Sydney Morning Herald (21)

Sydney Morning Herald

12/12/1878

... part of the KellyGang story

full text of the article

see previous

After this came Dan Kelly with Mr Scott and another servant while Byrne on horseback brought up the rear. The money was in the cart at the .. of Kelly. In this way the cavalcade went out of the town without attracting much attention. The total number of persons carried off was four man, Mrs Scott and her mother and two female servants and seven children or fifteen in all. The object in carrying them bodily away was to prevent the alarm being given at once and as a matter of fact it was not known in Euroa what had occurred at the bank until after 9 o'clock at night and then the directions taken by the bushrangers was a matter of mystery. Before leaving the bank Kelly secured the two revolvers on the premises and also demanded and secured two revolvers and two bags of cartridges; in all about eighty rounds. On leaving Euroa the whole party drove to Faithful Creek station. On the road they got divided and Kelly's trap came to grief at a creek, the horse falling down. Kelly got out and helped the servant out. He then unharnessed the horse, got it up, and put it to the cart ... after which they proceeded to the station and arrived there without further mishap.

On the road Mr Scott had a long conversation with Ned Kelly, who speaking of the murders at the Wombat Ranges said that he shot Lonigan. On being asked if McIntyre showed much resistance he rather contemptuously replied 'Not much'. He had in his possession a very handsome gold hunting watch which he said was the one taken from Kennedy but he gave no explanation as to how Kennedy was shot down and in fact was shot down, and in fact was rather taciturn in reference to the murders although he was ready to converse on any other subject. On arrival at the station the party from the bank were all placed in the hut where 22 other persons were already congregated. The man Byrne was pacing up and down outside like a sentry and was armed with a rifle and several revolvers. The bushrangers then commenced to make preparations for their departure but before going Mr Scott was called out his watch was demanded. He declined to give it but said that they might take it and Ned Kelly there upon relieved him of it. He then informed the whole party that they were not to leave the station for three hours after their (the Kellys) departure and that they were sure to have of it if they did, and would assuredly shoot any one who broke the injunction.

Mr Scott remarked that in that case they would be able to get away at 11 o'clock, but Kelly replied "No, not till half-past 11," it being then half-past 8 o’clock. Ned Kelly took on his horse all the specie, and the weight, together with his own weight and that of his arms and ammunition, made a heavy burden for the horse, as Kelly carried two rifles and four or five revolvers, besides ammunition.

The following is an account of the first appearance of the bushrangers at Faithful Creek station. One of the employees on the station, named Fitzgerald, was sitting down to dinner in the hut, when a bushman entered, and taking his pipe from his mouth, inquired if Mr. M'Cauley was about. He was told that he was not. The man said it was of no consequence, and went out. Fitzgerald saw him beckon to some one, and two rough looking fellows joined him, leading four horses, and then Fitzgerald observed a fourth man. Meanwhile Fitzgerald's wife came in, and accosting the stranger just outside, asked him "Who he was, and what he wanted?" He said, "I am Ned Kelly, but don't be afraid; we will do you no harm, but you must get us some refreshment, and also food for our horses." She called her husband, who came out Kelly at this time had drawn his revolver, and entered into conversation with Fitzgerald, and made several inquiries about the station, and the number of men employed. The other men in the meantime were seeing the horses fed. Kelly made Fitzgerald go into the building and fastened him in, and as the station hands came in to dinner they were quickly ordered to hail-up. Presently Mr. M'Cauley was also bailed up, and Kelly said they did not intend to take anything but food for themselves and horses, and obtain sleep.

The statement of Robert M'Dougall is to the effect that, with Henry Smith Dudley, he was travelling from Strathbogie Ranges, and when he reached a place near Younghusband's station, and crossing through the gate on the line, two men, one of whom came up on horse-back and the other on foot, stopped M'Dougall and the other man and accused them of stealing the spring-cart they were driving. Then, when remonstrated with, they said they would stand no cheek, and told them to "bail up." At this time they did not know it was the Kellys. They were taken to the station, which is only about 100 yards away, and there found about 20 other persons bailed up. They then heard they had fallen into tho hands of the bushrangers. They were locked up in the store-room, and whenever a train passed they were kept close until it went by; they were allowed to go out at intervals for air, guarded by the bushrangers with rifles. They were altogether about eight hours bailed up in this way. They were searched for firearms as they arrived, and money and watches were taken from them. Ned Kelly said that he did not care about robbing them, but intended to rob the bank and demanded a cheque from M'Cauley, the station-manager. They out down the telegraph wire in sight of those present, and said they had a good mind to take up tho rails and upset the train. They had ransacked a hawker's cart, and completely changed their clothes, securing new boots and a fresh supply of fire- arms and ammunition. All were well armed. Ned Kelly carried the Spencer rifle taken from sergeant Kennedy slung over his shoulder, two revolvers stuck in his belt, and a number of cartridges arranged round his waist. He acted as captain of the gang and principal spokesman. He asked a number of questions, principally as to the number of police in Euroa and Violet Town . When they went into Euroa to rob the bank, they left their horses at the station (three bays and one iron-grey), and were driven in; and coming back they   made the bank manager bring his own buggy. Ned Kelly sat beside him, and on arrival, put the males in with the rest of tho prisoners, but Mrs. Scott was taken to the parlour of the station, where the gang had tea. Regular guard was mounted until dusk, when Kelly told them not to stir for three hours, and held Macauley responsible for the movements of the party. They were then seen flying away on their horses towards Violet Town . They exhibited the greatest coolness throughout, and at one time, when the train carne near, in expectation that it might contain a party of police, they were quite prepared for fight. The whole affair appeals to have been excellently managed by the bushrangers, and no suspicion was excited. Indeed early this morning it was not generally known in Euroa that the bank bad been robbed.

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