Changes
Import from source
{{KellyGang Side}}
== ==
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== Importance of Joe Byrne ==
I am called the second in command of the '''KellyGang''' and the planner of many of our ventures. I was a close friend of [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]] and a writer of many letters and songs. I lived at [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]] on Reedy Creek to the north of [[Beechworth|Beechworth]]. The area was an [[Gold mining (2)|gold]] mining community that was being worked over by the [[Chinese|chinese]] miners. Lots of people ask why an educated man like me should team up with the '''KellyGang'''.
Description - ([[Sydney Morning Herald (23)|SMH19/12/78]])
'''Links to the KellyGang'''., [[#1|Early Years]] , [[#2|Teenage years]] , [[#3|First run in with the law]] , [[#4|Fitzpatrick Incident]] , [[#5|Gold Mining]] , [[#6|Deaths at Stringy Bark Creek]], [[#7|Escape North]] , [[#9|Euroa Robbery]] , [[#10|Jerilderie Robbery]] ''',''' [[#11|Whouraly Race Meeting]], [[#11|Later in 1879]] , [[#12|Early in 1880]] , [[#13|Death of Aaron Sherritt]] , [[#14|Glenrowan Siege]] , [[#15|Royal Commission and after]] , Family ,
== Family ==
'''brothers and sisters''' Joe 1856, [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|John]] 58, [[Catherine Byrne, Kate Byrne|Kate]] 59, [[Patrick Byrne|Paddy]] 62, Mary 63, Denny 66, Margaret 69, Ellen 71 '''parents''' Patrick [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Margaret]] '''uncles and aunts''' [[John and Mary Byrne|John and Mary]] Byrne '''grand parents''' Joseph and Catherine Byrne, ? Photograph
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early years''' I was born in November [[1854-1863 Events|1856]] and grew up at [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]] on the Woolshed gold diggings. The area had been a rich one in the early years but for most of my time the place was being worked over again by the chinese who were prepared to go after every last once of gold. ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 2|FH]]) ([[Cookson, 08_09_1911_4|BWC]]) [[[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (8)|JJK]])
My family were Catholic and I went to school at the newly opened [[Woolshed|Woolshed]] Catholic school in 1862 At school I teamed up with a Protestant boy called Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] and we became good mates.
James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] was another good mate from school. [[Royal Commission report day 42 page 9|(RC14722]])
'''Teenage years''' Living on a Chinese gold mining site I became interested in the Chinese In their stories, culture, and ways. In a short time I was able to get by in the Chinese language Mandarin. I also enjoyed opium with my friends. Some people even called me half Chinese
=== ===
'''First run ins with the law''' Det Ward claimed me. I got 6 months for sheep stealing. ([[Cookson, 05_09_1911_2|BWC)]]
On [[1864-1873 Events|29/5/1872]] I had to give evidence in a case about a miner in the court in [[Beechworth Court|Beechworth]].
In September [[1864-1873 Events|1873]] I was charged of stealing Anton [[Anton Weekes|Wicks]]' horse and had to front the court in [[Beechworth Court|Beechworth]]. Mum engaged the solicitor Mr [[William Zincke MP|Zincke]] to get me off with a fine rather than the standard 3 months gaol that we expected. We had to pay 20/- with 1/6 costs plus Mr Zincke's fee. This was my first run in with the likes of Mr '''Butler''' the magistrate
In [[1874-1877 Events|1876]] Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] and I were sentenced to 6 months in [[Beechworth Gaol|Beechworth Goal]] for illegal possession of meat. We caught near my mother's home by a chap called Doig and were arrested by Det [[Ward|Ward]] and SConst [[SConst P Mullane|Mullane]]. ([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (14)|OMA29/6/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 27|RC13530]])
In January [[1874-1877 Events|1877]] I then got 6 months for assaulting a [[Chinese|Chinaman]] [[Ah Fook|Ah On]] who tried to stop me swimming in the [[Woolshed|Woolshed]] dam. Aaron was with me but he got off ([[Kilmore Free Press at KellyGang 12/8/1880 (3)|Kilmore12/8/1880]])
After I got out I started riding with [[Ned Kelly|Ned Kelly]] and his brother [[Dan Kelly|Dan]] and other members of the [[Greta|Greta]] Mob as they moved [[Horse and Cattle stealing|cattle and horses]] back and forth from Victoria to New South Wales. [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]] was part of the group.
'''Chandler''' was considered to be a great [[Sympathizers|sympathiser]] and my chief agent. ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 2|RC16317]])
. '''Fitzpatrick Incident [[15-04-78 Fitzgerald incident|15/04/1878]]''' Some writers suggest that I instead of [[William Skillion|Bill Skillion]] was at the [[Kelly Home|Kelly Home]] when Const [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] came to arrest [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]]
Well all I am saying is that at least I went off with the '''KellyGang''' into the hills for a while. See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 4|FH]])
'''Gold mining and making whiskey near Stringy Bark Creek'''
=== ===
[[Dan Kelly|Dan]] , [[Ned Kelly|Ned]] Kelly and I headed off for a base in the hills where we did some [[Gold mining (2)|gold]] mining and made some whiskey and other things to stay out of mischief. I used my skills from the [[Woolshed|Woolshed]] to teach the others about gold mining and in a short time the rest of my mates were decent miners. We got reasonable amounts. The Lloyds boys and Steve [[Steve Hart|Hart]] joined us from time to time when they got out of goal. The [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|'''KellyGang''']] was forming as a force. We had some good times and I was able to ride down to places like [[Mansfield|Mansfield]] unnoticed.
See also the story of [[Bullocky Creek|Bullock]] Creek and the [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|'''KellyGang''']].
. '''Deaths at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges [[!!FIXME \events\e78_10__4MM.html|!!MISSING]]''' The story of this incident is really the story of what happened at [[Stringy Bark Creek|Stringy Bark]] Creek, '''Escape north''' On the day after the murders we went to Greta, and hung about there part of that day, Sunday. We got to [[Pioneer Brigde hotel|Moon's]] on Monday night I got a bottle of grog there. On Wednesday 30th October we were seen at [[Gideon Margery|Marjery]]'s, on the Murray. ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 10|RC1859]])
On 30/10/[[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]] [[Parliament|Parliament]] passed the Felons Apprehension Act. That turned us into outlaws. The police now had authority to shoot us on sight. They did not need an act of Parliament to do that.
See text of the warrant they issued ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 6 page 4|CHC]])
We had a trying time up on the River Murray with water every where and the police hot on our trail. Eventually we made it out of there and I had a chance to see my [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|family]] and the [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]]'s (including [[Elizabeth Sherritt|Elizabeth]]) for a while before we had to swing south west to [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]]. We were exhausted but still had to keep on the move.
'''Sebastopol Cavalcade''' On [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|7/11/1878]], during the Sebastopol Cavalcade [[Standish|Standish]] tried to do a deal with Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]]; hand over the '''KellyGang''' and Joe Byrne's life would be spared. [[Sadleir|Sadlier]] told the [[Royal Commission|Royal Commission]] -
<blockquote>'Since you have given part of the arrangements entered into with this man Sherritt, I would like to know the remainder?- The substance of the understanding was this: it was proposed that he should have an understanding that Captain Standish would recommend to the Government that Joe Byrne's life should be saved, not his liberty, and that he should be tempted through Aaron Sherritt to lead the police on to the other three.([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 10|RC1848]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 7|RC1801]])
</blockquote>
. '''Euroa Robbery 10/12/[[ev78-12--2Euroa Robbery|1878]]''' I was first identified as being a member of the KellyGang after the robbery ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878|Argus12/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878 (10)|Argus12/12/78]])
I stuck up Casement and the others as they came out of the Strathbogie ranges ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/8/1880|Argus11/8/80]]
On Sunday 8/12/1878 I rode into [[Euroa|Euroa]] and met our friend Ben [[Ben Gould|Gould]]. He showed me around the town and I saw the bank, the hotels, and railway station etc. Ben also told me about the funeral planned for Wednesday afternoon and the meeting of the licensing court. Everything fitted in with our plan. [[Faithfull's Creek (2)|Faithull's]] Creek Station proved to be an ideal base. Our friends arrived on time and did their job wonderfully. We were able to cut the [[Telegraph|telegraph]] wires to stop the people in Euroa talking to the police in [[Benalla|Benalla]]. Mr [[James Gloster|Gloster]] turned up as he usually did, the new clothes and hawker van worked to disguise Ned's arrival in town, the town was almost empty as l expected and the bank's door was left open so the station master could take his money to the bank after the 3.30 train. The plan that sent Assistant Commissioner [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] and Sup [[Sadleir|Sadlier]] off from [[Benalla|Benalla]] to [[Wodonga (2)|Wodonga]] was a real bonus and made the police look very silly. Apart from this every one was very polite and we did not really need to get angry with anyone. See ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 16|RC15545]]) and also ([[Sydney Morning Herald (20)|SMH12/12/78]])
platelayers
I stayed at Faithfull's Creek while others went of to Euroa.
'''Later'''
James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] and Com [[Standish|Standish]] discussed the possibility of the police offering me a deal. I apparently said I was not disinclined to throw [[KellyGang|my mates]] overboard, provided that it was guaranteed that I was not taken up by the police and given the sum of £100 or £200 to get out of the country. Of course I would not throw up my mates.
I wrote and told them so.([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 4|RC16034]])
Did I write the [[Cameron Letter|Cameron]] letter at Faithfuls Creek.([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878 (3)|Argus14/12/78]])
Did I play billards in Wangaratta ([[The Argus at KellyGang 21/12/1878|Argus21/12/78]])
. '''Jerilderie Robbery 10/2/1879''' On about 2 February [[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|1879]] Dan [[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] and I went to see Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] on his selection between [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]] and [[Beechworth|Beechworth]]. I also went and saw Elizabeth [[Elizabeth Sherritt|Sherritt]]. I him we were going over the [[Murray River at Kellygang|Murray]] up to [[Goulburn NSW|Goulbourn]] and I asked Aaron to come with us as a scout. He declined the offer and after about half an hour we left. I had a magnificent grey horse. ([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 3|RC1270]])
About this time my brother [[Patrick Byrne|Paddy]] and I saw [[Patrick Allen|Pat Allen]] on the road. My [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|mother]] and my brothers and sisters were vey short of food. She had to beg from Pat. ([[Cookson, 04_09_1911_4|BWC]]) See also ([[Sydney Morning Herald (25)|SMH12/2/79]])
We decided to go for a ride. The banks in Victoria were secured by the army and like was getting a bit tight. We had been up into New South Wales with cattle and horses and we had also been all around the place shearing and doing other things. We chose Jerilderie because no one would expect us to go there; it needed few trips to town to check out our plan. I wrote out all the detail and we rehearsed things so we all knew to do. It worked at Euroa. Of course we were not as familiar with the lay out of Jerilderie.
We arrived at the police station on the Saturday evening of the 8th after the police officers had gone to bed. In no time we had them secured in their own cells. The next morning we let Mrs Devine, the constable's wife set up the church and go about her normal business. I went into town with her and no one caused us a problem. In the afternoon I put on a police uniform and had a good look around with Steve Hart. We took Const Richards with us. Later [[Ned Kelly|Ned]] and [[Dan Kelly|Dan]] Kelly got dressed up as police and came for walk around the town while Steve Hart and I rode. ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (39)|JJK]])
We went to the Royal Hotel where we introduced ourselves to the publican Mr Cox. I went to the back and collected all the servants, and invited them inside.
I wrote most of the [[Jerilderie Letter|Jerilderie letter]] and many other letters ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 14 page 2|FH]])
Please see Dan [[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] for the rest of the story of the '''KellyGang''' in Jerilderie
=== Returning home ===
After we left Jerilderie we split up a bit and made our way to near my [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|home]] where we all met up. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 1/3/1879|Argus1/3/79]])
Soon after this Det [[Ward|Ward]] and Sup [[Hare|Hare]] set up a party of police to watch my mother with the intention of catching us if we turned up. My mate Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] hand joked about how it would be good fun to take money from the police as one of their agents and went alone with his plan but I was not too happy about putting pressure on mum and the family at home. [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Mum]] was even less happy when she found the police camp and could not get a straight answer out of Aaron. She also found that Aaron was talking to that Det [[Ward|Ward]]. For her that was about the last straw. She did not understand why I had bought into the Kelly's troubles and thought even less of Aaron. She order my sister [[Catherine Byrne, Kate Byrne|Kate]] not to see him again. See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 8 page 2|FH]])
Instead of trying to put things right Aaron decided to take Kate's horse. He had given her one a few years before. I suppose he thought that if she was no longer his girl he was entitled to get a horse back. It was a silly thing to do and my mother took a very dim view of things. She even charged Aaron with stealing the horse. While I would not have gone that far I could see why she was so upset.
Some time after the robbery of the Jerilderie bank by that party the whole '''KellyGang''' came to my mother's house. About fourteen days later [[John Sherritt Jnr|John Sherritt]] said that I sent him a letter requesting that we meet at Sandy Creek, near Wangaratta. He says we met and had a conversation. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]])
. '''[[Whorouly (2)|Whorouly]] Race meeting 3/1879''' Aaron made an effort to convince me that we were still mates.
I wrote to Aaron Sherritt. I also wanted him to ride my black mare in hurdle race ([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 13|RC1362]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 13|RC1096]]) See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 8 page 5|FH]])
Police had lots of examples of my writing ([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 13|RC1362]])
This is what Const [[Const Faulkiner|Faulkiner]] told the Royal Commission about this matter,
<blockquote>"a letter that was received by Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] from Joe Byrne-that he was to meet him at [[Whorouly (2)|Whorouly]] races. I will tell the Commission the exact facts of the case. The letter was written in peculiar phraseology that none of us here could understand, and it had to be interpreted by Aaron Sherritt himself before we knew what it meant; but the purport of it was asking Aaron Sherritt to go over to Whorouly races-this is a small country racecourse on the Ovens-and to meet him, the writer-Joe Byrne-at a certain place, as he wanted him to ride his black mare in some hurdle race. I saw the letter, and beyond doubt it was in Byrne's handwriting, because we have seen a great many of his documents 'The reason of your doubt was that he stated that he was going to ride Byrne's racehorse, and that it was not likely they would put a thirteen-stone man on that racehorse at Whorouly?- Yes.' ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 15|RC5674]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 2|RC5312]])
Many of the members of by family were at the races if I was not there my self ([[Royal Commission report day 7 page 1|RC1365]])
</blockquote>
There were reports that we had gone back to the old business of gold mining up in the area near the intersection of the roads linking [[Beechworth|Beechworth]], [[Chiltern|Chiltern]], [[Kiewa|Kiewa]] and Yackandandah. I had a friend at a pub on the Chiltern road who supplied me with all the local news papers so we could see what was going on. Old Mrs [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Sherritt]] reported that we were supplied with provisions from a woman that lived near [[Chiltern|Chiltern]] that was an old sweetheart of mine ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 11|RC13210]])
. '''Later in 1879''' Where did I stay ([[The Argus at KellyGang 6/8/1880|Argus6/8/80]])
As the year wore on I became concerned about what we might do next. The police were after us and there was a continuing pressure on our friends to accept the massive reward and do the right thing by the Government. The life of an outlaw may sound grand but it is hard life. We were always on the move, sleeping in all weather and putting our loyal friends under great pressure. They may not have cared about being arrested as sympathizers, but while they were helping us they were not ploughing their paddocks and working to feed their own families. Nearly all our friends were poor selectors or landless workers and as much victims of the oppression by the powerful as we were. These issues rested on our mind as long as we had money. Later we had to respond, but how?
'''Letter to Aaron Sherritt'''
Aaron Sherritt said that on about [[events 1879-05/ 1879-07at KellyGang|2/7/1879]] he got a letter from me asking for a meeting ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13850]])
Det [[Ward|Ward]] believed that I was the treasurer and in [[events 1879-08/ 1879-10|August]] money was running short as we have only £500 and the 50 or 80 ozs. of gold. There was a plan for Aaron Sherritt to go to Chiltern or Wodonga to sell the gold for us. Aaron refused, and said he was too well known to Sergeant [[Chiltern|Lynch]], of Chiltern. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 11|RC14773]])
Apparently at the request of Com [[Standish|Standish]] James Wallace make an arrangement with Aaron Sherritt for me to betray the other three members of the '''KellyGang'''. I would never have done such a thing.([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 9|RC14723]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 11|RC14773]])
Aaron Sherritt told the police that he had recieved a threatening letter from a man, '''Jack Fox''', who was a particular friend of mine. He received a sentence of nine months, some six years ago, for stealing a horse from Mr. Kennedy, of the [[Woolshed|Woolshed]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 12|RC14791]])
I may have given a letter to Jack Sherritt to post ([[Royal Commission report 10/8/1881|RC15691]])
I communicated with James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] through Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] about a saddle that Ned [[Ned Kelly|Kelly]] stolen from him some time previously. I offered to replace it, and stated we were sorry that he had been victimized, having been a schoolmate of mine. ([[Royal Commission report day 41 page 12|RC14441]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 1|RC14516]])
On one occasion [[Ann Jane Sherritt|Arron Sherritt]]'s mother said she received a letter from [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|my mother]] to go and see her, and Mrs Byrne told her then that I and Dan Kelly called at the Black Dog Creek. I gave a letter to [[Lord Byron's Shanty|Mrs Byron]] to deliver it to my mother. Mrs. Byron, not being on good terms with mum, she sent the letter by her husband to [[Archibald Batchelor|Mr Batchelor]], who lives next door and he delivered it to mum. ([[Royal Commission report day 40 page 5|RC14190]])
My mother charged Aaron Sherritt with horse stealing ([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (4)|OMA15/7/79]])
During this time we moved around the country and [[Steve Hart|Steve Hart]] can tell you about that.
In early September I produced a threatening letter relating to Aaron Sherritt ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13850]])
In about mid [[events 1879-08/ 1879-10|September]] I heard that Det [[Ward|Ward]] was involved in some plan to arrange a pardon for me ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 6|RC14646]])
I responded by offering a reward of £8,000 for the apprehension and delivery in [[Strathbogie Ranges|Strathbogie]] Ranges of Captain [[Standish|Standish]], Sconst [[SConst P Mullane|Mullane]], and Det [[Ward|Ward]] ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13853]])
This was probably about the same time that [[Ward|he]] raped my sister [[Catherine Byrne, Kate Byrne|Kate]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 7|RC14669]])
In October I met James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] one moonlight night on the [[Oxley|Oxley]] road, going in the direction of Sebastopol [[Greta|Greta]]. His school was right in a line from the two places. I was by myself. Wallace was in company with others. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 3|RC14567]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 5|RC14620]])
At the begining of November I arranged to have a meeting with Jack [[John Sherritt Jnr|Sherritt]] ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15244]])
I arranged to meet him Thompson's, but he had left there twelve months before. I met him as he was returning home. I apparently suddenly rushed out of the bush at the foot of the hill, and called him and we had a long conversation. My boots and spurs were bloody, as if I had ridden a long distance. I asked about the Yackandandah and Beechworth banks, and that Ned and I could not agree. We would want a couple of men there with us and I invited Jack to help us and several things like that. I even said that our horses were bad, and that my grey mare was the best of the lot. On his return from Sandy Creek Jack Sherritt told Det [[Ward|Ward]] about our meeting.([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 19|RC15613]])
I arranged to meet him again Evans Gap near [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]] after he had checked out the bank in Yackandandah but it did not happen. I made a number of other appointments to meet him. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15244]])
On about 10/11/1879 [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]] received another letter, stating that I wanted to meet him about twenty miles from [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] or [[Lake Rowan|Lake Rowan]]. The letter was handed to Det Ward by the Sherritts, and he forwarded it on to Ass Com Nicolson. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13854]])
I called at my mother's place and met [[John Sherritt Jnr|Jack]] and [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] Sherritt there on about [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|23/11/1879]] ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 20|RC15624]]) See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 8 page 8|FH]])
I arranged to meet Aaron Sherritt when he was returning back to Wangaratta. I saw him next morning and wanted to know about the banks and which ones were being protected. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 5|RC13854]])
Apparently the police were under the impression that I used to visit my [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|mother]]'s house. In December Const [[Const R Alexander|Alexander]] was instructed that, if I was found coming to the house, he was to secure me, if possible; if the other outlaws and myself were in company, they were to fire at and shoot us-Ned Kelly in particular, the tallest of the '''KellyGang'''. [[Royal Commission report day 37 page 28|(RC13545]])
Jack [[John Sherritt Jnr|Sherritt]] said that on [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|23/11/1879]] I came to see him. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 1|RC15289]])
. '''Early in 1880''' I was reported by John [[John Sherritt Jnr|Sherritt]] as sleeping in haystacks around home
On [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|26/5/80]] I met up with Mrs [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Sherritt]] Sen near Sebastopol. She said she was out looking for her cows. She asked me what I was doing there, and my reply was- "Oh, we could go anywhere were it not for your sanguinary son there." I also told her that I was going to kill [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] Det [[Ward|Ward]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 10|RC13184]]). Standish even went further and said that I was out to shoot Hare as well. He would say anything for a good story.([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 10|RC71]]) A few days later she told Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] about our meeting, well , perhaps we met. Again there was a report that I was seen by Aaron Sherritt in Byrne's Gully on [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|30/5/80]], just a few days before Nicolson was replaced. ([[Royal Commission report day 3 page 9|RC 789]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 3 page 10|RC801]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 5 page 2|RC1110]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 46 page 5|RC15849]])
See also ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (56)|JJK]])
On about [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|25/6/1880]] Aaron Sherritt went into [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] and had a few drinks. [[Ian Jonesat KellyGang|Ian Jones]] in his book about us 'The Friendship that destroyed Ned Kelly' tells a story about a hotel called The Vine and a lady called Maggie who was my girl. Perhaps he's right. I don't know. (see also ([[Melbourne Daily Telegraph (8)|MDTel1/7/80]]))
. '''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' [[James Kelly|Jim Kelly]]'s answer as to why did I shoot Aaron Sherritt ([[Cookson, 05_09_1911_4|BWC]])
[[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] and I had a packhorse with us when we met Anton [[Anton Weekes|Weekes]] ([[The Argus|Argus28/6/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 8|RC13144]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 17 page 3|CHC]])
The other members of the '''KellyGang''' were not present. See ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 1|RC2759]])
I shot Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]]. I came up to his place with Dan [[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] and Anton [[Anton Weekes|Weekes]], the man who first brought me before the law. I got Weekes to ask Aaron to come out and show him the way home because he was lost. I then shot him. Anton gave a good indication as to what happened in his evidence before the inquest into Aaron's death. We gave him no harm.([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (17)|OMA29/6/80]]) ([[The Argus (11)|Argus29/6/80]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (37)|SMH6/7/80]])
According to Pat [[Patrick Allen|Allen]] I used a double-barrelled rifle that had belonged to sgt [[Kennedy Sgt|Kennedy]]. I put two bullets into Aaron. ([[Cookson, 04_09_1911_2|BWC]])
I then asked Aaron's [[Ellen Sherritt|wife]] to get the policemen inside to come out. She gave some story but I knew who they were and I was happy to deal with them given half a chance. Aaron's death was enough to get the police moving. The cowards could wait until Glenrowan.([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 12|RC13230]])
I gave them a fright by challenging them from the back of the house, "Come outside and surrender, or I will shoot you rotten dogs." ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 13|RC12144]])
See Const [[Const W Duross|Duross]] and [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Mrs Barry]] the details of what happened that night. See also ([[The Age (14)|Age1/7/1880]]) ([[Melbourne Daily Telegraph (3)|MDTel1/7/80]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser (4)|OMA1/7/80]])
I wanted Duross to come out. I told Mrs Barry what I though about things. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 21|RC13396]])
Hear Mrs Sherritt's version of what happened ([[The Ovens and Murray Advertiser (3)|OMA26/4/81]])
The news about Aaron's death came out in the press soon after. ([[The Argus|Argus]] 28/6/80)
. '''Glenrowan Siege [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|28/6/1880]]''' After we finished up at Sherritt's place Dan and I headed off to meet up with Ned Kelly and Steve Hart at Glenrowan. We got there in time to invite Mr [[Thomas Curnow|Curnow]] and his family to join us just before lunch on 27/6/1880 (RC)
Mrs [[McDonnell's Railway Taven|McDonnell]] called me 'Sugar' because he was so sweet on the girls. I had been in the pub under another name many times. ([[Herald (7)|Herald29/6/80]])
'''Death'''
I was at the bar in the Inn at about [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|5.30am]] safe in my armour when a police bullet got me in the groin while drinking a glass of whisky.([[The Argus (5)|Argus29/6/80]]) ([[The Melbourne Daily Telegragh (2)|MDTel29/6/80]]) ([[The Argus (17)|Argus30/6/80]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser|OMA1/7/80]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser (2)|OMA1/7/80]]) ([[The Argus (39)|Argus5/7/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 18|RC10380]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 12 page 3|FH]])
'''Fire'''
When the hotel was set on fire my body was found in the entrance to the bar, on the east side of the hotel. It was only slightly scorched by the fire. people commmented that I was ill nourished with a thin face that was black with smoke. My arms were bent at right angles at the elbows and my joints had stiffened below the elbows. They were standing erect. By then my body was quite stiff. See also ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 3|RC12314]]) See also ([[The Melbourne Daily Telegragh (6)|MDTel29/6/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 47|RC7188]])
The police dragged my body outside after Rev [[Matthew Gibney|Gibney]] had left the Inn. My body described([[The Argus (6)|Argus29/6/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 50|RC7262]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 4|RC12323]])
Like the rest of the boys I was dressed to meet my fate. I had on a blue sac coat, tweed striped trousers, Crimean shirt and my best boots, altough I agree that they were a tight fit. I also had a ring on my right hand which had belonged to Constable [[Scanlon|Scanlon]]. ([[The Argus (13)|Argus 29/6/80]]))
Read about my last conversation with Ned Kelly and hear about my wounds ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 16|RC17786]])
. '''After the Siege''' When the siege was over Com [[Standish|Standish]] ordered that my body be brought down to [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] and put in the lockup overnight. The next day they nailed me to the door of a police cell and Mr '''Burman''', of Melbourne took my photograph to add to their collection. Later that day the authorities had some sort of inquest into my death. ([[The Argus (15)|Argus30/6/80]]) ([[The Argus (19)|Argus30/6/80]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (33)|SMH30/6/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 11|RC77]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 12 page 1|RC2249]])([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 10|RC2890]]).([[The Age (44)|Age12/8/80]])
The artist '''Jullian Ashton''' saw me up against the door ([[Sydney Morning Herald (13)|SMH25/1/1934]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (14)|SMH30/1/34]])
My horse was found at [[McDonnell's Railway Taven|McDonnell]]'s in Glenrowan. It was the one I had when I shot Aaron Sherritt. It had been stolen from Mr Ryan ([[Sydney Morning Herald (33)|SMH30/6/80]])
[[MacBean|McBean]] conducted a Magisterial Inquiry into my death. Com [[Standish|Standish]], the police Commissioner was also on the bench. This great team found that I was shot as an [[Felons Apprehension Act|outlaw]]. The evidence of Const [[McIntyre|McIntyre]] was taken, the proclamation of the Government declaring the outlaws, the whole of the official papers from the Gazette were shown and read before the magistrate. ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 11|RC2905]]) See also ([[The Argus (17)|Argus30/6/80]])
See other witnesses. ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser (3)|OMA1/7/80]])
Com [[Standish|Standish]] instructed that I be buried straight off ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 11|RC77]])
But not before the person from the Waxworks did his thing. ([[The Argus (30)|Argus1/7/80]])
At [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|4 o'clock]] on that Tuesday afternoon they buried me in the [[Benalla|Benalla]] cemetery. That was done by a constable, my body being wrapped in calico and interned in the pauper portion of the cemetery. They said that no one came to claim my body. ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 9|RC2880]]) Who was left to do so?
Was I really like that? ([[Herald (11)|Herald30/6/80]])
A representation of me was put on display at the wax works in Melbourne within a few days of my death. ([[Herald (16)|Herald3/7/80]])
== Note from one of our friends - can you help? ==
"Our Ellen Byrne was born circa 1870-71 in Victoria although on her marriage certificate she has written Victoria for her birthplace then crossed it out and put down New South Wales, her husband also crossed out Victoria but we know that he knew he was born in NSW.
Ellen married Leonard Bulpit in October 1890 in Melbourne and she had to get special permission to marry from a justice of the peace ,she has put her age as 20.On the Certificate she claims that Patrick Byrne was her Father and that her mother was " Ellen Unknown".When our Ellen died in 1955 she was known as Ellen Margaret.
Ellen never spoke about her family to her children and claimed that she was brought up in a convent but we don't know where .Although she was married by a Church of England Minister she regularly went to Mass at the Catholic church .Her children were brought up as Catholics..
She was a very strict Mother, secretive but quite intelligent. Ellen and Leonard had 7 children..
Ellen's Granddaughter lived with us for 8 years and she was very upset when we started delving into family history.She claimed she knew nothing much about Ellen except going to church with her sometimes and we believe her, but she had a very distinct fear of us finding out stuff about the family . We have tried to disprove our suspicions but have been unable to do so as yet.We have looked on the NSW births deaths and marriages but no one comes close.
Another strange thing is that there are no photos of Ellen within the family . We were hoping that someone on your site could help us with some more info about Ellen Byrne ,Joe Byrnes sister. There are several Patricks down through the years in Philip's family and yet the children of Ellen seemed to not know about Patrick, Ellen's father. All these things add up to a person who is denying their past and therefore it makes it a possibility of our Ellen Byrne being Joe Byrnes youngest sister but Philip would like to do further research into it yet as it is not definate. Perhaps we won't be able to find the truth.
We are still hopeful of finding a photo of her somewhere as all her children married and there just may be a photo of her at one of the marriages, who knows .We can only try. We hope you can help us with some more information.' [mailto:joe@kelltgang.asn.au ]
== What happened to the Byrne family ==
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with B]] [[Category:Joe Byrne]] [[Category:Kelly Gang]] [[Category:bushrangers]] [[Category:history]]
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{{^|Original page location \people\peB\ByrneJoeK.html}}
