Dan Kelly

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The Story of the Kelly Gang 1906.jpg


Dan Kelly, Ned Kelly's younger brother and a member of the KellyGang

Links to the KellyGang below , Early Years, Teenage years , First run in with the law ,Fitzpatrick Incident, Gold Mining , Mansfield Murders, Escape North , Euroa Robbery, Mass arrest of sympathizers , Jerilderie Robbery , Later in 1879 , Early in 1880 , Death of Aaron Sherritt , Glenrowan Siege , Ned Kelly's Trial , Royal Commission , Family ,

Family

parents John (Red) Kelly and Ellen Kelly brothers and sisters Mary Jane, Anne, Ned Margaret (Maggie) 57, James 59, Daniel (Dan) 61, Catherine (Kate) 63, Grace 8/65, half brother and sisters Ellen 74, John 75 and Alice 78 uncles ... aunts ...

I was described as being 5ft. 6 in. high, medium build, having a fair complexion and blue eyes(Argus28/10/78)

And being violent (Argus13/12/78)

Links to the KellyGang

Photograph Early years I was born on 1/6/1861

I was not a flash dresser and people will have to take me as they find me. I am only 5 feet tll. Some people say that I was sallow and did not look the out door type, that I was morose and that I would try and avoid violence. I say to them let the KellyGang ride free; let them have their own web site 120 years after the rest of the world has said good bye to them. (FH) (BWC) [[[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (7)|JJK]])

Teen age years Steve Hart was one of my close friends First run ins with the law In 1871 I was charged with Jim Kelly with illegally using a horse.The case involved a Wangaratta based hawker Max Kraft and was dismissed.(RCApp10)

I was arrested with my brother James by Const Fllood. We got off on account of our youth and own intimacy with the owner of the horses-one of us was 'a servant' of the person who owned the horses. (RC12585)

In 1875 when I was about 14 Ned Kelly and I did some building work on houses in the Winton area. Later I did some work with Ned around Saunders and Rule's sawmill near home. At about this time I had a number of 'conversations' with Det Ward when he was stationed at Wangaratta.

Some time in late 1876 or early 1877 Ned Kelly and I started riding the country together with our new stepfather George King. I also went off shearing on the Riverina and Monara High Plains with the boys each year.

In May 1876 I was involved with a missing saddle from a hotel in Benalla which turned up in Winton in September on my horse. I was arrested but they could not make the charges stick and I got off. Mr Graves made a big song and dance about this but I call it persecution. (RC15493)(RCApp10)

In September 1877 my brother, cousins Jack and Tom Lloyd and I got into trouble in Winton after a prank.We hid on the Kelly property for a few weeks. Eventually we gave ourselves up and were charged with wilfully damaging the property of David Goodman, a hawker who owned a shop in Winton. Const Fitzpatrick said that we gave ourselves up to him. (RC12871)

On 19 October 1877 at our trial in Benalla Mr Butler, P.M., sentenced us each to 3 months in Beechworth Goal without the option of a fine for assaulting Mrs Goodman and one month or two pounds fine for wilfully destroying property and ordered to pay 2 pounds 10 shillings in damage. Tom was also sentenced to another 3 months . (RCApp10)

The incident started when I delivering some meat to Mrs Goodman and tried to pick up some groceries.. We arrived after closing time and the Goodmans would not open up. They were being silly so we encouraged them to open up. There was a bit of a disagreement, but I must say that while Mr Goodman was the main witness against us, he later was sentenced to 4 months for his evidence.

Fitzpatrick Incident 15/04/1878 The incident that led to this incident started with a warrant that had been issued at Chiltern against Dan Kelly and Jack Lloyd, on a charge of suspected cattle stealing. The men were alleged to have been seen driving certain horses through the township. (RC 2nd reportIII) (BWC)

The warrant was taken out against me by Const Robinson. (RC8814) (RC12812)

I came home about 6 pm and met Fitzpatrick. I agreed to be arrested by Fitzpatrick but wanted dinner first. Fitzpatrick alleged that Ned Kelly came in and shot him in the wrist. The KellyGang set out my side of these events in the Cameron letter.

See also the Jerilderie Letter See also (JJK)

Later I was charged with the attempted murder of Fitzpatrick with Ned Kelly, Mrs Kelly Skillian and Williamson

Three weeks after our run in with Fitzpatrick at home Jack Lloyd, was arrested on the same warrant Fitzpatrick tried to get me on. Jack got off. Perhaps I would have got off also if I had let Fitzpatrick take me in..

On about the 15th of October, when Det Ward received information that I was on the Fifteen-mile, working with a man there. (RC3111)

Gold mining and making whiskey near Stringy Bark Creek In April 1878 the government offered a £100 pound reward for my arrest. Ned had the same 'offer' and the police started pestering the girls at home and going through the hills with search parties looking for us.

Ned and I and some of our friends headed off to a base in the hills on Bullock Creek which I had set up some time before. We did some gold mining and made some whiskey and other things to stay out of mischief. Joe Byrne, Lloyds boys and my friend Steve Hart from our days together in Beechworth goal joined us from time to time. The [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|KellyGang]] was becoming a force that people would have to take notice of.

Mansfield Murders 26/10/1878 I was there and had a rifle.

The rest of the story of this incident is really the story of what happened at Stringy Bark Creek. See also (CHC)

See the description of me that appeared in the paper. (Age30/10/78)

Escape north On 30/10/1878 Parliament passed the Felons Apprehension Act. That turned us into outlaws. The police now had authority to shoot us on sight. They did not need an act of Parliament to do that. We had a terrible time as we tried to cross the River Murray in the rain and avoid the police. Eventually we made in and took up life again in the open paddocks near home. While some of our friends came and visited, life was no easy . Ned and Joe Byrne spent most days planning and Steve Hart and I looked after the horses and our food supplies that were mainly organised by our sister Maggie

See text of the warrant they issued (CHC) (Argus16/11/78) Euroa Robbery 10/12/1878 We arrived at Faithfull's Creek Station on the afternoon of Monday 9/12/78.

I drove Gloster's hawkers wagon when we went off to Euroa from Faithfull's Creek Station. Soon after Ned and Steve Hart entered the bank and took up guard at the back near Mr Scott, the bank manager's house

see (Argus12/12/78) (Argus12/12/78)

.

Jerilderie Robbery 10/2/1879 On about 2 February 1879 Joe Byrne and I went to see Aaron Sherritt on his selection between Sebastopol and Beechworth. . I him we were going over the River Murray up to Goulbourn and I asked Aaron to come with us as a scout. He declined the offer and after about half an hour we left. I was riding my bay(RC1270)

We arrived at the police station late on the night on the Saturday night and locked the police officers Consts Devine and Richards in their own cells. (JJK)

On Sunday Steve Hart and I dressed our selves up in police uniforms and walked about the station in a most conspicuous manner. No one took any notice. Later Ned and I got dressed up as police and came for walk around the town while Joe Byrne and Steve Hart rode. We went to the Royal Hotel where we introduced ourselves to the publican Mr Charlie Cox. See also (SMH12/2/1879)

On Sunday we let Mrs Devine to go about the station as usual, so as not to raise any suspicion. Ned found out from Mrs Devine, that it was her custom to clean out the church and prepare the place for service, and Joe Byrne was sent to this place of worship with Mrs. Devine, whilst she carried out her usual duties there. No one came near the station all day.

Steve Hart and I got dressed themselves up in police uniforms and walked about the station in a most conspicuous manner, and without attracting any attention. In the afternoon Joe Byrne also dressed himself in police uniform, and with Steve Hart, took Const Richards around the town to see where things were. If any one asked Joe and Steve were new officers in town. On Monday morning Joe Byrne took two horses to be shod by the police farrier in the township.

At The Royal Hotel

Later in the morning we locked Const Devine and the women and children in the cells. Ned and I then walked to the township dressed in uniform, with Steve Hart and Joe Byrne on horseback. At the Royal Hotel Constable Richards introduced Ned Kelly to the publican Mr.Charlie Cox. Ned Kelly told the landlord they wanted to secure some rooms in the hotel. He then placed the rest of us around the hotel. Steve was placed inside the large dining-room. Every person who came near the hotel was placed in this room. Byrne went to the back part of the establishment and collected all the servants, and invited them inside.

Robbing the Bank

We then went to the Bank of New South Wales which was under the same roof line as Mr Cox's hotel. Joe Byrne came from the backyard and levelled his revolver at Mr Living who was the only one in the bank. He announced that we were "the KellyGang," and he at once called on Mr Living to "bail up." Mr Mackin, the sub accountant was standing outside the bank in the street. On hearing voices, he went inside, and Joe Byrne immediately ordered him to jump over the counter, he obeyed at once. Joe then took the two bank officials to Cox's hotel, where they met Ned Kelly. We found the bank manager Mr. Tarleton, having a bath in his dressing-room. Joe Byrne brought me over and was left to guard the manager. Ned then took Mr Living, led him into the bank, and asked him what money they had in their keeping. Living replied, "There is between six and seven hundred pounds." Ned Kelly replied, "You must have at least £10,000 here." Living then handed him the teller's cash, amounting to £691.

At this time a Mr. Elliott, the local school master, entered the bank, quite unconscious of what was going on. Ned Kelly covered him with two revolvers and ordered him to get over the counter. Ned then tried to put the money into a bag, but it not being large enough to hold it. After that he to the safe and asked what was in it. Living said there was nothing of any value. Joe Byrne wanted to smash the safe, but Ned Kelly brought in the manager who had been taken over to the hotel. He was encouraged him to give up the second key. A sum of £1450 was found.

Ned Kelly then took down a large tin box from the shelf; he was told it was full of documents which were of no use. He replied, "Then I will burn them;" but Mr. Tarleton begged of him not to do so. Ned took out one bundle of papers and put them in his pocket. He then told Mr. Tarleton he intended burning all the books in the office but he did not do so. Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne returned back to the hotel. I was in the bar, and Ned went to the back of the premises, made a fire, and burned four of the bank books. Ned Kelly was always a friend of the working man, and all we wanted was bank money.

See also Mr Livings statement to the press (OAM13/2/1879)

The Jerilderie Letter

About this time Mr. Rankin and Mr. Gill, seeing the bank door open, went in, and they were immediately followed by Ned Kelly, who ordered them to "bail up." Instead of obeying Rankin run into the hotel with Ned Kelly after him. The chase did not take long. I thought that Ned might shoot him, but after an incident Rankin was handed over to Steve Hart. Gill made off in the other direction. Ned Kelly in company with Mr. Richards and Mr. Living went to look for him. They went to Gill's house, and saw his wife. Ned Kelly asked her where her husband was. She replied that he had run away. Ned Kelly then told her that he had a statement which contains a little part of his life, and that he wanted it published by Mr. Gill. She did not want to take it. Mr. Living then promising to have it published.

Telegraph Office

Joe Byrne and Ned Kelly then turned our attention to the telegraph office. Ned removed all the clerks from the office, and took them over to the hotel were I was. Joe Byrne checked all the messages that had been despatched that day cut all the wires. Ned Kelly returned and broke the insulators with his revolver and told the telegraph master, Mr. Jefferson, not to attempted to mend the wires before next day.

At the Hotel

We then all gathered at the hotel and Ned Kelly informed the company, that we intended sticking up the Urana coach that night. Steve Hart and I stood sentry a greater part of the day with a revolver in each hand. Steve was a bit nervous and some times showed a desire to shoot somebody in the room. Throughout the day every one who came near the hotel for any purpose was captured and detained. Occasionally one of the gang would take a walk up the street. Ned Kelly went into another hotel kept by a Mr. McDougall, entered into conversation with several people there, and said, "Any one can shoot me, but they would have to abide the consequences, as every inhabitant in the town would be shot."

Saying our good byes

About six o'clock in the evening we began to make preparations for a start, but before doing so, Ned Kelly made a speech to those who had been gathered in the hotel. He told them that on the occasion when Constable Fitzpatrick was wounded, he was not within 400 miles of his mother's place. He said we had stolen 400 horses from Mr. Whilty's run at various times and he sold them, but beyond this, up to the time he shot the police at the Wombat, he had not been guilty of any other crime. Ned showed them his revolvers, and pointed out one he got from Const Lonigan. The musket which he used to shot Lonigan was an old worn-out crooked thing. Ned then took Constable Richards from amongst the prisoners and walked to the police station and put him back in the cells with Devine with orders they were not to be released for some hours.

Departure

At about seven o'clock Joe Byrne mounted his horse and started off alone in the direction of the Murray river, leading a packhorse with the treasure strapped across the saddle. Shortly afterwards Ned Kelly, leading another police horse, returned to Cox's hotel, and told all the prisoners they might go home.

Steve Hart and I had good fun before we left. We rode up and down the main street of town flourishing our revolvers over their heads, and singing at the top of our voices. We all met at an appointed place out of town. We called in at a station some twenty miles distant from Jerilderie, and threatened to shoot the owner for something he had done, but it was more a way of sending the police off in the wrong direction. (press reports )

On Wednesday 12/2/1879 I came to Mrs Byrne's place to see what had happened to the other members of the KellyGang. We had split up after Jerilderie and some of us had missed a meeting. We used a spot near Buckland Flat. Some how Det Ward found out about this and Sup Hare and Det Ward were snooping around poor Mrs Byrne's home a few days later during the night of 16/2/1879. (RC1276)

Was I cited ?(Argus13/2/79) (Argus7/5/79)

.

Later in 1879 On 13/11/1879 I met up with Jack Sherritt at Crawford's paddock. The Royal Commission thought that this was a major incident and they used it to examine Jack's support for the police in detail, (RC 2nd report XII) See also (RC15242)(RC15255)(RC15751)

My reason for calling was to tell me not to meet him on the following Sunday, or Sunday week, at Evans's Gap and not to bother to go to Yackandandah bank. (RC15284)

Was I involved in making the armour with Tom Lloyd (JJK)

Early in 1880 Jacob Wilson told people that he saw me at Tom Lloyd's place (RC4479) Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880 I was there with Joe Byrne when he shot Aaron Sherritt. We got Anton Wicks to get Aaron to come out of his home.

I was at the front door, Joe was around the back door where Aaron was lying dead. (RC13390)(Argus29/6/1880)

I tried to burn the house. (RC13407)

Const Duross and Barry have set out many of the details of what happened. The police party was headed by Const Armstrong and Const Dowling was the other officer present.

Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880 Arrival

I arrived at Glenrowan on Sunday morning (27/6/1880)

Early morning of 28/6/1880

Just before the train arrived I said to the people in Jones's Inn "Now you can all go home," Reardon and others stood up and picked up one of their children, and Mrs. Jones at the door and said, "You are not to go yet; Kelly is to give you a lecture yet," so we all turned back into the house again, and Mrs. Jones came in and said, "Kelly will give you all a lecture before you go." (RC7627)

Arrival of the police

See [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|KellyGang]] for details.

The fire

I died at the siege at Glenrowan, even though some say that I escaped and went to live in Queensland. See Steve Hart for the story of the Inn being set fire to. Constable Dwyer who followed Father Gibney into the Inn, states that he was near enough to the bodies to recognise Dan Kelly.(DailyTelegrap29/6/1880) (Argus 29/6/1880) (Argus5/7/80)

Sup Sadlier agreed to hand my body over to my family on the day of the siege and the next day he agreed to allow my family and friends to bury me.(RC2880)

. After the Siege John Grant, the Wangaratta undertaker was employed by the friends to provide coffins of a first class description. He arrived with them in a buggy at Glenrowan on the afternoon of the siege. The lid of the one coffin has lettered “Daniel Kelly, died 28 th June 1880 , aged 19 years,” and the other “Stephen died 28 th June 1880 , aged 21.years.” (Argus30/6/80)

My body was taken back home to Eleven Mile Creek for a family funeral at my sister Maggie's place. (Herald30/6/80) (OMA1/7/80)

They wanted to conduct an inquest into our death.

One of the senoir police expressed his care for our bodies and our memory, he said 'I looked upon the bodies as the bodies of outlaws, and that we might have done what we liked with them.' (RC2895)

See Steve Hart's brother Richard for details of this strange carry on by the authorities. (MDTel1/7/80)

There has been some people who say that I some how escaped from the flames at Glenrowan. My mother put the lie to that. (BWC) (BWC)

Did I turn up in South Africa (Argus19/7/1902) (Argus15/10/1902)