The Argus at KellyGang 5/3/1879 (3)
Bushranging continued
After this they soon came upon the tracks of the game they were after and followed them up until they saw the scoundrels they wanted encamped in a rocky glen near the Warragarmbie River . This was on the Tuesday afternoon, about an hour before sunset or not above from 30 to 32 or 33 hours after the meeting had been held to determine on what steps should be taken. Nothing like hesitancy was displayed now that the quarry was in view. Immediate action was decided on. Mr Suttor made up his mind to attempt a surprise and dismounting his men despatched a small body to take the ruffians in the rear, while he with the remainder of the volunteers attacked them in front. Unfortunately, one of the men told off for the rear attack tumbled over a stone, which in falling aroused the attention of the bushrangers. They immediately took to the trees and opened a heavy fire, which true volunteers are said to have stood well, and to have returned with steadiness.
Mr Suttor was mistaken by the bushrangers for another gentleman named Evernden who seemed to be particularly obnoxious to them as they considerably proclaimed their intention of having his life. The firing, we are told was kept up with great spirit on both sides for about an hour, the parties taking deliberate aim at each other. No great damage however was done as the trees afforded cover. Two of the banditti were wounded and fell but rose again and went to the rear. On the other side there were no casualties. A ball passed through Mr Suttor's hair, but luckily missed his head. As night was coming on and nearly all his ammunition was expended the leader determined to draw off his men. This was a matter of some difficulty, but was eventually accomplished successfully under fire, the robber captain calling to his men not to be flurried, but to "pick their men," naming those he particularly wanted to have "potted." We have been unable to discover what became of the band or to learn whether Mr Suttor and his volunteers had "better luck next time." The sequel, however, is comparatively unimportant as the promptness with which civilians in those days turned out to repress crime, and the readiness with which they risked their lives rather than tamely sit down and give up their dis tricts to the domination of a few insolent freebooters are the points which we wish to bring into prominence.
Passing on we come across an account of another encounter with bushrangers dis tinguished by the exhibition of individual bravery which we venture to think could hardly be surpassed. The hero of the story is a Mr Charles Fisher Shepherd, and it appears to us that if his breed had survived and spread, "sticking up" would have fallen into disrepute as a dangerous and unprofitable game. Men of an ingenious and active disposition would have turned their attention to other branches of the rogues profession in which if the profits are small, the swindle is comparatively safe.
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