Difference between revisions of "The Argus (10)"

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STATEMENT BY CHARLES S RAWLINS

‘I accompanied the detachment of police which went from Benalla. On arriving at Glenrowan I went with Superintendent Hare towards the hotel where the Kellys were lodged. Hare went straight towards the house, and I went to the railway gates. Two of the black trackers were with us. They got into a ditch, and I got behind one of the railway gate posts. I fired at once, three times, and then I heard Hare say, ‘I am shot, any way.’ After a few minutes I took him to the station master’s house, which is close to the railway gates. Then I took him to the railway station, and subsequently, at Mr Hare’s request, I got some ammunition and went round the line distributing it.’

STATEMENT OF CONSTABLE HUGH BRACKEN

‘I am stationed at Greta, five miles from Glenrowan. At 11 o’clock on Sunday night I was called by Edward Reynolds. I was then at the police station, which is one mile from the railway station. I had been suffering from a bilious attack, and was very weak. At first l didn’t reply, but another voice called me, and then I opened the door. Just as I did so, Ned Kelly presented a revolver at my head. He was masked with an iron helmet, and I didn’t first know it was Ned Kelly. The mask was like a nail can. He told me to bail up, and throw my hands up. I said, ‘You are not Ned Kelly; you are only one of the police trying my mettle.’ He continued, ‘Throw up your arms, or you are a dead man.’ I put one hand up, and he said, ‘Put the other , we want no nonsense.; I complied. He then took my gun and revolver, and asked me for cartridges. I told him I had only those the gun and revolver were loaded with. Then he said, ‘I believe you have a very fast horse.’ He referred to a horse called ‘Sir Solomon,’ which I possess. Sir Solomon is crippled, but I had a good horse in the stable. He ordered me to lead him to the stable, and I did so. We saddled the horse, bridled it, and then he told me to mount. Ned Kelly was accompanied by Byrne. Both were mounted, and a man named Reynolds was with them on foot. Byrne took hold of my horses bridle, and Ned Kelly followed up behind with Reynolds on foot. We proceeded to Jones’s Hotel. Robert Gibbons, another prisoner, also accompanied us. When we arrived at the hotel, we found a lot of people stuck up there. We were put in one of the rooms of the hotel. The gang were all armed with revolvers and rifles. There were only three of them there, Hart being, I believe, at the postmaster’s house at the time. Byrne locked the front door, and I watched where he put the key. He laid it carelessly near the chimney. Believing a special train would be coming up with police. I secured the key when Byrne’s back was turned and put it in my pocket. I heard the special train arrive. Thereupon the gang went into a back room. This was my opportunity, and I quietly went to the front door, unlocked it, and rushed out. I ran to the railway station, found the train had arrived and the police on the platform; told them where the Kellys were, and asked them to surround the place immediately. After a few minutes, Superintendent Hare returned with his arm wounded. I then secured a horse and rode off to Wangaratta, about 12 miles distant. Told the police there what had happened, and sent telegrams all over the district, and the police of Wangaratta immediately started for the scene, I returned with them.’

STATEMENT OF THE VERY REV M GIBNEY

‘I am a Catholic priest, of Perth , West Australia . I was travelling on the North Eastern line, having left Melbourne by the first down train in the morning. On arriving at Glenrowan station, having heard, while going there, that the Kelly gang were at Jones’ Hotel, I got out of the train, abandoning my intention to proceed further on. Consequently my presence at the scene was, so to speak, accidental. I got out at Glenrowan because I thought I might be of use in my clerical capacity. The train arrived at Glenrowan between 12 noon and 1 o’clock ,, and I went at once into the room where Ned Kelly was lying at the station. I don’t think he is dying. He is penitent, and shows a very good disposition. When I asked him to say ‘Lord Jesus have mercy on me,’ he said it, and added, ‘It’s not to-day I began to say that.’ I heard his confession, which I shall not be expected to repeat. As I first thought he was dying I anointed him’

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