The Argus at KellyGang 11/8/1880

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The Argus

11/ 8/1880

... part of the KellyGang story

(full text transcription)

EDWARD KELLY BEFORE THE POLICE COURT.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH)

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER)

BEECHWORTH. Tuesday

The hearing of evidence in support of the charge against Edward Kelly of murdering Constable Lonigan was resumed this morning in the Beechworth Police Court, Mr W H Foster, PM, presiding. Mr C A Smyth and Mr Chomley appeared for the Crown, and Mr D Gaunson for the accused.

Robert Scott gave evidence at the committal hearing

Robert Scott deposed,―In December, 1878, I was manager of the National Bank at Euroa. On the 10 th December the prisoner visited the bank. There was a knock at the door, and immediately afterwards he walked into my room, followed by Hart. They were armed with revolvers. Prisoner asked me to bail up. I said, “No hurry, I suppose,” whereupon he pointed his revolver at me, and said, “Throw up your hands,” and I did so. He robbed the bank, ordered me into a spring-cart, with himself and my servant. He took us to Younghusband’s Faithful Station. On the way he spoke about the murders of the police, and I asked who shot Lonigan, to which he replied, “Oh, I shot Lonigan.”

To Mr Gaunson. - Miss Shaw was in the spring-cart all the time.

Robert MacDougal gave evidence at the committal hearing

Robert MacDougal deposed, - I am a ware-houseman, living in Melbourne . In December, 1878, I was a bookbinder in the Government Printing-office. On the 10th of that month I was in the neighbourhood of Euroa. There were four of us, Mr Dudley, Mr Casemont, and Mr Tennant. We were returning from a shooting excursion in the Strathbogie Ranges . Three of us were in a spring-cart, and the fourth was on horseback. We were passing through Younghusband’s station. A man came riding up behind us, armed with a revolver, and cried out, “Turn your horse round, the station is stuck up.” That man was the prisoner. Mr Dudley said, “What authority have you got for sticking us up.” We all jumped up. Prisoner, addressing Mr Casement, the owner of the cart, said “You are Ned Kelly, where did you steal this cart?” Mr Dudley said, “We did not steal this springcart; we are honest men.” The prisoner produced a pair of handcuffs, and said, “Look here, I’ll put these on you if you’re not quiet,” and Mr Dudley replied, “Look here, I’ll report you to your superior officer,” thinking he was a policeman. (Laughter) Mr Tennant, the one of our party who rode the horse, then came up, and asked what was the matter. Dudley said, “the station is stuck up.” “Come then,” he said, “let us get into the spring-cart and load the guns.” The prisoner said, “Don’t you get into that spring-cart.” We still continued to think that the prisoner was a policeman. He took us over to the station. There was another person with the prisoner by the name of Byrne. This person was also armed with a revolver. On arriving at the station a party by the name of Stephens, one of the station hands, introduced us to the prisoner, saying, “This is Mr Edward Kelly.” Another young fellow, short, and about my size, named Dan Kelly, I think, came forward and searched me. We were then put into the storeroom. During the time we were there the prisoner was present keeping guard over us. He was visiting us every now and then. During one of his visits Dudley and I were standing near the open door apart from the other prisoners. Prisoner said to the old man Dudley, “Look here, isn’t it bad enough to be called proscribed outlaws, and not taking cheek from the likes of you?” Dudley , when first taken, was giving the prisoner tremendous cheek. The prisoner then produced a watch―a big gold watch―and said to Mr Dudley, “This is a nice watch, ain’t it?” Dudley said “Yes.” Prisoner then said, “That was poor Kennedy’s watch. Wasn’t it better for me that I shot the police than have them carrying my body int Mansfield as a mangled corpse.” He had a policeman’s rifle - a Spencer - strapped around his shoulder.

To Mr Gaunson. - Cannot swear that it was a policeman’s rifle. On our shooting excursion in the Strathbogies, we had a double-barrelled fowlingpiece and a rifle. We had a lot of ammunition, and 80 or 90 bullets. We were kangarooing, and had no idea of hunting the Kellys.

continued

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