Royal Commission App 13-3
The Royal Commission Appendix 13
PRISONER WILLIAMSON'S STATEMENT.-15.11.78. The following is a further statement made to Inspector Green on the 15/11/78 by prisoner Williamson, in the Pentridge prison:-
The following statement has been made to Inspector Green, in the Pentridge prison, 29/10/78 , by prisoner Williamson, an associate of the Kellys:—
The Kellys will probably camp on the Black Range or the Dundommother, which runs into the Buffalo ; they are more likely to camp on the Dundommother, about 45 miles from the Kellys. They have a tent 8 x 10 feet, and a fly, which they take with them, together with about a month's rations. They would plant their horses on the Rowe's River, which runs into the Buffalo, and about 7 miles above Connolly's station; if the horses were found, they could be watched, when the Kellys would be seen coming for them; the horses might be hobbled, but, being quiet, they are more likely to be without them. The Kellys are likely to get food from their own place; but they are more likely to get it Skillion's, where Mick Henny, 40 years, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, grey hair, and Kelly’s daughter, 16 or 17 years, are stopping, and who are acquainted with a large log where they plant food for the Kellys to take away; the log, marked on the attached sketch, is about a quarter of a mile from the south angle of Williams's fence, is in a scrubby range, it is the only log about the place, and lying north and south, it has a hollow large enough to hold two or three people in. If the log was found to contain food, it would be well to watch it, as the offenders would come in the night to take it away. The Kellys would give Skillion's wife any haul they would make, and she would provide rations for them.
The offenders might be found by starting from the Eleven-mile Creek up the King's as far as Woodyard's, where search might be made for their horses. They might also be found near the head of the Cut-a-way Creek, off the King Creek, which would be about 30 miles from Williams's place. This is a most dangerous place, as the offenders could roll down big stones on any one following them.
There is a man named Billy King—but that is not his proper name—about 25 years, 5 feet 10 inches high, stout build, thin features, fair whiskers, small very fair moustache, blue eyes, small hands, thick legs, who was evidently in Pentridge, and is like King, who is married to Kelly's sister. [He is believed to be identical with Isaiah Wright, discharged from Pentridge last year, see Gazette, page 141, and is married to one of the Lloyds.] The above in brackets is not Williams's statement. This King, who is now a mate of the Kellys, has been stopping at Kellys since last year; he was in Kelly's house when Constable Fitzpatrick was fired at; he wanted the Kellys not to let Fitzpatrick get away alive, and said that, in place of being shot through the arm, he should be shot through the heart; he is a man that would fire on any one that would attempt to arrest him; he is a dangerous man.
Tom Lloyd would likely join the Kellys. Williams, when in his cell in Beechworth, spoke to Mrs. Kelly, who was in the yard after they were sentenced, when she said that they would play up, that there would be murder now. Williams further stated that Ned Kelly and King would fire on the police if followed, and that they would not be taken alive; but Dan Kelly would sooner run away than fire. The Kellys and King have four revolvers and one rifle, but the rifle is not much use.
Last year Skillion came to Melbourne and purchased some revolvers and ammunition; two of the revolvers are large ones, similar to what the police have got, kind probably one of the Kellys would come to Melbourne by train for anything that they would require. If the log is carefully watched, the Kellys are certain to be caught, as they will have no other means of getting food except from this log.
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