Kilmore Free Press at KellyGang 26/9/1878 (3)

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Shortly after seven o'clock Captain Standish received the following telegram from sub-Inspector Pewtress :-" Constable M'Intyre reached here at four o'clock on Sunday with news that he with Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Scanlon and Lannigan were out searching for the Kellys at Stringy Bark Creek. M'cIntyre and Lonnigan were in camp, Kennedy and Scanlon out searching. The two Kellys and two men unknown came up armed with rifles, and ordered M'Intyre, who was unarmed, to bail up. The same order was addressed to Lannigan, who was armed. He felt for his revolver, and while doing so was shot dead. Kennedy and Scanlon arrived some time afterwards, and were also ordered to bail up. Scanlon ran to a tree, feeling for his revolver, and was shot dead. Kennedy is supposed to have surrendered. I started at six o'clock p.m., with, M'Intyre, Constable Allwood, and party of volunteers.

We arrived at Stringy Bark Creek at two am to-day, and found the dead bodies of Scanlon and Lannigan lying about thirty yards apart. Stopped until daybreak, when a search was made for Kennedy; but we could find no trace of him. We brought the bodies slung on horses seven miles through a heavy scrub to Monk's saw-mills, a distance of fourteen miles from Mansfield. We then came on to Mansfield, and have just arrived. At six pm ye?? a despatch to Superintendent ?? containing a brief ?? of the ?? I now learn, that constable Meehan has been found ?? Broken River ?? stirrup iron being ?? over the saddle and the bridle gone, ?? supposed he has met with foul play. We have no firearms; send men at once. There is great excitement here. There are  no available men for duty. Whilst Kennedy and Scanlon were bailed up, M'Intyre jumped on his horse and escaped, but after riding three miles he had to abandon his horse, and walked to within two miles of Mansfield on foot. M'Intyre is very ill, and suffered great pain whilst with me.-Sub-Inspector PEWTRESS."

"Benalla, four o'clock pm-Constable Meehan has just arrived with the despatch from Mansfield, which is forwarded by this evening's mail with the report of the delay accompanying, which states that he was intercepted by men who, he thought, were the offenders, going to stick up Tolmey's and Behern's stations. Constable M'Intyre having said they were likely to do so.-S. MAUD."

A supplement to the Government Gazette was issued last night, containing a notification that a reward of £800 would be paid by the Government for information that will lead to the apprehension of the four offenders.

 MANSFIELD, 28th October.

M'Intyre being unarmed jumped on his horse, which was soon shot under him. Young Kelly called upon his mates to shoot M'Intyre if he moved, saying "If they don't shoot you I'll burn you or kill you, if I have to follow you into the police yard." After two constables had been shot, and while M'Intyre was riding away, he heard more shooting. Knowing the Kellys' just hatred to Kennedy, he surmises that the bushranger will torture him. He is supposed to have surrendered, the odds being so great against him. The first search party has returned and reports finding the bodies of Constable Scanlon and Lonnigan at Stringy Bark Creek. Their pockets had been rifled, their ammunition taken, and the camp burnt, but there was no trace of Sergeant Kennedy. They tracked his horse toward King River. There was no signs of the bushrangers.

BENALLA, 28th October.

There is great excitement in Benalla. Scanlon was cousin to Father Scanlon, and Kennedy was brother to Father Kennedy, both of Benalla.


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