Royal Commission report day 20 page 10

From KellyGang
Jump to: navigation, search

previous page / next page

The Royal Commission evidence for 14/5/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 20)

James Reardon further examined

7633 And you understood he was taking the key?— Yes.

7634 And he actually opened the door in your presence?— Yes.

7635 During all this time did you see the Kellys drink?— No, I did not see three nobblers during the whole day, but they had plenty of drink in the morning.

7636 Did Hart get sober?— Yes, more than he was in the early part of the day.

7637 Was he very drunk?— He had as much as he could bear.

7638 When the police came what occurred then?— The outlaws went around the house and fired.

7639 What way?— At the back; they came out the north end and into the verandah, and fired.

7640 Did they come into the house again?— There were three came in again. I do not believe Ned came in at all.

7641 Did the police immediately reply?— Yes, at once. There was a return shot at once.

7642 Was there a great volley fired immediately after?— Yes, there was two or three hot volleys very quick.

7643 Did you notice the effect of the firing in the house?— Yes, we could see the light. There was no light in the house.

7644 What was the effect of the shots on the house—were you frightened?— Yes, we were all frightened, and Bracken told us to lie down on the floor as flat as we could before he went away.

7645 He told that quietly?— Yes; he said, “You all lie down if there is any firing,” and we did so.

7646 There was none hurt the first volley?— Yes; the second volley Jones's boy was hurt.

7647 Was he lying down?— Yes, and he was shot on the side, and the bullet came up through his body.

7648 Did you ask the Kellys to let you out then?— Not then. I was frightened to stir then, but I did after.

7649 The whole of the prisoners did?— Yes.

7650 Did the Kellys say they would allow you?— Yes, if the police would.

7651 Did you hear the police calling on you to come?— Not before we did come. I think it was Mr.Sadleir 's voice when we came out.

7652 What time was that?— About half-past nine.

7653 How long after Kelly said he would let you out?— Hours after.

7654 When did Dan Kelly say you might go out?— About a quarter-past six, as near as I can recollect.

7655 What did he say?— He said “You can go, but I am frightened you will get shot. I do not begrudge your going if you can escape.”

7656 Did you let it be known to the police in any way you wanted to get out?— Yes.

7657 How?— There was one tall chap—I forget his name—he put a white handkerchief out of the window, and there were three bullets went in at once. The shots went from the drain straight in the window.

7658 He of course fell back at once?— He threw himself on the ground.

7659 Was there any further attempt to get out?— Yes.

7660 Was any other notice given that they would like to get out?— After the second or third round was fired things got quiet for a bit. Ryan and his wife, and three or four children, and three of mine, and a strange woman from Benalla, they rushed out, and the firing was on them as hard as it could he blazed, from the drain, and I could not say where, and I rushed out, and my son with me.

7661 The sun was up at the time?— No, it was just at daylight.

7662 You were saying you and your wife got out?— Yes, and we had to go back into the house because of the firing.

7663 Where was that firing from?— From all directions. The most part of it was from that drain. The fire was strong from the drain; and Mr. O'Connor popped his head up from that drain, and said, “Who comes there?” with a fond voice. I recognized the voice. Ryan sang out, “Women and children,” and the firing still continued.

7664 Did you hear him giving any order then?— No, I did not....

Previous page / Next page


 ! The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original.

We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged.

We also apologise for any typographical errors.

The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index