Difference between revisions of "The Argus at KellyGang 17/12/1878 (5)"

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Walter Lynch

The criminal sessions commence here on Thursday, when the principal case in the list is the trial of the man Walter Lynch, who was committed for trial from Mansfield on the charge of having sent a threatening letter signed "E and D Kelly' to Mr Monk, of the sawmills, near Mansfield. The police authorities here recently made an application to have the venue changed to Melbourne, and it has been semiofficially notified this evening that the application has been acceded to, and that the case will be tried in Melbourne. At all events, it is not intended to proceed with the case here at the coming session, but an application will be made to the judge for a postponement until the next assizes.

Superintendent Hare has just returned from Avenel, where he was met by Sub inspector Baber, who is stationed at Kilmore. This officer reported that on Saturday afternoon a charcoal burner came into Broadford and unformed the police there that he had seen four men sitting on a log with guns in their hands. This was about four miles from Broadford, in the direction of the ranges. As soon as this man noticed the gang, he concealed himself behind a fence in order that they should not perceive him, and made the best of his way to Broadford. The police constable there, knowing that Inspector Baber was in the neighbourhood of Yea, at once sent a message for him. Upon his arrival in Broadford, he organised a party and taking the man who had given the information with them, proceeded to the spot. This was found to be a   retired place in a bend of Sunday Creek, and a very likely place for the gang to take a rest in, as it is very seldom visited. The logs on which the four men were sitting were pointed out by the charcoal burner, but although a careful search was made until late last night, no trace of any men or horses could be found Inspector Baber has been instructed to make a further and more extended search tomorrow.  

From Seymour news has been received that on Friday afternoon last, the overseer of an out station near the Black Ranges found the tracks of four shod horses coming down from the direction of the ranges. Subsequently, he and his wife heard two shots fired in the victim of their place, and becoming frightened of a domiciliary visit from the Kellys, they made their way as rapidly as possible to the home station, and the occurrence was not notified to the police until the next day. No great importance is attached to it, however, as there are a great number of selectors in that locality, and any of them might have fired off their guns. The authorities have, in order to make sure, carefully examined all the punts and crossing places on the Goulburn, but have not come upon any trace of persons having crossed. A horseman who was travelling between Longwood and Seymour on Saturday last was arrested by the police on suspicion of being Ned Kelly, his appearance being identical with the description given of the leader of the gang. The man, however, conclusively proved that he was an inoffensive traveller making his way from New South Wales to Melbourne, and he was therefore at once released. The man's appearance so much resembles that of Ned Kelly that it has become a regular nuisance to him, this being the third time he has been detained by the police on suspicion of being that notorious individual.

The inhabitants of Euroa were alarmed last evening by the report of a gun on the outskirts of the town. It was rumoured that the Kellys had returned. The detachment of Victorian Artillery at once turned out, and leaving two of their number to guard the bank, proceeded to search the scrub m order to find out who bad fired the gun. The whole affair turned out to be a hoax.

Sub Inspector Toohey proceeded to Mansfield to day in order to take charge of the district, and it is understood that Sub Inspector Pewtress will take charge of one of the metropolitan or suburban districts. The police force here was further strengthened by the arrival from town of six more troopers by the night train.

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