The Argus at KellyGang 1/11/1878 (3)
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH) '
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
MANSFIELD , Thursday.
The search party in quest of Sergeant Kennedy reached the halting-place about half-past 6 last evening, and camped there for the night. The party numbered in all, including police, 25 persons. An early start was made this morning at half-past 5, the party being provided with provisions for the day. They headed for the vicinity of the scene of the late encounter, when the party formed themselves into an extended line, and scoured the country until they reached the place where the murders had been committed. After consultation, it was decided to scout for a mile in the direction of McIntyre's escape tracks. Half a mile had scarcely been searched, when a “cooey” from Mr Sparrow brought the party together, and it was then found that the body of the unfortunate Sergeant Kennedy had been discovered. This was about 8 o’clock .
The body was stretched out, and covered by a uniform cloak. Upon the removal of the cloak the body presented a partially decomposed appearance, particularly where the wounds were visible. The remains were then partially placed in a bag and raised to the back of a horse, by Mr Tomkins and Constable Orr. A cart was then sent for to meet the procession, and the body was conveyed to the halting place, which it reached at 11 o’clock . The body was found on McIntyre’s return tracks. The party reached Mansfield about three o’clock , the news having previously been brought by Messrs. Tomkins and Hageman. The body now lies in the morgue awaiting a post-mortem examination and inquiry, which will be held to-morrow morning. The unfortunate man is scarcely recognisable but by general appearance and the clothing. The face is quite blackened, the nose partially gone, and there is one large hole in the breast, as if a rifle had been put close to the body and fired after Kennedy had fallen. His clothes were burnt in the spot around the wound. The right ear appears to have been cut off as with a knife. There is also a bullet wound under the right arm.
The return party report that they met a party of police from Greta, which was originally organised to act in concert with Kennedy’s party. The Greta police reported having come upon the tracks of Kelly’s party last evening, by discovering a native bear recently shot by a rifle ball. They are now following up the tracks, but are badly equipped. Volunteers also report that wherever the police are met with they are found inadequately equipped. In one case there was only one rifle between five troopers, and that was borrowed on the road. They are disheartened, from the fact that they cannot cope with the outlaws of whom they are in pursuit, armed as the latter are with breech-loaders. The police generally complain of want of rifles and ammunition.
Messrs P W Bromfield and W Collopy rendered special assistance as guides to the party.
The following telegram is from an official source:— “ Mansfield , Thursday. — Mr Tomkins found the body of Sergeant Kennedy at 8 o’clock half a mile from the scene of the former murder, lying on his back, a cloak over his face, pierced with three balls, one through his lungs. His jacket was singed as if fired closely. There is the mark of a bullet ball on a tree within two yards of the body. Kennedy was evidently trying to escape and getting to shelter behind this tree and following in Constable McIntyre’s track. — Henry H Kitchen, JP (In absence of Sub-inspector Pewtress).”
The following telegram from Sub-inspector Pewtress at Mansfield was received by the Chief Commissioner of Police yesterday:—
“Oct. 31, 2.50 p.m. — To Chief Commissioner of Police. — Since my report to you on Monday night I organised a party of 11 volunteers, and with six constables started on Tuesday morning for the Stringy Bark Creek, and searched for Kennedy until dusk without success. We returned to Mansfield at mid-night. I got together another party of 16 volunteers yesterday afternoon, and with five constables proceeded to Monk’s hut. Stopped there all night, and started for Stringy Bark Creek this morning at daybreak. We arrived there at half-past 7 a.m. , and immediately renewed the search at 8 a.m. The body of Kennedy was found about half a mile north-east of the camp by one of the volunteers named Henry Sparrow, an overseer at the Mount Battery Station. The body was face upwards, and Kennedy’s cloak thrown over it. It presented a frightful spectacle. He had been shot through the side of the head, the bullet coming out in front, carrying away part of the face. I believe there are several shots through the body. There was a bullet mark on a tree near where the body was lying. H appears to have been shot whilst running away in the direction taken by Constable McIntyre. The body is now on the way to Mansfield , and a coroner’s inquest will be held to-morrow. There is great excitement in the town. I think the inhabitants of Mansfield and surrounding districts deserve great credit for the willing manner in which they turned out when called upon, and rendering the police every assistance in finding the bodies. I have been in the saddle nearly since Sunday afternoon, and am completely knocked up and ill. — H Pewtress, Sub-inspector.”
| ! | 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. |
