Sydney Morning Herald (25)
'full text of the article'
THE KELLYGANG IN NEW SOUTH WALES
We are informed by the Inspector General of Police that, immediately on receipt of the news of the outrage committed at Jerilderie by the KellyGang , he sent off some 30 or 40 telegrams containing warning and instructions to all the police stations in and near the frontier district. There is a large additional force of police in various parts of the Border, all well mounted and well armed and no doubt if they have an opportunity they will give a good account of the unwelcome visitors. From the telegrams received by Mr Fosbery it would appear that the Jerilderie lockup was struck up about 12 o'clock on Sunday night, when most probably the men were in bed. It must be remembered that Jerilderie is some 40 miles or so north of the Murray, and the watch that was kept for the outlaws was of course on the banks of the river its self. It would therefore naturally appear to the police and the people of Jerilderie the most unlikely thing that the gang would be able to cross the Border without being seen. But at present time it unfortunately happens that the river is very low and is crossable at almost any point along a distance of a hundred miles or so. Jerilderie is 90 miles or so direct north of the Mansfield district where the Kellys have been for some time concealed. A journey of that kind would of course be nothing to them and their road would be through an almost unoccupied country, and the probabilities are that they would have traversed the whole distance without meeting a single human being. According to accounts received by the Inspector General on Monday night the outlaws were returning in the direction of Tocumwal, a town on the New South Wales bank of the Murray. The police have been warned; so that if the ruffians venture to put in an appearance there, the chances are that they will find themselves trapped. Last night a number of police constables left Sydney by train for Wagga. They will be dispersed though the south western districts in order to relieve the mounted troopers from duties which would otherwise keep them near their respective quarters.
[By Telegraph from our own correspondents]
DENILIQUIN, Tuesday
Further and fuller particulars have reached here in regard to the Kelly outrages. It appears that about 12 o'clock on Saturday night Kelly's gang struck up the Police Barracks at Jerilderie. They bailed up the police and put them in the lock up, where constable Devine who was in charge , was kept a prisoner until Monday night. The other constable at the station, Richards, was at times taken round the town in charge of Ned Kelly and Steve Hart . Mrs Devine and the children were shut up in another room during Sunday and Monday, and no one was allowed to go around the barracks. Early on Monday morning Kelly's horses were shod in Jerilderie. On Monday, when everything had been made secure at the barracks the Kellys dressed in police uniform. At about 11 am the two Kellys , being then disguised, walked down the street in company with constable Richards. Hart and Byrne followed on horseback. The Kellys walked to 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, were Dan Kelly acted as sentry . The bank was then entered at the rear by Kelly, who with two revolvers in hand, announced who he was. Resistance was considered useless and the manager and the bank clerks all surrendered. Up to this time no one had the slightest idea that the Kellys were in Jerilderie.
At about 1 o'clock pm, three gentlemen entered the back in the usual way, not thinking anything was the matter, when Kelly rushed in from another room with two revolvers, and the gentlemen when they saw him ran out. Eventually he brought them back and threatened to shoot one of them but better counsels prevailed. About 2000 pounds was taken from the bank. When they had finished this cool proceeding they went to some of the hotels, treating every one civilly, and had drinks. Hart took a new saddle from the saddlers 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 a woman, 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 7pm. Eight telegraph poles were cut, and Byrne took possession of the office. He overhauled all the telegrams sent that day.
The affair caused a most profound situation and many able bodied men turned pale and almost fainted when they learned that the Kellys were in possession. The Kellys managed the whole affair with judgement, and had there been twice the number of police would have carried out their design.
The bushranging party left about 7pm but no one can say what direction its members took. The Kellys openly stated that they came purposely to shoot Devine, and had it not been that his wife begged for his life, he would have been shot. Kelly also stated that he intended to stick up the Urana coach and bank. Two police and two civilians, armed with guns, offered to go in the coach, but the drive declined to take the police. The police had no means of following them, being unarmed and without arms.
JERILDERIE, Tuesday
This afternoon additional particulars transpired in regard to the Kelly outrages. Great excitement prevails here just now. Yesterday afternoon the town was filled with swagemen of suspicious character. Today unknown men are seen about. In the swags of the strangers revolvers were seen. Mr S Gill, journalist, when called upon to stand, ran away and ‘planted’ in the creek. Ned Kelly, in company with Living and Richards, went over to the printing office, when Richards said, “Mrs Gill, don’t be afraid; this is Kelly.” Mrs Gill replied, “I am not afraid.” Kelly said, “Don’t be afraid; I won’t hurt you nor your husband, but he should not have run away.” Mrs Gill replied, “If you shoot me dead, I don’t know where Mr Gill is; you gave him such a fright, I expect he is lying dead somewhere.” Living said, “You see, Kelly, the woman is telling the truth.” Kelly said, All I want him for is to print this letter; the history of my life, and I wanted to see him to explain it to him.” Living said, “For God’s sake, Kelly, give me the papers, I will give them to Gill.” Living, under promises then received the papers. This is given as I received it from Mrs Gill, who, though alarmed, never evinced any fear. Later in the day Kelly mixed up with a number of persons at Mr McDonald’s and said any one could shoot him, but they would have to abide the consequences, as, if they killed him, every inhabitant of the place would be shot.
WAGGA WAGGA, Thursday
There has been no communication up to the present time with Jerilderie or Urana further than what has reached you. It is supposed that the gang have gone to Urana, as threatened by them. When leaving Jerilderie at about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, they were riding two bays and one chesnut, and used three Government horses as pack horses. They also stole the kits, arms, and ammunition of the police at Jerilderie. The line is to dead earth between here and Urana, and its supposedto be cut. A visit from the gang is much feared in Wagga Wagga and the banks have taken precautions to guard their interests. The inspector of police for the district is at Albury, and there is only Sergeant Vizzard in charge with one mounted trooper. Considerable excitement prevails in town, the state of the police from here giving no sense of security against an attack from the gang.
ALBURY, Tuesday
When the news reached here of the sticking up of bank at Jerilderie, police were told off to guard the banks in Albury and the country districts.
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