Last modified on 20 November 2015, at 22:04

The Argus at KellyGang 17/2/1879

(full text transcription)

THE MANSFIELD MURDERS

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

BEECHWORTH, SUNDAY

Fourteen prisoners were brought up at the police court on Saturday before Mr Wyatt, PM, charged with aiding and abetting the outlaws. The court was crowded, but the proceedings were very tame, and only lasted a few minutes. Thomas Lloyd was first brought up.

Superintendent Hare asked for a remand.

Mr Bowman opposed the application on the same ground as before. How long was this to last? It was a monstrous thing to keep the men incarcerated without one tittle of evidence brought against them, or without any tangible charge preferred against them. If this was to go until the Kellys were caught, it might be till the day of judgment or the crack of doom. The Kellys were now in New South Wales, and how could these men aid them if released? Besides, they were being half starved, as the governor of the gaol would tell the Bench that their allowance was not near that of prisoners undergoing sentence. It would be one of the greatest crimes ever known against English liberty were they kept longer.

Mr WYATT said he would inquire into the diet, but would remand the prisoners until Tuesday. John M'Elroy was the next prisoner.

Mr ZINCKE said he did not care what was done that day, as he had taken steps to have the matter tested, and intended taking M'Elroy to Melbourne to an untrammeled court.

Mr WYATT said the prisoners were remanded to Tuesday.

When brought up Isaiah Wright said to Mr Hare, "No wonder you blush, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, and to Mr Wyatt he said, " Your worship, you said you would give me fair play, but this does not look like it. I wonder how some of the men stand it."

Mr WYATT said he had been misunderstood and misreported the previous week. He thought it better for Wright himself to remand him. Daniel Clancy, when remanded, said, "It's a wager Sonny," and Joseph Ryan said, "It's getting rather stale now. Don't you think there should be a change."

Mr WYATT advised Mr Bowman to bring the matter of the prisoners' nutriment under the notice of the authorities. He was not visiting justice of the gaol, or he would see to it himself.

end  


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