The Argus at KellyGang 6/11/1880 (2)
A meeting of persons desirous of obtaining a reprieve for the condemned man Edward Kelly was held last night in the Hippodrome, Stephen-street. It was convened by the brothers Gaunson, and was attended by at least 6,000 persons. Only 4,000 were able to secure admittance, and the remainder had to remain outside in the street. The crowd was of a miscellaneous description, comprising 200 or 300 women from Little Bourke-street and the vicinity, large numbers of the larrikin class, and hundreds of workingmen and others who were attracted by mere curiosity. Mr Hamilton, phrenologist, acted as chairman, and the speakers were Messrs David Gaunson, Wm Gaunson, and T P Caulfield. Mr David Gaunson reviewed the convict’s case at great length, and argued that Kelly conscientiously believed that the police came after him and his brother for the purpose of shooting them down like dogs; that he did not intend to shoot any of them but simply wanted to make prisoners of them, and appropriate their horses and arms; that he fired on none of them until they refused to surrender; and that his whole career showed that he was not the bloodthirsty character he was generally presented to be.
For these reasons he contended that he should not suffer capital punishment, and he therefore moved, “That this meeting, having considered all the circumstances of Edward Kelly’s case, believes it is one fit for the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy, and therefore earnestly prays His Excellency the Governor in Council to favourably regard the prayer of this meeting, viz., that the life of the prisoner may be spared.” The resolution was seconded by Mr Caulfield, and was carried unanimously. It was also resolved that the resolution should be presented to His Excellency this morning at half-past 10 o’clock. The original intention was to form the meeting into a procession, and march direct to Government-house, but as the regulations of the City Council had not been complied with, this would have been illegal.
THE CONDEMNED BUSHRANGER
The agitation which Messrs. David and William Gaunson have been stirring up on behalf of the condemned bushranger and murderer, Edward Kelly, culminated last night in a monster meeting held in the Hippodrome, Stephen-street. Persons “desirous of obtaining a reprieve” for the convict were requested to attend, and it was intimated that the stage and balconies or side seats would be reserved for ladies.
By 8 o’clock there were at least 4,000 persons, including 200 or 300 women, assembled inside the arena, and about 2,000 persons outside in Stephen-street, who could not gain admission. The crowd was of a very miscellaneous character. The larrikin class was strongly represented, and the majority of women came from the neighbourhood of Little Bourke-street. There was, however, a larger muster of ordinary working men, and many others who attended apparently out of curiosity. Before the business proper commenced a drunken woman, occupying a seat on the central stand, created a diversion by repeating in a lamentable tone portions of the speech made by the prisoner at his trial, and wailing in the intervals over his doom. The speakers took their position on the stand erected for the Hippodrome band just inside, and above the entrance gate, and Mr Hamilton, the phrenologist, acted as chairman.
Whilst the talking was going on the outside crowd became rather impatient and out of temper at their exclusion, but Superintendent Winch, with several troopers and foot police, succeeded in maintaining order. It was impossible however, in so great a crowd, to keep everyone under supervision, and as a consequence several mischievous spirits kept discharging fireworks from the street over the wall. Now and then, whilst Mr D Gaunson was speaking, large squibs came shooting over the battlements, and exploded amongst the gentlemen on the platform, with reports as loud as pistol shots. One went so near the chairman, that it stunned him for a minute or two. At all events he clapped his hands to his head and declared that a revolver had been fired. The proceedings were also interrupted at times by the firing of crackers in Little Bourke-street and by the singing of hymns in another direction.
Inside the Hippodrome a dissenting voice was raised two or three times, and on one occasion when the people were asked to fill up some vacant seats at the back, so as to make room for more admissions, a heavy surging commenced, and women shrieked as they were being borne along in the crush. As a whole, however, the meeting was orderly.
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