Ovens and Murray Advertiser (12)

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REMAND OF NED KELLY

MELBOURNE, Monday

Mr C A Smyth, Crown Solicitor, appeared this morning at the police court for the purpose of asking for the formal remand of Ned Kelly, the bushranger, who stands charged with a series of murders and other atrocious outrages.  Prisoner, owing to the wounds received at Glenrowan, was unable to attend; necessitating several remands before the case is gone into.  The principal charge was the murder of Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Scanlan and Lonigan at Stringybark Creek, near Mansfield.  There were, besides, various charges for bank robberies, the murder of Aaron Sherritt at the Woolshed and resistance of the police at Glenrowan; together with a long catalogue of minor charges, which are more formidable than has been ever before brought against a criminal in this colony.  It is proposed to assign counsel for the defence, in case Kelly’s friends decline to do so.  The magistrate, after a brief statement, consented to a remand.

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The feeling is becoming general that the police were greatly to blame in connection with the attack on Jones’s hotel, at Glenrowan.  It is expected the Government will appoint a Royal Commission to institute an inquiry into the matter, together with the consideration of the general organization of the police force.

A communication has been forwarded to the Government of New South Wales for the purpose of arranging the reward for the capture of the Kelly gang.

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OXLEY MEMS.—Our correspondent writing on Friday says:—The Kelly tragedy has occupied the tongues and minds of most persons with whom I have conversed, to the exclusion of election or other matters.  Even in this district there are many sympathisers of the gang and its adherents.  This is, especially the case amongst the more emotional sex.  Many of these openly express their pleasure, that the b—— police had not the satisfaction of shooting either Steve Hart or Dan Kelly.  No doubt a ballad will be made, in which the heroes will be immortalized as having embraced one the other, and shot each his bosom friend, rather than fall into the hands of the administrators of the law.  Jonathan and David, Damon and Pythias, and others celebrated for their friendship and self-sacrifice, will fade into insignificance in comparison with the outlaws’ love and heroism.  This is a sad feeling to recognise amongst the rising generation.  The feeling of relief from the incubus of the Kelly scare is appreciated by the peaceful, loving, and thoughtful men in the neighborhood. 

Nevertheless, while, speaking of the undoubted pluck displayed in the onset upon the gang in the public-house at Glenrowan, many regret that some strategy, and less bull-headedness had not been displayed in firing, with arms of precision and great penetrating power, into a building of timber and calico, which was known to be occupied by some thirty men, women and children, bailed up by the bloodthirsty marauders, who were in the house.  The event is over.  Jove, himself, cannot recall the past; and it is useless to think of what might have been, had the house been watched until the innocent had been allowed to retire, ere volleys from rifles had been fired into the premises.  The wonder is, that so few were killed or wounded.  The two persons who showed judgment and presence of mind were the schoolmaster and Constable Bracken; under great excitement.

Had a house on the borders of Indian territory, into which, for protection, the men, women and children of the district had retired, been attacked by Indians, what an outcry there would have been against the firing for hours into the house.  Now, as nineteen centuries ago, we can all of us murderous redskins; had they continued perceive the mote in the eyes of our adversaries, and, alas, cannot see the beam in our own! A very bad impression has been caused here amongst the peaceable and amongst the upholders of law and police, by the action of those in authority in giving up the bodies of Hart and Dan Kelly to their relatives.  The iintension to hold the inquest afterwards; and then the difficulty of protecting a magistrate while holding the enquiry, causing the withdrawal of the order for its holding, has had a very bad effect indeed.  Many loudly boast that the Government was afraid to send police into the Greta district after the waking of the bodies.  This feeling will encourage young desperadoes to imitate the actions of those whose evil deeds have cut them off in the hey-day of youth, but whose funeral rites will be long remembered when their miserable ending has faded into oblivion.  Enough of this subject; which is one that I would not have alluded to, did I not consider that publicity should be given to feelings I have heard widely and loudly disseminated.  The floods in the creeks and rivers are high.  On Thursday night frost was prevalent till past midnight.  Since 3 a.m. showers of sleet have fallen until 5 a.m., this (Friday) morning.  On all the hills around us, even on those bordering on Meadow Creek, snow fell; while sleet and rain fell upon the plains.  The roads in this neighbourhood are heavy, and little travelling takes place.  Now, 9.45; the sun shines brightly—the clouds are lifting, but still some heavy masses lie near the horizon, indicating that more rain is in store for us.  If so, the residents in the low lands will retire before the rising waters, and reside amongst their friends whose homesteads are built upon more elevated ground, until the waters again subside within their banks.

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NED KELLY FURTHER REMANDED.

The case of Edward Kelly, the outlaw, came on again for hearing in the police court to-day.  Mr C A Smyth, Crown Prosecutor, asked for a remand, which the Bench granted, as Kelly was not well enough to attend court.

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Mrs Jones, whose hotel was the scene of the late bushranging tragedy at Glenrowan, has forwarded an application to the Government for compensation for the destruction of her hotel and the death of her child, who was shot by the police.  The amount claimed is over £1000.  The matter has not yet been considered by the Government.

The outlaw Edward Kelly is quiet and respectful in demeanour.  His wounds are rapidly healing, and his recovery is now a question of time.

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THE KELLY TRAGEDY

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PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS

Of all the most important incidents connected with the siege and capture of the Kellys, taken during the time of action, will shortly be

ON SALE

AT

J E BRAY’S

PHOTOGRAPHIC ROOMS

CAMP STREET, BEECHWORTH.

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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

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THE LATE INQUEST ON AARON SHERRITT DECEASED

To the Editor of the Ovens and Murray Advertiser

Sir.—The “Argus,” “Age” and the “Australian” state that at the conclusion of the above inquest the foreman of the jury (Mr Patrick Allen) stated that eleven of the jurymen were in favor of adding a rider to the effect that the police did all that could be expected under the circumstances.  If Mr Allen made the above statement, he simply told an untruth.  I am perfectly sure that eight-twelfths of the jury were, and still are, under the impression that the four constables did all they could under the circumstances to protect themselves.—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

W.  NEWSON,

One of the Jury.

Beechworth, July 5th, 1880.

end

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