The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1931 (2)
Then follows a long interval of silence, while outlaws and police snipe at one another, riddling the wooden Glenrowan Hotel with bullet holes. At half past 5 o'clock in the afternoon, H Morris of the Police department "begs to report for the information of the Honourable Chief Secretary that I have received no telegrams regarding the outlaws since the middle of the day. Should any arise during the night I have arranged that copies shall at once be forwarded for Mr Ramsay's information."
End of the Outlaws
Later arrives the first intimation of the destruction of the outlaws.
Benalla June 28 1880, 9.25 am. -To Captain Standish - Engine and carriage has arrived from Glenrowan bringing news Ned Kelly shot in leg and taken alive on railway platform Glenrowan. No police shot. Other members gang still in public house. Surrounded Ned Kelly, armed with breast plate of iron and helmet. More particulars presently – H W Saxe Postmaster at Benalla.
9.12 Ned Kelly has three bullet wounds in leg. Dr Nicholson does not consider any of them mortal. No police wounded. Men very plucky and game. Armour the gang have on is formed out of plough shares. H W Saxe.
10.40 - All civilians left hotel. Said Joe Byrne mortally wounded. Hart and Dan Kelly still in hotel. Police keeping up incessant fire. T R L James, superintendent of telegraphs.
Now a succession of messages is sent all over Australia .
To the Colonial Secretary, New South Wales : -
Am happy to inform you that outlaw Ned Kelly has been taken. The others are surrounded in a house at Glenrowan which it is hoped will be captured today - Chief Secretary , Victoria .
Chief Secretary , Victoria -Great satisfaction in prospect of complete destruction of Kelly gang. Congratulate you - Henry Parkes, Premier, New South Wales .
Benalla. To the Chief Secretary: - All the outlaws shot dead except Ned Kelly who will probably recover. After calling on the other three to surrender, fired the house and found that the men were already dead - probably during a volley fired when firing the building. Senior Constable Johnstone volunteered for this very dangerous duty and performed it well. A man named Martin Cherry, who had been made prisoner by the outlaws found mortally wounded but was removed before the fire reached him, and died in a few minutes. Ned Kelly is being removed to Benalla and Byrne's body also. Other bodies which are greatly charred, were given to their friends - J Sadleir, superintendent who took control after Superintendent Hare had been wounded.
Benalla to the Chief Secretary - Just returned from Glenrowan. Everything was over. Saw Ned Kelly who was badly wounded but not dangerously, and brought him back to Benalla. Please inform if there is any objection to his being taken to Melbourne instead of Beechworth gaol. Former preferable for many reasons. Also saw body of Joe Byrne, which was identified by Constable McIntyre as one of the Wombat murderers. Saw charred remains of Steve Hart and Dan Kelly after the fire at the hotel was out.
Corpses unrecognisable but no doubt that they were the other two outlaws. Will not return to town until tomorrow night, having much to. do Mr Hare in good spirits and in no danger. His wound is a severe one, the bullet having gone through the bones of his wrist. He goes down tomorrow morning to Melbourne with Dr Charles Ryan - Standish.
Mr Curnow's Peril.
Benalla. Urgent and Confidential to the Chief Secretary June 29 - Mr Curnow, head teacher Glenrowan school, has rendered invaluable services to the country. He not only saved the lives of all in special train on Sunday night, but gave Mr Hare information which led to the almost immediate capture of Kelly and destruction of other three outlaws. Mr Curnow's connection with this matter has oozed out, and he lives in the midst of all the ruffians of the district, all friends of the outlaws. Mr Curnow is anxious to leave tonight if possible, as his life is not safe. Please send someone to replace him, and authorise him to leave at once. He will be in Benalla until 9 o'clock tonight. Please send answer addressed to me - Standish.
Benalla - To the Chief Secretary - Ned Kelly left for Melbourne this morning. Have taken steps to have him quietly removed from North Melbourne station to avoid mob which is sure to collect at Spencer street . Mr Hare also left for Melbourne . He is going on well but rather weak from great loss of blood. He has desired me to thank you for your most kind telegrams. He will leave per evening train. - Standish.
Benalla, June 30. To John Anderson, Esq., traffic manager, Spencer Street Railway Station - It is reported that Hart's brother and others, about 50 armed men, are at Greta intending to resist the holding of the inquests there today. A body of police armed left by this morning's train, and also a detachment from Wangaratta. As there is likely to be bloodshed, and other special trains run, will you please send on a good operator with a sounder instrument, so that he can open an office at Glenrowan if I find it necessary. Great excitement prevails and if there are other necessary precautions you would wish me to take please advise – CS Stephens, station master at Benalla.
At that point the telegraphic story of the crushing of the Kelly gang ceases - and the myths commence.
end
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