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Age 1/11/78

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THE MANSFIELD TRAGEDY

Intense excitement that has been felt throughout the entire community during the past few days as to the fate of Sgt. Kennedy, who was left in the hands of the outlaws who had slaughtered two of his brother offices, was yesterday set at rest in the manner in which there was every apprehension that it would be. Not a trace of the villainous crew or that helpless victim was obtained until yesterday morning, when a search party, headed by Sub-inspector Pewtress, who had been in the saddle since Sunday afternoon, made the horrifying discovery of Kennedy’s dead body about half a mile and north-east of the camp where the police were surprised. An examination of the remains, which were covered with a trooper’s cloak, showed at once that he too had fallen under the bullets of the outlaws. That he did not survive his companions long was rendered apparent by the condition of the body and its position, it being evident that he had been ruthlessly murdered while attempting to escape to the track through which Constable McIntyre had placed himself in safety. There was a bullet through his head which had crashed through his skull, his lungs were penetrated by another shot, and it is believed that a post mortem examination of the remains will reveal other similar wounds. Having taken his life the miscreants would appear to have ransacked the body and removed everything of a value, as Kennedy’s pistols are gone his watch and chain and the ring off his finger. The first intelligence of the appalling discovery reached Melbourne shortly after 12 o'clock, and created a profound sensation. Feelings of condemnation for the unfortunate officer and his bereaved wife and family were widely expressed, while the desire for the capture or destruction of the bloodthirsty villains who compassed his death became even more intensified. The sad announcement was officially conveyed by the following telegram from Mr. Kitchen, J. P., of Mansfield, who is taking a very active part in the search for the murder’s:-

Mansfield, 31st October, - Tompkins found body of Sgt. Kennedy at 8 o'clock this morning, half a mile from the scene of the former murder, lying upon he's back, a cloak over his face, and pierced with three balls, one through his lungs. His jacket was scorched as if fired at closely. The marks of the bullets balls were found on a tree within two yards of the body. Kennedy was evidently trying to escape, and appeared to have got into shelter behind a tree. He followed in Constable McIntyre's track. Will wire more directly H. H. Kitchen J. P. in the absence of Sub-Inspector Pewtress

The more detailed information which it was indicated would be forwarded arrived later in the afternoon, and was supplied by the following telegram dispatched to the Chief Commissioner of Police by Sub-Inspector Pewtress:-

The more detailed information which it was indicated would be forwarded arrived later in the afternoon, and was supplied by the following telegram dispatched to the Chief Commissioner of Police by Sub-Inspector Pewtress:-

31st October.- To the Chief Commissioner of Police. - Since my report to you on Monday night, I organized a party of 11 volunteers and 6 constables. Started on Tuesday morning for the Stringybark Creek, and searched for Kennedy until dark with out success. We returned to Mansfield at midnight. I got together another party of 16 volunteers yesterday afternoon, and with 5 constable's proceeded to Monks hut. Stopped their all night, and started for Stringybark Creek this morning at daybreak we arrived there at half past 7 AM and immediately renewed the search at 8 AM the body of Sgt Kennedy was found about half a mile and north-east of the camp by one of the volunteers and named Henry Sparrow, an overseer at the Mount Battery Station. The body was face upwards, and Kennedy’s cloak was thrown over it. It presented a frightful spectacle. He had been shot through the side of the head, the bullets coming out in front, carrying away part of the face. I believe there are several shots through the body. There was a bullet mark on a tree near where the body was lying. He appears to have been shot a whilst running away in the direction taken by Constable McIntyre. The body is now on the way to Mansfield, and a coroner's inquest will be held tomorrow. There is great excitement in the town. I think the inhabitants of Mansfield and the surrounding districts deserve great credit for the willing manner in which they turned out when called upon, and rendering the police every assistance in finding the bodies. I have been in the saddle nearly since Sunday afternoon, and am completely knocked up and ill. - H. Pewtress, Sub-Inspector.

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