The Argus at KellyGang 18/3/1879 (2)
Walter Lynch's prosecution
Evidence for the prosecution was then called as follows -
Ed Monk , sawmill proprietor, Wombat, deposed -My place is 12 miles from Mansfield . I live there with my wife and six children. I knew the late Sergeant Kennedy and Constable Scanlan, and was always on friendly terms with them. On the evening of Sunday, the 27th October, a party of police and others came to my house and told me of the murders of the police in the adjoining ranges. They asked me to guide them to the place where the bodies lay. From what M'Intyre, the constable who escaped, stated, I was able, from my knowledge of the bush, to lead them to the place. My house was about eight miles from the scene of the murders. We found the bodies of Scanlan and Lonigan, and packed them on my horse, one on each side. We then took them to my place, and from thence they were sent by coach to Mansfield . Sergeant Kennedy's body was found and brought to my house two or three days afterwards. One ear was gone, and appeared to have been clean cut off. The night before Kennedys body was found, there was a search party at my house waiting for daylight. The prisoner called, and in his hearing I said to the search party that “I had tracked the Kellys that morning, and could track them." It was their horses hoof marks I tracked. I made use of the expression several times during that evening. The prisoner lived three miles from my place, and nearer the scene of the murders. On the 9th November I called at the post office in Mansfield , and asked for letters. The letter produced was delivered to me by the postmaster. I opened and read it and concluded that it was from the Kellys. I felt awfully uncomfortable. I considered my life in danger, as I believed the letter was a threat to murder me. The sub inspector of police sent two constables to protect me that night. I gave the letter to Mr Kitchen, J P, who handed it to the police. When 1 told my wife of the letter she fainted I don't know the handwriting.
Cross examined-I never had a quarrel with the prisoner. I knew him, but was not particularly friendly with him. He carne sometimes to my place with a friend, and had a cup of tea. He brought my letters from the post office occasionally, but I ordered the postmaster, about a fortnight before the murders, not to give him my letters.
Re examined -I stopped him from getting my letters because he sometimes failed to deliver them for days. The prisoner had a down on Sergeant Kennedy, whereas I was friendly with Kennedy. That is the only reason I know for the prisoner writing me the threatening letter.
George W Newland postmaster at Mansfield , deposed-On the evening of the 7th November, when I cleared the letter box the letter produced was not then posted. At 9.45am on the 8th, it was found in the box. I don t recollect seeing it, but I speak from the postmark. It might have been posted during the day. If posted between 9.45 am and 5 45 pm, it would bear the mark of the 8th of November, as it really does. Mr Monk got it in the ordinary course.
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