The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878 (6)

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Having then mounted their horses (three of which were bays, and that ridden by Edward Kelly an iron grey-all being good animals and in excellent condition), the men began to ride up and down in a boastful and braggadocio manner. After a few flourishes of this kind Edward Kelly- who had assumed the leadership of the gang throughout, and did most of the speaking-came over to the storeroom and announced that they were going away, warning us that we were not to stir for three hours. It was then about half past 8 o'clock . 'If one of you leaves this spot,' said he, 'within three hours I will shoot that man dead. You can't any of you escape me in this country; I can track you anywhere and I'll keep my word.' He then called to Mr Macauley to come to the front, when he told him he would hold him responsible for the escape of any of the prisoners until the period he named had expired. 'Mind, if you let one of them go,' said he, 'I'll meet you some time or other and then you may consider yourself a dead man.' After they were gone some of us talked of getting away, but as it was feared they might have left one of the gang to watch for some time, the majority were for remaining until the three hours had nearly elapsed.

The station hands took the matter very easily and cards being forthcoming, they passed the time away chiefly in playing. Knowing that nothing serious was likely to happen to them, most of them looked upon the affair as a good joke, which had cost them nothing beyond their confinement. At length, at half past 10 o'clock, we all agreed that it was time to get out which, of course, we had no difficulty in doing. Mr and Mrs Scott and family returned to Euroa, which they did not reach, I believe, till midnight . All the rest stopped at the station for the night, with the exception of myself and Mr Casement, who is a farmer. His house is situated not far from the station, and was uninhabited during his absence. On our arrival at his house, where I spent the night, he expressed his belief that the gang had been there, as there were glasses on the table, and the door was open, whereas, he said, he thought he had arranged the house, and shut the door when he went away.

As, however, some money that was left exposed on the mantelpiece, had not been touched, it is probable that the gang did not enter his house. I may mention with regard to the conduct of the gang during our imprisonment, that although domineering in giving their orders, no attempt at violence or roughness was made on any of us. Ned Kelly was the most communicative of the lot, and conversed freely with several of his prisoners during the afternoon, asking questions as to the movements of the police, and the 'kickup' which the gang had created among the force. He avoided any reference to the police murders beyond displaying Sergeant Kennedy's gold watch, and I also saw that he carried the sergeant's short Spencer rifle slung across his shoulder. The only thing of value Ned Kelly took from me was a silver watch, and on my telling him that it was 'a keepsake from my mother.' he shivered and said, 'No we'll never take that,' and he returned it taking, however a watch from Mr Macauley instead. I forgot to state, also, that before going to rob the bank Ned Kelly asked Mr Macauley whether he had any funds in the Euroa Bank, and on the latter not answering, Kelly demanded that he should write a cheque. This Macauley refused to do, but one of the gang, on searching a desk in the house, found a cheque already signed by Macauley, and this Ned Kelly said would 'do.' It was evident that as they in- tended to rob the bank they did not want the cheque for the purpose of cashing it, but in order to gain entrance to the bank without exciting any suspicion. On leaving us the bushrangers were all splendidly armed, and well supplied with ammunition. As to whither they went my opinion is that they made direct for the Strathbogie Ranges, where it will be very difficult to capture them owing to the nature of the country.  

THE STICKING UP OF THE FAITHFULL CKEEK STATION

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)

EUROA Wednesday 11pm

The excitement that has been so long felt as to the movements of the Kelly gang since the murders at the Wombot Creek has been renewed in a quarter totally unexpected. There was a strong belief that they were in the ranges somewhere near the locality of the murders, it was never thought that they were anywhere near this portion of the country, but from what has been gleaned from their own lips, it appears they have been in the vicinity of this place for the past three weeks. That they have not been far away is made plainly evident by their last exploit for it is quite plain from the cool systematic manner in which they have for the past two days held possession of the station at Faithfulls Creek, owned by Mr Younghusband, and then, in broad daylight, walked into the National Bank at Euroa, and, in addition to helping themselves to what money was in the place, calmly and deliberately took prisoners and carried away from the township the whole of the residents in the bank, that the four ruffians have been watching the place for some time, and have laid their plans accordingly. There is also a certain amount of grim humour in the story how nearly 20 men allowed themselves to be held in durance for over 21 hours by four cool, de termined men.

Euroa is a small township on the North Eastern, nearly 100 miles from Melbourne. A considerable amount of business is, however, done in the place, as it is the outlet for a large agricultural district reaching down the valley of the Goulburn River, at the back of it, and but a short distance away are the Strathbogie Ranges. These are a continuation of the Glenmore Ranges, and the same country continues right up to Mansfield, and still further to the north east the S E ranges are lofty, and thickly timbered, giving excellent cover for any persons trying to escape from justice. In the township of Euroa there are several substantial brick buildings, one of the principal being the branch of the National Bank, which faces the railway line, and, being a corner building, is the last one in the township proper. About three miles further along the line is the Faithfull's Creek Station, the homestead of which is only about a stones throw from the railway line. The station is owned by Mr Younghusband, but is managed by Mr Macaulay, and there are the usual employees to be found on a station.

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