The Argus at KellyGang 29/10/1878 (2)
He states that when he left he thinks Kennedy was all right, but on the road off he heard shots exchanged. Nothing has been heard of Kennedy yet. Sub-inspector Pewtress, with a number of volunteers, including Dr Reynolds, left Mansfield about a quarter-past 6 last night. Mr Pewtress told the postmaster that he had sent Constable Meehan into Benalla with despatches, but Meehan has not yet arrived here. Have sent two mounted men in search of him, and to report to Mansfield . Please send six armed men, with horses and saddlery, up by first train. Have telegraphed asking Inspector Smith to report with available men at Wangaratta, the nearest telegraph point to King River, to await instructions from Superintendent Sadleir, who is at Shepparton.―S Maud, Senior-constable, for Superintendent.”
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]
(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)
Mansfield , Monday Night
The police heard privately that the Kellys, for whom they had been looking for months past, were in the ranges at the head of the King River. The Kelly family live at Greta, 50 miles from here, and the brothers were understood to be in concealment where Power once hid himself. Two parties of police were secretly despatched last week-one from Greta, consisting of five men, with Sergeant Steele in command, and one of four from Mansfield . Though the movements of the Mansfield party were supposed to be dark the object of the expedition leaked out and, no doubt, was rapidly telegraphed across the bush to Edward Kelly. The ranges are infested with a brotherhood of Kellys, Lloyd, Quinns, &c. They occupy land amongst the hills, and ostensibly carry on the operations of cattle-breeders. From the account given by Constable McIntyre, it appears that the Mansfield party started on Friday, equipped with revolvers, one Spencer rifle, and a double-barrelled gun, lent by a resident of the township. They had a tent and a fortnight’s provisions. They reached Stringy-bark Creek, 20 miles from here, on Friday evening, and camped on an open space on the Creek. It was the site of some old diggings. They pitched the tent near the ruins of two huts. They were about 15 miles from the head of the King. No special precautions were thought necessary, because the party supposed they were a long way from Kelly’s whereabouts. The ranges round about were almost uninhabited and the party were not quite sure whether they were on the watershed of the King or the Broken River; but both Kennedy and Scanlan knew the locality intimately. It was Kennedy’s intention to camp for a few days, patrol backwards into the ranges, and then shift the camp in. About 6 am on Saturday Kennedy and Scanlan went down the creek to explore, and they stayed away nearly all day.
It was McIntyre’s duty to cook, and he attended closely to camp duty. During the forenoon some noise was heard, and McIntyre went out to have a look, but found nothing. They fired two shots out of his gun at a pair of parrots. This gunshot, he subsequently learned, was heard by Kelly, who must have been on the lookout for the police for days past. About 5 pm , McIntyre was at the fire making the afternoon tea and Lonergon by him, when they were suddenly surprised with the cry, “Bail up; throw up your arms.” They looked up, and saw four armed men close to them. Three carried guns, and Edward Kelly two rifles. Two of the men they did not know, but the fourth was the younger Kelly. The four were on foot. They had approached up the rises, and some flags or rushes had provided them with excellent cover until they got into the camp. McIntyre had left his revolver at the tent door, and was totally unarmed. He, therefore, held up his hands as directed, and faced round. Lonergon started for shelter behind a tree, and at the same time put his hand upon his revolver. But before he had moved two paces, Edward Kelly shot him in the temple. He fell at once, and as he lay on the ground said, “Oh Christ, I am shot.” He died in a few seconds. Kelly had McIntyre searched, and when they found he was unarmed, they let him drop his hands. They got possession of Lonergon’s and McIntyre’s revolvers.
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