24,663 bytes added,
04:14, 15 November 2015
{{Authority Side}}
== ==
.
== Importance of Inspector Stanhope Edward Dunn O'Connor ==
== I was the leader of the aboriginal trackers from Queensland in the hunt for the KellyGang ==
'''Links to the KellyGang below''', Early Years ,[[#10/2/1879|Arrival in Victoria]] , [[#r|Races]] , First Cave Party , Hare replaced by Nicolson , Second Cave Party , [[#26/6/1880|Death of Aaron Sherritt]] , [[#28/6/1880|Glenrowan Siege]] , Ned Kelly's Trial , [[#krb|Reward Board]] , [[#9|Royal Commission]] , '''Early service''' , Later service , Family ,
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early Years''' I was a Sub Inspector of native police. I explained how the native police system worked in Queensland ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 1|RC11440]]) '''Photograph''' '''Beginings of the Queensland trackers in Victoria''' After the Jerilderie robbery there was a move to have Queensland aboriginal police trackers in the hunt for the '''KellyGang'''.
I was at [[Cooktown|Cooktown]] when I was asked to take a party of native trackers to help hunt down the '''KellyGang'''. I had to wait a day for the boat to leave, when I proceeded to Brisbane and Sydney; thence by train to Albury. My trackers came with me.([[Royal Commission report 14/6/1881|RC11446]])
I got double pay and an allowance of about 12s. a day while in Victoria. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 2|RC11452]]) See also ([[Illustrated Australian News at KellyGang 12/4/1879|Illustrated12/4/1879]]) '''Arrival in Victoria 3/1879''' The basis of my appointment from the police in Queensland ([[Royal Commission report day 25 page 13|RC9828]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 1|RC11877]])
6 Queensland trackers, a Constable and I had come down to Sydney by ship. We then travelled from Sydney to [[Albury|Albury]] by train. At 7 pm on 6/3/[[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|1879]]. The names of my men were-Senior-Constable [[SConst King|King]], Corporal [[Sambo|Sambo]], Troopers [[Hero|Hero]], [[Johnny|Johnny]], [[Jimmy|Jimmy]], [[Barney|Barney]], and [[Jacky|Jack]]. We arrived at Benalla at 2pm on 10/3/1879.([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/3/1879|Argus10/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/3/1879|Argus11/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/3/1879|Agrus14/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 19/3/1879|Agrus19/3/79]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 11|RC1073]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 1|RC11877]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (46)|JJK]])
I was paid by Victoria. I recieved £360 a year, and travelling expenses. ([[Royal Commission report day 25 page 13|RC9828]])
We went out on our first patrol from [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] on 11/3/1879 and returned on 18/3/1879. It was a major event. The search party consisted of all the trackers and a number of Victorian police with pack horses. We could have been heard for miles. We did not get on the trail of the '''KellyGang'''. see also ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 9|RC16138]])
'''[[Whorouly (2)|Whorouly]] Race meeting 3/1879'''
This is part of what I had to say to the Royal Commission about this matter, " The man, Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]], was employed by Mr [[Hare|Hare]], and Mr Hare firmly believed in him. On one occasion a letter was written and sent to Aaron Sherritt from Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]], asking him to, meet the writer at Whorouly races to ride his (Joe Byrne's) horse. It told Aaron where to meet the writer. Mr Hare and several men went to the races, but Captain [[Standish|Standish]] would not allow myself and party to go. Mr Hare returned, stating that Aaron Sherritt said he could not meet the outlaws." ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 13|RC1096]])
'''Later when Hare and Standish were incharge''' Com Standish questioned the way I worked, "Now, O'Connor, what is the way you work?" I said, "Well, sir, I would like to take two white men, Victorian constables; I would like them for watches at night. I can trust everything to my boys with that one exception, and they are no good for that." "Why," he said, "you take two men, you do not know what kind of men those outlaws are. If you leave your horses anywhere, they will turn round and hamstring or shoot your horses. You must not think of such a thing. I would not allow it. You must take not less than six or seven men." ([[Royal Commission report day 30 page 11|RC11791]])
On [[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|16/4/1879]] I took out my second search party. We went up the [[King River|King River]], and on the fifth day out, namely, the 21st April, arrived at De Gamaro station. - informed us of his having found on the run, near the Black range, a horse, answering the description of one of the horses ridden away from [[Jerilderie|Jerilderie]] by one of the outlaws.([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 12|RC1081]]). The search party returen to Benalla on [[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|23/4/1879]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 12|RC1086]])
In late [[events 1879-05/ 1879-07at KellyGang|May 1879]] I became very upset with Com [[Standish|Standish]] when he would not tell me about the good information that the '''KellyGang''' were seen near [[Cleary|Cleary's]]. Sup [[Hare|Hare]] took a search party there.([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 6|RC1285]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 23|RC300]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (48)|JJK]])
Com Standish would not let me go out; and when I explained his folly in refusing his permission, he replied "I will endeavor to get the '''KellyGang''' without your assistance;" and by sending this party out I considered it was conclusive evidence of his trying to do without our assistance. ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 13|RC1099]])
'''Hare replaced by Nicolson 6/7/1879''' In early August I went to the Lancfield robbery with my trackers. I had a different view of the events from Sup Hare ([[Royal Commission report day 9 page 1|RC1594]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/8/1879|Argus16/8/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/8/1879|Argus18/8/79]])
I made a report on [[events 1879-08/ 1879-10|7/9/1879]] ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 12|RC1091]])
I married Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]'s sister, Miss Smith, in secret in the [[Benalla|Benalla]] Church of England. We were married by the Rev Mr Scott. Mr James Knox, Benalla shire secretary was my best man. ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (49)|JJK]])
I was present when Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] established the cave party to watch Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]'s home on [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|27/12/1879]]. ( See also Const [[Const R Alexander|Alexander]] and [[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13855]])
'''Early in 1880''' After Det [[Ward|Ward]] that Mrs [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Sherritt]] Snr had had a meeting with Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]]. I went up and saw her on about 29 [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|May]] 1880 with AssCom [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] and Sup [[Sadleir|Sadier]] ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 10|RC71]])
Nicolson decided not to follow up with the trackers for fear that the '''KellyGang''' would find out who the police informer was ([[Royal Commission report day 5 page 2|RC1110]])
'''Nicolson replaced by Hare 2/6/1880''' I was present on [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|2/6/1880]] in [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] when Sup [[Hare|Hare]] replaced Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]. The Royal Commission made some conclusions about what actually happened at that meeting ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XIII ( page 19)|RC2nd reportXIII]])
'''Plans to leave Victoria'''
The Queensland police sent me a telegram to return to Brisbane on 5/6/1880. (text of telegram)([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 2|RC11460]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/5/1880|Argus22/5/80]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (57)|JJK]])
I sent a note of mine to Mr Seymour the Commissioner in Queensland and stated my concerns about the way one of my boys had been taken from me. I also considered that Standish was simply making a catspaw of us-would keep us until he got the other men over, and then give us the kick-out.
On [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|14/6/1880]] Mr Seymour sent a telegram "You will receive instructions from Captain Standish, who has been requested to send you back as soon as convenient. The leave you ask cannot be granted, you must accompany boys" ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 2|RC11461]]) After this there was futher correspondence with the [[Queensland police|Queensland]] Commissioner of police.
On [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|24/6/1880]] I got from Captain Standish through Mr. Hare the order from the Queensland government to leave ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 3|RC11474]])
On 25/6/1880 I left [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] with my Queensland [[Police Trackers|trackers]] for Melbourne on our way home. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 3|RC11474]])
'''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' When I got on the train we intended to go to Beechworth to start another hunt for the '''KellGang'''. '''Glenrowan Siege [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|28/6/1880]]'''
I was at the home of my father in law, Mr John Thomas [[Essendon|Smith]] at [[Essendon|Essendon]] with my trackers on the afternoon of [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|27/6/1880]]. We were getting ready to board the ship to return to Queensland when I received a message from Com [[Standish|Standish]] to inform us of Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]]'s death. After all that had happened he also requested us to return to the hunt. I met Standish at the [[Melbourne Club|Melbourne Club]] to discuss this matter and then went back to Essendon to get ready to board the train. ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 11|RC77]]). see also ([[The Age (2)|Age29/6/1880]]) ([[The Argus (4)|Argus29/6/1880]]) ([[The Argus (36)|Argus5/7/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 16|RC16250]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 13 page 5|FH]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 18 page 1|CHC]])
Com Standish asked for me because Sup [[Hare|Hare]] sent word for him, and I submitted the matter to [[Chief Secretary|Mr. Ramsay]], the Chief Secretary. ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 16|RC16253]])
Standish had a different view about the carriage for my wife. ([[Royal Commission report day 46 page 1|RC15780]])
We caught the train at [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|10.15pm]] ([[The Argus (13)|Argus 29/6/1880]])
'''Special train leaves Melbourne to go to Beechworth - follow up on death of Aaron Sherritt'''
..
'''Train arrives at Benalla'''
..
'''Arrive at Glenrowan'''
I arrived by train at Glenrowan at about [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|2.30 am]] with my wife '''Mrs O'Connor''', my sister in law '''Miss Webb''' and my trackers.
I looked after the ladies when Sup [[Hare|Hare]] went off to the [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|Glenrowan Inn]] to meet the [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|'''KellyGang''']]. ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 13|RC10305]])
'''Begining of the siege'''
Sup [[Hare|Hare]] was wounded in the opening of the battle with the '''KellyGang''' at [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|Jones Inn]].
"Come on, O'Connor, the beggars have shot me-bring your boys with you; surround the house." ([[Royal Commission report day 22 page 6|RC8094]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 16|RC11342]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (64)|JJK]])
SConst [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]] and I took charge. I put my trackers and myself in a drain infront of the Inn, and we kept pelting away at the '''KellyGang''' all the morning. The trackers also stood the baptism of fire with fortitude, never flinching for one instant. ([[The Argus (13)|Argus]] 29/6/80) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 29|RC6648]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 13|RC10305]])
My posion was described as being in front of Jones's Inn, up above the bridge in the drain. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 16|RC11348]])
The press reported that the ladies behaved with admirable courage, never betraying a symptom of fear, although bullets were whizzing about the station and striking the building and train.
Const [[Const W Phillips|Phillips]] thought the drain was a safe place but he did not think I could shoot anybody that came out of the house. He thought that I should have challenged Neil [[Neil McHugh|McHugh]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 16|RC11351]])
'''Arrival fo police from Wangaratta and Benalla'''
I saw Sup Sadleir when he arrived at the platform ([[Royal Commission report day 24 page 10|RC9407]])
'''Capture of Ned Kelly'''
.Mrs O'Connor given brandy ([[Archibald M'Phee's report 18/12/1880|McPhee]]).
At about nine o'clock Mrs O'Connor and her sister left Glenrowan for Benalla with Mr [[Dowsett|Dowsett]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 18|RC10950]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 4|RC10085]])
'''Release of the civilians'''
..
'''Burning of Jones's Inn'''
I was about 50 yards from the Inn on the norther side when the Inn was set on fire. I was standing with my back against a tree, with my back towards the building, and I may have been reading the Argus newspaper, and Mr. Sadleir was standing in front of me, the tree sheltered the both of us. ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 47|RC7200]])
'''Later'''
[[Sadleir|Sadlier]] reported favorably on my conduct and that of my men in his official report to the Victorian Commissioner of Police. ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 9|RC2880]]) See my statement ([[The Argus (45)|Argus20/7/80]]) ([[The Argus (46)|Argus20/7/80]]) [[The Argus (13)|(Argus30/6/80]])
I think that Sup [[Hare|Hare]]'s statement about the Glenrowan affair is the most improper one; he admits that my evidence is correct; he does not give my statement-he just puts two lines in. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 6|RC11535]])
When I arrived in Brisbane, after the Glenrowan affair, I was met by a constable who handed me a letter, which was a formal communication, calling upon me to explain my conduct at Glenrowan; that I had never been mentioned in the press, and that the officers had never mentioned my name, and therefore calling upon me to explain exactly what had happened. I considered this letter was damaging, and I wrote an account of Glenrowan there and then, and I sent in my resignation at the same time.
Next morning, I called upon the Commissioner, and he said, "O'Connor, I am very sorry you have taken that step, you are riding the high horse, we never meant it like that. The Chief Secretary wished to find out from you the real facts of the case, in your opinion, of Glenrowan, and he caused me to write that letter. I request you will withdraw your resignation." After a little conversation I withdrew it, and wrote another report about Glenrowan, just dealing with my own self, and I think it was the next day the Governor sent for me, and the Chief Secretary and the Governor both had a long talk with me about the whole thing. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 5|RC11518]]) See also ([[The Argus (19)|Argus30/6/80]])
See my letter of 7/9/1880 and Com Standish. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 2|RC11466]])
See also the Royal Commission's comment on my role [[Royal Commission Second Report Part XV ( page 21)|(RC2nd reportXV)]]. See also([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 3|RC10060]])
'''Kelly Reward Board''' Following the meetings of the [[Reward|Reward Board]] in December 1880 I recieved a reward of about £237
'''Later and the Royal Commission''' On 7/9/1880 I informed the authorities of my side of the story. I was surpprised that Sup Hare and the rest of them could tel sucj lies. ([[Royal Commission report Appendix 2 page 2|RCAppendix2]])
'''A job with the Victoria police in charge of the trackers'''
On [[ev81-00---Royal Commission|4/5/1881]] I informed the Royal Commission that I have been offered an appointment in the North-Eastern district, and the Government are anxious I should go to work as soon as possible, and I wish to ask if you can dispense with my presence for the future till I come down to cross-examine a few witnesses. I wish too that the secretary could notify me of that. See also ([[Royal Commission report day 16 page 2|RC4206]]) See again ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/5/1881|Argus18/5/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 19/5/1881|Argus19/5/81]])
The Royal Commission replied ([[Royal Commission report day 15 page 12|RC3757]])
It was stated by Mr. [[Chomley (2)|Chomley]], or rather Mr. [[Sadleir|Sadleir]], that it would be very unpopular amongst the general body in the district if I was appointed to look after the trackers ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 4|RC11042]])
Eventually Insp [[Insp Wliiam Montfort|Montfort]] set out his views against my appointment. I could not work with people like this. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 5|RC11058]])
'''At the Royal Commission'''
I gave evidence to the Royal Commission on the following dates, 29/3/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 11|RC1066]]), 30/3/1881([[Royal Commission evidence day 5 page 1|RC1104]]), 31/3/1881([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 1|RC1235]]), 14/6/1881([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 1|RC11432]]), 15/6/1881([[Royal Commission report day 30 page 1|RC11541]]), 15/6/1881([[Royal Commission report day 30 page 10|RC11764]]), 16/6/1881([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 7|RC11980]])
See the press reports of my evidence. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/3/1881 (3)|Argus30/3/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 31/3/1881|Argus31/3/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 15/6/1881|Argus15/6/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/6/1881 (2)|Argus18/6/81]])
I had to continually defend the usefulness of my trackers during the time of the '''KellyGang'''. After that time I continued to seek to convince me of the importance of their role. I wrote to [[Standish|Standish]] on this subject on [[1880-07---aftermath|7/9/1880]]. He disregarded my views and said my letter was full of misrepresentations.([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 7|RC47]])
I had a clash with Com Standish ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 23|RC306]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 10|RC16155]])
Correspondence between the Queensland and Victorian Governments about my appointment were tabled at the Royal Commission. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/6/1881 (2)|Argus30/6/81]])
Com Standish referred to my letter in which I said I had been treated in an ungentlemanly, ungenerous, and discourteous manner by him throughout the whole sixteen months I was under his command. He said he gave that the lie direct, and further that he found out things that made him keep out of my company. My response is that Captain Standish's knowledge of my private character is very limited, and all I can say is that if he has so low an estimate of my character I care very little about it, considering the character of the man who judges. He said I was not a fit and proper person; I say that of him.([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 24|RC322]]) See ([[Royal Commission report day 30 page 10|RC11770]])
The reason why Com Standish took this view was that he understood that I had told several people that I was engaged to be married to a certain lady while all along I had been married. This happened on the anniversary of your birthday, the 10th of February.([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 24|RC324]])
I recieved from Sup Sadleir a number of very positive statements about my service with the Victoria police. ([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 1|RC11866]])
Some saw that my trackers would only take orders from me. They said thay if any other person told one of my trackers to do this, that, or the other, or gave him any instructions at all, he would say, "Oh, I am not going to attend to you, you are not the boss." ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 3|RC11018]])
I did not want any redress at all from the Royal Commission. I only wanted it to be plainly seen by the public and everybody else that Captain Standish, from the time he refused me to go out to the hut business, treated me, officially, most discourteously, up to the time of the Glenrowan business. [[Royal Commission report 14/6/1881|(RC11515)]]
=== Findings of the Royal Commission ===
The Royal Commission stated at one stage while examining me,"We find that each officer has quarrelled with every other officer, and they have all indicated that they have quarrelled; and it is the intention of the Commission, I think, to get to the very bottom of that quarrel, so far as it affects public business." ([[Royal Commission report day 30 page 10|RC11770]])
On 10/5/1881 the Royal Commission's terms of reference were widened to see if I should be appointed to the Victoria police ([[Royal Commission second (page 1)|RC2ndReport]])
On [[ev81-00---Royal Commission|6 July 1881]] the [[Royal Commission|Royal Commission]] issued its First Report. Thay found that I should not be appointed to a position in the Victoria Police. ([[Royal Commission Appendix 20 for 2 June 1881|RCApp20]])
My role with the Victoria police was never made clear. This is what the Rouyal Commission had to say about this problem;
". Mr. O'Connor's instructions were that he was to obey the orders of [[Standish|Standish]], and co-operate with the members of the Victorian or New South Wales police, with whom he might be required to serve, while at the same time he was to communicate as opportunity arose with the Commissioner of Police in Brisbane. In fact, however Inspector O'Connor may have been regarded, he never held the position of an officer in the Victorian police. He stood in the relation of a volunteer, subject to the regulations and discipline of the force for the time being, simply holding the rank of an officer in a foreign service, his commission being recognised as a matter of courtesy by those with whom he was co-operating. In Mr. Seymour's memo., Inspector O'Connor was expressly informed that "he merely went as an assistant and that the conduct of affairs was entirely in the hands of Captain Standish and his officers; and that, in obeying orders, he freed himself from responsibility for anything beyond his own acts." Mr. O'Connor was not appointed to any particular position in the Victorian police; he was sworn in and remained exclusively in charge of the Queensland trackers. The arrangement was anomalous, and much of the difficulty and misunderstanding that afterwards arose might have been avoided had Mr. O'Connor been gazetted an officer in the Victorian police." ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XI ( page 14)|RC2ndReportXI]])
I responded to the Royal Commission's report ([[The Argus at KellyGang 23/12/1881|Argus23/12/81]])
'''Early Service''' I had been in the Queensland police for about 8 years. I joined as a sub-inspector of the native police of Queensland on the 1st January 1873. I was originally at [[Conway Barracks|Conway]] Barracks near Bowen and later on the Palmer gold fields.
My salary, before I came to Victoria was £180 per year. My travelling allowance as a sub-inspector was £20 a year, and I recieved a ration allowance of £100 a year, with free quarters and a servant or an orderly allowed. If I was sick I would have been able to retire after twenty years service on two-thirds of my salary; after twenty-five years, three-fourths; and after thirty years, upon full pay. All those are with a certificate; but if I, as an officer had reached the age of sixty years of age and had served fifteen years, I would have been able to have retired without any certificate.([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 1|RC11432]])
'''Later Service''' I became a wool classer for a while. Later I became a stock broker in Melbourne
== Family ==
'''wife''' I married Louisa Smith, daughter of a former Lord Mayor of Melbourne secretly in Benalla in 1879. Six months later we had a public wedding at Flemington where my father in law lived. One of Louisa's sisters, Helen, was married to to Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]
==
. ''''''
children I had a son''',''' Stanhope (Nugent) O'Connor'''.'''
home .. '''What happened to Inspector O'Connor's family''' KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with N-P]] [[Category:O'Connor]] [[Category:Insp O'Connor]] [[Category:Glenrowan]] [[Category:Police]] [[Category:history]]
MediaWiki:Sidebar
{{^|Original page location \people\peN_P\oconnorPinsp.html}}