Kilmore Free Press at KellyGang 9/10/1879
A TRACE OF THE KELLYS'
The Rutherglen News says:-" Our readers will recollect that when the notorious Kelly gang visited Jerilderie, they stole two troopers horses in addition to the booty obtained from the bank. Previous to taking them away, Ned Kelly, in order to test the capabilities of one, saddled and mounted him. After trying his paces, the horse was put at some of the fances, and by the way he cleared them found favour with the leader of the outlaws, and was appropriated when the gang left. The other was not much to look at and was only used for packing purpose. For a long time nothing was heard or seen of the horses.
A few days ago, however, a party of police in scouring tho Puzzle Ranges, came across, two horses which answered their description, and upon a close examination they were found to be identical with those stolen from the police at Jerilderie by the Kellys. They were at once driven to Benalla, and from thence forwarded to Rutherglen, from whence they were brought by Senior-constable Gribbin to Corowa on Wednesday, and left at the police station. The horses are not in very good condition, but are evidently in better condition now than they have recently been. One a grey horse, is a fine upstanding animal, and was formerly used by Senior. constable Devine, of Jerilderie; the other a bay, one, is a much lighter animal, which would not, except for light packing purposes, tempt the cupidity of any under ordinary circumstances. Both horses have been sent to Deniliquin, which is the head of the police district in which Jerilderie is situated.
The discovery of the animals in the, Puzzle Range, which is a haunt of the. Kellys, effectually dissipates the conclusion arrived at by some people that the Kellys never crossed the river again after robbing. the bank at Jerilderie. It is considered that as the horses were bred in New South Wales and would naturally make to their old haunts if they were left free they were either padlocked, or otherwise taken care of by the Kellys or this associates; and the reticence of the police in giving information as to the exact locality from which they came adds to the belief that some important information has been received the even has given a fresh impetus to the search, and it is probable that operations will be conducted with more activity for some time to come.
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