Royal Commission report day 22 page 5
The Royal Commission evidence for 18/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 22)
SConst Kelly giving evidence
8039 How did you know that they knew all your movements?— I heard that from several parties.
8040 That is in a general way?— In a general way.
8041 Not that particular matter?— No.
8042 That is to say you understood that the Kellys had good information of all the movements of the police?— That was the general impression.
8043 That was the impression?— And through their sympathizers the way they were galloping about.
8044 From that you judged there was a possibility of the line being torn up?— Yes. When within a mile of Glenrowan, we noticed the pilot engine pulling up. I saw a man coming back with a light. I saw it was Archibald McFie, railway guard, that was in the pilot engine. I said to him, “What's up?” and he said, “I met a man with a red light in his hand—that stopped me.” He said, “The Kellys are up in Glenrowan, and they have them all stuck up there, and have pulled up the line.”
8045 Are you quite positive that he gave you that information—that the Kellys were in Glenrowan?— Yes.
8046 And had them all stuck up?— And had them all stuck up.
8047 What further did he say?— I jumped out, and Mr. Hare put his head out of the window and said, “What is up? “ and I told him, and he jumped out with his gun and he went up with the guard and walked up to the pilot engine. Mr. Hare turned round and told me to take half the men to go on the engine; he would go on the pilot engine and let me go on the other. I had Constable Kenny and Constable Arthur with me, and I placed them upon the engine; the three of us, but the engines then were detached.
8048 They were coupled together?— Coupled together afterwards. When we arrived there Mr. Hare said, “Get out the horses quick, Kelly.” Mr. Rawlings, a volunteer with us, whom I did not mention, came from Benalla with us.
8049 What was Mr. Rawlings?— A settler there. Mr. Hare went away for a bit. I placed Constable Barry the back on guard, for fear anyone should come from the back.
8050 Do you know where Mr. Hare went?— Straight down towards the station master’s house; he and Rawlings.
8051 When did you next see Mr. Hare again?— The next I saw of him he was coming back, and Constable Bracken appeared upon the platform.
8052 Just about that time Mr. Hare returned?— About that time he came back. He said, “The Kellys are in Jones's; surround the house—surround the house.” Those are the very words he said.
8053 That is Bracken?— Yes.
8054 What was done then?— Mr. Hare said, “Come on, men—come on, men.” We all rushed for our arms, and some of the arms were knocked about. There were, I believe, only one or two who had their arms in their hands. I was getting the horses out of the train. We all rushed down.
8055 What do you mean by “all”?— The constables, Mr. Hare, and I am not certain whether Mr. O'Connor did or not, but the black trackers were.
8056 Who left the station first?— I could not say.
8057 You left the station and came down by the road over the culverts?— Yes.
8058 The culverts being between that and what is called the wicket-gate?— Yes.
8059 Now will you carefully describe, as far as you remember, who was with you and near you?— I remember Mr. Rawlings was next to me; Mr. Hare was ahead, with three or four men with him.
8060 What men?— Barry, Gascoigne, Phillips, Arthur; I think that was all the men.
8061 Was Kirkham with him?— I could not say.
8062 Was Mr. O'Connor there?— I could not say.
8063 Just describe the way you proceeded towards the wicket-gate; did you arrive at the wicket gate in the railway fence in about the same order as you now describe?— There was Constable Kenny and two or three, I remember, stopped back picking up their rifles.....
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