Royal Commission report day 15 page 17
The Royal Commission evidence for 4/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 15)
Constable Duross giving evidence
3882 Were those three constables at Glenrowan ? —Yes, the following day.
3883 Are you named for the reward?— Yes, £42.
3884 Where were you that morning?— We were in Beechworth, and went down by special train.
3885 Were you stationed in Beechworth?— We were withdrawn from the place that night; about six o'clock the night after Sherritt's murder.
3886 When did you go down?— On the Monday morning.
3887 Did you come into barracks in Beechworth?— Yes.
3888 Whom did you go out in charge of?— Senior-Constable Mullane.
3889 How many men?— Nine or ten; and Jack Sherritt came along with us.
3890 Why?— He said he wanted to be revenged of his brother on Byrne.
3891 Had he been round to collect men that morning?— Yes. I think he slept at the barracks that night, and there were three other men that relieved us down at Sherritt's place, and he galloped down the first thing to them to go by special train, and they came back with him, and we all went down in the special train.
3892 That was to Glenrowan?— Yes.
3893 After you left the hut what did you do?— We walked into Beechworth.
3894 What steps were taken to follow the murderers?— The police came out on horseback, five or six of them I think, and they relieved us, and we were told by Mullane to proceed to Beechworth
3895 Did any black trackers come to follow the tracks?— No; not one.
3896 None of those four that were in the hut were sent in pursuit of the outlaws?— No.
3897 It was Sunday night you went in?— Yes.
3898 You saw the black trackers when you went to Glenrowan?— Yes.
3899 At what time did you arrive at Glenrowan?— At nine o'clock in the morning.
3900 Did you take up your stations directly?— Yes, immediately.
3901 Who put you into your position?— I saw Mr. Sadleir there and Mr.O'Connor, and I got close alongside of them, off where Mr. Sadleir was standing, just alongside the house. I did not know Mr. O'Connor at the time; and there was some other constable there, and I said, “Which is Mr. O'Connor?” and he nudged me to say that is he.
3902 Whom did your sergeant report himself to when you arrived?— I think Mr. Sadleir; I would not be certain.
3903 Did you get instructions from anyone?— No.
3904 What did you do?— First I went to where Ned Kelly was.
3905 Where was he—he was taken?— Just in the room adjoining the station. I got some warm bricks and put them to his feet, as he was complaining of cold.
3906 Where was Mr. Sadleir?— I think he told me to attend on Kelly.
3907 Where was he?— I think he was on the platform when we arrived; I would not be certain.
3908 Was Ned Kelly taken at the time of your arrival on the platform?— Yes.
3909 You knew he was taken at that time?— Yes.
3910 After that you went down to the scene where they were shooting at the house?— Yes.
3911 What did you do when you got there?— I heard that news from a couple of men, and took up my position alongside of Mr. Sadleir, and he had evidently heard about the men while they were in the room. I had my Spencer rifle at this time, and was firing a couple of shots at the house, and be saw a couple of splinters flying out, and he gave me orders to fire into the brickwork low down.
3912 He saw you fire the shot?— Yes, and he told me to fire into the chimney, low down; that he believed the men were there.
3913 As to Sherritt's hut, did Mrs. Sherritt or Mrs. Barry tell you anything about the men, the Kellys, having armour on; did you hear about that at that time?— No.
3914 You had no idea of that?— I never heard of it.
3915 Did you see any tracks of horses in the morning at Sherritt's hut?— No; we heard the foot of horses in the scrub.....
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