Herald (2)

The Herald

28/06/1880

... part of the KellyGang story

'full text of the article'

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About this time also came a statement to the effect that two of the children in the house had been shot dead, the inference being that the fire of the inference being that the fire of the police in attempting to dislodge the outlaws had resulted in the death of two of the innocent persons so diabolically cooped up by the murderers with themselves. A sense of some relief was experienced when subsequently another despatch arrived stating the rumor as to children being shot lacked confirmation, and it is sincerely to be beyond that it is untrue. The desperadoes were evidently determined to prolong the fight as long as possible, and protect their own precious carcases to utmost, for the police telegrams stated that it could be plainly seen that they were wearing some kind of improvised armour. After the capture of the leader of the gang, regarding which no details have been received, the fighting went on for some time, and at last the hostages in the house were allowed to depart, but how this was arranged is not explained at present. On their liberation they stated that only Dan Kelly, Byrne and Hart remained on the premises, and that Byrne was mortally wounded. After this comes a blank, but at present we have the assurance that Ned Kelly is captured alive, and that the other three must succumb alive or dead before long, for they cannot possibly hope to escape. Reinforcements have been sent up from Melbourne by special train, which left at ten o’clock, and since then another special train has gone up for the purpose of bringing down Ned Kelly, who will no doubt be lodged in the Melbourne Gaol before many hours are over. The news of the capture or annihilation of the gang will be received with satisfaction all over the colony, for beyond question these men have caused great annoyance and trouble, and the example they have set has such an effect on the criminal classes, that the whole community has been fairly scandalised.

The Chief Commissioner of Police this morning received a telegram stating that after the outrage and murderous attack in which Skerritt lost his life, the gang made a descent on Glenrowan, where they are now entrenched in Jones’ public house continuing, according to the latest telegram, to fire upon the police. The hotel is full of people, who have been rounded up and driven into it by the outlaws, who seem to have tried a repetition of the Jerilderie raid. The police, however were so quickly on their track, under the command of Supt Hare, that the place is now completely in vested, and escape is practically impossible. Mr Hare has received a severe wound in the wrist, and is now in a feverish state, but no serious result is apprehended. The police are presumed to be under the command of Superintendent Sadleir, but fresh intelligence is expected hourly. Ned Kelly has been severely wounded and captured. It is positively stated that the gang are wearing extemporised armour, breast plates being clearly perceptible.

Subsequently Captain Standish received another telegram stating that the people of the township who were bailed up in the hotel by the outlawed gang have been allowed to leave. No person now remains in the house except Dan Kelly, Byrne, and Hart. Byrne is reported to be mortally wounded. The rumor respecting two children being shot lacks confirmation at present.

GLENROWAN This Day

The Kelly Gang arrived at Glenrowan last night, and immediately proceeded to stick up the township, and ordered all the residents to Jones’s Hotel, where they were bailed up. Some of them cut the telegraph wire and tore up some rails on the railway line on each side of the Glenrowan station. The telegraph wires have since been repaired and communication is restored. About thirty persons were kept in the hotel. Soon after three o’clock in the morning the police arrived on the scene, and Ned Kelly made a dash for the bush, which he reached. The police then commenced firing on Jones’s Hotel, where the three bushrangers were, and the latter replied briskly. At daylight Ned Kelly again appeared on the scene, and commenced to fight. He was at once engaged by Sergeant Steele and Senior-constable Kelly a trooper, and Mr Dowsett, a railway guard, but fought desperately, and was not captured for over half an hour. He was then wounded in the thigh, and fell, and the police seeing their opportunity made a rush, and secured him. It was then found that he had been able to hold out so long in consequence of wearing some kind of rude armour. He was however, wounded in various places, and one shot in the groin, the one that is supposed to have brought him down, is likely to prove fatal. He was taken to the railway station, and is not expected to live. The other three in the meantime kept up the fight and wounded Superintendent Hare in the wrist, and a trooper and a black tracker, but only slightly. After a time the hostages were allowed to depart, and it was then learned that Byrne had been shot, and was dying, so that now only Dan Kelly and Steve Hart are left and they must be shot or surrendered soon.

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