Last modified on 20 November 2015, at 21:04

The Argus at KellyGang 12/2/1879 (4)

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When this was done Kelly escorted her back to the barracks, where the door was closed and the blinds all down. Hart and Dan Kelly dressed out in police uniform, walked to and from the stables during the day without attracting any notice. On Monday morning, Byrne brought their two horses to be shod, and the blacksmith at the time thought there was something strange in the manner of the man, so he took the brands of the horses. Hart also came down, and bought provisions. About 10 am Edward Kelly and Dan. Kelly, in company with Constable Richards went from the barracks, closely followed on horseback by Hart and Byrne. They all went to the Royal Hotel, Richards ging first. Cox, the landlord, told him his companions were the Kellys, when Ned Kelly said they wanted rooms at the Royal, as he intended to rob the bank. Hart and Byrne rode round to the back, and told the groom to put their horses in the stable, but not to give them any feed. Hart went into the kitchen of the hotel which is only a few yards from the back entrance to the bank. Byrne then walked in the back way, when he was met by the accountant, Mr Living, who told him to go back, as that was not the proper door to enter by. Byrne immediately presented his revolver at his head, at the same time telling him to surrender. The accountant seeing resistance useless surrendered, and threw up his arms. Mackie, the junior accountant, who was standing by, was also ordered to surrender. Byrne then walked them off into the bar parlour where Dan Kelly was on guard. Ned Kelly secured the manager, who was then ordered into the bank under threat to open the safes. When this was done, he was put in with the others. All were liberated at a quarter to 3. Kelly's paper is in the possession of the bank clerk, who is out of town at present.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT)

JERILDERIE, TUESDAY

About 12 o'clock on Saturday night Kelly's gang stuck up the police barracks, captured the two police on duty, and put them in the lock-up, where Constable Devine was kept a prisoner until Monday night. The other policeman (Constable Richards) was at times taken round the town in charge of Ned Kelly and Hart. Mrs Devine and her children were shut up in another room during all Sunday and Monday, and no one was allowed to go near the barracks. Early on Monday morning Kelly's horses were shod in Jerilderie. When everything had been made secure at the barracks the Kellys dressed out in police uniform, and on Monday about 11 o'clock, the two Kellys on foot walked down the street in company with Constable Richards. Hart and Byrne followed on horseback. They walked to the Royal Hotel saw Mr Cox, the landlord, when Richards introduced Mr Cox to Kelly, who said he wanted the rooms in the Royal, and that he intended to rob the bank, but would not do anybody any harm. The other bushrangers were then placed by Ned Kelly at the front part of the hotel, and as the people went in for a drink they were seized and placed in a room where Dan Kelly acted as sentinel. The bank was then entered at the rear of the premises by Ned Kelly, who, with two revolvers in his hands, announced who he was.

Resistance was of course, useless and the manager and bank clerks all surrendered. Up to this time no one had the slightest idea that the Kellys were in Jerilderie. About 1 o'clock three gentlemen entered bank in the usual way, not thinking anything was the matter, when Ned Kelly rushed in from another room with two revolvers. When the men saw him they ran out, but eventually he brought them back, and threatened to shoot one of them, but better counsels prevailed. Two thousand pounds have been taken from the bank. When the bushrangers had finished at the bank they went to some of the hotels treating every- one civilly and had drinks. Hart took a new saddle from the saddlers. Several watches were taken, but afterwards returned.

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