Royal Commission report day 32 page 11
The Royal Commission evidence for 21/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 32)
[[../../people/peA/armstrongHPC.html|Const Henry Armstrong]] 'giving evidence'
12223 Duross and Dowling?— Yes. I received that letter that has been read from Ward a few days after. At the time of Ned Kelly's trial I was sent down to board at Bolam's hotel by Senior- Constable Mullane. I saw Mrs. Sherritt there and we spoke about the matter. She said, “Armstrong, you will have to look out for yourself, Ward told me not to take your part any more; he said he would not. He is afraid he will get into trouble for leaving the camp without a sentry, allowing the camp to be stuck up, and Aaron shot.” She further said, “What a pity but what you told me what to say at the inquest.” I said, “Oh, my God, that would never do.” Mrs. Sherritt only fifteen years of age when her husband died. She would be only too willing to assist any person who would invite her, to serve any policeman who would give advice in her favor. She gave us every assistance at the hut, kept a watch out for us, and always told us when any person was passing. Now Sherritt ventured opinions as to officers and their mode of search. He said, “No party of men on horseback will ever catch the Kellys.” He said, “In the first place they have not got the horses, neither have they got the riders—there are a few men in the force, such as Johnson and Lawless—they could ride them on level ground, but they cannot gallop down ranges like the Kellys. If a strong party is sent in the bush the outlaws will keep out of the way. If a small party, such as four, be sent the outlaws will surprise them and shoot them down.” he said Byrne used to practise riding down steep ranges; he said they would never be caught unless from direct information—they might be surrounded in a hut or shot at crossings.
12224 But never caught in the open bush?— No; and that is my opinion also, and Mr. Sadleir remarked the same. I was in a party he sent up to Rats' Castle; Steele was in charge of the same party. Mr. Sadleir said, “Beat round there for about a week; you may drive them down, and they may be shot at some of the crossings.” The crossings were being watched at the time, but I never expected a party of men on horseback would ever catch the Kellys. Sherritt said the men who were along with me in Sherritt's house were the best conducted men he had ever seen in the party, “ and I will ask Mr. Hare to allow them to remain here.” That is all, I think, I have to say.
12225 Were you at the Sebastopol business when the thirty constables were?— Yes.
12226 Do you know anything about how the information was given that the outlaws were to be there or were there?— That was given by a man named—; he is a person of little importance, a worthless fellow to the police.
12227 Was it authentic?— It was, but it was late; it was behind time.
12228 The information that the Kellys were at Sebastopol , to whom was it given?— I believe it was given to some of the constables.
12229 Do you know the name?— No.
12230 Was the information given late, or was the action upon the information late?— Well, I do not think there was a sufficient party at Beechworth at the time to go out in search.
12231 You believe the information was given in time, but the party was not strong?— I think by the time the information was given they had left.
12232 Who will be a constable who can give the information on that point?— Constable Timothy Cane. He is in the city now; he is a foot man, lately transferred from Beechworth.
12233 What time did you get to Glenrowan?— Nine o'clock .
12234 Was there much firing from the house after you arrived?— There was an occasional shot up to about one.
12235 Did you see any shots so late as one from the house?— I believe I did, but very few. There was one shot near where I was, near the tree where Constable Dwyer was with me, about one o'clock .
12236 Are you satisfied that shot came from the house?— I could not say for certain, but I am inclined to think so.
12237 Might it have come from beyond?— It might, but I am of opinion that it came from the house.
12238 Some have sworn there were no shots fired after eleven?— I think there were; I think up to one.
12239 What part of the house were they fired from?— Partly from the front, towards the railway-station.
12240 Did you see Mr. Sadleir about on that day?— Yes.
12241 Was he going about among the men?— He was. He went round the back, circling the outposts twice, with Mullane assisting him.....
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