The Argus at KellyGang 3/3/1879
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
SANDHURST , SUNDAY
The whole city was thrown into a state of almost unparalleled excitement on Saturday afternoon by a rumour that three of the Kelly gang had been captured at Gunbower Island, on the Murray . It was stated that Ned Kelly had escaped, and that six policemen had been killed in the conflict. Dan Kelly and Hart having been left mortally wounded. The report was most circumstantially related and seemed to be well founded, the information having been received from a constable on duty at the railway station, who was understood to have procured it from the telegraph operator. It was stated that the news had been brought to Echuca by a trooper who had galloped into the town. For three or four hours most intense excitement prevailed, and, as if in confirmation of the report, it transpired that an official telegram had been received stating that "Sergeant Vaughan of Moama, had sent four constables to Constable Clark's assistance," an announcement containing a mixture of definiteness and vagueness which operated powerfully in stimulating the public consternation.
The newspaper offices were fairly besieged. About 6 o'clock a telegram was received from Kerang stating that nothing was known of the affair there, but it was not until 8 o'clock that a decided contradiction of the rumour was received from Echuca, and it was long after that hour before the excitement subsided.
A rumour obtained a widespread currency in Melbourne yesterday that a desperate encounter had taken place between the Kelly gang and a body of the police near Echuca. The report was generally believed in, but it had no foundation. It will be seen by our telegraphic news that the report created intense excitement at Sandhurst.
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When the Felons Apprehension Bill was passing through the Legislative Council in New South Wales new clause was proposed by Mr Darley, with the intention of getting rid of an objection as to what was to be done with the outlaws when apprehended, and also of the objection that no notice was to be given to the outlaws. The clause also brought the outlaws of other colonies to the footing of those of New South Wales . Sir John Robertson, on behalf of the Government, did not object to the proposed addition to the bill, as it increased rather than weakened the stringency of its provisions, so the new clause was agreed to.
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