black-tracker, and
the mysterious guide; and it is just here that difficulty confronts the
historian, whose chief desire is to set down nothing but the truth. Two
accounts of the course taken and the things done by the party during
this expedition have been published--one by Superintendent Hare and one
by Superintendent Nicholson. In the narrative given by Superintendent
Hare all the glory attaching to the expedition belonged to
Superintendent Hare. In that given by Superintendent Nicholson many of
the statements, pretensions and claims made by the first writer are
disputed, and whatever glory there was has been equally divided, even
the black-tracker receiving his fair share. The reader will be
interested in the story of Superintendent Nicholson, as he told it in a
letter to one of the leading Victorian papers so late as February, 1892.
Mr. Nicholson introduced his narrative by the following letter to the
editor:- "Sir,--I have endeavoured to condense into the following
narrative every fact of importance connected with the capture of Power,
the bushranger, omitting nothing, exaggerating nothing, and making no
statement that is not capable of being verified on oath if necessary. I
deeply regret that such a proceeding should have been forced upon me by
the erroneous and misleading statements put forth by Mr. Hare in the
third chapter of his 'Last of the Bushrangers.' But to have allowed
these to pass without notification would have been to acquiesce in the
falsification of history." And this is the story as told by him:-


The guide (L------), assisted by the sergeant, led us through the
ranges, avoiding paths and traces of settlement as much as possible.
Towards the end of the second day we camped in a secluded gully within
six miles of the Quinn's place, and L------ was promptly despatched
there with the view of visiting Power's hiding-place if possible. He was
provided with £15 in bank notes, which were first initialled by Mr.
Hare, and with which he was to obtain from Power a certain gold watch
and chain. The following evening after dark L------ reappeared in our
camp and handed me the watch and chain, indicating thereby that he had
been in Power's company. The same evening at Mr. Hare's special request
I entrusted him with the watch, so that he might have the pleasure of
returning it to the squatter. L------, who was a man of few words,
laconically stated that he had lingered at the Quinn's both coming and
going, lest he should awaken their suspicions, and had succeeded in
being taken to Power's retreat on the range opposite their house, where
he had an interview with the bushranger. We timed our start so as to
pass through Quinn's place not earlier than 2 a.m. The Quinn's house was
situated on the edge of the King River, and on a flat lying between it
and a crescent-shaped range. Immediately under and along the range and
between it and the flat, ran a lagoon which was connected with the river
by anabranches and other channels. The first and largest portion of the
flat which we had to traverse was covered with timber and scrub, and the
lesser portion, upon which the house was situated, was fenced in and
under cultivation. These people had also fenced across the Government
cattle track along the river; and further, the bridge across the lagoon,
giving access to the range, was enclosed within their horse and cattle
yards. We started from a point near the river, and when we began to
cross the first five miles of the flat we found that our difficulties
were only commencing. Owing to the heavy rain the fiat itself was almost
covered with water; the channels across it were full, and in many places
deep, and the river was in a roaring flood, so that we could scarcely
hear each other speak; and we had the timber and scrub to get through in
the intense darkness which prevailed. We failed, but extricated
ourselves, although with difficulty, and finally we were compelled to
retrace our steps to the point whence we had started. After a short rest
and consultation I decided that as no further time could be lost we must
take the river as our guide, and this we did, keeping as close to the
bank as possible. After a severe struggle of over five miles we were at
last rewarded by being brought up suddenly by Quinn's paddock fence. The
portion of it I first recognised in the dark was that which projected
over the bank into the river to keep the cattle out of the cultivation.
This in my opinion, was the most trying work we had to perform during
the expedition, and here Sergeant Montfort particularly was of great
use, we dismounted, planted our horses in the scrub, and after getting
over the fence we cautiously passed the Quinn's premises, crossing the
bridge and reaching the foot of the range without causing any alarm.
After proceeding along the base of the range, looking upwards for
Power's camp fire, but without catching the faintest glimpse of it, our
guide, old L------, who had for some time been showing signs of
succumbing to cold, fatigue, and terror, now collapsed, and declared
himself unable to proceed one step further, and equally unable to
recognise the hill on which was situated the outlaw's lair. We also were
then suffering from cold, fatigue, and want of food, and the night was
still very dark and wet. I, therefore, proposed that all the party
except myself should lie down and rest, and I undertook to watch, and to
awaken them at daybreak. They lay down on the ground. After they had had
a short sleep signs of approaching dawn appeared. I aroused them, and,
although they had slept saturated with rain, they were all considerably
refreshed, and one of them jocularly spoke of having dreamed of food. We
resumed our search, silently and carefully scanning the shallow gullies
on the side of the range from there upwards to where the gullies ended
at the crest. Here I received just such valuable aid from the
blackfellow as I had expected. The range was clothed lightly with timber
and scrub towards the top boulders, and rock cropped up, whereas at the
bottom, amongst the finer soil, were some very large trees. I was
looking among these latter for a hollow tree stump which had been
described to me as "Power's Watchbox" by young Ned Kelly, whom I had
left behind me under the care of the police at Kyneton. (Old L------, I
believe, also knew of this.) At last my attention was attracted by the
stump of a large tree, the small branches and leaves apparently
sprouting from it being brown, withered, and dead, offering a striking
contrast to those of the other stumps, which were alive and green.
Springing towards it, I found the withered branches came away in my
hands, disclosing peep-holes cut in the hollow trunk, which they had
served to mask. Inside was some dried grass strewn on the floor, but no
bed, as Mr. Hare describes. At this time the blackfellow, who had been
keeping near me, recognising that I had made a discovery, sprang towards
me and looked at the tree. Without speaking I glanced back to old
L------, who was feebly following us, and I pointed to the stump; he
silently signalled with his head and outstretched arms an affirmative
gesture and disappeared. I never saw him again. It was then just
daylight, and the mist was rolling up the hills, rendering it almost
impossible in some places to distinguish it from smoke; but Donald,
after one look, pointed straight up the gully, and, with dilated eyes
and nostrils, uttered in a suppressed tone "'Moke! Moke!"
Notwithstanding what Mr. Hare has asserted in his published narratives,
he was certainly not present when the above occurred, and he had no
opportunity of examining the hollow tree-trunk until after Power's
arrest. Superintendent Hare and Sergeant Montfort were at that very time
exploring a short distance off, and near a small swampy flat partially
bordered with ti-tree, and on a lower level. I attracted their attention
by a low hissing whistle, but knowing that there was not an instant to
be lost, as Power might wake up at any moment, I did not wait for them,
but commenced running up the gully, whilst Messrs. Hare and Montfort
followed, making a short diagonal cut to get on my line, thereby leaving
the tree-stump behind them, and at some distance on their left. As I
ascended, a defined track became plain, and I then observed some
distance above me a thin column of smoke rising among some boulders. A
little more, and a few yards to the left of the line I was following,
the small fire and a few cooking utensils around it appeared in view,
close to a large boulder; and straight before me, what might have been
taken for a small thicket of leafy green scrub, but the straightness of
one or two of its outlines, as well as a foot in a clean worsted
stocking projecting from the end next to the fire betrayed its
artificial character. These were on a small plateau or shelf on the side
of the range. With a twist of my shoulders, as I ran, I got rid of my
loose peajacket, which was soaked and heavy with rain, and quickened my
pace. The thicket was broadside to me, its entrance and the foot facing
the fire. Apprehensive lest the owner of the foot should escape either
by the rear or far side, I waved my right arm to Superintendent Hare and
Sergeant Montfort, who were still behind and below me, to go round,
whilst I made a dash at the entrance, and throwing myself into the
gunyah upon the prostrate body of the occupant, I seized and held him
securely by the wrists until the Superintendent and the Sergeant
appeared almost immediately, the former catching the man by his legs and
Sergeant Montfort by his ankles. With one simultaneous heave we swung
our prisoner outside, and then the Sergeant quietly handcuffed him.

The little structure, although low and narrow, was well put together and
comfortable. It consisted of a good tough frame covered with blankets,
and these were skilfully covered and concealed by leafy twigs and
branches. There was a neat floor of small saplings about six inches
above the ground upon which straw and blankets were spread. When I
entered Power, apparently asleep, was lying on his back, dressed
excepting his coat and boots. His revolver was loose by his side, and
his double-barrelled gun loaded and cocked was slung from the ridge
pole, the trigger within easy reach of his hand, and the muzzle sweeping
the entrance, and not the track up which we had come, as Mr. Hare
inaccurately states--indeed the track was at right angles to the gunyah.
If any member of our party had attempted to draw Power out of his
retreat by the ankles, as Mr. Hare describes, the rash experimentalist
would have been blown to pieces. Fortunately, Power was unconscious of
our approach owing to the ground being saturated by days of heavy rain,
and therefore our footfalls were noiseless. Had there been any touching
or pulling of Power's legs before his wrists were secured--in short,
had not the whole thing, after the blackfellow sighted the smoke, been
done at a run, our party would have probably returned at least one short
of its number, for although Power, after finding himself surprised and
overpowered, did not behave to us like "a desperate ruffian", as Mr.
Hare designates him at the commencement of his historical romance--on
the contrary--yet he was certainly not a man to be trifled with. We all
partook of some of his breakfast, and hurried away Sergeant Montfort and
Donald to where we had planted the horses. More than once at this time.
Superintendent Hare, very much elated, surprised me by seizing my hand
and wringing it most effusively. Mr. Hare would have it believed that he
undertook the duty of escorting Power past the Quinn's house, and armed
with Power's double-barrelled gun. This is one of the many amusing
occasions upon which Mr. Hare borrows his facts from his imagination. He
carried a light single-barrelled rifle of the Lancaster pattern, and
wore a revolver as well. Before marching Power off I examined his gun,
and finding it in good order armed myself with it, carrying it at "the
ready" and at half cock. I also had my revolver. I led the way, followed
at from six to ten yards by Superintendent Hare, with Power close in
front of him. When near the house I observed three men standing near the
porch, and another man known as "Red George" outside. I halted, turned
round, and addressed Superintendent Hare and Power in a firm and
distinct tone of voice, as follows:- "Mr. Hare, if any attempt is made
to rescue the prisoner, or if he attempts to escape, shoot him." Then
turning towards the men about the porch I gave them to understand by my
gestures how I was prepared to deal with them if necessary. We resumed
our march, and for an instant a large bush intercepted our view, but
when we cleared it and the porch came in sight again the men had
disappeared, and in their places stood three rather tall women in black,
who silently stared at us, but we caught sight of the men behind them,
peeping over the women's shoulders and under their arms. We passed on
without exchanging a word. Poor Power gave his friends an inquiring
wistful look, to which came no response. We soon reached a spot outside
the fence, where we were glad to find Sergeant Montfort, Donald, and the
horses safe and sound and ready to proceed. I directed the sergeant to
lead us to the selection of one W. Lally, from whom I hired a good horse
and spring cart, and that evening we all reached Wangaratta with our
prisoner, after another long dark ride; and although Sunday I was able
to announce by telegram our success to the Chief Commissioner
thus:- "Wangaratta, Sunday.--Power, alias Johnstone, was arrested this
morning at 7.30, in the King River Ranges, on the Glenmore Run, by
Superintendents Nicholson and Hare and Sergeant Montfort, and is now in
the Wangaratta watch-house.--(Signed) C. H. Nicholson." This telegram
was published by the Melbourne press next morning. On arrival we found
that our clothes, as well as our hands, were turned one uniform colour,
owing to the continued rain dripping upon us through the gum-trees for
so many days. Whilst warming and drying ourselves before a blazing fire
at the police quarters our plight became known to some of the
inhabitants, who most kindly and considerately sent us clean, dry
clothing, which we shared with Power. The latter, after being thoroughly
dried, warmed, and refreshed, was provided with a comfortable bed in the
watch-house. An armed sentry was placed on duty--and we all gladly went
to rest. Subsequently, when Mr. Hare was confined to his room under the
care of Dr. B. Hutchinson, then of Wangaratta, suffering from the effects
of cold and exposure he had undergone, I drew up the official report of
the affair by his bedside, and I directed him to append his signature
next my own. In fact I could hardly refrain from asking Sergeant
Montfort from doing likewise, only doing so would have been contrary to
discipline. I here repeat that what was alluded to in my report and
characterised in the press as "indistinct" and "vague" arose from my
desire to avoid causing any invidious distinction being drawn between us
three, each had done his best, and each had contributed to the success
of the expedition as far as his opportunities would allow, and again I
was embarrassed by the necessity for avoiding any allusion which might
lead to the discovery of the identity of our guide, L------, for this at
that time would probably have cost him his life. After escorting our
prisoner to Beechworth, I returned to Melbourne in company with
Superintendent Hare. Soon after, on a vacancy occurring, I was
transferred to the charge of the metropolitan district--not as
promotion, but by right of seniority, and also through being deemed
suitable for the office.

From Wangaratta, Power was removed to Beechworth, where he was placed
upon his trial for highway robbery, convicted, and sentenced to fifteen
years in Pentridge Gaol. And this time the authorities took particular
care of their prisoner. He served about fourteen years of the sentence,
and was then released. He had evidently been quite cured of his
bushranging proclivities by prison diet, prison quiet, and prison work,
for he did not again transgress in that particular direction. After his
release he found employment, and earned an honest livelihood, although
he did not manifest any desire to keep the past hidden from public gaze,
as he frequently "fought his battles o'er again" when in the presence of
those who sought to learn from his own lips the story of his bushranging
experiences. About six years after his release he left Melbourne under
engagement with the showmen speculators who had fitted up the old
convict hulk "Success" and floated her over to Sydney. Journeying
overland he reached the Murray River, near Swan Hill, but he got no
further, for one morning his dead body was found in the river.


HOW THE KELLY GANG WAS FORMED.

Mention has been made of the fact that Ned Kelly was at one time
associated with Power in his horse-stealing and bushranging exploits;
but in the latter he appears to have served only as a scout and
occasional assistant, merely holding Power's horse during the time he
was overhauling his victims on the road. As a horse "lifter", however,
he had even a greater reputation than Power; horse-stealing was the
calling to which he had devoted his life, and he followed that calling
with untiring assiduity. He commenced his career by removing carriers'
and travellers' horses during the night to a safe "plant", where he
would keep them until a reward was offered for their recovery, and then
he would hand them over in the most innocent manner and claim the
reward. Naturally, the next step was to horse-stealing pure and simple,
any stray animal worth picking up being appropriated and kept in a
secure place until an opportunity presented itself of turning it into
money. Before he had fully grown a beard he became acquainted with
prison life, and served several short sentences for horse-stealing,
being recognised as a confirmed criminal by the authorities while yet in
his teens--a circumstance which is not to be considered wonderful when
the nature of his surroundings is taken into account. Although he was
known to be connected with the escaped convict and bushranger who was
causing such trouble, he was not called to account for any offence
committed in Power's company; and it was generally believed that the
police had obtained from him the information which enabled them to track
Power to his hiding-place on the mountain--Power himself at one time
entertaining that opinion--but the arresting Superintendents invariably
denied any statement to that effect.

Power had been in gaol for about eight years, however, before what is
known as the Kelly Gang of bushrangers was formed and began to operate
openly, and although the influence and example of the older bushranger
may have had something to do with shaping the subsequent career of the
leader of that gang, it cannot be said that the one was the direct
outcome of the other.

But before proceeding to narrate the extraordinary doings of the gang,
it is necessary that I should give a brief sketch of the earlier life of
the different members.

I have already mentioned that Ned Kelly had two brothers and four
sisters--Dan, Jim, Mrs. Gunn, Mrs. Skillian, Kate, and Grace. Dan Kelly
was seven years younger than Ned, having been born in 1861, but from the
time he was able to sit upon a horse he was more or less associated with
his elder brother in criminal pursuits. The boy "lifters" were the
terror of carriers and drovers who had to pass through the district in
which they resided, and it is said that persons in charge of stock not
infrequently went many miles out of the direct course in order to avoid
Greta, fearing that some of their cattle would miss their proper
destination if they attempted to pass through the "Kelly Country". Night
and day young Dan would prowl about looking for "game", and knowing the
bush intimately, he could at any time get away with that "game" when he
found it, to some spot where it would be beyond reach of the proper
owners. It will thus be seen that he was well qualified to act as his
brother's lieutenant, and, indeed, it was through him that the outbreak
occurred.

The third member of the gang was a young fellow named Steve Hart, a
native of Wangaratta, who had also made a name for himself as a horse
thief, indulging in night prowling in search of stray animals. He was
born in 1860, and was therefore a year older than Dan Kelly, who was his
closest "chum" during the campaign, and his companion in death when it
closed, the two falling together in the conflict with the police.

The fourth member of the gang was Joe Byrne, who was born at the
Woolshed, near Beechworth, in 1857. He was a splendid sample of a young
Australian, and had received a fairly good education, but abandoning
himself to criminal pursuits had joined the Kelly boys in several of
their horse-stealing raids. He had served one sentence of six months in
Beechworth Gaol before joining the gang. Byrne acted as scribe to the
party, reducing to writing the plans for the attacks upon banks and
other contemplated robberies, which were rigidly adhered to.

These four formed the gang, but there were others associated with them
as scouts and "telegraphs" and harbourers, whose names will appear as
occasion arises for mentioning the service rendered by them. Aaron
Sherritt was one of the most active of these assistants during one part
of the campaign. He had attended the same school as Joe Byrne, and the
intimacy that had grown up there was continued after school days were
over, the two engaging in horse-stealing raids together, and forming
close criminal business relationships with the Kellys. Sherritt was a
native of Beechworth, his parents being most respectable people.

In March, 1878, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Dan Kelly on a
charge of cattle stealing; and as it became known that he was at his
mother's house at Greta, a constable named Fitzpatrick, stationed at
Benalla, proceeded thither to arrest him. Fitzpatrick's version of what
took place was that when he got to the house he found Dan Kelly there,
and arrested him in the presence of his mother and sisters. He was
proceeding to take his prisoner to Benalla, when he was asked to permit
him first to take a meal, with which request he complied. While the
meal was in progress, Ned Kelly, with Skillian, his brother-in-law, and
a man named Williamson, came in, and Ned at once demanded if Fitzpatrick
had a warrant for the arrest of Dan. The constable replied in the
negative, and then Ned drew a revolver and declared that his brother
should not be taken without one. Fitzpatrick pulled out his revolver to
protect himself, and ensure the safe custody of his prisoner, when Ned
Kelly fired and wounded him in the wrist, the result being that the
revolver fell out of his hand and was secured by the Kellys. Fitzpatrick
was then, according to his account, secured, and it was proposed to
shoot him; but upon his solemnly promising to say nothing of the affair,
he was allowed to go. The wound in his wrist was very trivial, and the
bullet had been picked out with a knife before he reached Benalla. His
promise of silence was not kept, and warrants were immediately issued
against Ned Kelly for shooting with intent to murder, and against Dan
Kelly, Skillian, Williamson, and Mrs. Kelly for aiding and abetting.
When it was attempted to enforce these warrants, it was found that the
brothers Kelly had disappeared; but the others named were arrested,
tried, and sentenced each to lengthy terms of imprisonment,
Fitzpatrick's version of the occurrence at the house being accepted as
correct.

But the Kellys and their friends gave altogether different versions of
the story; they emphatically denied the truth of Fitzpatrick's
statements, and complained very bitterly that their relations were
unjustly cast into prison on his unsupported evidence. One version was
that no shooting at all took place, but that Fitzpatrick had concocted
the whole affair in a spirit of revenge, because certain improper
advances which he had made to one of the female members of the family
had been rejected with considerable warmth; another was that Fitzpatrick
never had Dan Kelly in charge, and that the arrest was resisted because
of the absence of a warrant, and in a scuffle Fitzpatrick slightly
wounded himself with his own revolver; and a third was that Mrs. Kelly
took no part whatever in the affair, not being in the house at the time
that Skillian and Williamson were miles away at the time, and that Dan
and Ned Kelly were alone concerned in what took place.

After the disappearance of Ned and Dan from the home at Greta, nothing
more was heard of them for some months, although the Government offered
£100 reward for their apprehension, and every effort was made by the
police to capture them. It was then known that they had "taken to the
bush", and there was a general impression that they were concerned in
several cases of road robbery that took place about that time in remote
portions of the district; but, reckless and daring though they were
known to be, it was never for a moment thought that they were capable of
the fearful crimes by which they were shortly to make themselves
notorious.


THE MURDERS IN THE WOMBAT RANGES.

Fully five months elapsed before the police managed to obtain any
reliable information concerning the whereabouts of the two brothers,
although every imaginable device was adopted to discover their
hiding-place, which was supposed to be somewhere in the almost
impenetrable ranges forming the watershed of the King and Broken Rivers.
That they had made this their retreat was subsequently discovered, as
was also the fact that they had not been idle during the time of their
hiding. In the month of October the police received private information
upon which some reliance could be placed that the Kellys were in the
ranges at the head of the King River, that they had been joined by two
confederates, and that the four had raided several selectors' huts at
the points of settlement nearest their impenetrable retreat; further,
that they were well mounted, and carried arms in the shape of rifles and
revolvers. The names of the two confederates were not disclosed, and the
police did not know them until some time after.

Acting upon the information supplied, the police authorities of the
district organised two parties of troopers and secretly despatched them
in the direction of the Wombat Ranges--one party starting from Greta and
one from Mansfield, the two townships being about fifty miles apart. The
Greta party consisted of five men, with Sergeant Steele in command, and
the Mansfield party of four men--Sergeant Kennedy (in charge), and
Constables Scanlan, Lonerigan, and McIntyre. Though the movements of the
Mansfield party were supposed to be kept "dark", it is thought that the
mission and its object leaked out and was "telegraphed" to Ned Kelly and
his mates by one of his numerous relatives--for the ranges were infested
with a brotherhood of Kellys, Lloyds, Quinns, etc., who were always on
the look out. It was broadly hinted at a later period that the man who
had given information to the police had done so with an ulterior motive,
and that as soon as the police began to move he caused the Kellys to be
apprised of the fact. Be that as it may, however, it is beyond dispute
that the Kellys knew when the party started out from Mansfield and that
they waited for them, intending to take them by surprise when far beyond
the reach of assistance, and remove them effectually out of their path.

Sergeant Kennedy and his men started out on their mission on the morning
of 25th October, equipped with revolvers, one Spencer rifle, and a
double-barrel gun (the two latter weapons having been lent to the police
by a resident of the township, who had recognised the poverty of the
equipment); also, a tent and sufficient provisions to last for a week.
They reached Stringy Bark Creek, about twenty miles from Mansfield, that
evening and camped on an open space on the creek, pitching their tent
near the ruins of two diggers' huts, for the place had at one time been
worked for gold. No special precautions were taken, as the party
considered that they were still a good distance from the retreat of the
bushrangers. The ranges round about were almost uninhabited, and the
party were not quite sure whether they were on the watershed of the King
or the Broken River; but both Kennedy and Scanlan knew the locality
intimately. It was Kennedy's intention to camp for a few days, patrol
backwards into the ranges, and then shift the camp in.

About 6 a.m. next day Kennedy and Scanlan went down the creek to
explore, and they stayed away nearly all day. It was Mclntyre's duty to
cook, and he attended closely to camp work. During the forenoon some
noise was heard, and Mclntyre went out to have a look, but found
nothing. He fired two shots out of his gun at a pair of parrots, and
these were heard by Kelly, who must have been on the look-out. About 5
p.m. Mclntyre was at the fire making the afternoon tea, and Lonerigan by
him, when they were suddenly surprised with the cry, "Bail up! Throw up
your arms!" They looked up and saw four armed men dose to them. Three
carried guns and Ned Kelly two rifles. Two of the men they did not know,
but the fourth was the younger Kelly. The four were on foot. They had
approached up the rises, and some flags or rushes had provided them with
excellent cover until they got into the camp. Mclntyre had left his
revolver at the tent door, and was totally unarmed. He, therefore, held
up his hands as directed, and faced round. Lonerigan started for shelter
behind a tree, and at the same time put his hand upon his revolver; but
before he had moved two paces Ned Kelly shot him in the temple. He fell
at once, and as he lay on the ground cried out, "Oh, Christ, I am shot!"
He died in a few seconds.

Kelly then had Mclntyre searched; when they found he was unarmed they
let him drop his hands, and at once took possession of the police
revolvers. Kelly remarked when he saw Lonerigan had been killed, "Dear,
dear, what a pity that man tried to get away." They then sat down to
wait for the absentees. One of them told Mclntyre to take some tea, and
asked for tobacco. He supplied tobacco to two or three, and had a smoke
himself. Dan Kelly suggested that he should be handcuffed, but Ned
pointed to his rifle and said, "I have got something better here. Don't
you attempt to go; if you do I'll track you to Mansfield, and shoot you
at the police station." Ned Kelly said he had never heard of Kennedy,
but Scanlan was "a flash". Mclntyre asked whether he was to be shot.
Kelly replied, "No, why should I want to shoot you? Could I not have
done it half an hour ago if I had wanted?" He added, "At first I thought
you were Constable Flood. If you had been, I would have roasted you in
the fire. I suppose you came out to shoot me?" "No," replied Mclntyre,
"we came to apprehend you." "What," said Kelly, "brings you here at all?
It is a shame to see fine big strapping fellows like you in a lazy
loafing billet like policemen." Subsequently he told Mclntyre if he was
let go he must leave the police, and Mclntyre said he would; it was then
suggested that the best thing Mclntyre could do was to get his comrades
to surrender, for if they escaped he would be shot. "If you attempt to
let them know we are here, you shall be shot at once", said Kelly. "If
you get them to surrender I will allow you all to go in the morning; but
you will have to go on foot; for we want your horses. We will handcuff
you at night, as we want to sleep." Mclntyre asked Kelly if he would
promise faithfully not to shoot them if they surrendered, nor let his
mates fire. Kelly said, "I won't shoot them, but the rest can please
themselves." Kelly also stated that Fitzpatrick, the man who tried to
arrest his brother in April, was the cause of all this; that his
(Kelly's) mother and the rest had been justly "lagged" at Beechworth.

Meanwhile they had been anxiously listening for Kennedy and Scanlan. At
last sounds of their approach were heard, and the four bushrangers
concealed themselves, three behind logs and one in the tent. They made
Mclntyre sit on a log, and Kelly said "Mind, I have a rifle for you if
you give any alarm." Kennedy and Scanlan shortly afterwards rode into
the camp, and Mclntyre went forward and said, "Sergeant, I think you had
better dismount and surrender, as you are surrounded." Kelly at the same
time called out "Put up your hands!" Kennedy, thinking a jest was
intended, smiled and put his hand on his revolver case; but he was
speedily undeceived, for he was instantly fired at, but not hit. He then
realised the hopelessness of his position, jumped off his horse, and
cried out, "It's all right! Stop it! Stop it!" Scanlan, who carried the
Spencer rifle, jumped off also and tried to make for a tree; but before
he could unsling his rifle he was shot down and never spoke again, dying
where he fell.

Seizing a favourable moment while the gang were occupied with Kennedy,
Mclntyre jumped on Kennedy's horse and galloped full speed down the
creek, receiving as he rode the fire of the bushrangers, but without
injury, although one shot struck the horse. As he rode away he heard
shots exchanged between Kennedy and his assailants, but he did not wait
to learn the issue of the fight. He galloped through the scrub for about
two miles at full speed, and then met with a severe fall through the
horse stumbling; but remounting he resumed his flight until the horse
fell exhausted. With true bushman's instinct he then took off the saddle
and bridle, and sought a hiding-place some distance from the spot; and
having found a large wombat hole in a dense part of the scrub he crept
into it and decided to remain there until darkness set in, for he still
feared pursuit. While lying in the hole he tore some leaves from his
pocket-book and wrote a concise account of the tragedy of which he had
been the witness, and then concealed the paper, his object being to
leave a record that might at some future date clear up the mystery that
would enshroud the fate of the whole party should the bushrangers
succeed in overtaking and killing him. The account closed with the words
"The Lord have mercy upon me!"

But daylight gave place to darkness, and the foes he feared had not come
near. Then, having removed his boots to render his tracks less distinct
should the Kellys search for him on the following morning, Mclntyre left
his hiding-place and set out on foot in the direction where safety lay.
Walking steadily on, his mental agony outweighing his bodily suffering,
at 3 o'clock next day he came in sight of a station; but to his horror
he observed several horses standing near the place, one of which he felt
sure was the animal that he had himself been using. He naturally
concluded that the bushrangers had outstripped him, and were waiting at
the station for him to come up; but seeing, on closer inspection, that
the horses belonged to the place, he went up and told his news. With all
speed the owner (McColl), drove the now thoroughly exhausted trooper
into Mansfield, where he reported himself at headquarters and told his
story.

Two hours or so later, Inspector Pewtress with several troopers and
seven or eight civilian volunteers started for the scene of the murders,
Mclntyre and a guide being with the party, most of whom were provisioned
for three or four days. The police had only four rifles between them,
and two of these supplied by a civilian, but of regulation revolvers
there was no lack, although Mclntyre told the authorities that for an
expedition against men like the Kellys, revolvers were comparatively
useless, and that the police ought to be furnished with breechloaders.
They reached the camp at two o'clock in the morning, and found the
bodies of Scanlan and Lonerigan lying where they had fallen. The tent
had been burned down, and everything removable had been taken away.
There were four bullet wounds on Scanlan's body and five on Lonerigan's,
three of the latter having evidently been fired into the dead body. Many
months afterwards, Ned Kelly admitted that the extra shots had been
fired by those of the gang who had not actually shot the policeman, in
order that all might be equally implicated. Kennedy's body was nowhere
to be seen, although diligent search was made in every open spot, for
the bush round the scene of the murder was made up of dense dead wattle
saplings, so close together that a man could stand six feet off the
track and not be seen. The search having proved unsuccessful, the bodies
of the other two men were conveyed to Mansfield on the back of a pack
horse, and on the following day they were interred after an inquest had
been held. A monument was subsequently erected to their memory.

When reinforcements arrived from Melbourne, a stronger search party was
organised to discover Kennedy's body, and to pick up the tracks of the
murderers and endeavour to run them down. On the third day of the
search, the body was found not more than a quarter of a mile from the
camp. Kelly afterwards declared that Kennedy fought determinedly and
bravely, and did not fall until he had exhausted all the shots in his
revolver; as he fell they all ran up to him, when he begged them to
spare his life for the sake of his wife and children; but as they did
not like to leave him in the bush in such a state they fired at and
"finished" him. Aaron Sherritt--who was at that time and for several
months subsequently in league with the murderers but who afterwards
sought to betray him was killed by them at the door of his own
hut--declared that Ned Kelly had told him Kennedy was the bravest man he
had ever met, and that out of respect for him he walked back to the camp
after shooting him, got a cloak and carefully covered up his body. In
all probability this story was correct, as the body was covered by a
cloak when found by the search party.

To say that the news of this triple murder sent a thrill of horror
through the whole community but feebly expresses the effect produced;
and in the same breath the public of Victoria denounced the murderers
and the authorities--the latter for sending out troopers inadequately
armed upon a mission so dangerous. Members of the force had complained
from the outset that the arms supplied to them--chiefly revolvers--were
unsuitable, and that sufficient ammunition even was not supplied; but no
attempt to remedy the deficiency was made until after the death of
the three policemen named; and then proper arms could not be purchased,
the most suitable procurable being breechloading shot-guns, which the
Government bought from a Melbourne gunmaker at a cost of about £8
apiece.


THE SEARCH FOR THE MURDERERS.

Even before the bodies of tie murdered men had been buried, all the
available police of Victoria were being forwarded to the disturbed
district, Superintendent Nicholson going thitherto direct operations.
The task of hunting down the murderers was evidently to be one of great
difficulty, owing to the inaccessible nature of the country, which was
mountain ranges densely covered with forests. The Government offered a
reward of £200 a head for the murderers, and in a day or two increased
this to £500 a head, the money to be paid whether the bushrangers were
taken alive or dead; later still they doubled this amount. They also
prepared and passed through Parliament an Outlawry Bill, under which any
man charged with felony could be called upon by a judge to surrender,
and to take his trial, and if he failed to surrender in due course, any
person, without challenge, might "take such outlaw alive or dead". And
any person sheltering such outlaw, or aiding him with information, or
withholding information from the police, rendered himself liable to
fifteen years' imprisonment. The Felons' Apprehension Act which had been
passed by the New South Wales Legislature during the reign of Ben Hall's
Gang had operated so beneficially that the Victorian Legislature did not
scruple to pass one framed on similar lines.

At the instance of the Attorney-General an application was made by the
Crown Solicitor to the Chief Justice on November 4th for orders
requiring Edward and Daniel Kelly and their two associates to surrender
themselves. The application was made under the Felons' Apprehension Act,
passed a few days before, and the necessary formalities having been gone
through, his Honour granted an order against each of the gang calling
upon them to surrender at Mansfield on or before Tuesday, November 12th,
to stand their trial for murder. The orders or summonses were published
next morning, but the accused failing to comply with them, were declared
outlaws. The police authorities in town at this date appeared to give
credence to the report that the bushrangers were lurking about the Rats'
Castle Ranges, near Indigo Creek, and reinforcements of police were sent
to that district by special trains.

Although bulletins were received from different parts of the district
day by day describing the proceedings of the search parties, no definite
intelligence reached headquarters. The following despatch dated Benalla,
November 5, is a fair sample of these daily accounts:-


A special party of men, who have been in reserve for several days, have
just been ordered up the line. It is the impression of the police that
the Kellys are still in the ranges north-east of this place. It has been
ascertained that they have endeavoured to pass themselves off as police,
with the assistance of the handcuffs and revolvers they got at the
Wombat, but their youth and looks ought to be against them. One of
Strahan's party arrived from Mansfield today. They worked the ranges
from the Wombat to the head of the west branch of the King, going along
the top of the rang.e. They were out for four days, and had a good deal
of wet weather, but Saturday was fine, and they got an extensive view of
the valley of the King from the high ground. The tracks seen were not
recent, and doubtless were left by horsemen connected with stations
beyond Mansfield. On one night they stopped at an old hut on the Wombat
range. They crossed the blazed track from Mansfield to Glenmore, but did
not descend to Quinn's haunts. News was circulated in Benalla yesterday
to the effect that the Kellys had stuck up a store on the King River,
between Glenmore and Whitfield. The statement was found to be correct,
but the occurrence took place three weeks ago. The owner of the store
tried to shut Kelly out, but at night the marauder forced a road in, and
told him that if he ever barricaded his doors in that way again he would
be shot. This man was so frightened at the threats he heard that he made
no complaints to the police, and his relatives only mentioned the matter
privately in the course of a visit to Benalla yesterday, so for his sake
the name of the locality must be withheld. This will show how
effectively the scattered settlements have been held in terror. To show
how extensive the Kelly connection is, it may be mentioned that scarcely
a day passes that we do not hear that some relative has been in Benalla.


The following extract from the report of a special correspondent of one
of the Melbourne daily papers, dated from Benalla, November 7th, will
further and more fully illustrate the character of the work the men had
in hand:-


The police have had information respecting the Kelly gang in their
possession during the past day or two, but it was not considered
desirable to make use of it, owing to its doubtful character, until
yesterday, when corroborative reports were received, and it was then
felt that there was every probability of securing the ruffians.
Superintendents Nicholson and Sadleir, having this knowledge in their
possession, had arranged for a strong party to proceed to the district
indicated, which, it may now be said, was about midway between
Beechworth and Eldorado, on what is known as Reed's Creek. Here are
living two or three families who, if not directly connected with the
Kelly gang by family ties, are known to be close friends of theirs,
and the idea was to pay them a sudden domiciliary visit with the
expectation of finding some of the gang with them. The matter was kept
very secret. Captain Standish, the Chief Commissioner of Police, arrived
at Benalla by the afternoon train yesterday to confer as to the best
steps to be taken. As soon as Captain Standish arrived he was met by Mr.
Nicholson, Mr. Sadleir having earlier in the day gone on to Beechworth
to make the necessary arrangements, and as soon as the whole of the
facts were laid before him he fully coincided with the views of his two
officers, and it was arranged that the plan should be at once carried
out. Unfortunately it has failed, but there can be no doubt that this
is, in a great measure, due to the fact that the Kellys have their spies
and sympathisers in all parts of the district, so that as soon as any
information leaks out, or any movement is noticed, information is at
once conveyed to them. For instance, when Captain Standish arrived by
the train in the evening, two of the Lloyds and Isaiah Wright were seen
on the platform, and again subsequently, as will be seen later on, the
same party inopportunely put in an appearance and attempted--by cutting
the railway telegraph wires--to frustrate the object of the expedition.
About 2 p.m. notice was sent quickly round to all the troopers available
in Benalla to report themselves, with arms and horses, at the railway
station at midnight, arrangements being at the same time made with the
Railway Department to have a special train in readiness shortly after
that hour to proceed to Beechworth; but when an attempt was made to
communicate with that township it was found that the wires were cut, or
at any rate thrown out of circuit, and it was also found that the line
on the Melbourne side of Benalla was interrupted. However, after some
delay, the special train got away about 1.30 a.m., and rapid progress
was made to Beechworth, which place, after a few minutes' stoppage at
Wangaratta, was reached soon after three o'clock. The train consisted of
two horse trucks and the guard's van. In the former were ten horses, and
in the latter was the Chief Commissioner of Police, Superintendent
Nicholson, nine troopers, and a black-tracker. Four of these men had
been out in the ranges for several days previously, under the command of
Sergeant Strachan, and had only returned to Benalla and gone to rest a
few hours before they were again called upon to turn out for duty. The
men were, however, on the alert, and not only ready but anxious for
active duty again. It must be said that the appearance of the party in
the van would not have given a stranger any idea of the usual smart
appearance of the Victorian police force, for had such a crowd been met
on a well-frequented thoroughfare there would have been a general desire
to at once hand over any valuables that might be in the possession of
the travellers without any cry of "Stand and deliver" being made. It
should here be said that while the party was waiting on the platform for
the train to get ready, three men were seen hanging about taking stock
of the party. They were at once pounced upon, and being interrogated
made some unsatisfactory replies, and were detained for the time.
Beechworth was reached just as the cold grey dawn was showing over the
eastern hills, and the party being here met by Superintendent Sadlier,
quietly proceeded to the police camp, where they were reinforced by
another strong body of police, until at last, when a departure was made,
there were over thirty well-armed and determined men, together with two
black-trackers. Rapid progress was made for a few miles along the
southern road, and then a divergence was made to the left entering the
timber, the men at the same time dividing into three parties, so as not
only to push forward more rapidly, but cover as much ground as possible.
The ground was anything but suitable for rapid progress, as in places
it was quite rotten, the horse sinking at times up to their knees, while
in other places patches of granite cropped up out of the soil, and this
being smooth and slippery from the recent rains, rendered it necessary
for every man to keep a tight hand on his bridle, more especially as the
gun or rifle carried by each man was loaded, and in readiness for use.
After a few miles of such work a halt was called, just as a clearing
with a large slab hut was seen in the valley below. A short consultation
was held between the officers, and then the place was surrounded by a
cordon, while some half-dozen, with Superintendent Nicholson and
Sadlier, went to pay a morning call at the house, where it was hoped to
find the Kellys. A reserve of about a dozen men was kept in hand by
Captain Standish, in order to give chase should the desperadoes break
through the cordon drawn around them.

A few minutes of intense anxiety, and then the report of a gun was
heard. This was quite enough. No necessity for any order to advance.
Each man of the party, from the Chief Commissioner to the junior
trooper, instinctively drove his spurs home, and a rush was made for the
house. Logs that would have been looked at twice before leaping on
another occasion were taken recklessly, rotten ground was plunged
through, and a sharp turn round a paddock fence showed a nasty-looking
rivulet, swollen with the late rains, and with very bad ground on the
taking-off side. None of these were noticed, but each man, keeping a
tight grip on his weapon with one hand and on his bridle with the other,
galloped forward, the only anxiety being who should be in first, so as
to join in the melee. The pace was terrific while it lasted, but when
all pulled up at the door of the hut and rushed it, they found, to their
disgust, that the Kellys were not there, and that the report they heard
had been caused by the accidental discharge of one of the guns in the
anxiety of the advance party to make sure of their expected prey, whom
they supposed to be in the house. This one incident very plainly shows
me that the remarks that have been made about the police not desiring to
come to close quarters with the Kelly gang have been quite uncalled for.
What I think is, that the men want to be held more strongly in check, or
some more valuable lives will be lost. That the men desire to meet the
Kellys and their two confederates is very plain, and when the parties do
meet I fancy the four ruffians will never be brought in alive.

The house to which such an unceremonious visit had been paid was that of
a man named Sherritt, who is well known to have long been intimately
connected with the Kellys, and whose eldest daughter was to be married
to one of the party now wanted by the police. The house and immediate
vicinity were closely searched, but with no success. The birds had
evidently received warning, and had taken their departure. Of course,
the man Sherritt put on a virtuously indignant air, and asked whether he
ought to be suspected of harbouring such persons, after having been in
the police at home. As it was evident that nothing could be got at this
place, a push was made for another selection some distance off,
belonging to Sherritt, jun., a son of the last-visited individual. Upon
entering this hut young Sherritt was not to be found, and from the
appearance of the squalid den, the sole furniture of which consisted of
a large bunk, a rough table, and stool, it was evident that neither the
proprietor nor any of his acquaintances had been there that night. No
time was lost in speculating upon possibilities, but the party pushed on
over the ranges, and descending a precipitous and dangerous gorge over
eight hundred feet, came upon a green valley known as Sebastopol, having
a creek running through it, and overshadowed on either side by the high
ranges known as the Wool shed Ranges. A sharp turn to the left brought
us in front of a slab hut, situated in a nicely-cleared piece of land.
This was the hut of Mrs. Byrne, who is also known to be most friendly to
the Kellys, and is further said to be connected with another of the
gang. She appeared at first greatly scared at seeing such a large party
surround her house, but finding that she was not required, she became
very bold and impudent. She could not, or probably would not, give any
information, and, in fact, denied all knowledge of the Kellys.

It was now plain that information had been already forwarded to the gang
that this locality was not safe for them and that they had consequently
shifted their quarters, for those who speak on authority are certain,
from the information afforded them, but which unfortunately arrived too
late, that the Kellys have been about this part within the last few
days. That they have not crossed the Murray is quite certain; but at
present there is some doubt which direction they have taken, the general
opinion being that they are doubling back to their old position.
Whichever way they do take, they must sooner or later show themselves to
obtain provisions, and be pounced upon. In the meantime, the police
officers and men are working their hardest to secure the ruffians. As
nothing further could be done for the day, the whole of the men being
pretty well tired with their last few days' work, the party dispersed at
Byrne's hut. Captain Standish, his officers, and some of the men
returning to Beechworth, while the others separated and went to the
respective points where they are stationed, and from whence they were
summoned. As showing the absurd character of the statements which are
made to the police officers, it may be said that Dr. Cleary, of
Beechworth, went to Superintendent Sadlier about half-past ten o'clock
last night, and reported that while driving from Everton during the
evening seven shots were fired at him, and he showed a small scratch as
the effects of one of them. Of course, his extraordinary story was set
down to the effect of imagination, but it shows how men who are supposed
to be endowed with a little common sense may be carried away by the
present scare. Captain Standish returned to town by the afternoon train.
The men who were out today were greatly pleased to see him with them in
the field.


Among the earlier police reports received were two intended to carry the
impression that the outlaws had attempted to cross the Murray into New
South Wales territory and then returned to find better shelter among
their numerous relatives and friends among the Warby Ranges. The report
ran that they had been traced to the Murray River, below Wodonga, about
ninety miles from the scene of the murders, and had called at the house
of a settler who knew them, having in use at the time the horses and
arms belonging to the police. They tried to cross the river, but it was
flooded, and after nearly getting drowned they made their way back. The
police, it was said, received intelligence of these movements, but did
not take action until too late. The whole country was in a state of
flood at this time, and the next report was that the outlaws had been
seen crossing the swollen creek at Wangaratta at daybreak. The police in
this case also refused at first to believe the report that the four men
who had been seen going through the flood were the Kellys, and when they
did take up the tracks, which were plainly visible on the soft ground,
they were more than a day "behind the fair". They followed the
hoof-marks of the horses to the house of a well-known sympathiser, where
they learned that the outlaws had breakfasted, and continuing the search
into the Warby Ranges they came across poor Kennedy's horse, which had
been almost ridden to death and then abandoned. Then, as though the
leader of the pursuing force (a small one from Wangaratta) appeared to
think that a nearer acquaintance with the Kellys would be dangerous, the
party returned to the station, taking the crippled horse back with them
as sufficient spoil recovered.

In the earlier days of the search for the outlaws after the murder of
the three policemen, discoveries were made in the locality of the
outrage which clearly indicated that Kennedy and his companions were on
the right track when surprised and shot down; and furnished evidence
also of the fact that Kelly and his mates had abandoned themselves
absolutely to a career which they knew must result in death to
themselves and others. The following extract from the letter of a press
correspondent who subsequently visited the spot will prove of interest
here:-


Leaving Melbourne one day last week, I took train to Longwood, and from
thence coached it to Mansfield, the township which derived so much
notoriety through the outbreak of the Kelly gang. Procuring a horse well
used to rough country, and obtaining the services of a guide, who I may
state, was intimately connected with the Kellys and their friends, and
had undertaken to conduct me to several of their haunts, I started early
in the morning from Mansfield, and, so as to avoid observation, made a
slight detour before finally getting on the direct track to the Wombat
Ranges. Thence we made our way across country to the scene of the police
murders, which, I was informed, was near to the fortified hut of the
outlaws. Traces of the murders are still visible; on every side are
bullet-marked trees, and a few old posts of Walter Lynch's hut can be
noticed almost in the centre of the cleared space, which the Kellys and
their confederates approached by creeping up under the shelter of the
tufts of speargrass. Whether Kennedy was aware of it of not, all the
time he was retreating and dodging from tree to tree, firing as best he
could, and sternly contesting every inch of ground, he was making in
almost a direct line for the hut in which the Kellys and their mates had
lived for many months before they committed the crime which caused their
outlawry.

A ride of about half a mile from the spot where Kennedy's body was found
brought me and my companion to the stronghold of the Kellys, situated on
a small rise in the midst of a basin, bounded on the east by Ryan's
Creek, on the west by a very high and steep mountain, forming part of
the Wombat Ranges, on the north by a small creek flowing down from
between the hills, and on the south by a medium-sized ridge, which,
however, is high enough to effectually conceal the hut from view in that
direction. Reining in my horse on the crest of this ridge, and taking a
glance at the scene which lay before me, I could not but be struck with
wonderment that such a perfect settlement should have existed so long
within half a dozen miles of selections without its existence being
discovered. A farmer named Jebb lives within four, and another named
Harrison within six miles of it, and yet neither--at least so they
assert--were even aware that the Kellys were in the locality, although
the latter must have lived on this spot many months, or they could never
have got matters into such an improved state. The plateau contains
altogether, I should say, about seventy acres, and this is fenced in on
three sides (north, south, and east) by a sapling, dogleg, and brush
fence, the west side requiring no fencing owing to the steepness of the
hill which constitutes its boundary.

Immediately surrounding the hut some twenty acres have been cleared, the
trees ringed, and the timber--principally swamp gum and
peppermint--placed in heaps ready for burning. The ground had even been
raked, so as to give every chance for the grass to grow, and the aspect
of the whole place denotes that the Kellys had lived in this secluded
retreat many a long day before the Wombat murders took place; and as a
proof that someone knew of their existence, I may mention that on a
large peppermint tree within a short distance from the hut the name of
"J. Martain" has been carved in the sapwood of the tree after the sheet
of bark had been taken off to put on the roof of the hut. In the creek
flowing to the north of the hut a considerable amount of gold-digging
has been done, sluicing being the principal means employed, and from
appearances gold has been got in payable quantities, and the workings
are of such an extent that it would be utterly impossible for any four
men to carry them on under a period of several months.

Perhaps, however, the most startling sight of all is the appearance of
the hut and its immediate surroundings. Imagine a house erected of
bullet-proof logs, fully two feet in diameter, one on the top of the
other, crossed at the ends after the fashion of a chock and log fence,
and with a door six feet high by two feet six inches wide, made of stiff
slabs and plated with iron nearly a quarter of an inch in thickness,
which was loopholed to fire through. The door is on the north side,
opposite the gold workings in the creek, and a well-built log chimney
occupies the greater part of the west end of the hut. Such was the home
of the Kelly gang for some months before the police murders. Its
interior was fitted up just as substantially as its exterior, and in a
manner calculated to stand a long siege, there having been every
provision made for the storage of flour, beef, tea, sugar, and other
necessaries of life; and to show that in fresh meat, at least, they were
not wanting, we discovered portions of several carcases, together with
seven or eight heads of cattle, with bullet holes in the centre of the
forehead, lying outside the hut, which may have belonged to either
"scrubbers" out of the ranges, or the fat bullock of some not far
distant squatter or farmer, but most probably the latter. Empty jam and
sardine tins, old powder flasks, cap boxes, broken shovels, old billy
cans, glass bottles, door hinges, and a great variety of other articles
were to be seen all round the hut. But the crowning wonder of all was
the evident pains taken by the Kellys to improve themselves as marksmen.
In every direction--taking the hut as a standing-point--we saw trees
which were marked with bullets, from five to fifty having been "fired
into each, at ranges varying from twenty to four hundred yards. The
bullets, being afterwards chopped out, were melted down and converted
again into their former state. On one small tree a circle of charcoal
six inches in diameter had been traced, and into this two or three
revolver bullets had been fired, one striking the black dot meant to
represent the bullseye in the centre, and the other two being close to
it. Some of the bullets had gone to a depth of four inches in the trees,
and consequently a great deal of chopping had to be done to get them
out; and there was abundant evidence, too, to prove that, the more
practice the outlaws had, the more they improved in the use of the rifle
and revolver, the shooting at some marks on the trees being very wide,
and on others remarkably straight and dead into the bullseye.

I did not attempt to inspect the country in the vicinity of this
stronghold of the outlaws. By the time I had taken a hurried sketch and
picked up a few interesting relics, it became time to think of turning
homewards; so, only waiting a few moments to inspect the track which led
from the hut across the creek and over the gap towards Greta, my guide
and I turned our horses' heads southwards, and after a rather rough ride
reached Mansfield late at night, from whence I took coach to Longwood
next day, reaching Melbourne the same night, none the worse for my trip
in the Kelly country.



THE RAID UPON EUROA.

More than a month passed away in fruitless search, all that was returned
to the public for the money expended in the wearisome hunt for the
outlaws being "report" upon "report", each of which conveyed
intelligence of non-success, disheartened men, and knocked-up Government
steeds. But the time had arrived for fresh interest to be created in the
gang, for a greater display of police ingenuity and energy, and for
public patience to be further exercised. Leaving their mountain
fastnesses, Ned Kelly and his companions made a bold raid upon the
township of Euroa, a small settlement on the main road between Melbourne
and Sydney, and deliberately, in open day, "stuck up" the National Bank,
emptying its coffers of all the gold and notes that were stored therein.
Their plan of operations was cleverly arranged and carried out to the
last detail in a remarkably cool and systematic manner.

The town at this time contained about three hundred inhabitants, and
could boast of a police station, two or three hotels, and a number of
other business places; it was the centre of a flourishing agricultural
district, and the main line of railway between Melbourne and the Murray
ran partly through the town. The Strathbogie Ranges, covered with thick
scrub, lay at the back of the settlement, extending as far as Mansfield;
but only experienced bushmen could easily cross the rugged,
heavily-timbered belt.

About three miles from the township was a station owned by a settler
named Younghusband, and it was here that the quartette first made their
appearance, at noon on December 18th, 1878. One of the station hands
named Fitzgerald was quietly eating his dinner in the men's hut, when a
man, apparently an ordinary bush hand, appeared at the door, and in a
matter-of-fact tone of voice enquired if the manager was in. Fitzgerald
replied in the negative, and suggested that if the stranger's business
was not very particular he might do instead of the manager. The stranger
replied that it was of no consequence, and sauntered away. Fitzgerald
continued eating his dinner, but upon looking up a few minutes after the
man had left he saw that there were now three rough-looking bushmen
instead of one, that they were leading four very fine horses, and were
on their way to the homestead, which was not far from the hut. Mrs.
Fitzgerald happened to be at the homestead, and was rather surprised
when two of the men walked in without invitation. In reply to her
inquiry as to who they were, and what they wanted, one of them replied
that he was Ned Kelly, and that he wanted refreshment for himself and
his mates, and food for their horses, adding at the same time that there
was no occasion for fear, as they would do no harm. At once Mrs.
Fitzgerald called to her husband, who left his dinner and came over, to
find himself face to face with his former visitor, and learn that the
men were notorious bushrangers. Having learned from his wife that the
bushrangers had demanded refreshment, and observing a revolver in Ned
Kelly's hand, Fitzgerald ordered dinner to be provided, at the same
indicating where the horse-feed was to be found to Dan Kelly, who at
once proceeded to bait the animals.

In the meantime the fourth outlaw had appeared on the scene, and while
Joe Byrne stood outside the door as guard, Ned Kelly and Steve Hart
interviewed the station hands as they came up for their dinner and made
prisoners of them all, converting a detached storeroom into a temporary
prison, in which all the "hands" belonging to the station, with
Fitzgerald at their head, were marched one by one, the door being
locked, and the prisoners told that they would not receive injury unless
they interfered or attempted to escape.

Mr. Macauley, manager of the station, was greatly surprised as he
approached the homestead on his return during the afternoon, at the
quiet that reigned; and his surprise was increased when he learned the
cause of it. Fitzgerald called out to him from the storeroom that the
Kellys were in possession; at the same instant Ned Kelly came out of the
house, and told the manager to bail up, informing him that they were not
going to take anything, but had called at the station to get food and
rest for their horses and sleep for themselves.. Submitting to the
inevitable, Macauley said they all might make themselves as comfortable
as possible; and tea having been made, they partook of it together,
although only two of the outlaws would sit down at a time, relieving
each other in couples in keeping a look-out. They also made some of the
prisoners taste the food before them--with what object may be easily
understood.

Before nightfall another prisoner was made, a travelling hawker named
Gloster, who called at the station to obtain water for his tea, after
having unharnessed his horses and fixed his camp near the homed. When
told by Ned Kelly to bail up, Gloster at first took the command as a
joke, but was speedily undeceived by a threat from Dan Kelly to shoot
him where he stood; and after a little parleying he consented to take
his place in the storeroom with the other prisoners. The four robbers
then proceeded to the hawker's cart and chose each for himself a new
suit of clothes, also taking some firearms that were in the cart; then
they returned to the homestead and prepared to make themselves
comfortable for the night, which they did by taking turns, two by two,
at sleeping and watching.

On the following morning they were astir early, and told Macauley that
they intended to stick up the Euroa Bank during the day: and that in
order that intelligence of their presence at the station should not
reach the township they must keep all parties close prisoners, with any
others who might call at the homestead. At this time there were over
twenty prisoners in the storeroom under lock and key, and four more were
added before many hours had passed. About two o'clock in the afternoon a
farmer named Casement drove up to the gate in his spring cart, with
three other persons, Messrs. McDougal, Jennant, and Dudley. One of the
visitors was in the act of opening the gate when the party were startled
at an order to "bail up" from Ned Kelly and Byrne, the former being on
horseback and the latter on foot. After some demur they complied, and
found themselves in the company of the other prisoners, who, although
weary of their enforced confinement, appeared rather pleased than
otherwise at the addition to their numbers. Having seen their latest
prisoners safely located, two of the bushrangers overhauled the cart and
appropriated a rifle, a gun, and some bullets, powder and caps that
Casement happened to have there.

Leaving Joe Byrne in charge of the prisoners (the women folk at the
station were allowed to move about freely, but were closely watched),
the other members of the gang procured axes and proceeded to cut down
some of the telegraph posts on the railway; then they tore down a
considerable length of the line, chopping away the wire for a good
length so that it could not be easily or quickly repaired. While thus
engaged they made another capture--four railway fettlers who had seen
them destroying the line and gone forward to ascertain the reason, being
enlightened and made prisoners at the same time. These men were marched
up to the station and placed with the other captives, and then the gang
made arrangements for visiting Euroa.

First getting Mr. Macauley to draw out a cheque for a small amount, they
made Gloster's lad hitch up the horse in the hawker's covered cart; Ned
Kelly drove that, Dan Kelly got into Casement's vehicle, Hart mounted
one of the saddle horses, and the expedition started for the township,
leaving Byrne in charge of the prisoners, with a rifle in his hand,
revolvers in his belt, and two other rifles within easy reach.

Shortly after the party had started, a train stopped opposite the
station and a telegraph line repairer alighted. A glance at the broken
line was sufficient to show him that the break had not been caused
accidentally and that he would be unable to repair it unaided, and he at
once walked towards the homestead to procure assistance. Here he was
challenged by Byrne, and speedily found himself under lock and key in
the already overcrowded storeroom.

Meanwhile the bushrangers with the carts were approaching Euroa, and
Hart had already reached the township, where he entered the hotel and
had a meal without attracting attention. When the two Kellys drove up he
joined them, and the three went direct to the National Bank. Ned Kelly
drove up to the front door of the bank in one of the carts, jumped out,
and fastened up the horse. At the same moment Dan Kelly drove the other
cart in to the back yard of the bank, and Hart rode into the same place.
Although after bank hours, the bank doors were open, as the
station-master was frequently in the habit of getting drafts for
Melbourne late in the day. Ned Kelly entered the front door of the bank,
and at the same moment Dan Kelly and Hart entered by the back door. It
so happened that all Mr. Scott's (the manager's) family were at the
moment in one of the rooms of the house, as they were just preparing to
go for a walk, while Mr. Scott himself was about to attend a funeral. On
entering, Ned Kelly presented the cheque signed by Mr. Macauley; but as
soon as the other two made their appearance he pulled out a revolver,
announced himself as Kelly, and ordered Mr. Scott, Mr. Bradley (the
accountant), and the two clerks to "bail up" and "put up their hands".
He then demanded the money from Mr. Bradley, who appealed to Mr. Scott
whether he was to comply. Mr. Scott replied that he supposed they could
not prevent the bushrangers from taking the money, but they would not
give them anything. Kelly then helped himself to all the cash in use,
amounting in all to £300 in specie and notes. They then prepared to
visit the other part of the premises, leaving Hart to keep guard over
the prisoners in the banking room. They conducted themselves quietly
enough. The ladies acted bravely, and there was no noise, which would
have perhaps resulted in loss of life. As soon as Mrs. Scott discovered
who her visitor was she told him that he was a better-looking man than
she fancied he would be; but Ned Kelly passed over the compliment
without remark, and told her to get herself and children and servants
ready for a drive, as he was going to take them over to Younghusband's
station. He then returned to the banking room and said he knew very well
they had not all the money; in spite of Mr. Scott's protest he got the
keys of the strong room, and proceeded to appropriate the reserve cash.
This he packed up in a neat parcel with the other, also examining some
of the bank notes and letters, and took one or two deeds of trifling
importance, but left the bulk of the bills and securities untouched. The
total sum taken was £1942, besides thirty ounces of gold.

All this time Mr. Scott's family and the bank officials were under
guard, and of course, as everything was very quietly conducted, and it
was after bank hours, no alarm was given. The party then started, Dan
Kelly in the hawker's cart with the clerks and one of the female
servants leading the way. Then followed Mrs. Scott with her mother and
seven children (the eldest of whom was thirteen years of age) in Mr.
Scott's buggy, which Ned Kelly had pressed into the service; Mrs. Scott
acting as driver and being cautioned not to indulge in any "larks" on
the road. After this came Ned Kelly with Mr. Scott and another servant,
while Hart, on horseback, brought up the rear. The money was in the cart
at the feet of Kelly. In this way the cavalcade went out of the town
without attracting much attention. The total number of persons carried
off was fifteen. The object of carrying them bodily away was to prevent
the alarm being given at once, and as a matter of fact it was not known
in Euroa what had occurred at the bank until after eleven o'clock that
night, and then the direction taken by the bushrangers was a matter of
mystery. Before leaving the bank Kelly secured the two revolvers on the
premises, and also demanded and secured two other revolvers and two bags
of cartridges, in all about eighty rounds.

At the station the manager and his clerks were placed in the storeroom,
and the females joined those belonging to the homestead, the bushrangers
shortly afterwards taking tea with them. After the horses had been
saddled and brought round, Ned Kelly announced to those in the storeroom
that they were about to leave, declaring at the same time that if any of
the prisoners moved from the spot until three hours had passed he would
afterwards hunt them out and shoot them; and he specially commanded
Macauley to see that this injunction was carried out faithfully on pain
of losing his life. The outlaws then mounted their horses and rode away
at a rapid pace in the direction of Strathbogie Ranges, it being
observed that Ned Kelly carried all the spoil. It was then past eight
o'clock, and quite dark, and as it was thought probable that one of the
gang would be on the watch, Mr. Macauley decided that no person should
move from the station until the allotted time had passed. Shortly after
eleven o'clock Mr. Scott and his charge started on the return journey to
Euroa, reaching the place in safety and finding that no suspicion of the
startling events that had occurred under their very noses had been
entertained his fellow-townsmen.

The other parties remained at the station during that night,
and left early next morning for their several homes; but
not before the police had commenced to move, for they were
at work near the station at daylight endeavouring to pick up the tracks
of the outlaws, hoping to get upon them while still fresh, and to follow
them until they came up with the bushrangers themselves. In this,
however, they were disappointed, for they found tracks leading in every
direction; and then it became plain that the Kelly sympathisers had been
at work before them, riding over the ground, first in one direction and
then in another, in order to baffle the pursuers and throw them off the
scent.

The raid was one of the boldest that had yet been made in Victoria by
any bushranging gang, and the colonists were prepared to hear of other
outrages of a like character at any moment. The bankers in the country
towns were specially concerned, and revolvers became prominent articles
of furniture in the managers' rooms and under the serving counters. The
police became wretchedly restive under the monotonous round of
unsuccessful search journeys, and the unmerited abuse heaped upon them
by civilians who thought failure to take the outlaws, or even to catch
sight of them, was the result of inefficiency. And just at this time the
Victorians passed through the very experience that had so worried New
South Welshmen during the reign of Hall's gang and the Clarkes. That
four young fellows should set at defiance every effort of that mighty
Engine of Civilisation--the police force--was one of the most
extraordinary things of the age--as ridiculous as it was reproachful;
and in the eyes of a large section of the public the police appeared
greater offenders than the outlaws. But the police were not altogether
to blame. They did their utmost to follow and capture, but were always
at a disadvantage, having to carry on their work in places to which they
had hitherto been total strangers, while the outlaws enjoyed the
advantage of knowing every turning in the sombre fastnesses, and having
scores of friends to serve them in a double capacity--informing them of
every movement of their pursuers, and at the same time hiding the tracks
they had made, and giving the police wrong information, or misleading
them in a thousand and one different ways.

To stimulate the police to even greater exertions, and at the same time
place a strong inducement before the Kelly sympathisers to turn
informers and betray the outlaws, the Victorian Government increased the
reward for their apprehension to £4000--or £1000 for each one taken. It
was a big bait, but it was not so readily taken as the authorities
appeared to anticipate. And still the fruitless search went on--days
growing into weeks and weeks growing into months without any nearer
approach being made to the accomplishment of the end desired. The press,
which had boasted during the reign of the Hall gang that no bushranger
could actively exist in Victoria, found its weapon turned against itself
by contemporaries in New South Wales, and 'sought to ease the pain of
its humiliation by "slating" the police of its own territory. And didn't
the Force in New South Wales chuckle over this turning of the tables!
Even the black-trackers of the elder colony made sport of the men who had
boasted and failed.

At last a hope sprang up in the breasts of that section of the police
which had set itself specially to work to bribe some of the Kelly
sympathisers. One man, who was supposed to be a bosom friend of Ned
Kelly, appeared inclined to "turn dog" on his former mate. This was
Aaron Sherritt, who lived near Beechworth, and was known to have been
one of the most active "telegraphs" of the gang, supplying them with
information concerning the movements of the police and furnishing them
with food. Sherritt was carefully approached by one of the leaders of
the search parties, and after much persuasion consented to put the
police on their track, the promise being made that he should receive the
whole of the £4000 which the Government had offered for their capture if
the information supplied by him resulted in their being taken.

The first piece of information supplied by Sherritt was that the gang
had decided to cross the Border into New South Wales, and there "stick
up" one of the banks--at Goulburn, he believed. He said that they had
asked him to accompany them, but he had declined, and they had then set
off without him. Subsequent inquiries proved that there was truth in
Sherritt's statement, for Byrne and Dan Kelly were reported to have been
seen going in the direction of the Murray River, and to have called for
provisions at a shanty where they were known. This information was
conveyed to the police on the New South Wales side of the Murray, but
although the river crossings were carefully guarded, no sign of the
outlaws could be discovered; and the authorities decided that they had
been deceived, and lived in daily expectation of hearing that an outrage
had been committed at some place nearer what the bushrangers were
pleased to call "home", for they knew that they would not keep quiet for
any length of time, especially as their last raid had been so
successful. And sure enough, before ten days had elapsed. New South
Wales and Victoria were both ringing with the news that another
successful raid upon a small town had been made, and that another bank
had been robbed.


THE RAID UPON JERILDERIE.

Jerilderie was then a township with a population of about four hundred
inhabitants, containing one bank, a police station, three or four
hotels, and a telegraph office, in addition to the other ordinary
business places of a bush village. It is about sixty miles from the
Murray on the New South Wales side, and about ninety miles in a direct
line from Mansfield.

At midnight on Saturday, the 9th of February, 1879, the four outlaws
rode quietly into the town and surrounded the police station, which was
occupied by Constables Devine and Richards, the former being in charge.
The town was in darkness, and the constables, like the other
inhabitants, were in bed asleep, when their slumbers were disturbed by
hearing someone calling out that a murder had just been committed by a
drunken man at Davidson's hotel, and that the presence of the police was
urgently required. Both constables hurriedly ran out to learn fuller
particulars, when they were immediately secured, and, the key of the
cell having been produced, were locked up together. Devine's wife and
children were then aroused and shut up in another part of the
watchhouse, receiving an assurance that no harm would come to them if
they remained quiet, but if they raised any alarm both the locked-up
constables would be at once shot by Hart, who had been placed over them
as sentry. Having thus secured the inmates of the lock-up the
bushrangers brought their horses into the stable and fed and bedded
them, after which they settled down for the night, a constant watch
being kept by one or other of them over the prisoners.

During the Sunday nothing unusual occurred to disturb the quiet of the
town or of the four ruffians who were already in possession of its
custodians. It was the aim of the outlaws to make everything appear
natural, in case any person acquainted with the lockup people and their
duties might call and notice that there was either halt or hitch. Hence,
Dan Kelly, Byrne, and Hart put on police uniform, and were prepared to
act the part of policemen in charge. Mrs. Devine was permitted to move
about freely during the day, but a close watch was kept on her
movements, and she was not allowed to leave the station, except on one
occasion, and that furnished its novelty. It appears she had undertaken
the weekly task of preparing the little church with which she was
connected for service every morning; when this became known to Ned Kelly
he decided that she must perform that duty, and the good lady went about
it with Byrne as her attendant and guard. During the afternoon Hart and
Byrne made an excursion through the town, taking Constable Richards
along with them, and as all three were dressed in police uniform they
did not attract any attention, those who saw them doubtless concluding
that Richards was simply showing two of his brethren from a distance the
lions of the place. The object of the excursion was to enable the
bushrangers to learn exactly the position of the different
public-houses, bank, etc., with a view to speedy and easy operations on
the following day. After perambulating the streets for about half an
hour the trio returned to the station, and Richards was again placed
under lock and key with Devine. No person called at the station during
the day, and the prisoners and their keepers prepared to spend another
quiet night at the station.

Early on Monday morning, Byrne, still dressed in police uniform, took
two of the horses to the local farrier and had them shod. Then the
Kellys began to think of business. Having securely locked up Constable
Devine and his wife and children, they pressed Richards into their
service as decoy, and at eleven o'clock started down town, Richards
walking with the brothers Kelly, all in police clothing, and Hart and
Byrne riding slowly on horseback behind them. The first place of call
was the Royal Hotel, where they saw Cox, the landlord. Richards
introduced Cox to Kelly, who said he wanted the rooms in the Royal, as
he intended to rob the bank, but would not do anybody any harm. The
bushrangers were then placed by Ned Kelly at the front part of the
hotel, and as people went in for a drink they were seized and placed in
a room, where Dan Kelly acted as sentinel. In the meantime Byrne busied
himself in collecting all the servants from the back part of the
establishment, making prisoners of them also; and everything being in
readiness, they proceeded to honour the Bank of New South Wales with a
call.

The bank building was near the hotel, and there were three officers
engaged therein--Mr. Tarleton (manager), Mr. Living (accountant), and
Mr. Mackin sub-accountant), and Living's account is so clear and full
that it may be quoted here:-


About ten minutes past twelve on Monday morning I was sitting at my
desk in the bank, when I heard footsteps approaching me from the
direction of the bank door. I at first took no notice, thinking it was
the manager, Mr. Tarleton. The footsteps continued approaching, when I
turned round on the office stool and noticed a man approaching from the
back door. I immediately accosted the fellow, who already had a revolver
levelled at me, and on asking who he was and what right he had to enter
the bank by the back way, he answered that he was Kelly, and ordered me
to bail up. The fellow, who afterwards turned out to be Byrne, ordered
me to deliver up what firearms I had. I replied that I had none. Young
Mackin, who was standing in front of the bank, then came in, when Byrne
ordered me to jump over the counter, which I did. He then told me to
come with him to Cox's hotel, and remarked that they had all the police
stuck up. We went into the hotel, where we met Ned Kelly, who asked for
Mr. Tarleton, and was told that he was in his room. They went back to
the bank, but could not find the manager in his room. Ned Kelly said to
me, "You had better go and find him." I then searched, and found the
manager in his bath. I was at first a little alarmed at not finding the
manager in his room, and at first thought that he had got some clue that
the bushrangers were in the place, and cleared out. On finding the
manager in his bath, I said to him, "We are stuck up; the Kellys arc
here, and the police are also stuck up." Byrne then got Hart, and left
him in charge of the manager, who was subsequently taken over to the
room where all the others were kept prisoners. After he had got out of
the bath, Ned Kelly came and took me into the bank, and asked me what
money we had in it. I replied that there was between £600 and £700, when
Kelly said, "You must have £10,000 in the bank." I then handed him the
teller's cash, amounting to about £691. Mr. Elliott, the schoolmaster,
then came into the bank, and as soon as Kelly saw him he ordered him to
jump over the counter. Mr. Elliott replied that he could not, but Kelly
made him, and they then tried to put the money in a bag, but not having
one sufficiently large, Ned Kelly went and brought a bag, and we put the
money into it. Kelly asked if we had more money, and was answered "No."
Kelly then obtained the teller's revolver, and again requested more
money. He then went to the treasure drawer, and requested to know what
was in it, and was told by me that it contained nothing of any value.
Kelly insisted on its being opened, and one of the keys was given to
him, but he could not open it, owing to the manager having the second
key, which was required to open it. Byrne then wanted to break it open
with a sledge hammer, but Kelly brought the manager from the Royal
Hotel, and demanded the key, which was given to him, and the drawer was
opened, when the sum of £1450 was taken out by Kelly and placed in a
bag. Kelly then took down a large deed-box, and asked what it contained,
and was told that the contents consisted of a few documents which were
of no use. He replied that he would burn the contents, but Mr. Tarleton
argued with him, and Kelly took one document and put it into the bag,
and then expressed his intention of burning all the books in the office.
He, however, left the rest of the papers, and said that he would come
back and see if there were any deeds for town allotments. The whole
party then went into the Royal Hotel. Daniel Kelly was in the hotel, and
Ned Kelly took two of the party out to the back of the hotel, where he
made a fire and burned three or four of the bank books. In the meantime
Mr. Rankin (a merchant and justice of the peace) and Mr. Gill (the local
newspaper proprietor), seeing the bank door open, went in, and were
immediately followed by Kelly, who ordered them to bail up. Both
gentlemen at once made off, Mr. Rankin running into the hotel, and Mr.
Gill in some other direction. Ned Kelly ran after Rankin and caught him
in the hotel. Kelly caught him by the collar, and asked him why he ran
away, at the same time telling him to go into the passage, and that he
intended to shoot him. He took Mr. Rankin into the passage, and, after
straightening him against the wall, levelled his revolver at him.
Several persons called out to Kelly not to fire, and he did not. He then
called Hart by the name of "Revenge", and told him to shoot the first
man that attempted any resistance, and told Rankin that if he attempted
he would be the first shot. Kelly then asked for Gill, and took Richards
and me with him to look for Gill. The policeman had his revolver with
him, but Kelly had previously withdrawn the cartridges. They went up to
Gill's house and saw Mrs. Gill. Kelly said to her, "I have a statement
here which contains a little act of my life, and I want it published by
Mr. Gill; will you take it?" She refused to do so. I then took the
paper, and promised to have it published, and asked to get one. The
party then went to McDougald's hotel, where Kelly took a blood mare out
of the stable, and remarked that he would take the animal, but would
return it in three weeks. The party then went to the telegraph office,
where they met Byrne, who had cut the wires. Ned Kelly then broke the
insulators at the office with his revolver, and after this he took the
postmaster and his assistant to the Royal Hotel and left the party
there. Kelly then returned to the bank and obtained a saddle and a pair
of riding trousers belonging to Mr. Tarleton, and also a gold chain and
a gold watch. The saddle was then put on the mare, and Dan Kelly,
mounting it, rode away, but returned in five minutes. Dan Kelly and Hart
then both kept guard at the hotel, and Ned Kelly then informed the
postmaster that if he attempted to mend the wires before next day, or
offered any resistance, he would be shot. He also told Mr. Jefferson
that he intended to take him a few miles in the bush and liberate him.
He informed those present that he intended sticking up the Urana coach
that night, and would shoot any one who attempted to give warning. Byrne
still rode in the direction of the Murray with the money, and in the
meantime Mr. Tarleton had succeeded in despatching a messenger to Urana
to warn the bank manager there. The remaining part of the gang then rode
in the direction of the police camp, and the party were liberated, and I
started for Deniliquin.


The bank manager, Tarleton, gave some further particulars. He stated
that at the time of the occurrence he had not long returned from a ride
of forty miles, and was having a bath, when the teller came rushing into
the bathroom and exclaimed that they were stuck up. Mr. Tarleton at
first thought it was rubbish; but on seeing two men with revolvers he
believed such to be the case. As soon as he came out of the bath, Hart
pointed the pistol at him, and then searched his clothes. Mr. Tarleton
then made some inquiries as to the movements of the Kelly gang, but
Hart, answering one or two questions, replied in an angry voice that he
had better cease asking such questions. Hart then took him into the
hotel, and as he was going in he noticed Byrne strike the Chinese cook.
He was placed with some others in the bar-parlour, where he was kept
until taken back to the bank. Hart stood the whole time at the door of
the room with revolvers, and evinced a strong desire to shoot somebody
occasionally, if there was a little too much talking in the room. During
his confinement in the room he was placed in such a position that he
thinks he could have knocked Hart down, but on asking the policeman if
he would back him up, he replied that Dan Kelly had them covered with
his revolver, and if he happened to miss them he would be sure to kill
some of the others. The gang then prepared to go, but before doing so
Ned Kelly made a speech with the evident intention of exciting pity.

During the day the outlaws paid periodical visits to the other hotels,
having "soft" drinks, and treating everyone civilly. Hart took a new
saddle from the saddler's, and several watches were taken, but
afterwards returned. Two police horses were taken, and other horses
wanted; but the residents begged, as they belonged to women, that they
should be left, and Kelly did not take them. The telegraph operators,
with a number of others, were taken prisoners to the lock-up, and were
not let out until 7 p.m. Eight telegraph poles were cut, and Byrne took
possession of the office. He overhauled all the telegrams sent that day.

In his harangue to the crowd before leaving the town, Ned Kelly referred
to the affair which took place at his mother's hut when Constable
Fitzpatrick was shot in the wrist. He declared that Fitzpatrick was the
aggressor, and that he received his wound when Dan's arrest was being
resented. The documents which he handed to Mr. Living, and which he said
he wanted Mr. Gill to publish in his paper, purported to be a history of
his life. They were subsequently handed over to the Victorian
Government. In this so-called history (which was doubtless written by
Byrne, the scribe of the gang) Kelly was made to pose as a martyr to
police interference and persecution. He said his criminal career
commenced when he was only fourteen years old, and received a sentence
of three months' imprisonment for, as he put it, "using a neighbour's
horse without his consent". Then other convictions followed rapidly, and
"the police became a nuisance to the family". He declared that his
brother Dan was innocent when Fitzpatrick came to arrest him, and that
he was wounded by his own revolver going off in a scuffle with Dan.
Referring to the murder of the constables in the Wombat Ranges, he
admitted that the gang surprised them and showed them no mercy, but they
shot the constables because they believed the constables had come out to
shoot them.

The bushrangers did not all leave Jerilderie together. Byrne, as already
stated, started first, leading a pack horse with the bank treasure
strapped across the saddle. Shortly afterwards Ned Kelly started, also
leading a spare horse, one of those taken from the police stables, but
he returned to Cox's hotel and told the prisoners they were at liberty
to leave, but that Constables Devine and Richards were not to be
released from the lock-up for some hours. He told those at the
public-house that none of the gang need have any fear of being shot, for
if one of them fell the lives of every person in the town would be taken
as revenge. Dan Kelly and Hart amused themselves before leaving by
galloping up and down the street, brandishing their revolvers and
shouting at the top of their voices, "Hurrah, for the good old times of
Morgan and Ben Hall!"--a sentiment which appeared to please some of the
persons who heard them, for they indulged in a feeble cheer. They then
also left the town, of which they had held possession for two whole
days.

From a threat Ned Kelly had made during the Monday that he would stick up
the Urana coach before he left the district, the Jerilderites had
concluded that the gang had gone to Urana, and that they would shortly
hear of outrages having been committed there. But they were out in their
reckoning, for Kelly and his mates appear to have made all haste to
cross the border back into their own territory before the news of their
outrage on the New South Wales side had been widely circulated. As soon
as telegraphic communication had been restored the startling news of the
raid was flashed along the wires, and the police at every centre in the
south were quickly on the alert. At Wagga Wagga and Albury fears were
entertained that the outlaws would pay the banks there a flying visit,
and police were told off to guard those establishments, while other
members of the force went out in search of the visitors who had so
successfully evaded capture by the Victorian police. Word was sent to
every station near the river, and a close watch was kept upon the
several crossings; but the excitement waned as the days passed, and no
news of the outlaws could be gained. Then all doubt was set at rest by a
report from the Victorian police that at least one of the Kellys had
been seen riding back in the mountains some fifteen miles from
Beechworth.

It will be readily imagined that the news of the raid upon Jerilderie
put the authorities and police of New South Wales in a ferment of
excitement. The Inspector-General of Police in Sydney at once wired to
all the frontier stations warning and instructing them, and at the same
time dispatched a number of mounted men from Sydney to assist the local
constabulary on the border. Unfortunately, however, the Murray waters
were very low, and being crossable at almost any point along a distance
of one hundred miles or so, the chances of intercepting the outlaws on
their journey back were considered remarkably slight. The probabilities
are that Ned Kelly and his mates had crossed the river before the river
stations had heard of the outrage at Jerilderie; in any case, as we have
seen, they got back into their old quarters near Beechworth without
difficulty.

The Government of New South Wales also took action, and joined with that
of Victoria in offering stronger inducements for the capture of the
gang. Parliament happened to be sitting at the time, and shortly after
the news of the Jerilderie outrage had reached Sydney, Sir Henry Parkes,
Premier, enlightened the House concerning the steps he had taken on
behalf of the Government. He read the following letter which he had
forwarded to the Chief Secretary of Victoria:-


Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney. 14th February, 1879.

Sir,--I have the honour to inform you, in reference to the appearance in
this colony of Edward Kelly and his associates recently outlawed under a
law of Victoria, that the Government are about to decide on extreme
measures, with the hope of arresting the course of these desperadoes. It
appears to me that the two colonies should unite in their efforts to
vindicate the law now that the crimes of the outlaws have become common
to both; and with this view I venture to suggest that the reward for
their apprehension should be a joint reward, and that the police in the
Border districts should act in concert.

The banks in Sydney chiefly concerned in the Border trade propose to
contribute £1000 towards a reward, and the Government is prepared to
contribute £3000, making a total of £4000. If a like sum was raised in
Melbourne, die joint reward would amount to £8000, or £2000 for each of
the four outlaws.

If the information of the next few days should confirm that which we at
present possess as to the whereabouts of the outlaws, this Government
will seek to obtain from Parliament under a suspension of the standing
orders, special powers for dealing with these and any similar class of
criminals, the object of which will be to secure the possession of them
dead or alive.

I hope your Government will concur in these suggestions, for united
action; and in that case may I ask you to inform me of your concurrence
by telegram, as I hope that by the time you receive this communication
we shall be in a position to take decisive steps.

I think it will be best, for the present, to regard this communication
as confidential.


In reply to this he received two telegrams, as follows:-


We cordially reciprocate your offer of co-operation, and agree to
increase the reward to £8000--£2000 for each outlaw; the Victorian
Government being responsible for £4000, concurs in the proposal that the
police on the border should act in concert.

Have published increased reward in "Gazette" tonight, and also notified
the intention of the New South Wales Government to add an equal amount.


The Assembly endorsed the action of the Premier, and next day the
following notification was published in the "Government Gazette":-


Whereas Edward Kelly, Daniel Kelly, Stephen Hart, and Joseph Byrne have
been declared outlaws in the colony of Victoria: And whereas warrants
have been issued by Mr. James Bambrick, J.P., at Wodonga, Victoria,
charging Edward Kelly, Daniel Kelly, and two men whose names were then
unknown, with the wilful murder of Michael Scanlan, police constable of
the colony of Victoria, and the said warrants have been duly endorsed by
Captain Brownrigg, Police Magistrate at Albury: and whereas Victorian
warrants, duly backed for execution in New South Wales, were
subsequently granted for the apprehension of Joseph Byrne and Stephen
Hart, charging them with the murder of the aforesaid Michael Scanlan:
And whereas the above-named offenders are still at large, and have
recently committed divers felonies in the colony of New South Wales:
Now, therefore, I, Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, the Governor
aforesaid, do, by this my proclamation, issued with the advice of the
Executive Council, hereby notify that a reward ol £4000 will be
paid--three-fourths by the Government of New South Wales, and one-fourth
by certain banks trading in the colony--for the apprehension of the
above-named four offenders, or a reward of £1000 for the apprehension of
any one of them; and that in addition to the above reward a similar
reward of £4000 has been offered by the Government of Victoria; and I
further notify that the said reward will be equitably apportioned
between any person giving information which shall lead to the
apprehension of the offenders and any members of the police force or
other persons who may actually effect such apprehension or assist
thereat; and that if, in attempting to effect the capture of the said
offenders, any member of the police force should be wounded, thereby
incapacitating him from earning a livelihood, he will be pensioned; or
in the event of any member of the police force losing his life in the
execution of such duty, his widow or family depending upon him for
support will be provided for by the Government.


There was thus a price of £8000 upon the heads of the Kelly gang, or
£2000 upon the head of each; and it was thought that this was a large
enough sum to tempt even the greatest friend of the Kellys, outside
their immediate family circles, to betray them, should the opportunity
for doing so present itself. But many months were yet to elapse before
the course of the outlaws was brought to an end; and in the meantime
they sought to strike terror into the heart of any friend who might
think of betraying them by shooting--in a manner hereafter to be
described--one whom they had good reason to suspect of treachery. In
addition to offering the reward stated above, the New South Wales
Government introduced and carried through Parliament a Felons'
Apprehension Act, similar to the temporary measure which had been passed
during the reign of Ben Hall and his mates. This Act, however, was made
permanent, and provided that any men outlawed in a neighbouring colony
might be outlawed in New South Wales. Thus it was sought to hedge Ned
Kelly and his mates about with difficulties insuperable. But neither the
large reward on the one hand nor the double outlawry on the other
appeared sufficient to bring the daring quartette or either of them
within the reach of the "arm of the law".


FRUITLESS SEARCHING.

For fully sixteen months after the Governments of the two colonies had
joined in offering this large reward the Kellys remained passive, and
all the efforts put forth by the Victorian police, whose energies were
devoted almost exclusively to the work, were futile. So silent were the
outlaws, so skilfully did they evade observation, and so "close" were
their friends, that many persons believed they must have escaped from
the district, if not the colony. To tell the full story of unsuccessful
searching would take some time, and the telling would serve no good
purpose, save, perhaps, to illustrate the absence of the proper
manhunting instincts in the leaders of the police forces; but some
portions of it may be told, as they serve to illustrate the hardships of
the life which the majority of the subordinate members of the force were
subjected to.

One of the first things done after the return of the gang from
Jerilderie was to arrest a number of those who were known or suspected
to be their friends and sympathisers and assistants; but although they
were kept in custody for some time, being repeatedly remanded for that
purpose, nothing definite could be proved against them, and they were
eventually released. Long excursions were made into the bush where the
outlaws were supposed to be in hiding, tedious night watches were set
over the houses of their relatives, the services of experienced
black-trackers from Queensland were called into requisition, and--what
was thought to be the best movement of all--the man Sherritt was
induced to place himself at the command of the leader of one of the
search parties, the whole of the reward of £4000 offered by the
Victorian Government being promised him if the outlaws were captured
through his instrumentality. But neither watching nor tracking were of
any avail; and the search parties were literally worn down to a
condition of despair.

Aaron Sherritt appears to have kept faith with the men to whom he had
undertaken to betray his former comrades, and besides conducting them to
retreats which were evidently used by the outlaws in the mountain
fastnesses, he watched with them, while still keeping on friendly terms
with the relatives of the gang, particularly with Joe Byrne's mother and
sister, at whose house he was a frequent visitor, being the accepted
lover of the girl. He was playing a very dangerous game, and was well
aware that he carried his life in his hands, but he trusted to his
native cunning to keep the knowledge of his treachery from the people
who still trusted in him. How he failed in his endeavour, and the fate
that befell him when the outlaws became aware of his unfaithfulness to
them and the sale of his services to the police, will be told later on.

The following brief narrative of the efforts Sherritt put forth in
assisting one of the police parties will show conclusively that he was
not playing a "double game" as far as the police were concerned. Shortly
after the Jerilderie outrage. Superintendent Hare sought Sherritt out
and an arrangement was made for him to conduct the police to a favourite
camp of the bushrangers in the mountains at the back of Mrs. Byrne's
house, he having expressed an opinion that Kelly and his mates would
hasten thither from the Murray. He declared that this spot was known
only to the bushrangers, and suggested that hiding in the mountain by
day and watching Mrs. Byrne's house by night would be the surest means
of catching the outlaws, who were sure to visit Joe's mother sooner or
later. The police took blankets and provisions with them, and prepared
for a lengthy watch. Lying securely hidden in the mountain retreat
during the day, alternately sleeping and watching, after dusk they
would, one by one, creep down to Mrs. Byrne's stockyard, take up
positions behind trees, and lie there watching until daybreak next
morning, when they would again steal back to the camp. Sherritt was with
them a great part ol the time, and spent most of his evenings in the
house with the old lady and her daughter, the information gleaned during
his stay there being at a later hour given to the superintendent; but
occasionally he would leave the camp and go to his hut in the ranges or
to his father's house, which was between the camp and Beechworth.

The position of the police was not by any means a pleasant one. The
weather was very cold, but they dare not make a fire at the camp for
fear of the smoke being seen by the Byrnes or the bushrangers, if they
were in the locality; and as they could not cook their food they were
compelled to live upon monotonous fare of water, bread, and preserved
beef. And added to these discomforts there was an ever-present fear that
the outlaws or some of their scouts might unexpectedly come upon them
when in camp or watching near the house, in which case they knew what to
expect.

For nearly a month the watchers stayed at this place, hoping that the
expected visitors would put in an appearance. But their hopes grew
fainter as the weeks went by, and they were at last rudely destroyed by
the discovery of their hiding-place by Mrs. Byrne. Here is
Superintendent Hare's account of the occurrence:-


On the last morning of my stay there, Aaron, who had been watching with
us all the night, came into camp with us. It was a Sunday morning. After
we had a meal, each of us lay down in the spots we had selected and fell
asleep. I was the highest up the hill, and could look down upon all the
others. Near me sat the sentry, and Aaron had lain down the furthest
down the hill in a hollow below a large rock. At about eight o'clock in
the morning, the sentry, without moving from his post, called me and
said the old woman, meaning Mrs. Byrne, was in the camp. I sat up in my
cave and looked out, and saw her stealing up. She stood up for a few
moments, saw articles lying about the camp, then came a few steps
further on, looked down in the direction of where one of the men was
lying, then halted for a moment, and retreated. The camp was so situated
that unless a person got within a yard or two of it he could not be
seen. I watched her, and did not even let her know that we had seen her.
Directly she left I jumped up and went to see who it was she had seen,
and to my horror I found it to be poor Aaron. I called him up. He was
lying partly on his side, and I was not certain she could have
recognised who it was. I told Aaron what had happened, and he turned
deadly pale, and huge drops of perspiration broke out on his face. He
could scarcely speak, and said, "Now I am a dead man." I told him the
best thing he could do now was to be off as hard as he could, and go and
show himself to some of his friends, so that if Mrs. Byrne had
recognised him he could prove an alibi, and convince her she was
mistaken.

Aaron always wore a peculiar dress, and would have been known by anyone
at a distance. His dress consisted of a white shirt, a pair of trousers,
and long boots, with his trousers tucked inside. The first thing I did
before I let him leave the camp was to send the sentry over the hill to
see if anything could be seen of the old woman. He returned in a few
minutes and pointed her out on a hill opposite to us.

I should here describe the formation of the country we were hidden in to
make myself understood. We were on the one side of a deep gully, with
high hills, quite impassable to horsemen, in front and behind us. A road
or track ran at the foot of the gully, and on one side of the track,
about a hundred yards from the bottom of this gully, was our
watching-place, about half a mile from Mrs. Byrne's house. We remained
quite quiet, and watched her go up the opposite hill to something white
that was on a rock. This was her shawl, which she had left behind. It
afterwards turned out that she was searching for the police in the
mountains, and when she got to the spot where we saw her pick up her
shawl she had noticed a sardine tin on the rock in our camp shining in
the sun. This had been inadvertently left there after breakfast. When
she saw this shining thing, she left her shawl and went to see what it
was, and after being in our camp, she returned and picked up the shawl
(this she afterwards told Aaron). I put a watch over her, and saw her
come down the hill again.

When she was out of sight I put my hat and great-coat on Aaron, and
started him off over the back of our camp, so that if the old woman had
seen him walking away she could not recognise him. When he was gone, we
set ourselves to watch the old woman closely, as she was bent on finding
out how many men we had there. She was evidently under the impression
that she had not been seen by anyone in the camp. She descended the hill
and commenced ascending the hill behind us. We could see her crawling
down the hill upon her hands and knees, evidently with the object of
looking into our camp to see what she could. I told Senior-constable
Mills to go up the hill and give her a good fright and drive her off. He
ascended the hill in the direction he saw her coming down, unobserved by
her, and lay behind a rock with his rifle in his hand. The old woman
came down to the very rock he had taken shelter behind, and just as she
was going to take a good observation of our camp the senior-constable
sprang upon her and roared out. She almost died of fright. She had not
the slightest idea anyone was near her. For a moment she shook from head
to foot, but soon recovered herself, and began to slang the
senior-constable, and told him she would get her son with the Kellys to
shoot the lot of us, as he did Kennedy's party. After some conversation
she left and went back to her home.

Nothing transpired that day until dusk, when Aaron reappeared as usual.
I asked him what he had done with himself after leaving me that morning.
He said that he had gone to an intimate friend of his and shown himself,
and some time afterwards had drawn attention to the early hour at which
he had called. I asked him what he intended doing--if he meant to go
that evening to see his young woman. He said, "Oh yes; I must go and see
if the old woman recognised me this morning." I said, "Don't you funk
it?" He replied artfully, "But I must find out if she knows it was me."
He went on, "I have brought a penny whistle, and I will commence playing
it within a hundred yards from the house, and perhaps my girl may come
out to meet me, and I can find out from her whether the old woman has
said anything about me."

He left us just as we were going to the watching-place, and about twelve
o'clock came as usual and sat down beside me. He told me that he went
with his whistle straight to the door of the house, but his young woman
did not come out to meet him. He walked inside and continued playing.
When he got inside there was a strange man (a neighbour) in the room.
The old woman said nothing to him, but he said, "I watched her
countenance, and I felt sure she had not recognised me." After a little
while the old woman went outside, and he followed her. She said, "A nice
trick you have been playing on me." He said, "What do you mean?" She
said. "Who could have put the police into that camp in the mountains but
you?" He replied, "I don't know what you mean." She told him how she had
discovered our camp, and said there were thirty men in it. He pleaded
ignorance, but she said she felt certain that he knew all about it She
asked him how it was that she could find us out and he could not. He
replied he could not tell, and she said, "Well, you go there tomorrow
and see for yourself."

From that time I thought it was useless my remaining there any longer,
but all my men begged me to stay, and so did Aaron. I stayed for two
nights longer, but two old women discovered our watching-place. My men
and Aaron pleaded that Mrs. Byrne had no means of communicating with the
outlaws, as she did not know where they were to be found, and they were
sure to seek Aaron out before going to her place. However, I could not
see the use of staying any longer, so I left, though the men remained
for two or three weeks longer. I was not sorry to leave the spot.


Other search parties and watchers were equally unsuccessful, and yet, as
was proved subsequently, the outlaws were not at any time far distant
from the district in which their numerous friends resided. Other
"agents" supposed to be in the confidence of the Kellys, either directly
or indirectly, were employed by the police, but although some of these
furnished information of their movements occasionally--information that
was evidently reliable--the police appeared unable to make use of it in
time, and they could never do more than obtain "traces". On one occasion
word was received by Sherritt in a letter which he had declared had come
from Byrne, but which the police could not decipher, that the gang would
be at certain races to be held in the district, that Byrne would run a
favourite black steeplechase mare in one of the events, and requesting
Sherritt to meet them at the back of the course in order that he might
ride the horse. Picked members of the force were sent to the races in
disguise, and Sherritt also attended, but not in their company. The
bushrangers did not "turn up", however, and it is more than probable
that they had sent this letter to test whether Aaron was true to them,
they having, no doubt, heard by this time that he had been of late
suspiciously friendly with the police. One of the disguised policemen
rode in the race for which the black mare was supposed to have been
entered and won it; but Aaron had no "seat", except on the animal upon
which he had ridden to the course, and he had to content himself with
watching the running. Byrne's brother was on the course, however, if Joe
himself was absent, and although he and Aaron were much together nothing
was said about the outlaws having arranged to be present. The
probabilities are that they had learned from their friends that the
police had gone to the races disguised, and if the letter to Aaron had
been intended as a test the senders no doubt concluded that their former
companion had really "turned dog".

As a matter of course, the house of the Kelly's at Greta, near
Glenrowan, was made even a greater centre of secret observation by the
police, the movements of Kate Kelly and her sister, Mrs. Skillian, being
watched very closely. The sisters were splendid horsewomen, and were
almost as well acquainted with the ranges as their brothers; and despite
the watchfulness of the police they managed to hold communication with
the outlaws and supply them with necessaries. A couple of instances
illustrative of the "cuteness" of the sisters may here be given. They
knew that the police were watching the house from hiding-places in the
bush, and nearly every night before retiring they would let their dogs
loose and hunt round the house for a distance of several hundred yards,
and if any of the watchers were anywhere near, the barking of the dogs
would soon reveal their hiding-place. Efforts were made by the police to
poison the dogs, but they were frustrated by muzzles being placed on the
animals so that they should not pick up any poisoned baits that might
have been placed for them.

On one occasion Mrs. Skillian perpetrated a very clever hoax upon a
party of watchers, of whose proximity she had by some means become
aware. The party had located themselves near her house during the
darkness, and knowing that her movements would be observed, at about
four o'clock in the morning she went out into the paddock, caught and
saddled her horse, and having tied a rather bulky bundle on her saddle,
she mounted and set off in the direction of the Warby Ranges, which were
immediately behind the residence. Without hesitation the policemen who
were on the watch followed her on foot, congratulating themselves on
having at last succeeded in catching the woman on one of her relief
expeditions to the outlaws' retreat. Pushing after her as speedily as
they could, they saw her make for a steep gap in the mountains, and up
this they toiled, fondly imagining that it would bring them somewhere
near where the outlaws were in hiding. The reader may imagine their
chagrin, however, when they reached the top and saw Mrs. Skillian seated
on a log, calmly awaiting their approach with her thumb at her nose and
her fingers spread out. The disappointed pursuers could not arrest her
for any breach of the law; the most they could do was to examine the
bundle on her saddle bow, and this turned out to be a harmless old
tablecloth which she had made up into a parcel for the purpose of
deceiving them.

Scores of reports of such wild-goose chases by one party and another of
the police found their way into the press, and a running fire of
contemptuous ridicule and angry reproach was kept up against the force,
the heads of which were most unmercifully "slated" in newspaper articles
and letters. It was about this time that the famed black-trackers
connected with the Queensland force were brought over and distributed
among the different sections of searchers; but even these keen-eyed
hunters could not bring the troopers and the outlaws together, although
they on several occasions came upon tracks which had undoubtedly only
recently been made by the latter. These dusky hunters were not looked
upon altogether with favour by the Victorian police, and after they had
been at work a little time reports that jealousy was interfering with
efficient work began to be freely circulated. The subordinates, rather
than the officers, appeared to be the disaffected parties in this case,
however, for some of the latter were loud in their praises of the skill
and energy of the blackfellows, and did not refrain from openly
endorsing the action of the Government in having applied to the
Queensland authorities for a loan of them.

The fact that the movements of the black-trackers were hampered in many
instances by the men with whom they had been deputed to work at last
reached the ears of the Queensland authorities, and as success had not
attended, and was not likely to attend, their efforts in the Kelly
country, a request was forwarded to the Victorian Government that they
might be sent back to Queensland, where there services were in request.
Shortly after this, therefore, they were withdrawn from active service,
and were on the eve of their departure for Queensland when an event
occurred which caused the Victorian Government to hurriedly call upon
them again. But as the sequel will show no further tracking was required
from that point--the outlaws having fallen into a trap of their own
making; a trap from which death formed the only door of escape.


THE MURDER OF AARON SHERRITT.

As I have already intimated, the outlaws had by some means become
suspicious of Sherritt, and as soon as they had made sure of the fact
that their former sympathiser had sold himself to the police for the
purpose of selling them, they proceeded to work out a cold-blooded plan
of revenge. After the discovery by Mrs. Byrne of the party of police
spies in the mountains, the old lady gave Sherritt clearly to understand
that his visits to the house were not welcome, and the attachment
between him and Joe's sister was consequently broken off. That the
thieving instinct was still strong upon Sherritt was proved by his
stealing a horse from Mrs. Byrne.

This theft took place just previous to the rupture, and through that
piece of knavery his services were very nearly lost to the police. For
some time after the disappointed watchers had left the mountain retreat
near Mrs. Byrne's house, Sherritt remained in touch with Superintendent
Hare, but that gentleman having gone to another part of the district for
a time, a break was made in the connection, and before it was resumed
Aaron had found another sweetheart, and had become a benedict, settling
down as a married man about a mile from Mrs. Byrne's residence.

It was still thought advisable to keep watch upon Mrs. Byrne's house,
and as no more convenient place for doing this was available than
Sherritt's house, the police became frequent visitors there--secret
visitors, of course, although the Byrne family must have known that they
were under constant surveillance, and that Aaron was lending himself to
the hated members of the force. The plan adopted was for a party of
three of four troopers to be hidden in Sherritt's house during the day
and creep out under shelter of the darkness and watch Byrne's house from
different positions during the night. But the work grew so monotonous
that the police on watch grew very weary of their work, and evaded duty
occasionally; and at last they made application to be allowed to visit
Benalla for a time to recruit their health, the constant exposure during
the wet nights having completely knocked them up. They were allowed to
leave the place for a short time. They had only resumed duty a few days
when they were brought into contact with the gang in a manner they had
never anticipated. Whether the hour had arrived for the nightly visit to
Mrs. Byrne's house or not does not appear, but it was dark and the
constables were still in Sherritt's hut, when on the Saturday night
about eight o'clock the inmates were visited by a "surprise party" of a
very objectionable kind. Aaron, his wife, his mother-in-law, and four
police were in the hut (which consisted of two rooms) at the time, the
three former being in the back room and the latter in a room at the
front; when suddenly a voice was heard calling from outside the back
door. Sherritt asked, "Who is there?" and the reply came, "Antonio
Wicks, I have lost my way", or something to that effect. Aaron
recognised the voice as that of Wicks, who had a farm in the
neighbourhood, and without any hesitation he opened the door and stood
on the threshold to talk to the caller. There was a bright fire burning
in the hut at the time, and standing as he did Aaron was in hill view of
anyone outside. Before he could distinguish anything in the darkness, a
shot was fired and he was struck in the face. He staggered back into the
centre of the room, and at once his assailant jumped to the doorway and
fired a second shot, which struck him in the chest, and he fell dead
upon the floor. Then one of the women in the place recognised the
murderer as Joe Byrne, and shortly afterwards saw and recognised Dan
Kelly standing near the doorway with his rifle on his arm. The man Wicks
was standing trembling near him, securely handcuffed; and it
subsequently transpired that he had been secured and forced by Byrne and
Dan Kelly to go to Aaron's hut and call out to him, they knowing that
when he heard Wick's voice their intended victim would not apprehend any
danger of a surprise, and they would then be able to dispose of him
quickly and without any trouble. The murdered man never spoke after the
shots were fired.

There was naturally great consternation in the hut when this tragedy
happened. The attack completely paralysed the constables, who made no
attempt to engage the men for whom they had been specially waiting for
so many weary nights. They did not move from their hiding-place in the
back room, and did not even fire a shot from their hiding-place,
although an opportunity must have presented itself when Byrne jumped to
the doorway to fire the second shot. Having finished Sherritt, the
outlaws showed that they knew the police were in the house by calling
upon them to come out, at the same time firing a volley into that part
of the dwelling (it was a slab hut) in which they supposed the police
were located. This they repeated several times, but as no answering fire
was returned they threatened to bum the house down and roast the timid
hunters who were there hidden. They did not carry out this threat,
however, and although they stayed about the place until 6.30 next
morning, giving the occupants an occasional hint that they were awake
and active, they then quietly left and, as was afterwards discovered,
rode off to Glenrowan to join Ned Kelly and Hart. When the constables
had assured themselves that the outlaws had left the locality of
Sherritt's hut, one of their number stole out and made what haste he
could to Beechworth to give information to his superior officer at the
station there, and thus the whole army of police was once more set in
motion.

Sherritt had very few friends to lament his death. He was known and
feared by not a few of the residents of the Beechworth district, where
he was looked upon as a most dangerous character, and up to the time
when his treachery became known his only friends were the outlaws and
their sympathisers. Naturally the latter rejoiced exceedingly that he
had been so effectually "put out of the way" by Joe Byrne, for they
themselves were in danger of being convicted under the Outlawry Act,
should the arrest of the bushrangers remove the necessity for secret
movements on Sherritt's part; and there can be no doubt that he would
have "peached" upon them as readily as he had upon the Kellys if the
latter had been in safe custody. And the police did not look upon him
altogether with favour, as witness the following statement of
Superintendent Hare:- "It was doubtless _a most fortunate occurrence that
Aaron was shot by the outlaws;_ it was impossible to have reclaimed him,
and the Government of the colony would not have assisted him in any way,
and he would have gone back to his old course of life, and probably have
spent his days in gaol; or he might have turned bushranger himself, when
he would have been quite as dangerous a man as Edward Kelly himself."
And when mentioning that the Government had given the widow a
comfortable allowance, the same officer laconically observed "she was
much better off without him".


THE LAST EXPLOIT OF THE OUTLAWS.

A few days before the visit to Sherritt's hut Mrs. Byrne had boasted to
one of her friends (who repeated the boast to the police) that "her boy"
and his mates would shortly do something that should astonish, not only
the people of Victoria, but of the world. We are about to see how that
boast was fulfilled.

Having determined that Sherritt should die, with great cunning the gang
planned to make his death and the manner of it the instrument of their
further designs. They knew the police were in his house before the
arrangement was made for the visit, and while the two told off for the
murder were engaged in their work, the other two were proceeding to
Glenrowan. Believing that the police would hasten away after the murder
to give information, and that there would be a hurried and heavy outrush
of police with the black=trackers from Benalla to Beechworth, they
planned to destroy the train with its living freight by tearing up the
lines at Glenrowan, and having accomplished this and slaughtered those
of their pursuers who might not be killed by the wrecking of the train,
to obtain a fresh supply of arms and ammunition from the carriages, and
then ride on to Benalla--a distance of about fifteen miles--set fire to
the courthouse, release the prisoners in the gaol, rob the banks and the
stores, and then make back to their haunts in the Strathbogie ranges. It
will thus be seen how it was that they did not interfere with the
telegraph lines when Sherritt was shot, as they had done when
committing the raids upon Euroa and Jerilderie. They wanted the
information to be sent to the more important stations, and they wanted
the police to come along the line as fast as special trains could carry
them.

The sole object of the bushrangers' visit to Glenrowan appears to have
been to murder the black-trackers. The hatred which the leader of the
gang had for them was very great, and it is certain that the fear of
them had kept the gang quiet so long. Ned Kelly knew that the trackers
had returned to Melbourne, and he correctly formed the opinion that as
soon as the intelligence of the murder reached headquarters they would
be sent on with the police to the scene by special train.

Ned Kelly and Hart arrived at Glenrowan during the Saturday night, and
at once commenced operations. The town was a very unpretentious place,
containing only a few score inhabitants, two bush hotels, a police
station, and a railway station. On the outskirts of the town lived a
line-repairer named Reardon, and he was the first person to be made
aware of the presence of the two outlaws. At about midnight he was
awakened by a violent knocking at the door, and he at once jumped out of
bed and inquired who wanted him at that hour of the night. The answer
was the glint of a revolver barrel in his face and the voice of Ned
Kelly saying, "Come with me, old fellow; I have a job for you", at the
same time making himself known to the startled man, and saying he and
his mates had been at Beechworth and killed several people, and were now
going to kill the police and black-trackers, who they knew would shortly
arrive from Benalla. Reardon begged Kelly not to force him to assist in
such a bloody work, but the outlaw said that if he did not come at once
he would shoot him. Reardon then hurriedly dressed himself and prepared
to follow Kelly, but immediately after starting his custodian told him
to go back and tell the "missus and kids" to dress too and accompany
them, as they might be away for some time, and during their absence the
woman might raise an alarm. This Reardon did, and the whole family
prepared to follow Kelly up to the railway station, whither he said he
was bound.

In the meantime Steve Hart had been on the same mission as Kelly, and
had succeeded in rousing up two or three other line-repairers (Reardon
being the ganger), and when Kelly arrived with his batch he immediately
gave the women and children into the custody of Hart, and leading the
men away (under threats of immediate death if they did not obey his
orders) made them open the tool-box, get the necessary tools, and march
in front of him till they came to a spot half a mile from the station.
Here he superintended the pulling up of two lengths of rails. The spot
was admirably situated for the purpose for which the villain intended
it. At the extreme end of a large cutting the line took a very sharp
curve, crossing a deep ravine, over which was erected a sort of culvert.
It was on the top of the embankment over this ravine that the rails were
torn up.

After two hours' work a huge gap was made in the line, and the men were
marched by Kelly into Glenrowan. Hart had marched with those under his
charge to the house of the stationmaster (John Stanistreet), situate at
the gates about a hundred yards from the station; and having roused the
stationmaster he enlightened him as to their mission, and made a
convenience of his house as a prison, there being several men who had
been called up on the road, together with the women and children under
Hart's care. When Ned Kelly returned he made some inquiries concerning
the signalling of trains, and particularly how the train was stopped by
the signal lamps. Stanistreet enlightened him so far as to say, "White
means right, and red wrong, and green generally come along." "There is a
train coming," said Kelly, "and you will give no signal"; at the same
time saying to Hart, "Watch his face, and if he gives any signal shoot
him." After daylight on Sunday morning every passer-by was hailed and
sent into the stationmaster's house to keep the other prisoners company,
even little children on their way to Sunday-school having to share the
common fate. During the Sunday no less than seventeen persons were
compulsorily lodged in Stanistreet's house, and until darkness set in no
further movement was made.

The exact hour of Dan Kelly's and Byrne's arrival at Glenrowan was not
known, but they must have reached the place early in the morning, and
immediately joined their companions, and relieved each other in standing
guard over the prisoners, who were allowed to go outside occasionally,
but were every moment kept under the strictest surveillance by one
member or other of the gang. They did not treat their prisoners harshly,
although they gave them to understand that any attempt to escape or
raise an alarm would be attended by instant death.

The outlaws evidently anticipated that the special train would arrive
during the Sunday, and they grew very anxious as the hours went by
without any signs of its coming. At about midday all the male prisoners
except the stationmaster were removed from Stanistreet's house to the
hotel kept by a Mrs. Jones, about one hundred yards from the house; here
the bailing-up process continued, all persons coming near being
compelled to enter and take their places with the other prisoners. The
only constable of the township, named Bracken, became a prisoner soon
after the arrival of Byrne and Dan Kelly on the scene, his capture
having been effected in a very simple manner. Taking with him one of the
lads who had been intercepted and detained, and who was well known to
the constable, Ned Kelly proceeded to Bracken's house, and told the lad
to call out that his father wanted to see the constable. At once the
door was opened, and Bracken stood on the threshold, but only to find
himself covered with a revolver, and to hear Ned Kelly commanding him to
come at once with him. Being unarmed and taken completely by surprise,
the constable had no choice in the matter, and having warned Mrs.
Bracken that her husband would be shot if she left the station or raised
any alarm, Kelly conducted his prisoner to Jones' hotel, which was
already more than comfortably full, there being no less than sixty-two
persons there, including some whom Bracken recognised as well-known
sympathisers of the outlaws.

Confident of their power over their prisoners, and knowing that any
attempt to arrange a rush upon them would speedily be communicated to
them by one or other of their friends in the crowd, the outlaws did not
keep them under lock and key, but allowed them during the day to wander
about between the hotel and the station; but they were always on the
alert and ready for any emergency. The male prisoners could get as much
grog as they wished at the hotel, and Ned Kelly gave them to understand
that he wished them to make themselves as comfortable as possible, and
during the afternoon one or two of the gang joined them in some jumping
contests in the yard. Ned Kelly prided himself upon his ability in this
class of athletics, and made his jumps with weights in the shape of a
revolver in each hand; but one of the prisoners covered a distance which
the leader of the gang could not beat, although he tried to do so three
or four times. At last he took off his coat, and failing then also,
Byrne remarked, "You seem a bit off today, Ned." "Yes," replied Kelly,
"I'm a bit handicapped; these fellows are a little too good for me." It
was then seen that he wore a plate of armour under his waistcoat,
covering his front and back--the plate being of wrought iron about a
quarter of an inch in thickness. It was subsequently discovered that
each of the outlaws was provided with similar coats of mail, and that
they had head coverings made of the same material, ready to put on when
the time for fighting came.

One of the prisoners was Mr. Curnow, the Glenrowan schoolmaster, and as
he is the hero of the whole series of subsequent events, his account is
worth giving in full. The following is his statement:-


On Sunday morning, 27th of June, 1880, I determined to take my wife,
sister, and child out for a drive along the road from Glenrowan to
Greta. We left the school in a buggy about eleven o'clock in the
morning, accompanied by David Mortimer, my brother-in-law, who rode on
horseback. When we got in sight of Mrs. Jones' hotel, and opposite the
railway crossing, through which we intended to pass, we noticed a number
of people about the hotel, and at the crossing. I said, "Mrs. Jones must
be dead; she has been very ill." As we got near the hotel a man ran out
of it towards Mrs. Jones' stable, distant about twenty yards from the
hotel. I drove past the hotel to the crossing, and, seeing Mr.
Stanistreet, asked him, "What's the matter?" He replied, "The Kellys are
here; you can't go through." I thought he was joking, and made a motion
to drive through the gates, when a man on horseback, who blocked up the
crossing, and was talking to a young man whom I knew to be named
Delaney, wheeled round his horse and said to me, "Who are you?" I then
saw that he had revolvers in his belt, and was convinced of the truth of
Mr. Stanistreet's statement that the Kellys were there. I replied that I
was the teacher at Glenrowan. He said, "Oh, you are the schoolmaster
here, are you? And who are those?"--pointing to my wife, sister, and
brother-in-law. I told him. He then said, "Where are you going?" I
answered, "Out for a drive." He then said, "I am sorry, but I must
detain you", and directed us to get out of the buggy, which we did. He
then turned to Delaney again and resumed his conversation with him. I
afterwards found that the man who addressed me was Ned Kelly, the
outlaw. I noticed another armed man near Kelly, and I afterwards found
out that he was Byrne.

When we got out of the buggy I led the horse off the crossing, and tied
him to the railway fence alongside, directing Mrs. and Miss Curnow to go
into Mr. Stanistreet's house, which they did. As soon as I had fastened
the horse I joined Mr. and Mrs. Stanistreet and others, who, I was told,
had been taken prisoners by the gang, and was informed by them that
Glenrowan had been stuck up since three o'clock that morning, and that
the gang had forced Reardon and others to tear up part of the railway
line beyond the station for the purpose of wrecking a special train of
police and black-trackers which, the outlaws said, would pass through
Glenrowan. Some person--I believe it was one of the boys who had been
bailed up by the gang--then told me that the Kellys had been at
Beechworth during the previous night, and had shot several policemen.

After some further conversation we all listened to what Ned Kelly was
saying to Delaney. The outlaw was accusing Delaney of having, some short
time previously, ridden a horse from Greta into Wangaratta to oblige a
policeman, and of having sought admission into the police force. He
threatened to shoot Delaney for this, and pointed a revolver at him
several times. Ned Kelly declared to all of us who were listening to him
that he would have the life of anyone who aided the police in any way,
or who even showed a friendly feeling for them, and declared that he
could and would find them out. He said that a law was made rendering it
a crime for anyone to help them (the outlaws), and that he would make it
a crime for anyone to aid the police against the Kelly gang. The women
who were listening to what Kelly was saying asked him to let Delaney
off. After keeping Delaney in a state of extreme terror for about half
an hour the outlaw made him promise never again to seek admission into
the police force, and finally said, "I forgive you this time; but mind
you be careful for the future." Byrne then produced a bottle of brandy,
and offered some in a tumbler to all adults, there. Some accepted it.
Byrne drank some himself, and gave Delaney two-thirds of a bottle, which
he drank. Ned Kelly refused to take any, and directed some of his boy
prisoners to take my horse and buggy into Mrs. Jones' yard, which they
did.

Ned Kelly and Byrne then went from the railway crossing to Mrs. Jones'
hotel, preceded by the majority of their male prisoners, and I was with
them. When we reached Mrs. Jones' there were, including those who had
just been taken over, about fifty persons in and about the hotel, all of
whom appeared to be prisoners of the gang. We were allowed to go about
in the hotel, except in one room, which the outlaws used, and of which
they kept the key, and we were allowed outside, but were forbidden to
leave the premises. Dan Kelly, a short time after I entered the hotel,
asked me to have a drink, and I drank with him at the bar. I said to him
that I had been told they had been at Beechworth during the previous
night and had shot several police. I asked him whether it was true. He
replied that they had been near Beechworth last night and had done some
shooting, and that they had "turned the devils out", alluding to the
police. Byrne came to the bar, and, looking at Dan Kelly's glass, said,
"Be careful, old man." Dan replied, "All right", and poured water into
his brandy. While talking with Byrne and Dan Kelly I expressed surprise
at Glenrowan being stuck up by them, and they said they had come to
Glenrowan in order to wreck a special train of inspectors, police, and
black-trackers which would pass through Glenrowan to Beechworth to take
up their trail from there. They said that they had ridden hard across
country, often being up to the saddle-girths in water, to get to
Glenrowan, and that they had had the line taken up at a dangerous part,
and were going to send the train and its occupants to h----l.

About one o'clock I was standing in the yard of Jones' hotel, thinking
of the intentions of the gang, and I keenly felt that it was my duty to
do anything that I could to prevent the outrage which the outlaws had
planned from being accomplished, and I determined that I would try to do
so. While standing in the yard Dan Kelly came out of the hotel and asked
me to go inside and have a dance. I said that I could not dance in the
boots I had on. Ned Kelly then came out of the hotel, and hearing me
object to dance because of my boots, said, "Come on, never mind your
boots." I said to him that it was awkward to me to dance in those boots,
as I was lame, but that I would dance with pleasure if he would go to
the school with me to get a pair of dancing boots. It flashed across my
mind that, in passing the Glenrowan barracks to reach my house. Bracken,
the trooper stationed there, might see us, and be able to give an alarm.
I knew that Bracken had been stationed at Greta, and felt sure that he
would recognise Ned Kelly. He (Ned Kelly) said that he would go, and we
were getting ready, when Dan Kelly interfered, and said that Ned had
better stay behind and let him and Byrne go with me. Someone else also
urged Ned Kelly not to go away, and said that my house was near the
police barracks. Ned Kelly turned to me, and asked if it was. I said,
"Yes, we shall have to pass the barracks; I had forgotten that." He then
said that he would not go, and I went into the hotel, and danced with
Dan Kelly.

After we had finished dancing Ned Kelly said that he would go down to
the police barracks and bring Bracken, and Reynolds the postmaster, up
to Jones'. I laughed at him, and said that I would rather he did it than
I, and asked to be allowed to accompany him when he went, and to take
home my wife, sister, and child. He gave me no reply. The intention to
do something to baffle the murderous designs of the gang grew on me, and
I resolved to do my utmost to gain the confidence of the outlaws, and to
make them believe me to be a sympathiser with them. I saw clearly that
unless I succeeded in doing this I should not be able to get their
permission to go home with my wife, child, and sister, and consequently
should not be able to do anything to prevent the destruction of the
special train and its occupants by giving information to the police at
Benalla, which I purposed doing if I could induce the outlaws to allow
me and mine to go home. The outlaws kept a very sharp watch on their
prisoners without seeming to do so.

About three o'clock in the afternoon Ned Kelly and Dan caused several of
their prisoners to engage in jumping, and in the hop, step, and jump Ned
Kelly joined with them, using a revolver in each hand as weights. After
the jumping was concluded I left Jones' and went to Mrs. Stanistreet's
house to see my wife and sister. They came out to see me, and, noticing
the red llama scarf wrapped round my sister caused me to think, "What a
splendid danger-signal that would make!" The idea of stopping the train
by means of it then entered my mind, and made me still more anxious for
liberty. I went in to my wife and sister into Stanistreet's house and
saw Hart lying down on a sofa. He had three loaded guns by his side. He
complained to me of having swollen and painful feet, caused, he said, by
not having had his boots off for several days and nights. I advised him
to bathe them in hot water, and asked for some for him. It was brought,
and he followed my advice.

Shortly after, Mr. Stanistreet and I were walking about at the back of
the house, and Mr. Stanistreet expressed a wish that an alarm could be
given. Mrs. Stanistreet came out to us, and I asked them if they thought
it would be wrong to break a promise given to the outlaws. They said it
would not. I then asked Mr. Stanistreet if the outlaws had taken his
revolver from him. He said they had not. I saw what use this fact could
be made of by me in my efforts to gain the confidence of the outlaws,
and to make them believe that they could safely allow me to go home. I
said to Mr. and Mrs. Stanistreet that we had better go inside, for I was
afraid of being suspected by the gang if they saw us in private
conversation, and we did so. I do not know whether Mr. and Mrs.
Stanistreet suspected the use I intended making of my liberty if I got
it; but afterwards I heard Mrs. Stanistreet saying to Ned Kelly that he
ought to allow me to take home my sister, who was in delicate health.

I was sitting in Mr. Stanistreet's when Dan Kelly came in inquiring for
a small parcel in a bag, which he had lost. He seemed very anxious about
it, and examined the house throughout in search of it He could not find
it, and went to McDonald's hotel to see if it was there. He came back
unsuccessful, and I went to Jones' with him, and he searched there, but
failed to find it. When he gave up searching for it, I requested him to
tell Ned I wanted to speak to him. I was near the door of Jones' kitchen
then. He went into the hotel and brought Ned out, and I told him that
Mr. Stanistreet possessed a loaded revolver from the railway department,
and advised them for their safety to obtain it, as someone might get it
and do them an injury. They thanked me, and I perceived that I had in a
great measure obtained their confidence by telling them this.

About dusk I heard Ned Kelly saying to Mrs. Jones (they were standing
between the hotel and the kitchen, which was a detached building) that
he was going down to the police barracks to capture Bracken, and that he
was going to take her daughter to call him out. Mrs. Jones asked him not
to take her. Ned Kelly said that he did not intend to shoot Bracken, and
that her daughter must go. I advanced to them, and said to Ned Kelly
that I thought it would be better for them to take Dave Mortimer, my
brother-in-law, to call Bracken out, because Bracken knew his voice
well, and by hearing it would suspect nothing. Ned Kelly, after a pause,
said that he would do so. He then went to Mrs. Jones' stables, and I
followed him and asked him if he would allow me to take my party home
when he went down to Bracken; and I assured him that he had no cause for
fearing me, as I was with him heart and soul. He replied, "I know it,
and can see it", and he acceded to my request. I went over to Mrs.
Stanistreet and brought my wife and sister over to Mrs. Jones', and took
them into the kitchen. Ned Kelly said that we must wait until he was
ready to go. I found, on going back to Jones', that a log fire had been
made on the Wangaratta side of the hotel yard, and that many of the
prisoners of the gang were standing round it.

It was then dark. Other prisoners were in the hotel, and the outlaws
encouraged them to amuse themselves by card-playing. I waited with my
wife and sister in Jones' kitchen for, I believe, two or three hours
before Ned Kelly directed me to put my horse in the buggy. He and Byrne
then went into the room which they had reserved for their own use. I
drove to the front of Jones' hotel and put my wife and sister and Alec.
Reynolds, the son of the postmaster at Glenrowan, who was about seven
years of age, into the buggy. Ned Kelly directed me to take the little
boy with us. We were kept waiting in front of the hotel for about an
hour. Ned Kelly then came to us on horseback and told me to drive on. It
was then, I believe, about ten o'clock. As we got into the road I found
that we were accompanied by Ned Kelly, Byrne, and my brother-in-law, and
R. Gibbins on foot, both of whom resided with Mr. Reynolds, the
Glenrowan postmaster. On the road down, Ned Kelly said that he was going
to fill the ruts with the carcases of the police. The outlaws had each a
light-coloured overcoat on, and I was amazed at the bulky appearance
which they presented. I had then no knowledge that the outlaws possessed
iron armour. Each one carried a bundle in front of him, and in one hand
a gun or rifle.

We reached the barracks, and were directed by Ned Kelly to halt about
twenty yards distant from the front door of the building. Ned Kelly got
off his horse and fastened him to a fence near, ordering my
brother-in-law to do the same, and he did so. Kelly then ordered him to
go to the barracks door and knock, which he did. Ned Kelly got behind an
angle of the walls, and levelled his rifle, either at Dave Mortimer or
at the door. No reply came to the knocking or calling, though they were
often and loudly repeated at Ned Kelly's whispered command. When I saw
Kelly level his rifle I told my party to get out of the buggy, which
they did, and I advanced to my horse's head, for I thought Kelly might
fire. I was then about seven or eight yards from Kelly. No result being
produced by either knocking or calling, Ned Kelly left his position and
advanced to Byrne, directing me, in an undertone, to call Mortimer away,
which I did, and he came. Byrne, who had remained near us, and Ned Kelly
then spoke to each other, and Kelly took Alec. Reynolds, the
postmaster's son, and Mr. Reynolds, and passed with them into Reynolds'
yard.

We neither saw nor heard anything, I think, for more than an hour, when
Ned Kelly appeared, having Bracken, E. Reynolds, and Bracken's horse
with him. Kelly stopped when he reached us, and ordered Bracken to mount
the horse brought round, and Bracken did so. Ned Kelly put a halter on
the horse, which he kept hold of, saying, "I can't trust you with a
bridle, Bracken." Bracken said to Ned Kelly that had he not been ill in
bed all day he (Kelly) would not have taken him easily, and that if the
horse he was on was what it used to be, it would take more than Ned
Kelly to keep him a prisoner. Ned Kelly and Byrne then mounted their
horses, and I and my party got into the buggy.

It was then, I believe, between eleven and twelve o'clock. Ned Kelly
then said I could go home and take my party with me. He directed me to
"go quietly to bed, and not to dream too loud", and intimated that if I
acted otherwise we would get shot, as one of them would be down at our
place during the night to see that we were all right. I then left them
and drove home, distant from the barracks one or two hundred yards,
leaving the outlaws and their captives ready to start back to the
railway station. As soon as we were out of hearing of the outlaws I
announced to my wife and sister my intention to go to Benalla and give
information as to the intentions and whereabouts of the outlaws. They
both anxiously and earnestly opposed my purpose, saying that it was not
at all likely that we should be allowed to come home unless some of the
agents of the gang were watching; that I should not be able to reach
Benalla, as I should be shot on the road by spies, and that, even if I
succeeded, we should be hunted out and shot.


But at this point in Curnow's story I must make a break, in order that
the sequence of events may not be disturbed; and to this end reference
must be made to the movements of the police, who had been apprised of
the reappearance of the outlaws near Beechworth and the murder of
Sherritt many hours before the events narrated by Curnow had taken
place.

HOW THE SPECIAL TRAIN WAS SAVED.

The first news of Sherritt's murder appears to have been received in
Melbourne on the Sunday afternoon by the Chief Secretary, who
immediately communicated with Captain Standish, Chief Commissioner of
Police, with whom he consulted. The result of that consultation was the
decision to at once dispatch a special train with police to
Beechworth--just what the outlaws expected would be done--previous
experience having proved that if they allowed the Kellys to get a good
start all the police in the country would not be able to come up with
them, or even track them to their retreat. The Minister for Railways was
informed of the decision arrived at, and within a short time a special
train was placed at the disposal of the now restless authorities, the
object being to get the black-trackers, who, as the reader will
remember, had been withdrawn from the Kelly country, preparatory to
returning to Queensland, back to Benalla, in order that they might
accompany Superintendent Hare and the men under him to Beechworth. Word
was sent to that officer that the special would arrive at Benalla
shortly after midnight, and having gathered a company of police from the
different stations Hare was prepared to join the special immediately
upon its arrival, or run with it in another special containing his men,
horses, ammunition, etc., to Beechworth--which station they expected to
reach about four o'clock in the morning (Monday)--when men and horses
would be unshipped and a start at once made for Sherritt's, where the
black-trackers could pick up the tracks and follow the outlaws.

Before the special left the head station at Melbourne a party of five
reporters connected with the city press had been told off for the
journey in search of news. Owing to the engines being all cold when the
call for the special was made a start was not effected until a quarter
past ten; but once started, no time was lost on the road. At Essendon
Inspector O'Connor and his five black-trackers were picked up, together
with two ladies--Mrs. O'Connor and her sister--who seized the
opportunity as a favourable one for an exciting run to Beechworth. It
proved more exciting than the ladies anticipated or desired.

Benalla was reached at half past one o'clock, a delay having taken place
on the road by the special running through a closed gate near
Craigieburn. Superintendent Hare was in waiting at the station with eight
men and seventeen horses, and these having been "carriaged" for the
hurried journey, a consultation was held as to the best mode of
procedure--for rumours were already afloat that at some spot between
that point and Beechworth the Kellys had been at work with dynamite, and
had blown up portions of the line; and although all this appeared to be
pure conjecture, both the railway officials and the police officers
decided that every precaution should be taken to avoid falling into a
trap. The moon was shining brightly at the time, and Superintendent Hare
decided that one of the troopers should for the nonce be elevated to the
position of advance guard; so arrangements were made for Constable Barry
to be strapped to the brass rod which ran alongside the engine, and
standing on the side-plate in front thus secured keep a constant
lookout. But this plan was abandoned for a better. A spare engine on the
station was utilised as a pilot, and was sent on in advance, the
arrangement being made that it should keep at a distance of about a
hundred and fifty yards in front of the train. Inspector O'Connor,
Superintendent Hare, and the two ladies occupied one compartment, the
five reporters another, and the police and trackers a third; and after a
little delay a start was made, the intention being not to pull up until
Wangaratta was reached, a station about twenty-three miles from Benalla,
fourteen miles from Glenrowan, and about fifty miles from Beechworth.

The special had not gone more than about twelve miles, however, when the
occupants, who were by this time settling down for the journey, were
startled by a sudden stoppage. In a moment they were all on the alert,
making anxious inquiries as to the cause of the interruption. A shrill
whistle from the pilot engine and the exposure of danger signals had
caused the driver of the special to bring the train to a sudden stand,
and no sooner had this been done than Superintendent Hare seized his
rifle, clambered down from the carriage, and proceeded towards the pilot
engine, which was also stationary on the line. On the way he met the
guard, who was returning with a story both strange and startling. He
said that as he was driving along he saw a red light on the line;
pulling up to ascertain what it was, a man who said he was a
schoolmaster had rushed forward and told him that Glenrowan was in the
possession of the Kelly gang, who had torn up the line just beyond the
station for the purpose of destroying the special when it came along.
The man, he said, had refused to stop, and had disappeared into the
forest as soon as he had delivered his sensational piece of information,
saying that he must return to his wife, and could not even wait to see
the superintendent. The news was soon imparted to the occupants of the
special, who did not know how to accept it, as the man who had supplied
it made off in a manner that was in itself suspicious. It was decided,
however, to push on a little further, Glenrowan station being only about
a mile distant, but to exercise the utmost care and keep even a more
vigilant look-out. The five representatives of the press realised that
they were on the border of sensational developments, and thinking that
some stray bullets might find their way into their compartment if there
was an engagement, they piled up the cushions of the carriage against
the windows and extinguished the light. Calling three of his men,
Superintendent Hare with them got on the pilot engine, and placed four
other men on the engine of the special, both being coupled together, and
half the men facing one side of the line and half the other side. In
this way the train steamed slowly and almost noiselessly along, until
they came to Glenrowan station, which they found in total darkness and
without occupants.

Here again, however, I must make a break, in order that the remainder of
Curnow's story may be given. His wife and sister, it will be remembered,
stoutly opposed his purpose of giving warning to the police at
Benalla--fourteen miles distant--on account of the risk to both
themselves and him; but his mind was set upon the task, and this is his
version of how he accomplished it:-


While the discussion was going on, and supper was being got ready, I
quietly prepared everything, including the red llama scarf, candles, and
matches, to go to Benalla, intending to keep as close to the railway
line as I could, in case of the special coming before I could reach
there. I declared to my wife that I did not intend to go by the
road--that I meant to keep as close to the line as possible, in order to
be safer. At last my sister gave way, but my wife worked herself into
such an excited and hysterical state that she declared that she would
not leave the house--that if I would go she would stay there, and she,
the baby, and my sister would be murdered. I wanted to take them to my
mother-in-law's farm, about one-third of a mile from my place, for
safety while I was away. At length Mrs. Curnow consented to go to her
mother's to obtain advice, and we were momentarily expecting the
promised visit from one of the gang. I left the doors unlocked, and
wrote a note, leaving it on the table, stating that we had gone to Mrs.
Mortimer's to obtain medicine, as Mrs. Curnow was taken ill. My sister
wore her red llama scarf at my request. When we got there Mrs. Curnow
was exceedingly anxious to get home again, and would not stay there, and
we went back. I succeeded in persuading Mrs. Curnow to go to bed, and my
sister and I told her I had given up my project.

My sister engaged my wife's attention while I went out to harness my
horse to go, for I could not rest, and felt that I must perform what was
clearly my duty. I heard the train coming in the distance as I was
harnessing my horse, and I immediately caught up the candle, scarf, and
matches, and ran down the line to meet the train. I ran on until I got
to where I could see straight before me some distance along the line,
and where those in the train would be able to see the danger-signal. I
then lit the candle and held it behind the red scarf.

As the guard's van got opposite me I caught sight of the guard, who
shouted, "What's the matter?" I yelled, 'The Kellys!" and the pilot
engine then stopped a little past me, and the guard got down. I told the
guard of the line being torn up just beyond the station, and of the
Kelly gang lying in wait at the station for the special train of police.
He said a special train was behind him, and he would go to the station
and then pull up. I cried, "No, no; don't you do that, or you will get
shot." He then said he would go back and stop the special, which was
coming on. He asked me who I was, and I told him I was the
school-teacher there, and requested him not to divulge who it was that
stopped and warned him, as I was doing it at the risk of my life. He
promised to keep my name secret. He asked me to jump in the van, but I
declined, as my wife and sister were without protection. The pilot
engine whistled several times while I was talking to the guard.

The pilot went back, and I hastened home and found Mrs. Curnow had been
almost insane while I was stopping the train, and had been made worse by
the whistling of the pilot engine. She would not leave the house after I
had stopped the train, and we blew out the lights to seem to be in bed.
My sister hid the red scarf and my wet clothes, and we were going to
deny that it was I who had stopped the train, if one of the outlaws came
down to us.


THE CONFLICT AT THE HOTEL AND CAPTURE OF NED KELLY.

As soon as the engine and special train had crept up to the station the
order was given by the officer in charge, and the troopers,
black-trackers, and pressmen silently but swiftly took up their
positions on the platform; but not a soul was to be seen--a circumstance
which served to satisfy the police that there must be something in the
schoolmaster's story. Observing a light in the stationmaster's house,
about a hundred yards from the platform, Superintendent Hare told the
men to keep a sharp lookout while he went over; and reaching the house
he knocked at the window. Mrs. Stanistreet opened the door, but for a
time was too hysterical to answer the question as to the whereabouts of
her husband. At length, however, she gave Hare to understand that he had
been taken over to Jones' hotel by Dan Kelly about ten minutes
previously. Hare at once returned to the platform, and having told the
men what Mrs. Stanistreet had said, he ordered the horses to be
immediately taken from the train. But he had barely given the order when
Constable Bracken rushed breathlessly up to the platform from the back
and said that the bushrangers were over at the hotel, and unless the
police went there immediately they would be gone, and further explaining
that he had only just escaped from the hotel by a skilful piece of
manoeuvring. Seizing their arms and ammunition, and leaving the horses
where they were, the whole of the party ran forward in the direction of
the hotel, which by the path they followed was some two hundred yards
distant. Hare was leading, and the men following as best they could,
when their forward movement received a sudden check. They were within
twenty paces of the hotel, which was in darkness, when they were greeted
with a volley, evidently fired from the verandah full in their faces.
Only one of the bullets, however, found its billet, and that was in
Hare's left wrist, which it fairly shattered. It is not clear that the
shot was intended for Hare, although it is natural that the outlaws from
cover of the verandah should see the advantage of "winging" the leader;
and, whether intended or not, it was very effectually done, for after
returning the fire, in company with his men Hare had to retire from the
field to the station, where one of the pressmen bound up his wounded
wrist and stopped the hemorrhage. The attacking party were at a great
disadvantage, for while they could not see the outlaws, who were under
the verandah or near it, they were in the open, and in clear view, the
moon not having yet gone down. The shot that struck the Superintendent
was fired by Ned Kelly from about a yard in front of the verandah, and
having fired he stepped back under the verandah, calling out to the
police as they discharged their pieces, "Fire away, you beggars, you
can't hurt us." For some minutes there was a rapid and continuous
exchange of shots, and it was evident that the outlaws were using
repeating rifles and revolvers. Before leaving to have his wounded arm
bound up Superintendent Hare ordered his men to cease firing and
surround the house, not getting too near or needlessly exposing
themselves, for he noticed that the outlaws had gone inside, and from
the shrieks of women and the cries of children proceeding from the hotel
the police concluded that innocent persons were being injured by the
bullets, which were penetrating the weatherboard walls of the building.
Shortly after this the wounded Superintendent, who was becoming weak
through loss of blood, placed Inspector O'Connor in charge of the
police, and started on the return journey to Benalla on one of the
engines to obtain surgical aid and to send more police.

Further particulars of this unique conflict may be given in the words of
the special reporter of the Melbourne "Age", who was on the ground
during the whole of the time.


A long and tedious interval followed, during which time Mr. Stanistreet,
the station-master, suddenly left the hotel, where he had been kept
prisoner with the other residents of Glenrowan. He walked boldly away,
and had a narrow escape of being shot by the police, but he saved
himself by proclaiming 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 the daughter of Mrs. Jones, a girl fourteen years of age, on the
head, whilst the son, a boy of nine years, was wounded on the hip. Very
soon after this, painful, hysterical screams of terror were heard from
Mrs. Jones and a Mrs. Reardon, both of whom were walking about the
place, disregarding the danger to be feared from the volleys which the
police, at short intervals, poured into the hotel. Mrs. Jones' grief
occasionally took the form of vindictiveness towards the police, whom
she called murderers. The police frequently called upon the women to
come away, but they hesitated, and Mrs. Reardon and her son were afraid
to accompany Mr. Stanistreet to the station. The poor woman was carrying
a baby only a few months old in her arms, and she eventually ran to the
station, where she received every kindness from the persons there
assembled. She was then in a very terrified condition, and told the
following story:- "My husband is a platelayer, employed on the railway,
and we live about a mile from the station on the Benalla side. At three
o'clock on Sunday morning we were all in bed. We were aroused by Ned
Kelly, who knocked at the door and told my husband, when he opened it,
to surrender. He advised us to dress, and I did so. They had also made a
prisoner of Sullivan, another platelayer, and Kelly brought us to the
station, where I was kept for some hours. Kelly took my husband and
Sullivan down the line in order to tear up the line and destroy the
train with the police. He was afterwards taken to the hotel. There are a
lot of innocent people in there now, and they are frightened to come
out, for fear the police will kill them. Amongst those who are in there
are--James and Michael Reardon, my husband and son; Catherine and
William Reinson, John and Patrick Delaney (who are here coursing), W. S.
Cooke (a labourer), Martin Cherry (a platelayer), John Larkins (a
farmer), Edward Reynolds (the brother of the postmaster), Robert
Gibbins, the brothers Meanliffe, and other strangers I do not know.

When the poor woman had completed her story, the firing of the police
became very brisk, and it was replied to by the desperadoes in the
hotel. Senior-constable Kelly at that juncture found a rifle stained
with blood lying on the side of the hill, and this led to the
supposition that one of the gang had been wounded, and had escaped
through the forest towards Morgan's Lookout. Just then nine police with
Superintendent Sadlier and Dr. Hutchinson came from Benalla; and almost
immediately after seven policemen under Sergeant Steele arrived from
Wangaratta. The alarm had been given there by Trooper Bracken, who
caught a horse and rode the ten miles in a surprisingly short space of
time. The conduct of Bracken and the promptitude of the Wangaratta
police is to be highly commended. Just before their arrival a heavy
volley was poured into the hotel by the police.

According to the statement of some of the prisoners, afterwards made,
that volley proved fatal to Joe Byrne, who was standing close to young
Delaney drinking a nobbler of whisky at the bar, when he was shot in the
groin. He was then carried to the back of the building, where he
gradually sank and died a painful death. This fact was unknown to the
police.

The morning broke beautiful and clear. The police were disposed all
round the hotel, when they were beset by a danger in the rear. Ned Kelly
was the cause. It appears that he was the man who shot Mr. Hare, and he
himself was wounded in the arm by the fire that was returned. He could
not without danger get into the hotel, so he sprang upon his horse, and
during the excitement which followed he got away towards Morgan's
Lookout; but it was not the intention of the bold ruffian to desert his
comrades, and he returned to fight his way to them. It was nearly eight
o'clock when his tall figure was seen close behind the line of police.
At first it was thought he was a blackfellow. He carried a grey coat
over his arm, and walked coolly and slowly among the police. His head,
chest, back, and sides were all protected with heavy plates of
quarter-inch iron. When within easy distance of Senior-constable Kelly,
who was watching him, he fired. The police then knew who he was, and
Sergeant Steele Senior-constable Kelly, and Mr. Dowsett (a railway
guard) fired on the ruffian. The contest became one which, from its
remarkable nature, almost baffles description. Nine police joined in the
conflict and fired point-blank at Kelly; but although, in consequence of
the way in which he staggered, it was apparent that many of the shots
hit him, yet he always recovered himself, and, tapping his breast,
laughed derisively at his opponents, as he coolly returned the fire,
fighting only with a revolver. It appeared as if he was a fiend with a
charmed life.

For half an hour this strange contest was carried on, and then Sergeant
Steele rapidly closed in on him, and when within only about ten yards of
him fired two shots into his legs, which brought the outlaw down. He was
only wounded, and appeared still determined to carry on the desperate
conflict, but Steele bravely rushed him and seized the hand in which he
held his revolver, the only weapon with which he was armed. He fired one
shot after this, but without effect. When on the ground he roared with
savage ferocity, cursing the police vehemently. He was stripped of his
armour, and then became quite submissive, and was borne to the railway
station by Sergeant Steele, Constable Dwyer, and two representatives of
the Melbourne press.

...At the railway station Kelly appeared to be very weak from loss
of blood, and some brandy was given him. He was examined in the guard's
van by Dr. Nicholson and Dr. Hutchinson, who found that he was suffering
from two bullet wounds in the left arm, a bullet in the right foot near
the right toe, and two wounds in the right leg, those inflicted by
Sergeant Steele.

The outlaw was quite composed, and in answer to inquiries he 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 night. I had a good chance, but I wanted
to see the thing end. When the police fired the first round I got
wounded in 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 injuries. I don't care what people say about Sergeant Kennedy's
death. I have made my statement as to it, and if they don't believe me I
can't help it. At all events, I am satisfied Scanlan was not shot
kneeling. That is not true, as he never got off his horse. At the
commencement of the affair this morning I fired three or four shots from
the front of Jones' hotel, but I do 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 they had time to shout if I
liked. I could have shot several constables at one time. I was a good
distance away, but I came back again. I have got 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 armour. 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.'

The policeman whom Ned Kelly described as "a splendid shot", was
Constable James Arthur, and this is the account he gave of the
encounter:-

I was one of the party of police which arrived at Glenrowan with the
special train, and was just behind Superintendent Hare when he was shot;
after that Hare asked Sergeant Kelly to place the men. He did so, and
took me round to the north-western side of the hotel. We crawled under
what shelter we could find. I paused behind a tree, about one hundred
yards from the hotel. There was a bush close to the tree. I kneeled down
to get a good look at the hotel, and in doing so I put my hand on a
revolving rifle, which was covered with blood. A skull cap was close
beside it. I was startled, and could not speak to draw attention.
Sergeant Kelly picked it up, and formed the opinion that one of the
outlaws had passed that way just previously, and hearing a sort of
ringing noise listened, but could not see or hear anything. I have no
doubt Ned Kelly was near. He told me afterwards he was. He said he could
have shot both me and Kelly. I moved from that place to a log within
eighty yards of the house, into which I commenced to fire. Sergeant
Kelly left me there, and a bullet from the hut tore up the ground
underneath my stomach. I consequently determined to go to another part
of the log. It was very cold, and I filled my pipe to have a smoke. Just
at daybreak I was in the act of lighting my pipe, when I heard Ned Kelly
coming behind me. His extraordinary appearance so startled me that I let
the pipe drop out of my mouth, and gazed at the strange object for a
minute, not knowing but that it was a madman who had conceived the idea
of storming the hotel with a nail-can on his head. I then said to him,
"Go back you d---- fool, you will get shot." The figure replied, "I
could shoot you sonny", and at that moment fired his revolver at me, but
missed. He evidently was crippled, and 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 I would knock it off. It only
staggered him slightly. An opening in the helmet looked like a huge
mouth, and I fired at that and hit him again. He still came on. I fired
a third shot at his body, and heard it hum off him. I was completely
astonished, and could not understand what the object I was firing at
was. The men around me appeared astonished too. Someone said, "He is a
madman!" Dowsett, the railway guard, said, "He is the devil!" Sergeant
Kelly exclaimed "Look out, boys, he is the bunyip!" At once I sought
shelter, and tried to get round at the back. I did so because I found it
was no use firing at him in front. Before I 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 to me to
stop firing. After he had been captured, Kelly shook his fist at me and
swore.


Concerning the proceedings before and during the siege of the hotel,
further particulars are obtained from a very succinct account given by
Mr. Mortimer, Curnow's brother-in-law. After describing how Constable
Bracken was arrested by Ned Kelly, he says:-


Byrne was with Kelly, and Curnow asked Ned if he would allow him to go
home with his wife. Kelly replied "Oh, yes, you may go home and have a
sleep, but mind you don't dream too loud." Having given this warning to
him, he was permitted to go home. I do not know how he heard that the
line had been torn up, but suppose he heard it at the hotel, and after
he obtained his liberty he determined to warn the train of the danger.
Reynolds, Bracken, and myself were taken back to the hotel. We all then
heard that the line had been torn up. The whole of the members of the
gang were very jolly, and Ned told us that he had come there to settle
the black-trackers, and that he would be on the spot when the train run
over the culvert, and would shoot all who were not killed. We knew that
we could do nothing, and therefore did not take any steps to warn those
on the train of their danger. Every member of the gang was then sober.
They showed us their armour, and seemed to think the police could do
them no harm. At half-past two on Monday morning, Ned Kelly said
something to the effect that he did not think the special train was
coming, and I then asked him if we could go home. He said "yes", and I
thanked him. We could all then have gone, with perhaps the exception of
Bracken, but we foolishly stopped listening to the remarks of Kelly.
Just then, Dan Kelly, who had been standing outside, rushed in and said
"Ned, here comes the train."

Our opportunity of escape was gone. Ned Kelly rushed out and commenced
to examine his firearms. He spoke to one of the gang, and then left on
horseback. Byrne locked the doors, and I believe that Bracken then
succeeded in stealing the key. Ned Kelly returned in a few minutes, but
remained outside. He asked some of the others to come out with him, but
none of them did so. Just then we heard the train stopped at the
station, and it became apparent that the gang expected that they would
have to fight. Almost immediately the firing commenced, and we dropped
on the floor. The bullets whizzed through the weatherboards in all
directions. Our feelings at that time were indescribable. The poor women
and children were screaming with terror, and every man in the house was
saying his prayers. Poor little Johnny Jones was shot almost at once,
and I put my fingers in my ears so as not to hear his screams of agony,
and the lamentations of his mother and Mrs. Reardon, who had a baby in
her arms. We could do nothing, and the bullets continued to whistle
through the building. I do not think the police were right in acting as
they did. We were frightened of them, and not of the bushrangers. It was
Joe Byrne who cursed and swore at the police. He seemed perfectly
reckless of his life. But the three of them got into an inside room into
which the bullets seldom penetrated. We frequently called to the police
to stop firing, but we dared not go to the door, and I suppose they did
not hear us. Miss Jones was slightly wounded by a bullet, and when Mrs.
Jones and Mrs. Reardon with the children ran out, Reardon and his son
attempted to follow, but as soon as the police saw the figures one of
the men fired. Young Reardon was hit by a bullet in the shoulder, and he
and his father ran back into the house. One of the men carried young
Jones away, and succeeded in passing the police without being fired on.
Dan Kelly told us that we had better remain in the house, because the
police would shoot us if we attempted to leave. Someone said to him,
"You had better go out and surrender", and he replied, "We will never
surrender, but most likely we will leave directly." I think they
intended to do so, but shortly after five o'clock in the morning, Byrne
was shot. He had just walked into the bar, and was drinking a glass of
whisky, when a ball struck him in the groin. I heard him fall, and saw
the blood spurting from him. I think he died very soon. This seemed to
dishearten Dan Kelly and Hart. They had been calling for Ned all night,
and now renewed their calls for him. We had not seen the leader of the
gang since the firing commenced, and did not know where he had gone to.
Dan and Hart went into the inside room, and I heard one say to the
other, "What shall we do?" I did not hear the reply; but Reardon said he
thought they intended to commit suicide. We prayed for daylight,
thinking that we might then escape, but even when morning broke, we
dared not venture out. It must have been at this time that poor Martin
Sherry was shot. He was sitting on the floor of the kitchen at the time.
There were two other men with him, but they were protected by bags of
oats, behind which they were sitting. During the morning, Dan Kelly told
them that Ned Kelly had been shot. After that one of our company held a
white handkerchief out of the door, and we all ran out. Poor Sherry
could not move, and he was left behind. He was a decent, honest man.


In answer to the remark of one of the police that he must have wanted 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?" This account accurately describes what took place up
to the capture of Ned Kelly, but Sergeant Steele, in the story told by
him, enters more into detail. He says:-


I arrived from Wangaratta with five men about 5 a.m. (Monday). We were
at once challenged by the 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 (hotel). There was no firing then. A woman and
child came to the back door screaming, and I told the woman if she ran
in quick she would not be molested. A man then came to the door, and I
told 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 stable,
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 round 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 armour
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 fired at his legs and he staggered, but he still tried to aim at
me. I then fired the second barrel on his 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. Whilst I held the revolver away from me he fired the revolver.
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 armour.
I was strained after the scuffle which ensued.


Senior-constable Kelly stated that he and Constable Arthur crawled
towards the house during the earlier hours of the morning, and took a
position behind a tree about fifty yards from the back door, where they
kept watch and fired upon anyone they saw attempting to leave the hut.
They saw four horses tied up at the back door ready saddled for use, and
these they at once shot to prevent the escape of the outlaws. When Ned
Kelly bore down upon them and began firing, the police at once gave all
their attention to him, and at one time no less than ten rifles were
pelting their bullets at his impenetrable breast. After he was captured
the senior-constable asked him where the murdered Sergeant Kennedy's
watch was, but he refused to say, declaring that he did not like to tell
about it.

After his capture, the leader of the gang abandoned himself to the
circumstances, and became very quiet, conversing with one and another of
his captors in a calm matter-of-fact way. It was soon found that he was
utterly disabled, having been shot in the left leg, left foot, and twice
in the region of the groin, but no bullet had penetrated his armour,
although it bore many indentations. Having had his wounds dressed by
Doctor Nicholson, he was left at the station in charge of half-a-dozen
constables, and there for once in his life went through the experience
which the great men and mighty of the earth invariably have to undergo
when visiting places where news-hunting reporters ply their calling--he
was "interviewed". Every word that fell from his lips was looked upon as
precious, and was hurriedly transferred to notebooks, to be worked up
into a connected story for the different newspapers, which would have
lost some of their best reporters had his designs upon the special train
succeeded. While the constables kept guard and the reporters scribbled
over the captured outlaw's couch, the officers returned to their
positions near the hotel to superintend the attack upon the building,
which was still proceeding, having learned from Ned Kelly that all his
mates were still in the place with the crowd of men, women, and children
whom they had taken there on the previous evening.


PROCEEDINGS WITHIN THE HOTEL.

It is necessary at this stage that the reader should know something of
what transpired in the hotel after Constable Bracken had been taken
prisoner and plucky Curnow had gone home with his women-folk; and I
cannot do better than quote from the narrative given by one of the
unfortunate prisoners who was compelled to share the dangers of injury
or sudden death from the pelting bullets of the police during the long
hours of the siege. Here is his story:-


About half-past one or two o'clock on Monday morning, the word went
round that the Kellys were going to clear out, they having got sick of
waiting for the train; at the same time they thought that perhaps the
police had got word of their being there, and were going to surprise
them from a different direction. The announcement that they were going
away was received on all sides with evident satisfaction, as despite the
rather novel experience, and the fun that we were most undoubtedly
having, many, in fact, I may say all, were longing for a good sound
sleep and a rest. Upon making enquiries from Ned Kelly as to whether the
report was true or not, he said, "Yes, my boy" (he always addressed me
familiarly), "we are off directly, and when we are gone you can clear
out as soon as you like." I felt this rather comforting at any rate, and
made arrangements to go home at once. When all was in readiness to go,
and all waiting for them to clear out, Ned Kelly came out of the room
where they had stacked all their accoutrements, and called out,
"Everybody come into the dining-room; I have something to say, and want
everybody to hear it." We all crushed in after him, wondering what it
might be that he was going to say. After a few preliminaries, such as
mounting a chair and getting off again, he proceeded:

"First, I wish to tell you all that if I should hear of any one of you
present here tonight telling the police of any of our doings or
sayings, or showing the way we left, or in fact telling anything
whatever about us, I shall make it my duty to visit them some day and
have a settling with them, and I can promise you that it will not be
such a settling as I had this day with young Delaney there. I let him
off, but, by God, I'll not let any more off the same way; so you know
what to expect from me if any of you should let out any of our plans
that you have heard here. I am not a bit afraid of the police, and know
that if they alone hunted me I would never be taken; but what I am
really afraid of is those d---- Queensland black-trackers; those boys I
honestly fear, for I know what they can do; they can track me over bare
stones, and a white man stands no chance with them at all; it was mainly
to kill those ------ that I tore up those rails down there, and in fact
what brought me here. I knew very well that when they heard that we were
down at Beechworth, they would pack those incarnate devils after us, and
I was prepared to meet them, but only half way; I can't make out what
has delayed that train, and think they must have taken a different
route, but again I don't see how they are to get there, especially as
they are not accustomed to the country. No. I think they have got
information of our being here, and are leaving it till they are
positive. Well, anyhow, let them come when they like; we are ready for
them even now. I suppose some of you people would like to know what I
have been doing lately, and how I have managed to escape capture so
long. Well, I don't mind telling you a little. It can t do any harm, and
it will pass away a few minutes. A lot of people imagine that after
robbing the Euroa bank, and before sticking up the Jerilderie, that we
were out of funds, and had to stick up the Jerilderie bank to supply
ourselves. Nothing of the sort. I had no more intention of robbing the
Jerilderie bank a fortnight before than I have now of flying. What
brought us to Jerilderie was this. I was after that infernal scoundrel
Sullivan that turned Queen's evidence in New Zealand. I heard that he
came up the north-eastern, and was told of his being at Rutherglen. I
followed him there, but he was too quick for me, and had gone on to
Uralla. Up to Uralla we went, and found that he had gone to Wagga, and
there we lost sight of him. We thought he had gone up Hay way from
there, and consequently made for there, but abandoned the chase, and
when coming home through Jerilderie it struck us to stick up the bank,
which we did, as you all know. I don't know how much money we took away
from either Jerilderie or Euroa, but a considerable deal more than they
said in the papers. Anyhow, we lost sight of Sullivan, and I would
sooner have met him than have robbed a dozen banks. I consider him to be
one of the greatest villains unhung, and moreover the first time I come
across him the Lord pity him. I won't shoot the hound--it is too good
for such as he--but I will hang, draw, and quarter him--kill him by
inches. I have not given him up yet, and will hunt the ------ till I
die. I will give £500 to the man who tells me where he is. I don't want
to have him brought to me, only to be told where he is. I would follow
him to England if I knew he was there. After coming down from Jerilderie
I took a trip to Melbourne and bought some firearms--these revolvers and
some Winchester rifles, besides as much ammunition as we wanted----"

Kelly's narrative was broken off rather short, as at this moment the
shrill whistle of a train was distinctly heard a short distance from
where we were. "By God!" exclaimed Kelly, "that b---- Curnow has
deceived us!" and at once jumping down from his seat he hurried outside,
and there mounting his horse he rode down to where the train was
stopped, returning in a few minutes. He said, "Yes, Curnow has stopped
the train and told the police, and they are now coming up here, so we
must be ready. Dan," addressing his brother, "you keep your eye on these
folk whilst we get ready, and then you can fix yourself up afterwards."

So saying, he led the others into their arsenal--if you can call it
such--and there they immediately put their armour on, and generally got
themselves in readiness for the fray. We could hear the knocking of the
armour and the smothered curses when a thing would not fit to their
satisfaction. In a comparatively short space of time they emerged from
the room clad in their sombre armour. This was the first time that I had
seen the men in their "full dress", and the thought inwardly struck me
that the police would stand a very poor show indeed when opposed to
these desperate men, clad as they were in what seemed complete armour.

Whilst Dan Kelly was "doing his toilet" Ned gave us a bit of
advice--viz., he ordered all the lights to be put out, the fire to be
extinguished, and generally to make the place look as natural as
possible; and he also told us that there would be some heavy firing, and
the best thing we could do was to lie down as close to the floor as
possible, and on no account try to escape, as by so doing we ran the
double risk of being taken for one of the gang by the police, and for
one of the police by some of the gang.

We heard the train slowly steam into the station, the officers giving
orders, and the noise made by the horses getting out of the trucks, and
then we could distinctly hear the police walk down the line to Mr.
Stanistreet's house and ask some questions. Mrs. Stanistreet immediately
told them that the Kellys were up in Jones' hotel, and had half the town
with them, and then closed the door in their faces.

The excitement now waxed intense as we heard the police outside, in
front of the hotel. After a delay of a few moments, one of the police
called out to the Kellys--who were by this time arranged in a row on the
verandah--to surrender in the Queen's name. "Surrender, be d----d!" they
called out, rattling the points of their revolvers on their iron
breasts, "you can shoot at us for six months and never hurt us."

The firing now began, but whether it was the police who began first or
the Kellys I am not quite sure, as they seemed to begin together. Almost
as soon as the firing began, we heard one of the Kellys exclaim, "My
God, I'm shot." It turned out to be Ned, who was shot both in the elbow
and in the foot; but the firing did not seem to abate at all, both sides
keeping up a brisk cannonade, meanwhile all us poor unfortunates lying
down full on our faces and expecting every minute to be the last, when
the firing abated, which it did at intervals. At this time Constable
Bracken effected his escape from the house and found the police, and it
was well that he did so, as both Dan Kelly and Joe Byrne came in
immediately after and made repeated inquiries as to where he was. Their
object was, no doubt, to shoot him, as they both seemed to be in a
terrible rage when they were convinced that he had escaped. I made an
attempt to get away, thinking, and no doubt rightly, that it was a
little safer a bit farther away, when I was met at the door by Joe
Byrne, who asked me where I was going. I told him that I wanted to get
away from the house. "Well", he said, "you can go if you like, but if
you take my advice you will stop where you are; the place is surrounded
with police, and ten to one they will take you for one of us and shoot
you. Stop inside and you will be all right." Accordingly I went back
again, though rather reluctantly, and had scarcely got inside when the
firing began. Creeping on my hands and knees, I joined the others, and
laid very low--very low indeed. There were about thirty or thirty-five
in the room, not one of whom ever expected to get out alive. The
position I occupied was just inside die parlour door against a couch,
and in a good position should any chance arise of getting out. The bulk
of those in the room were praying, and some few were sleeping,
especially the young fellow who went asleep almost as soon as the firing
commenced, and did not awaken till we were all leaving the place.
However, again some of the more daring of those present got up and had a
look outside, but only to be frightened back again by the shots which
were being fired continually into the house by the police outside.

Young Reardon, who was lying next to me, feeling rather stiff from lying
so long in one position, got up to turn round, and while doing so
received a shot in his shoulder; he fell back moaning that he was
killed, and calling on his father to come and see where the wound was.
With the aid of a few matches we examined the wound; it seemed to be a
revolver bullet that had struck him, the hole being a very small one. Of
course we could do nothing for the poor fellow, and consequently he had
to endure the pain. Almost immediately after young Reardon was shot,
Mrs. Jones came running frantically into the room, crying and exclaiming
that her son Jack was shot and was dying. She asked if there was a man
in the room who would help her to carry him to bed. For a time nobody
seemed to be anxious to run the risk of being shot to carry the boy to
his bed. When Martin Cherry (who was afterwards shot dead himself) said
to me, "Come on, lad, we'll carry him in." Accordingly Martin and myself
followed Mrs. Jones to where her boy was, and taking him up we carried
him to the back part of the house and laid him on the bed. The wound was
a frightful one, and even to our unpractised eyes it was easily seen
that he could not long survive it: the bullet went in his left hip, and
travelling in an upward direction came out in his right side through the
ribs. After doing all we could for the poor lad, we again retired to our
place of safety--if it could be called such. The firing now seemed to be
more interne: as a matter of fact more police had in the meantime come
to the scene of action, and of course every new arrival, as soon as he
got into position, fired as many shots as he possibly could into the
unfortunate building, with the hope of killing the bushrangers; one of
the shots struck the clock on the mantelpiece and started it striking.
It struck, I suppose, about forty before I began to count them, and then
I counted sixty odd, when another shot shattered it and laid the
fragments on the floor. I am not at all superstitious as a rule, but
this I will say, that I looked upon that clock striking as a sort of a
death knell. One of those in the room, thinking the fire-place a safe
retreat, accordingly got up it, but upon seeing one of the bricks
displaced by a Martini-Henry bullet, changed his mind, and once more
joined the crowd upon the floor.

There were numerous suggestions from different people in the room as to
a means of escape, some suggesting that we should all make a rush to the
door, and, holding up our hands, call out to the police for protection.
This seemed to savour of too much danger to the majority, and was
abandoned. One daring individual suggested that we should borrow some
arms from the Kellys and retaliate on the police. This again did not
meet with much favour; and I question very much if the individual
referred to was game enough to attempt it, should anyone be ready to
join him. I forget the time exactly, but think it was about six o'clock
in the morning, that Joe Byrne came into the room and asked how we were
getting on. Several appealed to him to get them away, but he said, "Stop
where you are; you are a great deal better off than we are." He then
went into the bar for the purpose, I think, of having a drink. Almost
immediately I heard a dull thud, and turning around saw him lying at
full length on the floor. He was the first of the gang to fall. The
wound he received must have proved fatal in a few minutes after
receiving it. He was lying about four feet from where I was situated,
and his presence there did not in any way tend to reassure me as to our
own individual safety.

About an hour after Byrne paid the penalty of his crimes, someone in the
room heard the police calling out to us, and on listening attentively we
heard someone outside calling out that all civilians would be allowed
ten minutes to get out. When it was explained to everybody that we were
allowed a time to get away, some of them were so much terrified that
they would not agree to it, saying that we were almost sure to be killed
if we attempted to leave the place.

"Well," I said, "We may as well be shot outside as in, and I for one am
going", and so saying I got up, and rushing to the door, which I opened,
made at once for a covered spot which I knew of in front of the hotel.
The example being set, the rest soon followed, and on making their
appearance were called upon by the police to hold up their hands, and
when they had got a short distance away from the hotel they were told to
lie down on the ground and hold up their hands. In the meantime I had
separated from the rest, and continuing my run, jumped into the drain
inside the railway inclosure. As it happened I had jumped fairly into
the midst of Inspector O'Connor's detachment of black-trackers, who,
immediately on seeing me, closed around and, presenting their revolvers
to my head, called upon me to surrender. I explained, as well as I could
under the circumstances, that I was not a bushranger, and seeing
O'Connor, appealed to him. He released me from his men, and, instead of
letting me go to some place of safety, made me go back the way I had
come and join the rest, who by this time were lying on the ground, and
being examined by the police. Accordingly I passed in front of the hotel
again, and joined my comrades.

We were examined one by one by the police, and then allowed to take our
own course. Naturally I made for the railway station, where there seemed
to be a crowd, and was at once seized upon by reporters, who wanted to
know what had passed inside. After satisfying these, I asked for
something to eat, as it must be remembered that we had fasted for nearly
twenty-four hours. The police were pretty well provided in the line of
refreshments, and after satisfying the inner man I went round to the
back part of the station buildings to see Ned Kelly, whom I had heard
was captured before we had got out of the house. Coming into the room I
saw him lying on his back on a stretcher, guarded by about six troopers.
He seemed to be covered with blood, and looked very downhearted. I stood
looking at him for a time, and was about to turn away, when he turned
round and, looking me full in the face, said, "Well, I'm done for now,
old man; my race is run", and, falling back, seemed to go in a sort of
faint. I left the room then, and, mingling with the crowd, waited the
advent of further excitement. We had not to wait long, as the police,
directly all the civilians had left the premises, commenced firing from
all points into the hotel, with the hope of shooting the two surviving
bushrangers. Byrne they knew was dead, for we told them that after
getting out. Some idea of the amount of shooting that now took place may
be gained when you consider that about forty-five or fifty police, each
armed with a breech-loading rifle, were firing as quickly as they could
into all parts of the house. Whilst the civilians were in the hotel the
police had orders to fire high, but now the order was to fire where you
liked, and there is no mistake about it they did fire where they liked.
For a short time a few answering shots were heard from the building, but
these soon relapsed, and for a long time before the place was set on
fire no shots were heard from the inside.


The prisoners of the outlaws must have spent a terrible time in the
hotel during the firing, and the marvel is that they were not, everyone
of them, riddled by the bullets that poured through the windows and
boarded walls of the place. It was a terrible risk they ran, and not a
little obloquy was cast upon the police for what many persons considered
reckless firing--endangering the lives of thirty persons in order to
shoot three. For some of their subsequent proceedings also the police
were soundly rated by the Melbourne press, as they were considered both
injudicious and unnecessary.


HOW HART AND DAN KELLY FELL.

Up to this point two of the outlaws have been accounted for--Ned Kelly
lying bound at the railway station, and Byrne lying dead in the hotel.
During the morning, and before the terror-stricken men and women had
escaped from the hotel, more police arrived from the districts
surrounding, most of the residents of the district living within sound
of the firing having also gathered at the spot to witness the
extraordinary conflict. Amongst these were not a few of the outlaws'
relatives and friends, including one notorious sympathiser named Wild
Wright, and one of the sisters of the Kellys--Mrs. Skillian, who was
dressed in a dark riding habit trimmed with scarlet, and wearing a
jaunty hat adorned with a conspicuous white feather.

Amongst those who left the hotel were two youths named McAuliffe, and
when the police were examining the small crowd one by one, preparatory
to giving them permission to leave, these two were taken into custody on
suspicion of being Kelly sympathisers. They were handcuffed and sent up
to the railway station for safe keeping. Young Reardon, who was severely
wounded in the shoulder while in the hotel by a bullet fired from one of
the rifles in the hands of the attacking party, was also sent up to the
station for treatment by the doctors there.

Meanwhile a close watch was being kept upon the hotel, as it was feared
that the two outlaws who were still alive might make a rush and get
away; and a constant fire was kept up by the police, some of whom took
up sheltered positions quite close to the building. For a time the fire
was returned by the outlaws, but shortly after midday that firing
ceased, and the attacking party thought that the outlaws had decided to
keep quiet until darkness set in and then endeavour to make their
escape. How to bring matters to a climax appeared to be a problem which
the officers in command of the police had some difficulty in solving.
They were afraid to rush the place, having good reason to believe that
lives would be sacrificed in the assault, and to continue firing as they
had been was simply a waste of ammunition. At last an inspiration came
to the authorities in Melbourne, and they decided to make use of heavier
metal than ordinary rifle bullets. They would blow the house down, using
one of the heavy pieces of ordnance in Melbourne for that purpose.
Accordingly a third special was started from Melbourne for Glenrowan,
having on board a detachment of artillery under Colonel Anderson, and a
12-pounder field-piece and ammunition sufficient to blow a hole through
the wall of a fortified city. Further than this, the Colonial Secretary
also advised by telegram that a wooden bullet-proof shield should be
constructed to be fitted on a dray or waggon, under cover of which the
attacking party might approach sufficiently near the building to ensure
its destruction by the broadside that should be poured into it. And
still further did the Chief Secretary go, so determined was he to do the
thing effectually. Fearing that darkness might set in before the cannon
could be brought to bear upon the wooden tenement, he communicated with
Mr. Ellery, Government Astronomer of the colony, asking his advice as to
the practicability of sending to the seat of war an electric-light
apparatus to preserve the continuity of the besiegers' work; but that
gentleman discountenanced the project, explaining that even if the
apparatus were placed on the ground it would take quite twenty-four
hours to get into fair working order. Then Mr. Ramsay fell back upon a
more primitive method, and by wire suggested to the men in command on
the ground that huge bonfires should be lighted round the hotel when
night set in, the light from which would serve a double
purpose--preventing the escape of the outlaws and showing clearly to the
gunner the object at which he should aim. It is creditable to the great
mind that could plan the details of a destructive attack so cleverly
that he could think of the possibility of other lives being sacrificed
in the blowing-down process, and issue orders that before shooting the
destructive bolt care should be taken to ascertain that the only
occupants of the building were members of the gang.

But as it turned out, none of these carefully planned and elaborately
offensive movements were needed. Before the 12-pounder had reached
Benalla the Glenrowan citadel had been effectually stormed, and the
uncaptured outlaws--or all that remained of them--were in the hands of
the police. How the storming was accomplished may be briefly told.

While the instruments in the telegraph offices were clicking out their
messages to and from headquarters, the officers in charge of the
attacking party had decided upon a plan of their own for dislodging the
outlaws. They would set fire to the building and burn it over the
outlaws' heads, so that they would either have to run from their shelter
and be shot or captured, or remain under the roof and be roasted. They
remained and were roasted.

There were about two hundred people at the railway station when this
plan was conceived, some of them having been passengers by the ordinary
midday through train from Melbourne, who had elected to make a break in
the journey at Glenrowan when they discovered the startling developments
that were there taking place. Amongst these arrivals was Rev. M. Gibney,
Roman Catholic priest, of Perth, West Australia, who had been travelling
through Victoria. Having heard on the road that the Kelly gang were at
Glenrowan and that a desperate fight was going on between the outlaws
and the police, he left the train when it reached the station, thinking
that he might be of use in his clerical capacity. When he learned that
Ned Kelly was at the station dangerously wounded, he proceeded at once
to the room where the outlaw was lying and spoke to him in private. He
says he found the wounded man very penitent, and when he asked him to
say "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me," he repeated the words most
reverently and added "It is not today I began to say that." Believing
him at the time to be in a dying state. Father Gibney heard his
confession and then anointed him; after which he proceeded to watch the
storming party at work. He was with the police when Mrs. Skillian
arrived on the scene, and he earnestly requested her to go to the hotel
and persuade her brother and Hart to surrender; but she replied that
although she would like to see her brother before he died, she would
sooner see him burned in the house than ask him to surrender. Shortly
after this the police made arrangements for burning down the hotel.

Senior-constable Johnson, having been authorised by Superintendent
Sadlier to fire the house, visited one of the houses near and obtained a
bundle of straw and a bottle of kerosene. He then pretended to the
people about the railway station that he was going to feed the horses in
the railway paddock. He accordingly went down in that direction, entered
the bush, and made a detour round to the other side or end of the hotel.
In his peregrination, and when passing round the other side of the rise
beyond the hotel, he came across four men fully armed with guns and
revolvers. He recognised none of them. Certainly they were not
policemen, and the conclusion arrived at was that they were sympathisers
waiting for an opportunity to assist the gang. Johnson saw at once that
they were not friends, so he put the evasive question to them "Did you
see two horses (a grey and a brown) pass here recently?" They replied in
a surly manner that they had not, and he passed on down to the hotel.
Rapidly approaching the building he placed the straw against the
weatherboards, threw on the kerosene, and applied a lighted match, his
companions meanwhile keeping up a heavy fire upon the place from the
front and rear, in order to divert the attention of the outlaws from
Johnson's proceedings.

The fire speedily gained a hold upon the building, and in a very short
time the flames were playing right up to the roof. But still the outlaws
made no sign, and the police and spectators began to ask each other
wonderingly: "Are they dead? or, have they escaped? or, do they mean to
stay there till they're roasted?" And at this moment a startling cry was
raised--"Old Martin Cherry is still in the house!" Such was the case. In
the rush from the hotel none of the other prisoners had given a thought
to him in their anxiety to escape; and after that no opportunity had
presented itself for him to leave the hotel, even if he had been able,
for during the firing earlier in the day he had been badly wounded. The
reader may imagine the feeling of horror that ran through the crowd at
the thought that the helpless old man must die in the flames with the
outlaws whose death the police were bent on compassing.

As the fire rapidly spread, and it was seen that the whole building
would soon be enveloped in flames, the excitement among the crowd
increased. Kate Kelly now came upon the scene and joined her sister,
wailing in accents of deepest grief, "Oh, my poor, poor brother!" Then
Mrs. Skillian rushed forward, declaring that she would see Dan before he
died, and was rapidly making her way to the burning building when the
police ordered her back. And at this juncture Father Gibney stepped
forward and expressed his determination of saving Cherry if the old man
was still alive. Holding the crucifix aloft, and amid the cheers of the
crowd, the brave priest walked rapidly up to the door of the burning
building, and was soon lost to view amidst the dense smoke. A moment
later the whole structure appeared to burst into a blaze, masses of
flame rushing out from the sides and the roof simultaneously. A shout of
horror went up from the crowd, and a simultaneous movement was made
towards the burning pile. Several policemen and others ran to the rear
of the house, and rushed into the building through the back door; and
shortly afterwards they emerged with Father Gibney in their midst,
bearing in their arms the old man Cherry, who was in a dying condition,
and the body of Joe Byrne.

By this time very little doubt remained concerning the fate of Dan Kelly
and Hart. That portion of the hotel in which they were was burning most
fiercely, and it was concluded that they must be dead. The fact was made
plain when some of the rescue party affirmed that they had seen the
forms of the two outlaws prostrate in the burning room, but had not been
able to get to them. There was nothing for it, therefore, but to stand
and wait until the fire had burnt itself out. Then a sickening sight
presented itself. From the smouldering embers were raked out the two
charred skeletons of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart. How they had died could
not be ascertained, and the spectators were left to conjecture whether
they had been shot down by the police during one of the heavy fusilades
or been suffocated by the smoke and heat, or whether each had shot the
other or himself. The mystery has not been and never in this world will
be cleared up. The bodies presented a horrible spectacle--nothing but
the trunk and skull being left, and these almost burnt to a cinder.
Their armour was found lying by their side, and although there was
nothing about the remains to lead to their identification, the presence
of the armour and other circumstances rendered doubt as to the identity
of the dead men impossible. And the fact of the armour having been
removed before death lends colour to the supposition that in their last
spirit of desperation they took off the iron, so as to allow their own
shots to take effect.

As to Byrne's body, it was found in the entrance to the bar-room, which
was on the east side of the house, and there was time to remove it from
the building, but not before the right side was slightly scorched. The
body likewise presented a dreadful appearance. It looked as if it had
been ill-nourished. The thin face was black with smoke, and the arms
were bent at right angles at the elbows, the stiffened joints below the
elbows standing erect. The body was quite stiff, and its appearance and
the position in which it was found, corroborated the statement that
Byrne died early in the morning. He had a ring on his right hand, which
had belonged to Constable Scanlan, who was murdered by the gang in the
Wombat Ranges. The body was dressed in a blue sac coat, tweed striped
trousers, Crimean shirt, and very ill-fitting boots. Like Ned Kelly,
Byrne wore a bushy beard. Poor old Cherry, who had been too severely
wounded to leave the house when the others did, was found by Father
Gibney in an outer room at the rear of the building, and was dying when
carried out. He was promptly removed to a short distance from the
burning hotel, and laid on the ground, when Father Gibney administered
to him the last sacrament. Cherry was insensible, and barely alive. He
had evidently suffered much during the day, and death released him. He
was born at Limerick, Ireland, and was sixty years old, was unmarried,
was an old resident in the district, and was employed as a plate-layer,
and resided about a mile from Glenrowan.

While the house was burning, some explosions were heard inside. These
were alarming at first, but it was soon ascertained that they were
cartridges bursting, and no damage was done by them. All that was left
standing of the hotel were two brick chimneys, the lamp post, and the
signboard, and these served for many days afterwards as forcible
reminders to every traveller on the railway that the place they were
passing had been the scene of a conflict unique in the history of
Australia. The black ashes were covered in part by the sheets of
corrugated iron that had formed the roof. The iron was pierced by
innumerable bullet and slug holes, and on the chimneys also were a
number of bullet marks, showing how fierce and constant the firing of
the attacking party had been. The wrecks of two iron bedsteads, a sewing
machine, and a few tin cans, some of which bore shot marks, were the
only recognisable objects in the debris.

After the house had been burned, Ned Kelly's three sisters and Tom
Wright were allowed an interview with him at the station. Tom Wright, as
well as the sisters, kissed the wounded man, and a brief conversation
ensued, Ned Kelly having to a certain extent recovered from the
exhaustion consequent on his wounds; at times his eyes were quite
bright, and, although he was of course excessively weak, his remarkably
powerful physique enabled him to talk rather freely. During the
interview he stated:- "I was at last surrounded by the police, and only
had a revolver, with which I fired four shots; but it was no good. I had
half a mind to shoot myself. I loaded my rifle, but could not hold it
after I was wounded. I had plenty of ammunition, but it was no good to
me. I got shot in the arm, and told Byrne and Dan so. I could have got
off, but when I saw them all pounding away I told Dan I would see it
over and wait until morning.

"What on earth induced you to go to the hotel?" inquired a spectator.

"We could not do it anywhere else", replied Kelly, eyeing the
spectators, who were strangers to him, suspiciously. "I would," he
continued, "have fought them in the train, or else upset it, if I had
the chance. I did not care a ---- who was in it, but I knew on Sunday
morning there would be no usual passengers. I first tackled the line,
and could not pull it up, and then came to Glenrowan Station."

"Since the Jerilderie affair," remarked a spectator, "we thought you had
gone to Queensland."

"It would not do for everyone to think the same way", was Kelly's reply.
"If I were once right again," he continued, "I would go to the barracks
and shoot everyone of the ---- traps, and not give one a chance."

Mrs. Skillian to her brother: "It's a wonder you did not keep behind a
tree?"

Ned Kelly: "I had a chance at several policemen during the night, but
declined to fire. My arm was broken the first fire. I got away into the
bush and found my mare, and could have rushed away to beggary, but
wanted to see the thing out, and remained in the bush."

A sad scene ensued when Wild Wright led Mrs. Skillian to the horrible
object which was all that remained of her brother Dan. She bent over it,
raised a dirge-like cry, and wept bitterly. Dick Hart applied for the
body of his brother, but was told he could not have it until after the
post-mortem examination.

Subsequently the charred remains of the two outlaws were taken to
MacDonnell's hotel, and here Dick Hart, the brother of Steve, openly
dared the police (who were not present) to interfere in any way with the
funerals, declaring that if they wanted the bodies back they would have
to fight for them. Later on they were removed to Mrs. Skillian's hut at
Greta, and their arrival caused great excitement in the town among the
numerous friends and relatives of the Kelly family residing in the
locality. They were laid out on a table in the hut, which was soon
crowded. So great was the rush that Mrs. Skillian lost her temper, and,
seizing a gun, hustled the crowd out, and then allowed them to view the
remains in couples. Many of the male sympathisers were armed, and,
whilst in a drunken state, professed to be anxious for a brush with the
police. One of the relatives of the Kellys held up his hand over the
remains and swore to Kate Kelly that he would be revenged for the
slaughter of the gang. His name was subsequently given to the police.
Lest any disturbance should take place in the district whilst the
sympathisers were in this state of intoxication and excitement,
Senior-constable Kelly and four troopers were sent on again to
Glenrowan, and remained there some time; but beyond a little bluster,
nothing occurred to warrant direct interference. The police were quite
satisfied with what had been done in the direction of breaking up the
gang; and having killed three of the principals and secured the fourth,
ready for the hangman's rope if he should recover from his wounds, they
were disposed to pass over much that the gang's sympathisers might say
and do. No inquest was held upon these bodies, the police considering
that it was wiser not to interfere until the excitement had cooled down.

An inquest was held upon Byrne's body, but the proceedings were
conducted so quietly that no one knew of the affair until it was over,
and there were only two or three persons in the court house, where the
inquiry was held. The inquiry was of a purely formal character, and a
verdict of justifiable homicide was returned.

Old Cherry's body was interred quietly at Benalla on the following
Tuesday, as also was Byrne's body, the police undertaking the interment
of the latter, much against the wish of Byrne's friends, who applied for
the remains to be handed over to them, but met with a refusal, the
reason of which was not clearly stated. During the forenoon the body of
Byrne was brought out of the lock-up, where it lay, and slung up in an
erect position on the outside of the door, the object being to have it
photographed by an enterprising artist from Melbourne. The features were
composed in a natural way, and were easily recognised. The face was
small, with retreating forehead, blue eyes, the upper lip covered with a
downy moustache, and a bushy beard covering his chin, whilst his hair
had been recently cut. His figure was that of a tall, lithe young
fellow. The spectacle, however, was very repulsive. The hands were
clenched and covered with blood, whilst blood also covered his clothes.
The police soon had the body removed from the public gaze. The officers,
policemen, trackers, and civilians who were there at the barracks, and
who were present at the encounter, were also photographed in a group.

During the day Detective Ward proceeded to Glenrowan, and on making some
inquiries, discovered five of the horses of the gang stabled at
Macdonnell's Railway Hotel, which stood on the east side or the line
opposite the scene of the fight. They had evidently been fasting ever
since they had been stabled there, which of course was on the arrival of
the gang two days before. Why Mr. Macdonnell did not give voluntary
information to the police concerning the horses was not explained. The
horses were all brought to Benalla, and two of them were identified as
having been stolen within the previous fortnight from Mr. Ryan's farm on
the Major Plains. One of the two was ridden by Joe Byrne when he
committed the murder of Sherritt, at the Woolshed, near Beechworth, on
the Saturday. A third was recognised as a packhorse belonging to Mr.
Fitzsimmons, of Benalla, and was stolen from his farm, near Greta, about
twelve days before. Ned Kelly's grey mare was also caught, and brought
on to Benalla. On one of the horses was found one of the Government
saddles taken from the police horses on the occasion of the Mansfield
murders. It may be here mentioned that the gang brought the packhorses
with them for the purpose of carrying their armour.

All the members of the gang were comfortably clad and wore boots which
were evidently made to order. Ned Kelly had riding-boots, which showed
well how he prided himself on having neat feet. When the doctor was
dressing his wounds the boots had to be cut off, and it was found that
he wore no socks. The gang all had the appearance of being well fed, and
Byrne stated to one of their prisoners that they had always lived well,
but that the want of sleep, which they had often to endure, was very
trying.


NED KELLY'S TRIAL AND CONVICTION.

Wounded so badly as he was, most of those who saw Ned Kelly concluded
that he would not live to go to trial; but he was a man of remarkably
strong physique, and by skilful nursing his health was again built up,
in order that the law might have its full exercise in his formal trial,
conviction, and execution. On the evening of his capture he was
carefully removed to Benalla, where the authorities had better means of
guarding him and attending to his wants; and as it was thought desirable
to get him away as quickly as possible from the locality where relatives
and sympathisers abounded, lest those friends and sympathisers might
make an attempt to rescue him from the police, arrangements were made to
remove him to Melbourne without delay. On the Tuesday morning; June 29,
therefore, at about eight o'clock, a spring cart emerged from the local
police barracks, and was driven down the street at a slow pace. It was
accompanied by eight armed policemen on foot, and the curiosity of the
townspeople was naturally excited as to what the vehicle contained. A
peep over the side showed that inside, on a stretcher, lay the wounded
outlaw. The police were conveying him to the railway station, and were
all fully armed. On the arrival of the train, Kelly was carried
carefully to the guard's van, and laid on the floor. Miss Lloyd, cousin
of the outlaw, was the only relative present, and as the train left she
cried without restraint. It was understood that he was to be conveyed to
the hospital of the Melbourne Gaol. Just before Ned Kelly was taken away
from Benalla, Senior-constable Kelly had a short interview with him, in
his cell. The senior-constable said, "Look here, Ned, now that it is all
over, I want to ask you one question before you go, and that is--Did you
shoot Constable Fitzpatrick, at Greta, when he went to arrest your
brother?" The prisoner replied, "Yes, I did; I shot him in the wrist,
and the statements which have been made that Fitzpatrick inflicted the
wound himself are quite false." This, it will be seen, bore out the
statements made by Fitzpatrick, and subsequently by Kelly's sister. It
will be remembered that the shooting of Fitzpatrick was the original
cause of Ned and Dan Kelly taking to the bush. The senior-constable also
talked with the outlaw about the police murders. He told him that Mrs.
Kennedy had telegraphed to know whether he had got a letter for her from
her murdered husband. Ned Kelly replied that he had got no letter from
Sergeant Kennedy, and that Kennedy never uttered a word after he was
brought down, except "God forgive you." "I shot him", continued the
outlaw. "He kept firing all the time, running from tree to tree, and
tried to kill Byrne until his ammunition was done."

After an affecting parting with his sisters at Benalla, Kelly left by
the ordinary train for Melbourne. On the journey to Melbourne he
maintained a very reticent and sullen demeanour, answering any questions
which were put to him very gruffly. At each station on the road there
was a great rush of people anxious to obtain a glimpse of him, and on
being asked by Senior-constable Walsh if he had any objection to their
crowding round the van and looking in, he replied that he had none. He
seemed much refreshed by his sleep on the previous night. Dr. Ryan was
very attentive, and many times during the journey attended to his wounds
and administered stimulants to him. As soon as it became known that the
notorious outlaw would arrive by the ordinary train from Benalla, a
crowd gathered; but the police cleared the platform and yards, and the
people congregated in the street, climbing on all stationary vehicles
and to the windows of the houses opposite the station, in the hope of
being able to obtain a good view of what was expected to occur. They
were all disappointed, however, for it had been decided previously that
he should not be taken from the train at that place. About fifty persons
only had gathered at the North Melbourne station, and at two o'clock the
ordinary train from the north-east steamed in. There were two brake-vans
attached to it, the wounded outlaw being in the last one, lying on a
pile of mattresses, and surrounded by about a dozen armed policemen. The
well-guarded prisoner looked terribly emaciated, his spare countenance
being rendered more wan by the terrible bruises with which it was
covered--the effects of the bullets which struck the helmet he wore when
he had the fight with the police. His utter helplessness was apparent at
a glance, and as he lay on the floor of the van there was something
horribly pitiful in his appearance. The crowd quickly surrounded the
van, but the police soon cleared a passage. A stretcher was handed in,
and the outlaw was placed upon it. Mattresses were then placed on a
four-wheeled vehicle which stood outside the reserve, and he was carried
on the shoulders of the policemen thither. Very little time was lost in
placing him comfortably in the trap, but there was ample opportunity for
the people to gratify their morbid curiosity; and the lower portion of
the assembly did so, the while giving expressions to exclamations of
pity. Then instructions were given to drive on, and the vehicle,
followed by several others, proceeded up to Victoria-street, and thence
to Melbourne gaol; and along all the line the city folk rushed to the
doors as the escort passed, hoping to catch sight of the man whose deeds
of daring and of blood had sent more than one thrill of horror through
the community. Near the gaol an immense crowd of people was gathered,
and an attempt was made to raise a cheer, but it was a very feeble one.
No stoppage was made, and the large gates having been thrown open for
the purpose, the cavalcade passed in and the gates were again closed.
Precautions had been taken to guard against a rush by sympathisers and
friends of the outlaw, a strong body of police being in attendance, but
nothing of that kind was attempted. Within the gaol Kelly was received
by the governor of the institution, Mr. Castieau; some warders and
prisoners removed him from the cab to the hospital, where he was at once
placed upon a water bed, which had been prepared for his reception. Dr.
Shields, the medical officer of the gaol, was immediately communicated
with, and on his arrival he took charge of the case. The Rev. P. J.
Aylward was also permitted to see Kelly, and that gentleman kindly
undertook to acquaint Mrs. Kelly, the mother of the bushranger, of the
fate of Ned and his brother. He had not far to go to find her, for she
was still in gaol, the sentence passed upon her for the part she had
taken in the assault upon Constable Fitzpatrick in 1878 not having
expired.

As a matter of fact, Mrs. Kelly had already been informed of the result
of the Glenrowan attack, and had then stated that she was not at all
surprised, as on the Saturday night she had dreamed that there had been
a collision between the police and the gang, and that the "Bobbies" had
been victorious. When she heard that "her boy Ned" was in the gaol
hospital she manifested the greatest anxiety to see him. It was not
deemed wise to allow the interview for a couple of days, but as soon as
Ned Kelly had gained a little strength the request of Mrs. Kelly was
complied with, and the meeting between mother and son took place, the
governor of the gaol being present during the interview. Mrs. Kelly was
allowed to remain with her son for nearly half an hour, and was very
reluctant to leave him, until she was promised that another opportunity
of seeing him would be afforded to her after he had been restored to a
better state of health.

The imprisoned outlaw continued to improve, but several' weeks elapsed
before he was sufficiently recovered to be brought before the police
court. He gave his guardians very little trouble, and in the matter of
good behaviour under discipline he was a model prisoner. At last Dr.
Shields, the visiting surgeon at the gaol, who had been in constant
attendance upon him, announced that he was quite fit to undergo the
ordeal of preliminary trial, and arrangements were at once made for his
removal to Beechworth, that place having doubtless been chosen for the
initial proceedings on account of its contiguity to the scene where the
outrage with which he was to be charged occurred.

To Beechworth, therefore, he was taken by train, the guard's van having
been made comfortable for him, he being still unable to walk, in
consequence of the wound in his foot and groin. The journey was
accomplished in safety, and so secretly that only the few people who
were on the platform at the Beechworth Station on other business became
aware of the fact that such a distinguished traveller was on board.
Before the case had been called on at the court, however, the public had
been made aware of the proceedings about to take place, and shortly
after the doors were opened the court was crowded, the galleries being
filled with ladies. Kelly was conveyed to the court house secretly in a
cab at eight o'clock a.m., and was kept in one of the rooms until the
court opened at eleven o'clock, when he was carried into the dock and
placed on a chair in full view of the crowd assembled.

The charge preferred was the murder of Constables Lonerigan and Scanlan
at Stringy Bark Creek, on 26th October, 1878. Three legal gentlemen
appeared for the Crown--Messrs. Smith, Chomley, and Gamer--and one for
the defence--Mr. D. Gaunson. An effort was made by the latter to obtain
a remand for a week, but the Bench refused to grant the application, as
they did also an application for Kelly's relations to see the prisoner.

During the trial it was elicited that for a short time there was a fifth
man in the gang, but that he was tried and it was found he would not do,
and after being allowed to go was kept under strict surveillance. It
also transpired that the armour worn by the outlaws was made near Greta.
As previously stated, this armour was of a most substantial character.
It was made of iron a quarter of an inch thick, and consisted of a long
breast-plate, shoulder-plates, back-guard, and helmet. The helmet
resembled a nail-can without a crown, and with a long slit at the
elevation of the eyes for the wearer to look through. All the articles
were believed to have been made by two men, one living near Greta and
the other near Oxley. The iron was procured by the larceny of
plough-shares, and larcenies of this kind having been rather frequent
just previous to that time in the Kelly district, the police had begun
to suspect that the gang were again preparing for action, although they
could not understand what they and their friends could want with this
part of the most commonly used implement of agriculture. Ned Kelly's
armour alone weighed ninety-seven pounds--a not by any means
inconsiderable weight for an ordinary man to carry. After it was taken
off him five bullet marks were found in the helmet, nine on the
back-plate, and one on the shoulder-plate; but these marks may not have
been made by the police, for it was elicited during the trial that after
the armour was made it was tested by firing ball at it from a distance
of twenty yards.

Frequent and urgent appeals were made by the relatives and friends of
the prisoner to be allowed to interview him, but those appeals, for
reasons which must be manifest to every reader, were refused. The
probability that some relative or sympathiser would attempt to provide
him with a means of "cheating the gallows", if opportunity offered,
induced the authorities to take every precaution; and no person was
allowed to approach the dock where he was seated, lest some deadly
weapon or poison phial should be handed to him. Dick Hart, who attended
the court, and the prisoner were observed to frequently exchange nods
and smiles, and the prisoner was noticed on several occasions to "throw
kisses" to a young woman in the gallery, who seized sly opportunities of
responding to the silent act of endearment. A number of ladies had been
accommodated with seats near the Bench, and these, with a curiosity
natural to the sex, stared rather frequently at the prisoner, the
latter in turn staring back at them until they were compelled to turn
their glances in another direction, when Kelly quietly smiled to himself
and looked away from them.

A committal followed as a matter of course, and two months thereafter
Ned Kelly was again prominently before the public in the Melbourne
Criminal Court being tried for the Mansfield murders. Judge Barry
presided, and the court was crowded with spectators. Mr. Bindon appeared
for the prisoner, who had evidently recovered his health, but who
appeared very listless, and only occasionally displayed interest in the
proceedings. At the commencement of the trial his counsel applied for a
postponement, but the judge refused the application. The evidence taken
was very voluminous, Mclntyre again being the chief witness; and his
evidence was most damning, remaining unshaken under remarkably keen
cross-examination. The jury were not long in arriving at the verdict
which the reader has already anticipated--guilty of wilful murder.

Ned Kelly heard the verdict without emotion, and when asked if he had
anything to say why sentence of death should not be pronounced against
him he very coolly addressed the court in the following terms: "Well, it
if rather too late for me to speak now. I thought of speaking this
morning and all day, but there was little use. There is little use
blaming anyone now. Nobody knew about my case except myself, and I wish
I had insisted on being allowed to examine the witnesses myself. If I
had examined them I am confident I would have thrown a different light
on the case. It is not that I fear death; I fear it as little as to
drink a cup of tea. On the evidence that has been given no juryman could
have given any other verdict; that is my opinion. But, as I say, if I
had examined the witnesses, I would have shown matters in a different
light, because no man understood the case as I do myself. I do not blame
anybody, neither Mr. Bindon nor Mr. Gaunson (who at an earlier stage had
conducted the defence); but Mr. Bindon knew nothing about my case. I lay
blame on myself that I did not get up yesterday and examine the
witnesses; but I thought that if I did so it would look like bravado and
flashness."

The Judge then proceeded to pronounce sentence of death; and the
following interrupted deliverance was made by him:-


His Honour: "Edward Kelly, the verdict pronounced by the jury is one
which you must have fully expected."

The prisoner: "Yes, under the circumstances."

His Honour: "No circumstances that I can conceive could have altered the
result of your trial."

The prisoner: "Perhaps not from what you now conceive, but if you had
heard me examine the witnesses it would have been different."

His Honour: "I will give you credit for all the skill you appear to
desire to assume.

The prisoner: "No, I don't wish to assume anything. There is no
flashness or bravado about me. It is not that I want to save my life,
but because I know I should have been capable of clearing myself of the
charge, and I could have saved my life in spite of all against me."

His Honour: "The facts are so numerous and so convincing, not only as
regards the original offence with which you are charged, but with
respect to a long series of transactions, covering a period of eighteen
months, that no rational person would hesitate to arrive at any other
conclusion but that the verdict of the jury is irresistible, and that it
is right. I have no desire whatever to inflict upon you any personal
remarks. It is not becoming that I should endeavour to aggravate the
sufferings with which your mind must be sincerely agitated."

The prisoner: "No; I don't think that My mind is as easy as the mind of
any man in this world, as I am prepared to show before God and man."

His Honour: "It is blasphemous for you to say that You appear to revel
in the idea of having put men to death."

The prisoner: "More men than I have put men to death, but I am the last
man in the world that would take a man's life. Two years ago--even if my
own life was at stake--and I am confident, if I thought a man would
shoot me--I would give him a chance of keeping his life, and would part
rather with my own; but if I knew that through him innocent persons'
lives were at stake, I certainly would have to shoot him if he forced me
to do so; but I would want to know that he was really going to take
innocent life."

His Honour: "Your statement involves a cruelly wicked charge of perjury
against a phalanx of witnesses."

The prisoner: "I dare say; but a day will come, at a bigger court than
this, when we shall see which is right and which is wrong. No matter how
long a man lives he is bound to come to judgment somewhere, and as well
here as anywhere. It will be different the next time there is a Kelly
trial, for they are not all killed. It would have been for the good of
the Crown had I examined the witnesses, and I would have stopped a lot
of the reward, I can assure you, and I don't know but I won't do it yet
if allowed."

His Honour: "An offence of this kind is of no ordinary character.
Murders had been discovered which had been committed under circumstances
of great atrocity. They proceeded from motives other than those which
actuated you. They had their origin in many sources. Some have been
committed from a sordid desire to take from others the property they had
acquired; some from jealousy, some from a desire of revenge; but yours
is a more aggravated crime, and one of larger proportions; for, with a
party of men, you took arms against society, organised as it is for
mutual protection and for respect of law.

The prisoner: "That is how the evidence came out here. It appeared that
I deliberately took up arms of my own accord, and induced the other
three men to join me for the purpose of doing nothing but shooting down
the police."

His Honour: "In new communities, where the bonds of society are not so
well linked together as in older countries, there is unfortunately a
class which disregards the evil consequences of crime. Foolish,
inconsiderate, ill-conducted, and unprincipled youths unfortunately
abound, and unless they are made to consider the consequences of crime,
they are led to imitate notorious felons whom they regard as self-made
heroes. It is right, therefore, that they should be asked to consider
and reflect upon what the life of a felon is. A felon who has cut
himself off from all, and who declines all the affections, charities,
and obligations of society, is as helpless and as degraded as a wild
beast of the field; he has nowhere to lay his head; he has no one to
prepare for him the comforts of life; he suspects his friends and he
dreads his enemies. He is in constant alarm lest his pursuers should
reach him, and his only hope is that he might lose his life in what he
considers a glorious struggle for existence. That is the life of an
outlaw or felon, and it would be well for those young men who are so
foolish as to consider that it is brave of a man to sacrifice the lives
of his fellow creatures in carrying out his own wild ideas, to see that
it is a life to be avoided by every possible means, and to reflect that
the unfortunate termination of a felon's life is a miserable death. New
South Wales joined with Victoria in providing ample inducement to
persons to assist in having you and your companions apprehended; but by
some spell, which I cannot understand--a spell which exists in all
lawless communities, more or less, and which may be attributed either to
a sympathy for the outlaws, or a dread of the consequences which would
result from the performances of their duty--no persons were found who
would be tempted by the reward or love of country, or the love of order,
to give you up. The love of obedience to the law has been set aside, for
reasons difficult to explain, and there is something extremely wrong in
a country where a lawless band of men are able to live for eighteen
months, disturbing society. You are self-accused. The statement was made
voluntarily by yourself that you and your companions committed attacks
on two banks, and appropriated therefrom large sums of money amounting
to several thousands of pounds. Further, I cannot conceal from myself
the fact that an expenditure of £50,000 has been rendered necessary in
consequence of acts with which you and your party have been connected.
We have had samples of felons, such as Bradley and O'Connor, Clarkes,
Gardiner, Melville, Morgan, Scott, and Smith, all of whom have come to
ignominious deaths. Still the effect expected from their punishment has
not been produced. This is much to be deplored. When such examples as
these are so often repeated, society must be re-organised, or it must
soon be seriously affected. Your unfortunate and miserable companions
have died a death which probably you might rather envy, but you are not
offered the opportunity."

The prisoner: "I don't think there is much proof they did die the
death."

His Honour: "In your case the law will be carried out by its officers.
The gentlemen of the jury have done their duty, and my duty will be to
forward to the proper quarter the notes of your trial, and to lay before
the Executive all the circumstances connected with your trial that may
be required. I can hold out to you no hope, and I do not see that I can
entertain the slightest reason for saying that you can expect anything.
I desire to spare you any more pain, and I absolve myself from saying
anything willingly in any of my utterances that may have unnecessarily
increased the agitation of your mind. I have now to pronounce your
sentence." His Honour then sentenced the prisoner to death in the
ordinary form, ending with the usual words "May the Lord have mercy on
your soul."


The court was then cleared, and the prisoner was removed to the
Melbourne gaol. Everything was very quiet, and nothing approaching to
any scene occurred, although some of Kelly's relatives were in court at
the time. In common with the other spectators they accepted the verdict
and the sentence quite as a matter of course.


AGITATION FOR REPRIEVE.

Of late years it has been an unusual thing for a criminal to go to the
gallows in any English-speaking community without an effort being made
to obtain a reprieve, and the greater the criminal generally the
stronger the effort made on his behalf. In the case of Ned Kelly, before
the day for his execution had been fixed, an agitation in this direction
was commenced in Melbourne, the brothers Gaunson, one of whom, at least,
was well known in legal and political circles, being the centre around
which the agitators gathered, and from which the appeals for the
reprieve of this king of robber-murderers issued. Public meetings were
held, and deputations were formed to wait upon prominent members of the
Government, while petitions many yards long were prepared and signed and
presented. The following extracts from Melbourne newspapers of the day
will give the reader a good idea of the extent of the movement among a
certain class of the population:-


The agitation for the reprieve of Edward Kelly was continued yesterday
by William Gaunson. The proposed procession of ladies to Government
House was not a success; but during the morning about two hundred
persons of both sexes turned out from the back slums of the city, and
assembled at the Town Hall. They had the impudence to enter the
building, but Sub-Inspector Larmer, with some constables, soon appeared
on the scene, and turned them out. William Gaunson, with Mrs. Skillian,
Kate Kelly, James Kelly, and Wild Wright eventually arrived and set out
for Government House, with the unwashed-looking mob at their heels. At
Princes' Bridge, Sub-Inspector Larmer endeavoured to check the crowd,
but not willing to use violence, he was obliged to let them pass. He,
however, proceeded in front to the Domain gates, and had them closed. In
the meantime Mr. Gaunson and his Kelly friends got into cabs. When the
crowd reached the Domain gates they were refused admission; but, after a
little discussion, the cabs and their occupants were admitted, and,
drawing right up to Government House, the occupants, through Mr.
Gaunson, requested an interview with the Governor. Captain Le Patourel,
his Excellency's Private Secretary, received Mr. Gaunson, and told him
that the Governor would positively receive no deputation that day. He
intimated, however, that the petitions which were spoken of could be
sent to his Excellency at the Treasury up to two o'clock, the hour
appointed for the meeting of the Executive. The self-elected deputation
then returned to town, and were followed by the crowd. Jim Kelly and
Wild Wright, who returned on foot, were evidently objects of veneration
to the mob, for they were accompanied by a large number of them through
the streets to the Robert Burns Hotel, in Lonsdale-street West. Their
loafing-looking retinue were not, however, satisfied with gazing at them
in the streets, but they also besieged the hotel, crushing through the
passages and into the rooms, in order to feast still further their
morbid curiosity; and yet these people were just the kind of persons who
would rush, if they had the chance, to see Ned Kelly hung, and who would
gloat over the event in the afternoon. William Gaunson attended at the
Treasury with Mrs. Skillian and Kate Kelly, to await the decision of the
Executive Council, as if it had not been given a week ago. Over one
thousand idle persons collected at the same time opposite the building.
Mr. Gaunson and the Kelly sisters were admitted to a retiring-room, and
the former handed Captain Le Patourel the petitions he had been getting
signed for presentation to the Governor, stating that they contained
34,434 signatures. An examination of the petitions showed that they were
signed principally in pencil, and by illiterate people, whilst whole
pages were evidently written by one person. The Executive, of course,
determined to adhere to their decision--that the convict shall be
executed on Thursday morning. This having been communicated to the
prisoner's relatives, they left, and returned to the Robert Burns Hotel.
They were accompanied, as before, by a crowd, and during the whole
afternoon and evening the hotel was rushed. Immediately after their
return Jim Kelly addressed the crowd from the door, and told them that
it was not all over yet, a remark that was loudly cheered. The three
Kellys, Wild Wright, and Mrs. Jones (the keeper of the Glenrowan Hotel
which was destroyed) are all living at the Robert Burns Hotel. On
Thursday last, when the sisters visited their brother in gaol, they
stated that they were going home on Saturday, and were told that they
could see the condemned man again before they left. Since then, however,
the Gaunsons have started the present agitation, and the consequence is
that the sisters remain in town, but do not seek another interview with
their brother. Another mass meeting is to be held tomorrow night on the
Supreme Court Reserve, and petitions are being sent by William Gaunson
all over the colony for signature. The object of this meeting: is to
carry a resolution in favour of a reprieve, and to present it to the
Chief Secretary.


All efforts made were unavailing, however, and the day having been fixed
for the execution by the Executive, the dread sentence of the law was
carried out within the precincts of the gaol in which the wounded outlaw
had been nursed back to life.


THE EXECUTION.

On the day preceding that upon which it had been decided the public
hangman should perform his duty, the gaoler visited Ned Kelly in his
cell and informed him that he must prepare for the worst, as there was
not the slightest hope of a reprieve. The outlaw himself had made
frequent written appeals for clemency, protesting that he had never
intended to shed blood, but had been compelled to do so in his own
defence; and knowing what his relatives and friends had been doing in
his behalf outside, he entertained sanguine hopes of reprieve. Every
hope was abandoned, however, before the fatal morning dawned, and he
made an appearance of being resigned to the inevitable.

After sentence of death had been pronounced, additional precautions were
taken by the gaol authorities to ensure the safe custody of the
condemned man. He was placed in one of the cells of the old wing, and
irons were rivetted upon his legs, leather pads being placed round his
ankles to prevent chafing. The cell had two doors--an outer one of solid
iron and an inner one of iron bars. The outer door was always kept open,
a lamp was kept burning overhead, and a warder was continually outside
watching the prisoner. During the day he was allowed to walk in the
adjoining yard for exercise, and on these occasions two warders had him
under surveillance. He continued to maintain his indifferent demeanour
for a day or two, professing to look forward to his execution without
fear, but he was then evidently buoyed up with the hope of reprieve.
When he could get anyone to speak to, he indulged in "brag", recounting
his exploits and boasting of what he could have done when he was at
liberty if he had pleased. Latterly, however, his talkativeness ceased,
and he became morose and silent. Within the last few days of his life he
dictated a number of letters for the Chief Secretary, in most of which
he simply repeated his well-known garbled version of his career, and the
spurious reasons he assigned for his crimes. He never, however,
expressed any sorrow for his crimes; on the contrary, he always
attempted to justify them. In his last communication he made a request
that his body might be handed over to his friends--an application that
was necessarily in vain. At his own request his portrait was taken for
circulation among his friends.

The mother and sisters paid him a farewell visit on the evening of the
last day of his imprisonment, but not in company. The old lady, who was
still an inmate of the gaol, was brought to his cell, and her last words
to him were, "Mind you die like a Kelly, Ned!"

He was hanged the next morning at ten o'clock: the formal inquest was
held a couple of hours afterwards, and the body was then coffined ready
for burial by the authorities on the following day. An immense crowd of
persons had congregated outside the gaol, but there was no disturbance.

A few of the more dangerous sympathisers with the Kelly gang were
prosecuted under the Felons' Apprehension Act; but the great end of
police effort--the destruction of the gang--having been compassed, the
authorities did not trouble very much to bring to account the men and
women who, while the outlaws were at large, acted as their "scouts",
emissaries, and providers. Mrs. Jones, the licensee of the house at
Glenrowan which formed the last temporary shelter of the murderous
quartette, was prosecuted, in company with one or two others, for
harbouring; but the case was not pressed so severely as it would have
been had the charge been preferred before Ned Kelly and his companions
had been brought to their account. And the fate of the gang was a far
more powerful deterrent of lawlessness in the district than any amount
of police activity would have been. Within a week from the execution,
the colony, as far as bushranging was concerned, was at peace. That
peace had certainly been purchased at great cost. Under proper
administration in the police force, it should have been won more easily
and at far less cost to the State. But although expressions of disfavour
were heard in the Victorian Parliament when a return was submitted
showing that the capture of the outlaws had involved an expenditure of
about £40,000--not counting the "pay" of those engaged in the search,
and which amounted to an additional £75,000--there was really very
little complaining among the people from whose treasury the cheques had
been drawn; for they saw that the necessity for capturing the ruffians
who were working such terrible mischief in the community could not be
weakened in the slightest degree by any monetary consideration. The
preservation of the morality of the community, the protection of the
people's lives and property, and the vindication of the law, were
matters of so high importance that they could not be weighed in golden
scales. Nevertheless, the fact remained that had the police force of
Victoria, in its higher grades particularly, been more efficient, there
would have been less expenditure of public money and, what is of far
more importance, less sacrifice of human life.


THE BLACK-TRACKERS AND THEIR WORK.

A brief reference to the Queensland black-trackers, who were feared so
greatly by the Kellys, and their work in this connection, will doubtless
prove interesting to the reader. They were called "native troopers" in
official circles, and they had been engaged by the Victorian Government
for the purpose of tracking the bushrangers to their haunts. They were
six in number, and were placed, as I have already stated, under the
direction of Sub-Inspector Stanhope O'Connor, of the Queensland Native
Mounted Police. Their names were:- Hero, Johnny, Jimmy, Jack, Barney,
and Sambo, the latter being a corporal in the corps to which he was
attached. Each man was armed with a Snider and a revolver, and wore a
blue uniform with red facings. They were members of various tribes
located in the south and north of Queensland respectively, and were
enlisted for five years when they were quite young by Mr. O'Connor. The
oldest was only 24 years of age and the youngest about 18, and some of
them had been in the force seven or eight years, during which they had
seen some very active service, and over and over again demonstrated
their capabilities as trackers. They were, indeed, the best of the kind
that could be selected, and had frequently followed horse-stealers and
cattle-duffers to their haunts. Their bravery was undoubted, for it was
proved by conflicts with Chinese rioters in the north of Queensland, and
with mobs of predatory and murderous aboriginals, when these were
attacked in their strongholds. It might seem an easy thing for troopers
armed with rifles to attack and defeat a mob of aboriginals, but the
spears of the blacks of tropical Queensland, with the aid of wommeras,
were most terrible weapons, and carried almost certain death with them
at a hundred yards. It required no small amount of courage to face a
shower of them, or to chase through long grass or thick scrub those who
were capable of hurling them with almost scientific precision.

The pay the troopers received was £3 a month each, with uniform and
quarters, but out of the money they had to contribute something towards
the cost of their rations. Those who were engaged in the Kelly campaign
received £3 a month, and had everything necessary provided for them.
These men could follow fresh tracks of men, horses, or cattle at a
gallop, but unfortunately in Victoria their powers of discernment were
not very frequently tested in the requisite direction. Notwithstanding
this, their eagerness for pursuit remained unabated, and on one occasion
they were instrumental in bringing two marauders to justice. They were
dreadfully seasick on the voyage to Sydney, and during his journey to
Victoria, Corporal Sambo contracted congestion of the lungs, from which
he died. This poor fellow was kindly attended to by one of the police of
Victoria, with whom he was a great favourite, and was buried at Benalla.
It speaks well for all of them that no complaints were made against any
of them in Victoria, but that, on the contrary, they were described as a
credit to any force. They seemed to be favourites with everyone who knew
them, except the Kellys. After reaching Sydney, the troopers proceeded
direct by way of Wagga Wagga to Benalla, where their headquarters were
established. Captain Standish met them on their arrival there, and two
days after Mr. O'Connor had been sworn in as a sub-inspector of the
Victorian police, they were set to work, as the place in which they were
located was in the midst of the Kelly district and populated with Kelly
sympathisers. It was thought on their arrival that the gang were moving
about in the district, and what were confidently affirmed to be their
tracks were followed for four days, when they ran into a hut in the King
River Ranges. Rain then fell and obliterated the tracks, and the
troopers returned to Benalla in consequence. Whether the tracks were
those of the gang was not proved. The troopers were placed on numerous
other tracks, which, however, all turned out to be those of ordinary
travellers. Every mark that had a suspicion of the Kellys about it was
scrutinised with the deepest interest, but it could not be stated with
confidence that the men were ever in pursuit of the outlaws. If they
were, they were set to work too late--when the tracks had become too
weatherworn to be read distinctly. Unfortunately for the cause of
justice they could not move out of their quarters without creating a
sensation. Their movements were at once telegraphed to the Kellys, who
were quickly off to the fastnesses. The value of their aid was promptly
recognised by the Victorian authorities, and on one occasion they had a
slice of luck which compensated them for many disappointments. It
transpired in connection with the Lancefield bank robbery. The troopers
proceeded by special train to Kilmore, and then rode to Lancefield. Here
it was stated that the two robbers had gone to a public house and bought
some provisions. Their tracks were quickly picked up, and followed along
highways and byways and through paddocks to where the robbers had made a
meal, and then on until it was ascertained that the men had hired a
spring-cart and been driven to Sandhurst. A telegram explaining this was
sent to that town, and the robbers, on arrival, found themselves in the
hands of expectant police, who took care of them until they were tried
and convicted. The troopers returned to headquarters, and were again
subjected to false alarms. In one instance they travelled to a spot
where it was said that the Kelly gang were taking down the telegraph
wires, but they found only a company of reapers, whose reaping machine
had got foul of a telegraph pole.

Ned Kelly and his associates made no secret of the fact that they were
in constant dread of the trackers, whom they designated "---- black
devils", and yet for some reason that has never been satisfactorily
explained, Sub-Inspector O'Connor and his charges were in Melbourne and
on their way home when the news of Sherritt's murder reached
headquarters. Mr. O'Connor, however, was at once requested to proceed to
Beechworth and thence to Sherritt's house, with the view of picking up
tracks, and he obeyed, with the result already known. It was intended to
make Beechworth the temporary headquarters of the troopers, and it was
to that town the special train so fortunately stopped by Mr. Curnow was
proceeding.

This accounts for the presence of Mrs. O'Connor and another lady in the
train, and consequently their presence at the annihilation of the gang.
The ladies intended staying at Beechworth until the labours of the
trackers were completed; but the services of the latter were no longer
required, the tragedy at Mrs. Jones' public house at once putting an end
to the career of the Kellys, and opening the way for the return of the
trackers to their headquarters in Queensland.

When the reward money of £8000 was divided, each of the trackers
received £50, and Sub-Inspector O'Connor £237 15s.


THE END OF GANG BUSHRANGING.

With the Kellys there died gang bushranging in Victoria. Isolated cases
of bushranging there have been since, it is true; but a "run" of a week,
or a month at most, has invariably brought the solitary "ranger" to the
last of his exploits.

To say that Ned Kelly was the "Last of the Bushrangers" is not literally
correct; yet in the sense that he was the leader of the last gang, that
term may befittingly applied to him. Australia has outgrown its days of
bushranging such as that followed by the characters imperfectly sketched
in this story; although, like countries of larger experience and greater
age, it is still troubled with criminals of other types. With these,
however, I have nothing here to do; and in bringing this history of
Australian bushranging to a close, I am assured the reader will join
with me in an expression of thankfulness that this particular phase of
criminality, together with the conditions that gave it birth and
promoted its growth, has disappeared, never more to be revived in this
"sunny Southern land."



THE END.


Project Gutenberg Australia