The Argus at KellyGang 13/11/1878 (5)
A somewhat comic episode occurred near the homestead yesterday afternoon, owing to a sudden panic that unaccountably took possession of some persons not belonging to the station, but whose business took them there. Among them were several men engaged in repairing the damage done to the telegraph wire, and some platelayers on the line. Some rumours were abroad that the Kelly's were coming back and without waiting to ascertain how much truth there was in the statement they made for the shelter of a standing field of corn. A gun was at the time discharged by one of the station hands, and this added to their terror. They bolted as hard as they could run, making in the direction of the railway, with the view of stopping the train going to Euroa, and to be carried out of danger. They succeeded in their attempt, but what with fear, and the exertion of running at such a rate in the hot sun, they were dead beat by the time they got into the train. The platelayers ran along the line in such terror that the engine driver had to put the breaks hard down to prevent them being run over. Most of the party have been laughing heartily over the affair today, but it was anything but a joke to them when it occurred.
Today there have been innumerable rumours flying about, but none of them have any truth in them. At first it was stated that the telegraph line between Longwood and Mansfield had been cut, but no sooner had the operators proved this to be false, than another rumour got abroad that the line to Murchison had been cut; this, like the other one, proved false. Superintendent Nicolson returned here at daylight this morning, and by the forenoon train Captain Standish, the chief commissioner of police, came up. They have been all day in close consultation. Superintendent Hare arrived here to night.
During the afternoon a telegram was received from Violet Town stating that a resident of that place had been stuck up and robbed of £16, but little reliance is placed on the statement. In compliance with the earnest request of that township, Captain Standish has decided to station two more constables there and they proceeded there by the evening train. Some information has reached the authorities this evening which will probably enable them to at once pick up the trail of the gang, if it proves true. They are not very far away, perhaps not more than eight or nine miles, in the direction of the Strathbogie Ranges, near a place called the Wombat. From what can be learned it appears that four men were seen to camp in the ranges. Three bay horses were noticed with them, and more than that, it is known that the men who live in the ranges near where their camp was seen are friends and sympathisers of the Kelly's. Captain Standish proceeded on to Benalla by the last goods train.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
ALEXANDRA, Thursday Night
All sorts of rumours are afloat here about the Kelly gang. Most people expect them every day. Several suspicious looking characters have been seen in the district lately, most likely spies or confederates. A few days ago a farmer residing near Alexandra, was crossing the Black Range, near Gobur, and was accosted by a stranger on horseback, who, after making some comments on various subjects, began talking about Kelly's gang, and finally made inquiries about the number of police in Gobur and Alexandra, at the same time saying it would be hard for the Kelly's to go down that way if they wished. The stranger then asked his companion to exchange horses and on the latter refusing said he could easily compel him to do so, but at the present he would not. The strange horseman then rode away in a different direction, and allowed the other to proceed on his journey unmolested. Several rumours are current tonight about the near proximity of the Kelly's and their mates to Alexandra, but not much reliance can be placed on the reports, though it is not at all unlikely they will pay a visit to this district very shortly. It was reported to night that they were seen about 13 miles from here yesterday and that a man was stuck up by them but the report at present cannot be relied on at least till fuller particulars come to hand.
THE POLICE MURDERS
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
Sir,-Every live man in the colony, not being a horsestealer, must have felt his ridge bristles rise when he heard of the threatening letter sent to Monk, who has rendered such splendid services to the police in their search for the dead bodies of their unfortu- nate comrades.
There is an expedient untried, and, as far as I know, unsuggested, which, if carried out, would do more to cut short the career of the villains now at large than anything else that can be devised. It is to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act for a time in that locality, arrest every man, woman, and youth suspected of favouring the murderers, and keep them in durance until the murderers are either captured or shot.
The time has passed for playing at this game.We must clear the colony of the scourge, or our reputation will suffer in the eyes of the whole world -Yours, &c., B.
South Yarra , Nov. 11.
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