Herald (43)

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The Herald

13/08/1880

... part of the KellyGang story

' ' 'full text of the article'

NED KELLY’S ARRIVAL

(By Our Special Reporter)

The special train, consisting of the one van, taken up from Melbourne, with engine No68, one of the swiftest on the line, having been coupled together at Wangaratta by 12.30 yesterday was in readiness.  Some 500 or 600 persons had congregated on the platform in the hope of getting a view.  Two seats were taken out of the refreshment room, and placed in the van. The prisoner then under the escort of Sub-Inspector Baber and four constables, was taken out of the station master’s office, where he had been confined since his arrival from Beechworth at noon, and limped into the van.  The doors were locked and  the outlaw, looking through the glass window, which was not allowed down, as the train started away, said “Good bye, ladies: I shall never see you again.”

He appeared for the moment very downcast, and tears could almost be discerned in his eyes.  The word of signal to start being given, one of the police filled a pipe Kelly had in his possession, and he began to smoke.  He then appeared more cheerful, and until near arrival at Glenrowan remained on one of the seats. Near the culvert spoken of, he went to the right-hand side of the van, and kept a keen look out.  The train dashed on to Glenrowan, where a slight halt was made for the purpose of a message being dropped to say that they had arrived so far safely. On starting again and passing the remains of Mrs Jones’s hotel, Kelly gave a hearty laugh, but did not make any remark.  He then again passed from one side of the van to the other, looking out and making remarks to the police that were with him about the spots he knew.

It was anticipated that the train would stay at Benalla to take in water, but the driver finding he could run on to Seymour without the stopping, it was determined to try it. When a little this side of the Violet Town station, the train going at a tremendous speed, it was noticed that a flock of sheep was on the line.  There was no time to pull the engine up, so they were rushed through with consequences that were never expected. At least a dozen were either cut to pieces or sent flying on the sided of the line in a manner that must have caused instant death. Upon looking back through a great distance had been run, numbers of them were seen rolling like balls along the line. Guard Bell at once placed out the red flag danger signal, and as soon as possible the train was brought to a standstill.

It was then found that the tie rods in connection with the brake had come in contact with the sheep. One rod had been broken off, and several of the connecting rods very much bent. This was not considered of sufficient importance to delay the train, and away it proceeded. The jolting caused by this obstruction was so great in the van that everyone considered something had been placed across the rails.  Kelly was very anxious to know the cause of the delay.

Seymour was reached in due time, and a delay of some ten minutes made. The special was not expected here so soon, but directly the train stopped, the news spread rapidly, and before departing about fifty persons were on the platform endeavoring to catch a view of the prisoner.  At Wallan Wallan a delay was caused, awaiting for the arrival of the down afternoon train, and some few people here assembled to know what the special van and engine waited there fore.

The train arrived at New market exactly at ten minutes past five, and a cab being in readiness, Kelly was conveyed down in the presence of about twenty persons to it. The gaol was reached at 5.40 and not a person was about.  Upon the cab appearing in sight of the gaol gates they were thrown open, and an entrance made without a passer-by taking ant notice.  Upon entering the party was met by the governor the gaol, who ordered the cab to the main door, and after Kelly getting out, Mr Castieau remarked, “Well Kelly, you look much better than when you left.” The prisoner smiled and was then carried by two of the constables into the precents of the gaol.


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