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== Importance of Inspector Brooke Smith ==
In charge of police at [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]]. Major figue in the hunt for the [[Greta|Greta]] '''Links to the KellyGang''' , Early Years , [[#15/4/1878|Fitzpatrick Incident]], [[#26/10/1878|Murders at Stringy Bark Creek]], [[#7/11/1878|Warby Ranges]], [[#10/12/1878|Euroa Robbery]] , Jerilderie Robbery , Autum 1879 , Hare replaced by Nicolson , [[#6|Spring 1879 Early 1880]] , Death of Aaron Sherritt , Glenrowan Siege , Ned Kellys Trial , [[#9|Royal Commission]] , '''[[#10|Early service]]''' , [[#12|Later service]], Family..
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early Years''' I was born in 1832.
I prosecuted [[James Kelly|James Kelly]] and Thomas Williams for cattle stealing. ([[The North Eastern Ensign at KellyGang 4/3/1873|Ensign4/3/1873]])
In [[1874-1877 Events|1875]] was asked to report on the [[Glenmore Run|Glenmore]] police station. I agreed with Sup Barclay that it should be closed. It was moved to 3 miles above [[Hedi|Hedi]] station.([[Royal Commission second Report Part II (page 5)|RC2nd reportII]])
'''Photograph''' '''Fitzpatrick Incident [[15-04-78 Fitzgerald incident|15/04/1878]]''' On [[15-04-78 Fitzgerald incident|12/04/78]] I told [[Whelan|Sgt Whelan]] to send [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] to [[Greta|Greta]] while [[Strahan|Const Strahan]] was on leave.([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 1|RC5944]] ) ([[Royal Commission report day 36 page 7|RC12883]])
In early [[17/4-4/10/78 Events|September]] 1878, Det [[Ward|Ward]] sent out information about the '''KellyGang.''' It was that Ned [[Ned Kelly|Kelly]], had been seen about three weeks before between the [[Woolshed|Woolshed]] and [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]]. Det Ward suggested that I should be told about the matter. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 6|RC3109]])
'''Murders at Stringy Bark creek in the Warby Ranges 26/10/1878''' I was stationed at [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] at the time of the murders ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 14|RC134]])([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 20|RC228]])
I led a search party that travelled between [[Merriang|Merriang]], across the [[Buffalo River|Buffalo]], over Black Hill, and down through the [[King River|King River]]. They were at Merriang on 28/10/[[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 16|RC17372]])
I arrived in Wangaratta on 1/11/1878 and stayed in town (apart from a short trip to Chiltern) on 2/11/1878. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 16|RC17369]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 18|RC17446]])
When I got to Wangaratta I recieved the following letter from Ass Com Nicolson:
"30th October 1878, Myrtleford.
My dear Brooke Smith,-
I arrived at Wangaratta yesterday evening, and was surprised to find you gone. I followed you here to learn your object and plans, because I have been placed in charge of this case, and have been made responsible for all steps taken and result. I must return to Wangaratta and to Benalla, if possible, to-night. I cannot ascertain your object and plans, excepting that I find your men are not supplied with hobbles, billy cans, &c., which show that you do not anticipate camping out. ......... Three parties besides yours are now out under my knowledge. Communicate with me by telegraph at every opportunity. Don't waste your strength fruitlessly until you get further orders. Ever yours, C. H. [[Nicolson|NICOLSON]]. " ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 4|RC17525]])
At about 2am on [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|4/11/1878]] Const [[Const Twomey|Twomey]] came to see me in [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] and told me about a possible citing of the '''KellyGang''' early the day before. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 17|RC17406]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 14|RC17328]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 17|RC17418]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 6 page 2|CHC]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (29)|JJK]])
I sent him off with Const [[Hayes|Hayes]] to see Mrs Delaney and her 2 sons [[John Delaney|John]] and [[Daniel Delaney|Daniel]] made the citing and he returned to see me at 5.45am ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 17|RC17412]])
Of course I did not go to see her myself. No, indeed I did not; I should want something more than that to go. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 12|RC17308]])
I could not follow up on this information because there were was only one policeman in Wangaratta at the time. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 12|RC17293]])
Const [[Const R Alexander|Alexander]] arrived in Wangaratta about 4/11/878 as one of my search party ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 4|RC13059]])
On that day I had 6 constables in Wangaratta ([[Royal Commission report day 39 page 6|RC14072]])
At 5.40pm on 4/11/1878 I sent the following telegram:
"I can neither verify nor controvert [[Daniel Delaney|Delany]]'s statement (that is the old woman) after further enquiry. They are respectable people, easily frightened. Have ascertained from a friend, who crossed [[Mulwalla|Mulwalla]] punt yesterday to [[Yarrawonga|Yarrawonga]], that four New South Wales constables are actively patrolling banks of [[Murray River at Kellygang|Murray]], near punt; also, that although crossings might be made higher up by fishermen's boats, lagoons and creeks on other side so bad, no escape could be made that way, so that [[Warby Ranges|Warby ranges]] could be the only resort for hiding, perhaps on to Ryan's at [[Lake Rowan|Lake Rowan]], No horses reported missing. Constables [[Hayes|Hayes]] and [[Const Twomey|Twomey]] on [[Thom|Thom]]'s horse are awaiting duty with me when ordered; but such party is too small, and is not well armed, the sight off only Spencer rifle. Constables Davison and [[Const Healey|Healy]] misconducted themselves so much on my search party I would never take either again, as it would be risking other men's lives. Send rifles and ammunition, if you can spare such. Weather increasingly worse. Floods rising." ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 12|RC17309]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 16|RC17381]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 3|RC17514]])
On 5/11/1878 I stayed at home ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 14|RC17337]])
'''Warby Ranges search party''' 6'''/11/1878''' I took a lot of complaint from people over this incident. ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 7 page 4|CHC]])
The reflections appear to amount to this, as far as I can judge that I was not there immediately when I was required; that is what they state. Now I had been so much worked for several days before that that I was simply overdone. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 11|RC17281]])
I was not totally responsible. There was no special officer appointed to any party whatever. You appear to know more than I do. There were two parties had charge of that party besides myself. There were Kennedy and Johnson, and I got instructions to divide them, and I did so. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 15|RC17351]])
On [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|6/11/1878]] I led a search party from [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] to [[Yarrawonga|Yarrawonga]] and to [[Peechelba at kellyGang|Peechelba]] on about [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|7/11/1878]]. We had Const [[Johnston|Johnston]] and Det [[Det Kennedy|Kennedy]] as part of the party.([[The Argus at KellyGang 9/11/1878|Argus9/11/78]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 28|RC13534]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 11|RC17283]])
I had crossed the [[Buffalo River|Buffalo]] twice in high flood, and I cannot swim, and I had to go across on a horse with a sergeant and six men.([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 11|RC17283]])
We then went to [[Lake Rowan|Lake Rowan]] on 8/11/78 and Johnson and [[Const J Dixon|Dixon]] up tracks that could have been from the '''[[KellyGang|KellyGang]]''' . We followed the tracks into the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]] but had to go back to Wangaratta as be had run out of food. see ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 18|RC17432]])
I agreed to send the party out the next day with trackers. We returned to [[Wangaratta|Kitts Hotel]], where I was staying at about 9pm. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 6|RC12361]])
Const [[Johnston|Johnson]] tried to wake me at 4am on 9/11/78. I eventually got up at 7am and sent Johnson off to [[Brien's orangery|Byan's]] were I arranged to meet them. They got there at 9am and waited for me until 1pm. I eventually turned up. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 7|RC12395]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 14|RC17327]])
I met up with my men just on dusk and ordered the men, "Halt; form up. Any applications or complaint?" This was after Johnson and the men had found the pack horse. I then ordered them proceed to Wangaratta.([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 8|RC12411]])
I sent word ahead when we were about three miles out of Wangaratta to tell Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] that one of the police horses was recovered. We met Mr Nicolson about 10pm after dinner. Mr Nicolson ordered us to follow up the '''KellyGang''' and if we found them to shoot them.([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 8|RC12417]])
Ass Com. Nicolson sent me the following message; :-"Wangaratta, Saturday, 11 p.m., 9 Nov. 1878. -Memo. - Inspector Smith and party will proceed tracking to-morrow no further than 'Eleven Mile Creek,' should the tracks lead in that direction. He may then go quietly to Greta to feed horses, &c., first sending here to me for further orders. -C. H. NICHOLSON, Inspctg. Supt. Look out by the way for the Government horses. -C. H. N
The next morning, 10/11/78 the search party did not leave until about 9am even though Const Johnson got the men up at about 4am. I joined the men on the road before [[Brien's orangery|Brien]]'s organgery ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 8|RC12426]])
I wanted the men to turn off on to the left, and get up the gully, and not go near Brien's place at all, for the purpose of setting on the tracks where we had left them. According to Const [[Johnston|Johnson]] when we got on near to the foot of the range where I ordered the men to "form up" again, and I asked him where he was taking me to. He said, "We are going up this gully, and we will get on the tracks where we left off yesterday in about twenty minutes." He says my response was "No you will come this way. You must go to where I lost the tracks myself, I will follow them up there." Johnson says this was about ten miles further back than he had tracked them. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 9|RC12448]])
Johnson also accused me of getting the men tack along the same 10 miles in the place where we found the pack horse four times. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 9|RC12456]]) see also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1878 (2)|Argus12/11/78]])
On 12/11/1878 I went out again into the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]] with Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]], Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]], Sgt [[Steele|Steele]] a large [[Police Search Parties|search party]] of police. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 10|RC12475]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 2 page 7|RC412]])
The next day I had another run in with Ass Com Nicolson. After the horse from the Stringy Bark murders was brought back to Wangaratta he sent me back to [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] with instructions to attend to the duties of my district and not interfere with the Kelly business any more. ([[Royal Commission report day 2 page 7|RC415]])
The orders I got were from Sup [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] go back and prosecute three cases at Beechworth, and I went back and prosecuted.
Unfortunately for me, any evidence I want to bring forward has departed. Mr. [[Hunt|Hunt,]] of the [[The Argus (56)|Argus]], came out that time with me, and he has gone away. ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 15|RC17362]])
See also the [[Jerilderie Letter (5)|Jerilderie Letter]]
The Royal Commission did not appreciate my efforts at this time and they were unkind enought to conclude;
"The conduct of Inspector Brook Smith while in charge at this period cannot be too severely censured. The history of the expedition which started on the [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|6th November 1878]] from [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] to search the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]] discloses culpable negligence and incapacity on the part of Mr. Smith, who was the officer in command. In the first place, he failed to take the proper steps with a view to the verification of the rumor that, on the morning of the 3rd November, the gang had been observed riding under the One-mile Bridge, at Wangaratta, in the direction of the ranges. Two days were allowed to elapse before starting in pursuit. Then, when the unmistakable tracks of the outlaws were discovered and [[Kennedy Sgt|Kennedy]]'s horse found, this officer deliberately disobeyed orders by returning with his party to quarters. " They continued on with this sort of stuff about me for over a page and made no comment about my health problems. ([[Royal Commission second Report Part VII ( page 10)|RC2nd reportVII]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (89)|JJK]])
'''Euroa Robbery 10/12/1878''' By this time I was still incharge at Beechworth but I had a real problem with Com [[Standish|Standish]]. He did not want to see me. He sent me on the longest tour I could possibly make, to prevent me being at Beechworth during one of his visits to the town. I went to [[Tintaldra|Tintaldra,]] [[Corryong|Corryong]], and all through that country. ([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 2|RC11896]])
I led a search party from [[Corowa|Corowa]]. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/6/1879|Argus30/6/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 1/7/1879 (2)|Argus1/7/79]])
'''Spring 1879 Early 1880''' I prosecuted [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]] for stealing a horse from Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]. ([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (5)|OMA17/7/79]])
[[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|10/11/1879]] Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] produced a report about my health. See text. I came down to Melbourne and stayed with '''Judge Hackett''' and his wife. ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 15|RC16233]])
'''Royal Commission''' I gave evidence to the Royal Commission on 8/9/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 11|RC17276]]) and 9/8/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 1|RC17454]])
I was suffering so severely from inflamed eyes that I could hardly see on the second I gave evidence. ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 1|RC17454]])
Mrs Kelly did not like me ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/5/1881 (3)|Argus16/5/81]])
The [[Royal Commission|Royal Commission]] found
" 7. That a most favorable opportunity of capturing the outlaws at a very early period of their career of crime, namely, on the [[#7/11/1878|4th November 1878]], was lost, owing to the indolence and incompetence of Inspector Brook Smith. Your Commissioners consider that Inspector Brook Smith committed a serious blunder in not having started in pursuit of the outlaws immediately upon receiving information of the gang having been seen passing under the bridge at [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]], and also in not having properly followed up the tracks of the outlaws in the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]], a proceeding which would have warranted your Commissioners in recommending his dismissal from the force. Your Commissioners, however, having in view his former services, recommend that Inspector Brook Smith be called on to retire on a pension of £100 per annum. ([[Royal Commission second Report (page 2)|RC2ndReport]])
The press reviewed my performance ([[The Argus at KellyGang 9/11/1881|Argus9/11/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 7/1/1882|Argus7/1/82]])
Relationship between Sgt Steele, Supt Sadleir and me. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1881|Argus12/11/81]])
== Early Service ==
I joined the Victoria Police on 5/11/[[1824-1853 Events|1852]] as an an inspector on a salary of £400 a year+ ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 3|RC17494]])
In [[1854-1863 Events|1857]] I left the police for a year after an accident but later rejoined ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 3|RC17504]])
See the details of my career. ([[Royal Commission report Appendix 6 page 1|RCApp6]])
Com [[Standish|Standish]] had a view of me ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 15|RC16226]])
== Later Service ==
I was in charge of police in [[Horsham|Horsham]] in 1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 11|RC6189]])([[Royal Commission report day 51 page 11|RC17275]])([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 15|RC16234]])
-" I commence at a place called Murtoa. One journey alone is 70 miles, and another-Donald-is 100 miles, beyond Gnill; and I go right away to Bordertown. My head-quarters are at Horsham.
- A little while ago I used to do it (visit your outlying districts) monthly, but it was considered too short; and some places I go to once in two months, and two places once in three months, and other places once a month.
([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 5|RC17543]])
Cabinet did not comment upon the Royal Commission's decision. I was close to retirement and in bad health ([[The Argus at KellyGang 3/3/1882|Argus3/3/82]])
I had died by October 1882 ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/10/1882|Argus18/10/82]])
== Family ==
'''wife''' ?... '''children ?.... home ?..'''
== What happened to the Brooke Smith family ==
KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with B]] [[Category:Brooke Smith]] [[Category:Insp Brooke Smith]] [[Category:Police]] [[Category:history]]
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