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{{Authority Side}}
== ==
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== Importance of Sgt Kennedy ==
== ==
I was shot by the KellyGang at Stringy Bark Creek
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early Years''' I was at the [[Broken River|Broken River]] in the early 1870s. ([[Royal Commission report day 34 page 7|RC12601]])([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878|Argus13/12/78]])
Const [[SConst Flood|Flood]] and I arrested two or three men for stealing a horse from the [[Kelly family|Kellys]] themselves, at the Falls River. ([[Royal Commission report day 34 page 7|RC12602]])
'''Photograph''' '''Fitzpatrick Incident 15/04/1878''' I was based at [[Mansfield|Mansfield]] at this time ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 2|RC1731]])
On the [[17/4-4/10/78 Events|16th of August]] 1878, I sent the following report to [[Sadleir|Sadeir]]:- "I beg to report, for the Superintendent's information, that I am of opinion that the offender Kelly could be routed from his hiding place if the arrangements proposed by the Superintendent were properly carried out. The distance from Mansfield to the King River is so great, and the country impenetrable that a party of men from here would, in my opinion, require to establish a kind of depot at some distance beyond the Wombat-say Stringybark Creek, seven miles beyond Monk's. By forming a camp there, it would enable the party to keep up a continuous search between there and the flat country towards the King River, Fifteen-mile Creek, Holland's Creek. ....." see rest of text([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 3|RC1741]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 1|RC1727]])([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (17)|JJK]])
. The place I mentioned as the place likely for the '''KellyGang''' to be hiding was a good deal east of where they were actually found to be. Sup Sadleir was not satisfied with starting three, especially as none of us knew the '''KellyGang''' to a certainty, and that is why Sup Sadleir chose Constable [[Lonigan|Lonigan]]. The expedition was delayed through various causes. Mrs [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|Kelly]]'s trial was coming on, I was a witness in some case in Beechworth, and Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] was looking for more particular information before sending my part out. He delayed it till October ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 3|RC1741]]) see also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter I page 1|CHC]])
'''Stringybark Creek Murders 26/10/1878''' I was stationed at [[Doon|Doon]] just before. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 9|RC15489]])
I had a photograph of [[Ned Kelly|Ned Kelly]] that was taken in Pentridge Prision. ([[The Age (33)|Age9/8/1880]])
I had some intelligence that directed me towards the [[Stringy Bark Creek|Stringybark]] Creek area. However I am concerned the people might think that I went of with my friend Const [[Scanlon|Scanlon]] so that we could share the £200 reward. (But see [[Royal Commission report day 10 page 2|RC1729]]) [[Graves|Graves]] was asked, 'Did you ever hear it said that these men, Kennedy and Scanlan, had information as to where the Kellys were?' He answered, ;They must have. They would not have gone to that place without some pretty well grounded information.' ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 14|RC15523]]) See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 2|FH]]) ([[Cookson, 09_09_1911_1|BWC]]) ([[Cookson, 09_09_1911_2|BWC]])
We were equipped with Spencer rifles, breachloading fowling pieces and revolvers and extra ammunition. Before we left Mansfield, On [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|24/10/1878]] I met Const [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]] in [[Mansfield|Mansfield]] and asked him for an extra rifle that was being carried by Const [[SConst John Kelly|Horwood]]. I told him we were going after the '''KellyGang'''.
'''Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] gave me the following orders'''
On 10/8/1878 Sup Sadleir sent me the following orders. See text ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 2|RC1738]])
"It seems to be certain that '[[Ned Kelly|Ned Kelly]]' is in the neighborhood of [[Greta|Greta]], or from thence to Connolly's and the bogs near the [[Wombat ranges|Wombat]]. I am very anxious to make some special efforts to have the matter set at rest, and his apprehension effected, if possible. I have consulted with the senior-constable in charge at Greta, and it appears that there is not much likelihood of him and the constable with him there doing much towards arresting Kelly, or even disturbing him from the neighborhood. It has been proposed to collect, for the purposes of a thorough search, what constables are in the district who know Kelly personally, sending say two of them to Mansfield to act with Sergeant Kennedy from that end, and the others to act with the Greta police, and to search simultaneously up and down the King River and neighboring places. I shall be glad to receive any suggestions that Sergeant Kennedy may have to offer on the subject, and whether he is of opinion that anything might be gained by his coming here for a day or so to consult with the sub-officer taking charge of the party starting from the Greta end-that is, supposing this expedition should be determined on." ([[Royal Commission report day 41 page 10|RC14392]])([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (17)|JJK]])
Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] revived the matter on [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|18/10/1878]]. He wrote to the officer in charge of Mansfield, Sub-Inspector [[Pewtress|Pewtress]] -
"It has been decided to carry out the plan proposed by me on 10th August last, but which has unavoidedly been delayed. I wish the party to start work early on Tuesday next from each end, i.e., from [[Mansfield|Mansfield]] and [[Greta|Greta]]. As I have already informed Sergeant Kennedy by telegraph, he will be required here to consult with the other sub-officers engaged in this matter; let him come by to-morrow's coach, bringing a plain saddle with him, as I wish him to take back a horse specially fitted for this expedition. Constable [[Scanlon|Scanlan]] and Constable [[McIntyre|McIntyre]] will also form two of the party from the Mansfield end." The rest is immaterial, and then there is a postscript, "This matter must be dealt with by every one concerned as strictly confidential."
That horse that Sergeant Kennedy was to ride was a very remarkable white horse, and I did not think he was suitable for work of this sort, and I gave him another quiet handy horse-that was the horse that McIntyre afterwards escaped on.
Then I gave him final instructions on the [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|21/10/1878]]:-
"A party which will consist of Sergeant Kennedy, Constables McIntyre, Scanlan, and Lonigan, will start from Mansfield on Friday next"-(there was some alteration, and I cannot remember the cause, unless it was because of being wanted as witnesses in cases at Beechworth. I think he was a witness in some case of horse-stealing there) -"commencing the search for offenders [[Ned Kelly|Kelly]] from the Wombat end. Constable [[Lonigan|Lonigan]] is ordered to report at Mansfield on Wednesday next, but should he not arrive in time the party must start without him. Both Constables Scanlan and Lonigan can recognize [[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] should they be so successful as to come upon him. The other party start from this end on Friday morning; the men forming it are Sergeant Steele"- (that is a clerical error, it should have been Senior-constable [[Shoebridge|Shoebridge]])- "Senior-constable [[Strahan|Strahan]], Constables [[Thom|Thom]], and [[Const Cornelius Ryan|Ryan.]]"([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 3|RC1742]])
See Ned Kelly's version as to what happened ([[The Argus (8)|Argus29/6/1880]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (17)|JJK]])
Mr [[Graves|Graves]] said the following about us, "Scanlan and Kennedy knew every inch of the country, and I believe Lonigan knew the persons of the outlaws, the men then known to be out. Sergeant Kennedy did not know them personally, but knew all their mates and acquaintances, because they were continually coming to [[Wild Wright|Wild Wright]]'s, and up the Mansfield country." ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 10|RC15493]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 16|RC15554]])
The '''KellyGang''' were digging there, but the police did not know exactly the position the hut was in, and the country was new to those men, except Scanlan; and I think they would keep as close as they could to the part where the diggings were; and from my knowledge of Kennedy and Scanlan, I think they did not know exactly the place where the hut was, and that they left the other two men in camp while they went to reconnoitre and find the exact place and then surprise them. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 14|RC15525]]) (RC15529)
The Royal Commission concluded, "In a communication dated 17th October 1878, Inspector Secretan suggested to Superintendent Sadleir that an organized search should be made about Greta, the Fifteen-mile Creek, and from thence to Mansfield, as it was reported that one, if not the two Kellys had been seen there. This was all the information that Sergeant Kennedy and his party possessed when, on the afternoon of the 25th October, they started from Mansfield charged with the duty of arresting the Kellys" ([[Royal Commission second Report Part IV ( page 7)|RC2nd reportIV]])
The place where I proposed for our camp was where we were murdered-Stringybark Creek. The place he mentioned as the place likely for the '''KellyGang''' to be hiding was a good deal east of where they were actually found to be. ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 3|RC1741]]).
I told Consts [[McIntyre|McIntyre]] to do the cooking and [[Lonigan|Lonigan]] to mind the horses back at our camp on Stringybark Creek during our absence.(RC14341) We took some lunch for myself and Scanlan; sufficient for that day. Const Scanlon and I went off riding down [[Ryan's Creek|Ryan]]'s Creek in very thick bush within a hundred yards or so of the '''KellyGang''''s camp on [[Bullocky Creek|Kellys]] Creek.Some think that I was out after the '''KellyGang'''. I told Const [[McIntyre|McIntyre]] what I was doing, we went off to get aquainted with the country. But he thought it was very strange that we went to the neighborhood where we were found instead of continuing on the direct road to Hedi.
Many think that I knew where the [[KellyGang|KellyGang's]] camp was ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 2 page 4|CHC]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 3|CHC]]) ([[Cookson, 06_09_1911_1|BWC]])
My Murder
Ned [[Ned Kelly|Kelly]] gave an account of what happened at [[Stringy Bark Creek|Stringybark]] Creek in the Cameron [[Cameron Letter|Letter]]. He added to that in his statement to the press at the Glenrowan Siege ([[The Argus (13)|Argus]] 29/6/80) See also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter I page 1|CHC]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 3|CHC]])
My last moments; can we believe this report ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878 (6)|Argus13/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878|Argus14/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1878 (2)|Argus16/12/78]])
When did I die ([[The Argus at KellyGang 3/6/1880|Argus3/6/80]])
A lot of information about my death was given at Ned Kelly'[[Ned Kellys Trial|trial]].
See also the [[Jerilderie Letter (3)|Jerilderie Letter]]
Finding my body
The search parties did not find my body for at least a week after the found those of Scanlon and [[Lonigan|Lonigan]]. ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 2 page 4|CHC]])([[The Argus at KellyGang 31/10/1878 (2)|Argus31/10/78]])
I was found by a party that included [[Mansfield|James Tomkins]] and '''Henry Sparrow''' up on [[German's Creek|German's]] Creek. I was lying in a clearing with my head about 6 feet from a large gum tree. I had a bullet wound through my chest and there was bullet damage on the gum tree. I was lying on my back and had a police cloak over me. ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 2 page 4|CHC]])([[The Argus at KellyGang 31/10/1878|Argus1/11/78]])
The search party put 2 new corn sacks over my body. See another version ([[Age 1/11/78|Age1/11/78]])
Return to Mansfield
My inquest was held at the hospital in [[Mansfield|Mansfield]] on 1 November [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]]. ([[The Argus at KellyGang2/11/1878 (3)|Argus2/11/78]])
My funeral was one of the biggest held in Mansfield and it was attended by the Anglican Bishop Moorhouse ([[The Argus at KellyGang2/11/1878 (3)|Argus2/11/78]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 2 page 4|CHC]])
After our murders the whole circumstances and the details relating to me appeared in an up-country journal published by Mr. Hall, a member of the Royal commission. It was supplied to the press by private information, not by the police. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 16|RC15555]])
My big chestnut pack horse was found in the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]] and brought in by SConst [[Johnston|Johnston]] and Det [[Ward|Ward]]. The horse was knocked up.([[Royal Commission report day 22 page 4|RC8011]]) See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 29/11/1878|Argus29/11/78]])
([[The Age 28/10/78|Age28/10/78]])([[The Argus at KellyGang 29/10/1878|Argus29/10/78]]) ([[The Age 31/10/78|Age31/10/78]])
See also ([[The Alexandra and Yea Standard, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express at KellyGang 2/11/1878 (3)|Alexandra2/11/1878]])
'''Memorial''' There was a call for a memorial soon after my death ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/11/1878|Argus13/11/78]])
Bishop [[Bishop Moorhouse|Moorhouse]] opened the memorial for me and the other police in Mansfield in April 1880. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 23/4/1880|Argus23/4/80]])
== later ==
Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] told James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] that he had my watch in his possession ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 2|RC14540]])
There was a dark stain on the case and a sovereign pendent to the chain. See also ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 5|RC14634]])
[[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]] shot Aaron Sherritt with my double-barrelled rifle ([[Cookson, 04_09_1911_2|BWC]])
One of my pack horses was found in the Warby Ranges ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1878|Argus12/11/78]])
Details of my estate. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 26/4/1889|Argus26/4/89]])
Watch
First reports as to what happened ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878|Argus12/12/78]])
There was another report that [[James Quinn|Grace Quinn]] had my watch and chain, and that Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] wanted to get the watch returned to my wife. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 12|RC14791]])
One of the members of the Kelly family sold my watch to the owner of the [[Broken River|Broken River Hotel]]. He gave it to my wife Mr Kennedy. ([[Cookson, 14_09_1911_2|BWS]]) Another version of the story ([[The Argus at KellyGang 25/4/1889|Argus25/4/1893]])
== Family ==
'''wife''' ... '''children''' 5.... '''home''' Mansfield
'''''' I left a wife and 5 children in Mansfield
My wife had still not been paid ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878 (2)|Argus14/12/78]])
Her circumstances ([[The Argus at KellyGang 17/12/1878|Argus17/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1879|Argus12/11/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 20/11/1879|Argus20/11/79]])
'''What happened to Sgt Kennedy's family''' KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with K]] [[Category:Kennedy]] [[Category:Sgt Michael Kennedy]] [[Category:Police]] [[Category:Stringy Bark Creek]] [[Category:history]]
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