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{{KellyGang Side}}
== ==
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== Ned Kelly was the leader of the KellyGang. 'As game as Ned Kelly' is a common Australian saying ==
'''Links to the KellyGang''' '''below''' , [[#ea|Early Years]] , [[#teen|Teenage years and Harry Power]] , [[#first|First run in with the law]] , [[#f|1st Fitzpatrick Incident]] , [[#fitz|The Fitzpatrick Incident]] , [[#gold|Gold Mining]] , [[#mm|Deaths at Stringy Bark Creek]], [[#north|Escape North]], [[#euroa|Euroa Robbery]], Mass arrest of sympathizers , [[#jer|Jerilderie Robbery]] ''',''' [[#l79|Later in 1879]] , [[#e80|Early in 1880]] , [[#sherritt|Death of Aaron Sherritt]] , [[#glf|Glenrowan Siege]] , [[#nkt|Ned Kelly's Trial]] , [[#death|Execution]] , Royal Commission , Family ,
== Family ==
'''parents''' [[John (Red) Kelly|John (Red) Kelly]] and [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|Ellen Kelly]] '''brothers''' and '''sisters''' [[Mary Jane Kelly|Mary Jane]], [[Anne Kelly and Alex Gunn|Anne]] (53), Margaret ([[Margaret Skillion|Maggie]]) 55?, [[James Kelly|James]] 59, [[Dan Kelly|Daniel (Dan)]] 61, Catherine ([[Kate Kelly|Kate]]) 63, [[Grace Kelly|Grace]] 8/65, half brother and sisters [[Ellen (Frost) Kelly|Ellen]] 74 , [[John King / Kelly|John]] 75 and [[Alice (King) Kelly|Alice]] 78 '''Uncles''' ... '''aunts''' ...
I was described as being 5ft. 10in. high, medium build, has a fresh complexion, dark- brown hair, and hazel eyes ([[The Argus at KellyGang 28/10/1878|Argus28/10/78]])
Photograph
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early years''' I was born in a farm on the side of Big Hill near [[Beveridge|Beveridge]] in December [[home_reference|1854*]]
In [[1854-1863 Events|1859]] I started at the Catholic school in Beveridge.
Anyone who saw me once could not mistake me. I shrugged my shoulders like my two uncles. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 13|RC15515]])
See also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 3 page 3|CHC]]) ([[Cookson, 08_09_1911_4|BWC]]) '''Teen age years and Harry Power''' In October 1869 I was working with [[William Skillion|William Skillion]] and '''William Gray''' on my mother's place. A Chinaman called [[Ah Fook|Ah Fook]] said that I robbed him. I got off with the help of my mates.
The case came to court in Benalla on 26/10/69. Supt [[Sup Nicolas|Nicolas]] procecuted. Ned Kelly gave his version and it was backed up by his two mates. He was not convicted.
In [[1864-1873 Events|1870]] I may have been learning the bushranger business from [[Harry Power|Harry Power]] and I may have been with Harry when he stuck up [[MacBean|Robert McBean]] at [[Kilfera|Kilfera]] in March. After a few more robberies with Power I was arrested at home by [[Sup Nicolas|Nicolas]] as Power's accomplice in the offence against MacBean. I was brought to trial in Benalla in May 1870. That fell through for lack of evidence. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/5/1870|Argus13/5/70]])
On the 25/5/1870 Power stuck up Mr '''John Murray''', of '''Lauriston'''. I was arrested for the latter offence on the 4th of May, but escaped conviction owing to want of identification. Some people think that MacBean and Nicolson were trying to do a deal with Ned to get him to lead them to Power. While all this was going on I was held by the police on charges relating to a robbery at [[Kyneton|Kyneton]] until mid May when he was released and allowed to go home.
Soon after Harry Power was behind bars for 10 years for robbery, I then came under the police spot light for a number of matters.
'''First run ins with the law''' I was charged with as . '''First Fitzpatrick incident''' On 17 September [[1874-1877 Events|1877]] I rode into [[Benalla|Benalla]] and met up with a mate, a young policeman called Alex [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] and some other friends. After a time I found that I had had rather too much to drink which was unusual for me. Just as I rode my horse over the footpath there appeared Fitzpatrick again and he arrested me for being drunk and riding on the footpath. I was put in the cells for the night.
In the morning Sgt [[Whelan|Whelan]] joined by Constables [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]], [[Lonigan|Lonigan]], and [[Const Day|Day]] escorted me to the [[Benalla Court|court house]] from the [[Benalla Police Station|police station]] cells. My 'friend' suggested that I should be handcuffed for this trip which I did not appreciate. I broke free and headed for King's boot makers shop. In the course of the attempted arrest in the shop Fitzpatrick endeavoured to catch me by the foot, and in the struggle he tore the sole and heel of my boot clean off. With one well directed blow I sent him sprawling against the wall. Those bastards tried to take my trousers off and Lonigan even blackballed me, grabbing me by the testicles.
Eventually I allowed '''William Magennis''', the Justice of the Peace and local flour miller to handcuff me but I would not let those police have the honour.
The [[Benalla Court|court]] accepted my side of events and I was fined 1 shilling or 4 hours imprisonment for being drunk and 2 pounds or 1 month for assaulting police and an additional 2 pounds or 1 month for resisting arrest. I also had to pay Fitzpatrick 5 shillings for damage to his clothing. I paid the fines and was reasonably satisfied with justice. Hear my version of this strot ([[The Age (35)|Age9/8/80]])
In the mid to late 1877 the police started to get the upper hand and while I was not caught a number of my good friends including my brother [[Dan Kelly|Dan]], my cousins [[Tom Lloyd Jnr|Tom]] and [[Jack Lloyd Jnr|John]] Lloyd and William [[William Cooke|Cooke]] were all caught and I decided to give horses and cattle a miss.
I find it a bit of a laugh; Const [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] said that he convinced me to give up to him Dan and Tom and John to him after the [[David Goodman|Goodman]] incident. ([[Royal Commission report day 36 page 6|RC12873]])
Where did I go and what did I see, shearing, the back of the Wombat ranges? Yes and no
On 15 March [[1/1/1878-10/4/1878 Events|1878]] a warrant was issued for me on charges of horse stealing
. '''Fitzpatrick Incident at the Kelly Home [[15-04-78 Fitzgerald incident|15/04/1878]]''' Early in the day I sold a mare to Frank [[Frank Harty|Harty]] of [[Winton|Winton]] and to Joseph [[Joe Ryan|Ryan]] in [[Lake Rowan|Lake Rowan]].
Fitzpatrick came to the [[Kelly Home|Kelly home]] to arrest [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]]. After talking to my mother Mrs [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|Kelly]] and my sister [[Kate Kelly|Kate]] for some time Dan arrived back home and asked Const [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] if he could have dinner before they left home. It is suggested by some writers that during this time there may have been some disturbance, perhaps Fitzpatrick had made some advances towards [[Kate Kelly|Kate]]. Of course he did. There is also a suggestion that [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|Mrs Kelly]] used a shovel. Of course she did not. She did not need to that sort of thing to protect her children from people like Fitzpatrick.
While I have always denied being at home it is suggested by most writers that I came in at about this time and fired a revolver at Fitzpatrick and hit him in the wrist. Fitzpatrick said that I offered to take the bullet out. Soon after this Fitzpatrick left soon after. He eventually, after further assistance from David Lindsay's brandy, reported that he had been shot by the Kellys.
Apart from my mother Mrs Kelly and Dan and I and our younger brothers and sister [[William Williamson, Brickey|Brckey Williamson]], the next door neighbour was present. Fitzpatrick also said that my sister [[Margaret Skillion|Maggie]]'s husband [[William Skillion|Bill Skillion]], was present. Some writers suggest that Bill had been mistaken for [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]].
See my friend Fitzpatrick's verion, some of the reatest rubbish I ever heard. ([[Royal Commission report day 36 page 4|RC12822]])
See also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 4 page 2|CHC]]) ([[Cookson, 07_09_1911_3|BWC]])
Hear my very own version of what happened ([[The Age (36)|Age9/8/80]]) See also([[The Argus at KellyGang 17/4/1878|Argus17/4/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/4/1878|Argus22/4/78]])
On the [[15-04-78 Fitzgerald incident|16/4/1878]] the police issued a warrant for my arrest. Later my mother, brother in law Bill Skillion and Brickey Williamson were charged with the attempted murder of Fitzpatrick. They were sent to Goal for long periods. It was a total disgrace. I described what happened in the [[Jerilderie Letter|Jerilderie letter]]
The '''KellyGang''' set out my side of these events in the Cameron [[Cameron Letter|letter]]. I and Dan decided to go bush.
Did I take Nolan's saddle ([[The Argus at KellyGang 7/5/1878|Argus7/5/78]])
Was I around Echuca? ([[The Argus at KellyGang 7/5/1878 (2)|Argus14/5/78]])
. '''Gold mining and making whiskey near Stringy Bark Creek''' In April 1878 the government offered a £100 reward for my arrest. Dan had the same offer and the police started going through the hills after us.
[[Dan Kelly|Dan]] some of our other friends headed off for a base in the hills on [[Bullocky Creek|Bullock]] Creek where we did some [[Gold mining (2)|gold]] mining and made some whiskey and other things to stay out of mischief. [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]], Tom [[Tom Lloyd Jnr|Lloyd]] and Steve [[Steve Hart|Hart]] joined us from time when they got out of goal. The [[../../things/K_kellys/K_KellyGang.html|'''KellyGang''']] was forming as a force.
Dan, Joe Byrne, Steve Hart and I, worked constantly mining for gold from April till October 1878. We lived in a log hut built years before by some previous prospectors on Kelly's Creek.([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (18)|JJK]])
On the [[17/4-4/10/78 Events|29/8/1878]], Ward received information that I was seen about three weeks ago between the Woolshed and Sebastopol, in the Ovens district, riding and carrying a gun under my arm, with a revolver strapped on my saddle.It is well that we did not find out who sold us out. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 6|RC3109]])
[[Graves|Graves]] told the Royal Commission, ' For a series of years from Power's time they had a regular well-beaten track from Mansfield to cross, which was only used by themselves. A week hardly elapsed that I did not find in my paddocks either one of my horses ridden, or one of theirs left there and one of mine taken. The '''KellyGang''' had always relays of horses at those back country places, as you are not allowed to impound horses if they belong to neighbors, and there they would remain till they would come for them. They were always on the beaten track backwards and forwards to [[Mansfield|Mansfield]].' ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 16|RC15554]])
. '''Deaths at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Rangers [[!!FIXME \events\e78_10__4MM.html|!!MISSING]]''' Sgt [[Kennedy Sgt|Kennedy]] had a [[Photographs|photograph]] of me that was taken while I was in [[Pentridge|Pentridge Prison]] ([[The Age (33)|Age9/8/80]])
I had an old Enfield musket that was useful for shooting around corners. I have set out my version of events in the [[Cameron Letter|Cameron]] and [[Jerilderie Letter|Jerilderie]] letters. Const [[McIntyre|McIntyre]] survived our attempt to protect ourselves. The police had their version of the 'truth' and they 'used' it at my trial. See also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter I page 1|CHC]])
On 25 October [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]] I had been to Table Top and the Bogs and [[Emu Swamp|Emu]] and on my way back to [[Bullocky Creek|Bullock]] Creek I came cross the tracks of a police party.
One of the police fired at some parrots during the afternoon of Saturday 26/10/1878 so [[KellyGang|we]] knew that other people were in the area. The police were camped on [[Stringy Bark Creek|Stringy Bark]] Creek less a mile and a half south east from our camp on [[Bullocky Creek|Kellys]] Creek. This is what we had to say in the Cameron [[Cameron Letter|Letter]]:
'...found police camped at the Shingle Hut with long fire arms and we came to the conclusion our doom was sealed unless we could take their fire-arms, as we had nothing but a gun and a rifle if they came on us at our work or camp. We had no chance only to die like dogs as we thought the country was woven with police and we might have a chance of fighting them if we had firearms, as it generally takes 40 to one.' ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 5 page 3|CHC]])
The rest of the story of this incident is really the story of what happened at [[Stringy Bark Creek|Stringy Bark]] Creek,
See the description of me that appeared in the paper. ([[The Age 30/10/78|Age30/10/78]])
How did McIntyre identify me ([[The Argus at KellyGang 9/8/1880 (3)|Argus9/8/80]])
What sort of discussion did I have with McIntyre ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/10/1878 (3)|Argus30/10/78]])
[[Stephens|Stephens]] told my hearing of what I told him at Faithfuls Creek ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/8/1880|Argus10/8/80]])
Did I tell the press about what happened to Sgt Kennedy ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878 (6)|Argus13/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878|Argus14/12/78]])
. '''Escape north''' On 30/10/[[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|1878]] [[Parliament|Parliament]] in [[Melbourne|Melbourne]] 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. [[KellyGang|We]] had gone from being persecuted small selectors and ordinary people to public enemy number one for being concerned about [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|Mother]] and trying to stand up for our selves. That is good government in this British colony of Victoria.
We managed to escape drowning in the River Murray and eventually escaped to a nice life on one of the squatter's stations near home. Let the police find us. They could no matter how hard they tried. We had time to spend with our friends and plan for the future.
See text of the warrant they issued ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 6 page 4|CHC]])
. '''[[Euroa|Euroa]] Robbery 10/12/[[ev78-12--2Euroa Robbery|1878]]''' We needed money and we needed to do something for our friends. The banks had money and they had mortgages that sapped the pride of our friends.
After a lot of planning we headed off to [[Faithfull's Creek (2)|Faithfull]]'s Creek Station. There we first met the Mr and Mrs [[Fitzgerald|Fitzgerald]]. She has given a good account of our first meeting. We then took all those who came to the station into custody including Mr [[Casement, Henry Dudley, Tennant & McDougall|Casement]] and his party and Mr [[James Gloster|Gloster]], the hawker.
On the afternoon of 11/12/78 Dan and Steve Hart and I went into [[Euroa|Euroa]] and robbed the bank. We returned with Mr [[Scott|Scott]] and his family. They give a good account as to what happened and what I did. See also ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 11 page 1|CHC]])
Soon after they arrived back at Faithfull's Creek Station we had the ladies locked in the homestead and all the rest except Mr [[Macauley|McCauley]] locked in the out buildings. I then told Mr McCauley that he should wait for at least 3 hours before he let the people out or sort any assistance. Of course we had our friends amongst the captives.
See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878|Argus12/12/78]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (20)|SMH12/12/78]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 6 page 1|FH]])
Description of my horse. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1878 (4)|Argus12/12/78]])
WE recieved some very bad press ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1878|Argus16/12/78]])
. '''Jerilderie Robbery [[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|10/2/1879]]''' About midnight on Friday the 8th of February 1879, we the '''KellyGang''' surrounded the [[Jerilderie|Jerilderie]] police station, which was all in darkness, the constables having retired to their beds, when they were awoke by some one calling out- "Constable Devine, there is a drunken man at Davidson's hotel in the township who has committed a murder. Get up at once all of you." Constable Richards came outside and he was followed immediately by Devine. They were both undressed and unarmed. I told them there was a great row in the township, and after conversing with them for some time, to make sure there were no other constables inside. I then presented two revolvers at Devine's head, Joe Byrne did the same to Constable Richards. We them got the keys of the lock-up, took the two policemen and locked them in their own watch-house. I then went into the police station, secured all the firearms, made the constable's wife and family go into one room, and placed Steve Hart as sentry over them. We then made themselves as comfortable, leaving one on sentry until daylight on Sunday morning. See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/2/1879 (4)|Argus12/2/79]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (25)|SMH12/2/79]])
Later in the day we all went into town, to the Royal Hotel where we introduced ourselves to the publican Mr Cox. I positioned the others around the hotel and secured the town.
Before we said good bye to the people of Jerilderie gathered in the hotel I explained to them who we were and why we had done what we had done. The banks store squatters and other rich peoples money and take land from poor farmers. The police only protect the interests of the wealthy. I also explained that on the occasion when Constable [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]] was wounded, he was not within 400 miles of his mother's place. I admitted that we had stolen 400 horses from Mr. [[Whitty|Whilty]]'s run at various times and he sold them, but explained that beyond that, up to the time we shot the police at the Wombat, we had not been guilty of any other crime. People were interested in our exploits and I showed those present my revolvers, and pointed out one which I got from Constable Lonigan. The musket which I shot Lonigan with was an old worn-out crooked thing.
Please see Dan [[Dan Kelly|Kelly]] for the story of the '''KellyGang''' in Jerilderie. See also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 7 page 5|FH]]) ([[The True of Bushrangers Chapter 13 page 3|CHC]])
At about this time I dropped in to see old Mrs [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Sherritt]]. This was after Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]] stopped Aaron from seeing [[Catherine Byrne, Kate Byrne|Kate Byrne]]. We were concerned that Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] was travelling with the police and not being entirely frank with us. I picked up one Mrs Sherritt's children and gave it a cuddle. I think that gave old Mrs Sherritt a fright. This was perhaps the last time we tried to get Aaron on our side.([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 9|RC13166]])
Did I go to have a good time in Melbourne ([[Cookson, 14_09_1911_1|BWC]]) Did I give the press an interview? ([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (3)|OMA13/4/79]])
James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] alledged that I stoled a saddle from him ([[Royal Commission report day 41 page 12|RC14441]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 1|RC14516]])
. '''Later in 1879''' As the year went by we had to think about what to do next. We could not live off our friends for ever. Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] sets out many of these issues and Steve [[Steve Hart|Hart]] will explain a bit about what we were doing at this time.
We were supported by our sisters, [[Margaret Skillion|Maggie]] and [[Kate Kelly|Kate]] in the country near home. They did a lot of cooking and baked us great bread so that we did not need to light a fire. They also risked their lives and the future of our young brothers and sisters as they rode through the police who tried to follow.
Joe's [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|mother]] also gave us wonderful support. We had a way over the old gold workings to her place which meant that we could get there without being seen by the police.
I wrote to Mr [[Samuel Gill|Gill]]. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 5/7/1879|Argus5/7/79]])
Was I ill ([[The Argus at KellyGang 26/7/1879|Argus26/7/79]])
They thought that I had caught a ship from Adelaide ([[The Argus at KellyGang 29/8/1879|Argus29/8/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/8/1879|Argus30/8/79]])
One day I got an offer from George Scott, perhaps better known as [[Wantabadgery|Captain Moonlite]]. He had recently been released from Gaol and thought he could use our skills and wanted to team up with us. I knew his reputation from friends in [[Pentridge|Pentridge]] so I told him to stay out of the Kelly Country.
I had a meeting with a friend? ([[The Argus at KellyGang 20/11/1879|Argus20/11/79]])
Did I ever go to New Zealand ([[Alexandra and Yea Standard, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express at KellyGang 26/12/1879|Alexandra26/12/1879]])
. '''Early in 1880''' You ask me whether the '''KellyGang''' still existed
You ask me why had we hidden in our faces in the dirt, dust and mud.
You ask me what was I doing about my Mother and other people who are dear to me and who were in gaol because of me
Can't u thrust u friends Mr Kelly
What happened to all the money Mr Kelly
When are we going to see you again Mr Kelly?
Steve Hart and my brother Dan were getting bored. Joe went through mood swings from a frenzy of thought and planning to private despair without hope for our future. In the last few years I have done a lot of thinking. Every one knows about Ned Kelly. Some how we have even become an Australian icon. People now take pride in the fact their great grandfather saw me once or even better exchanged a few words with me. Others who share our story are descended from people who tired to destroy us with less care than they would shown to a slug under foot. They even go to Champaign sipping functions in our memory and look in awe at things like our armour.
Where did the idea for the [[Kelly's Armour|armour]] come from?
Who made my armour; a friend in the [[Strathbogie Ranges|Strathbogie Ranges]] ([[Herald (17)|Herald3/7/80]])
Why of all the bush rangers and all the selectors have we been treated this way. While it was hard for us at the time, I would trade all my fame for the pain that was to come. Nothing can make up the death of my 3 three good friends at hands of the enemy or my own death at the end of their rope.
People were right; we could not just sit around, we had to do something. Sneaking through the bush as outlaws had no future. If nothing less, a life on the run was not a good basis for a relationship. Ladies unfortunately have a more practical approach, they even ask questions about a future. Children are really the only to remain immortal, generation after generation.
We had stolen some cattle and horses, stuck up the banks at Euroa and Jerilderie and dragged police officers all over the place as they sort to find us. I suppose that we could have robbed banks and taken pocket books from people on the highway as my old friend Harry Power had done, but I did not embark on this path to be a common criminal. There is no future in that. People need to be uplifted by the things that you do. I could not ask my friends to risk their homes and families for low crime that would drive us further into the dust. Euroa and Jerilderie worked well, they worked as good theatre as they were productive.
What we needed was an event that would astonish the world. Something that would ensure my Mother's freedom and I lift the Out Lawry Act so that we could ride free with our heads held high. Some people would have had us split up, other suggested that we should go to some other colony and deny our names. All these were short term solutions that may have satisfied Steve Hart or my brother Dan. Joe Byrne understood and he was prepared to work out the detail of any plan.
Joe Byrne was keen on the idea that we take over the train that brought the gold from Beechworth. I was concerned that we needed to more than just commit another robber. [[Max Brown|Max Brown]] in his book tells a story of one of the ideas we spent some time thinking about. The newspapers told the story of the Governor of New South Wales, a man called Sir Hercules Robinson had pardoned Ben Hall's mate, Gardiner, on condition he leave the colony. If we could take the Governor of Victoria, a man with one of those names that would only befit an English, 'His Excellency the Governor, Lord [[Governor of Victoria|Normanby]]'. He used to spend time at his summer holiday home at Mt Macedon. We had the idea that it would be good to lay before him over a bottle of three-star brandy in the hills the justice of our cause and the mutual advantage of a little bloodless reciprocity.
The beginnings of the plan we finally settled upon was based upon the suffering of all our friends who were trying to make a living despite all the good land being stolen by the squatters and the police enforcing justice in support of the wealthy. We saw from our reading of the that Mr [[Berry, Chief Secretary|Berry]]'s [[Prime Minister of Victoria|Government]] in Melbourne were split between squatter and selector, free spirited people such as ourselves of an Irish Catholic background might have a chance to establish a free country in the great south land. All they needed was a bit assistance. If we could lower the flag of the police the English pride of the squatters would give them little protection against a just society.
The plan for Glenrowan gave all our friends a chance to make a difference. All we had to do was to act out our part. Once we had agreed upon this idea we started the massive task of getting all our friends behind the plan.
'''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' I was at Glenrowan at the time . '''Glenrowan Siege [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|28/6/1880]]''' '''Arrive in Town'''
See also ([[The Argus (4)|Argus29/6/80]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 10 page 4|FH]])
Soon after [[Steve Hart|Steve Hart]] and I arrived in town on the evening of the [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|26/6/1880]] we set up our base at [[McDonnell's Railway Taven|McDonell]]'s hotel. A bit later we visted [[Reardon|Reardon]] and the platelayers to get them to lift the railway line. Our attempts was not entirely successful at the start and we obtained further assistance from Mr [[Stanistreet (2)|Stanistreet]], the station master. He gave a statement that gives a version of what happened.
I visited Mr and Mrs McDonnell in bed. We got on well with them. My code name was 'Jack Hoyle'. ([[Herald (7)|Herald29/6/80]])
Just before lunch on [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|27/6/1880]] I had a conversation with Mr [[Thomas Curnow|Curnow]] and his family while they going for a drive ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 5 (2)|RC17598]])
'''My horse'''
My mare had recently been shod just before Glenrowan. The mare, is a beautiful animal, and is the property of Mr Michael Ryan of the Major Plains. She was stolen from him, with other horses found in McDonald's stables on Tuesday morning. The mare is by Hermit and is a very fine jumper as also is the chestnut horse which Byrne rode. (When did Ned Kelly get her) ([[The Age (15)|Age1/7/80]])
My saddle was made by '''Bullivant''' from Wangaratta. ([[Sydney Morning Herald (33)|SMH30/6/80]])
'''Sunday night and Monday morning'''
What was I doing? Mrs [[Reardon|Reardon]] said that for most part of Sunday night I was not in sight at all-only when we were having a dance. She believe that we were playing cards with Mrs [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|Jones]] in the little parlour.([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 1|RC10542]]) see also ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 10 page 8|FH]])
I also took Const Bracken down to Jones Hotel. As we went down there we chatted about politics ([[The Argus (17)|Argus30/6/80]])
Did I abandon the idea of wrecking the train because of the large number of civilians on the train and have a fight with the police in Glenrowan? ([[Cookson, 13_09_1911_5|BWC]])
Just before the train arrived [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]] told the people could go home and [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|Mrs. Jones]] at the door and said, "You are not to go yet; Ned Kelly is to give you a lecture yet," Soon after this we heard the train. ([[Royal Commission report day 20 page 9|RC7627]])
'''The arrival of Sup Hare and his police at Glenrowan and the start of the fight'''
We the '''KellyGang''' heard the train arriving and moved quickly to put our armour on at about [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|2.30 am]] on 28/6/1880. We gathered on the verandah of the Inn to face our foes. As soon as we could see them coming to shoot us we opened fire. I was shot in that opening exchange. See also ([[The Melbourne Daily Telegragh (2)|DailyTele29/6/80]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 11 page 1|FH]])
It was clear that the police wanted to surround the Inn and kill us.
The doctor stated in a sworn statement that the wound in my left arm was caused by a pellet from a shot gun and that must have been fired by the gun of Mr Hare or Constable Canny. ([[Royal Commission report day 22 page 17|RC8393]])
The first brush was exceedingly hot. We and the police blazed away at each other furiously in the darkness. This exchange lasted for about a quarter of an hour, and during that time there was nothing but a succession of flashes and reports, the pinging of bullets in the air. The police did not care about the shrieks of women who had been made prisoners in the Inn.([[The Argus (13)|Argus 29/6/80]]) Was I shot by SConst Kelly? ([[The Age (16)|Age1/7/80]])
I called on the boys to follow me out of the Inn, but Joe Byrne would not follow me ([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 2|RC10576]])
Hear about my last conversayion with Joe Byrne ([[Royal Commission report day 52 page 16|RC17786]])
Did I shoot [[Cherry|Martin Cherry]] ([[The Argus (32)|Argus2/7/80]]). Proof that I could not have ([[Herald (16)|Herald3/7/80]]) ([[Herald (18)|Herald3/7/80]])
'''Off to see the sympathizers'''
After the initial battle with the police I went down to where we had broken the railway tracks. The fight we had at Jones's Iinn was not their fight. See also ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 15|RC11315]]) and ([[The Age (29)|Age4/8/80]])
Before daylight SConst [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]] found my revolving rifle and skull cap lying in the bush, about 100 yards from the hotel. The rifle was covered with blood and the cap was full of blood.([[The Argus (11)|Argus29/6/80]])
I went down to the place where we had taken up the railway line to see our supporters. After I told them to go home and then returned to help the rest of the '''KellyGang''' in the Inn.
Where did I go and who did I see? ([[Cookson, 13_09_1911_5|BWC]]) Others say that I went to see my sympathizers.
'''My capture'''
At about [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|7am]] I approached the Inn from the northern side. I was dressed in a white mackintosh oil skin coat that came down to my heels with my armour on underneath. Some police said that they thought that I looked like the devil. Others said that I was a mad man with a nail can on my head. After a time some of the police who were gathered around the Inn and firing at me worked out who I was and they determined to capture or even kill me. As I moved from tree to tree, and received the fire of the police. Const [[Const Arthur|Arthur]] was the first. While my armour protected my upper body they shot me in the legs. I returned fire with my revolver but I could not keep these murderers away. They fired at me persistently. see also ([[The Argus (5)|Argus29/2/80]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser|OMA1/7/80]]) ([[The Argus (32)|Argust2/7/80]]) ([[The Argus (38)|Argus5/7/80]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/8/1880 (3)|Argus11/8/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 2|RC10043]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 12 page 4|FH]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (68)|JJK]])
Sgt [[Steele|Steele]], SConst [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]] and [[Dowsett|Dowsett]] went for me near a fallen tree about 75 metres from the Inn and the rest of the '''KellyGang'''. Sgt Steele shot me in the legs and he would have killed me if he had been stopped by the others. I had been shot in the left foot, left leg, right hand, left arm, and twice in the region of the groin. No bullet penetrated my [[Kelly's Armour|armour]]. ([[The Argus (11)|Argus29/6/80]])
They got me in the fork of a fallen tree. Dowsett was at the butt of it, about twelve yards off. Steele was up on the left hand side, and SConst Kelly was then twenty or thirty yards on the right hand side. ([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 19|RC10971]]) Const [[Const J Dwyer|Dywer]] kicked me.
The police took my armour off me and they carried me down to the railway station and placed in a guard's van. Later I was removed to the stationmaster's office, and my wounds were dressed by Dr [[Nicholson|Nicholson]], of Benalla.
I had a revolver that had "Sydney" on it, as if it belonged to New South Wales or something. It was plated at the side. ([[Royal Commission report day 39 page 3|RC14015]]) Was this the one that [[Marsden|Marsden]] got?
Dowsett took a revolver off me when they captured me. On the hilt there is "N.S.W.G.," meaning. "New South Wales Government." I said afterwards that it was one that I took at Jerilderie.It was covered in blood. ([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 17|RC10926]])
He also got a mustard tin that I had stuffed full of cartridges. ([[Royal Commission report day 27 page 17|RC10931]])
I was given brandy ([[Archibald M'Phee's report 18/12/1880|McPhee]])
SConst [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]] Dr Nicholson carried my [[Kelly's Armour|armour]] down to the railway station after I was captured. SConst Kelly told me about finding my rifle and I told him that I was shot by Hare in the arm and foot in the first volley ([[Royal Commission report day 22 page 12|RC8263]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 22 page 12|RC6268]])
[[Sadleir|Sadlier]] reported that I, from my appearance in the imperfect light, looked like some unearthly being, on whom bullets had no effect. He also alleged that I shot Martin [[Cherry|Cherry]] ([[Royal Commission report day 13 page 9|RC 2880]])
[[Dowsett|Dowsett]], SConst [[SConst John Kelly|Kelly]], [[Marsden|Marsden]], Sgt [[Steele|Steele]] and gave their accounts on how they captured me and what I did at the time. See also ([[Cookson, 31_08_1911_2|BWC]])
See also ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 16|RC10349]])
Reportedly, during my arrest, Const [[Const Milne|Milne]] got one of my boots as a keepsake. See ([[The Argus (15)|Argus30/6/80]]) for other description of my clothing and personal effects
Hear the story of my sash. ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (70)|JJK]])
'''In police custody'''
At first I was taken down to the railway platform, but after a few bullets came too close. After I had been in the guard's van some time, by the advice of Dr [[Nicholson|Nicholson]], I was taken to the station master's house and put him in a bunk there. [[McWhirter|McWhirter]] cut my boots off. My feet land hands were very cold, and I fainted two or three times.([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 18|RC10386]])
Items found on me ([[Sydney Morning Herald (33)|SMH30/6/80]])
Dr [[Hiutchinson|Hutchinson]] also saw me and made an assessment of my injuries ([[The Argus (33)|Argus2/7/80]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 12 page 4|FH]])
Sgt [[Steele|Steele]] looked over me most of the time I was in custody at Glenrowan. ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 18|RC10388]])
He took my cartridge bag ([[Cookson, 03_09_1911_1|BWC]])
Sup Sadlier asked me to get the boys to give up ([[The Melbourne Daily Telegragh (3)|DailyTelegraph29/6/80]]) ([[Kilmore Free Press at KellyGang 1/7/1880 (3)|Kilmore1/7/1880]])
I had a conversation with Det Ward and we exchanged 'plesantaries' as they say ([[Cookson, 05_09_1911_4|BWC]])
[[Carrington|Carrington]] drew me while I was lying in the van, and while I was in the station master's house. He also made drawings of the [[Kelly's Armour|armour]] on the station ([[Royal Commission report day 26 page 3|RC10047]]) What was I wearing ([[The Argus (39)|Argus5/7/80]])
'''Interview with the family - overheard by the press'''
After the Hotel had been set on fire and Dan and Steve roasted like pig by the police, I was given a chance to have a chat with my sisters [[Margaret Skillion|Maggie]] and [[Kate Kelly|Kate]] and Tom [[Wild Wright|Wright]]. Of course it was not in private: The following is a summary of what happened.
My sisters gave me a kiss. By this time I had to some extent recovered from the exhaustion of my wounds. People said that at times my eyes were quite bright and that I was abled to talk rather freely. ([[The Argus (13)|Argus 29/6/80]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (31)|SMH30/6/80]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (35)|SMH2/7/80]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 12 page 4|FH]])
During the interview I stated that I was at last surrounded by the police and only had a revolver, with which I fired four shots. But it was no good. I had half a mind to shoot myself. Earlier I loaded my rifle, but I could not hold it after I was wounded. I had plenty of ammunition, but it was no good to me. I got shot in the arm, and told Byrne and Dan so I could have got off, but when I saw them all pounding away, I told Dan I would see it over, and wait until morning. ([[The Argus (8)|Argus29/6/80]])
'What on earth induced you to go the hotel?' inquired a spectator.
I replied 'We could not do it anywhere else.' 'I would, have fought them in the train, or else upset it if I had the chance. I didn't care a - who was in it, but I knew on Sunday morning there would be no usual passengers. I first tackled the line, and could not pull it up, and then came to Glenrowan station.'
Some one in the crowd asked, 'since the Jerilderie affair, we thought you had gone to Queensland.' I replied 'It would not do for everyone to think the same way' The interview continued .... ([[The Argus (7)|Argus 29/6/80]])
.
== '''After Glenrowan''' ==
When the siege was over Com [[Standish|Standish]] ordered that I be brought down to Benalla and put in the lockup overnight. My dear Catherine followed me down to Benalla. ([[Herald (7)|Herald29/6/80]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (32)|SMH30/6/80]]) While in the cells in Benalla SConst Kelly had a chat with me ([[The Argus (15)|Argus30/6/80]]) Report on my health ([[Herald (8)|Herald]]) I also had a chat with Const McIntyre. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/8/1880 (3)|Argus11/8/80]])
Music
The [[1880-07---aftermath|next day]] ,29/6/1880, I was taken down to Melbourne in a special carriage by the afternoon train.([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 11|RC77]])
Leaving Benalla ([[Sydney Morning Herald (32)|SMH30/6/80]])
On Insp [[Sup Henry Baber|Baber]] escorted me to Melbourne with Const [[Const Armstrong|Armstrong and]] constables. I asked, "Was SConst [[Johnston|Johnson]] in the hut when [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] was shot?" I said, "No; why do you ask me that, Ned?" He asked me if I tortured Sherritt. He said, "What men were there?" .. "To have gone out in you light would have been foolhardy; you would have all been shot but one. It was not our game to shoot you all. We wanted one man to go in and draw the police away from the barracks." ([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 9|RC12214]]) ([[The Argus (19)|Argus30/6/80]])
My medical condition on admission to Gaol ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser (3)|OMA1/7/80]])
After a great reception at the railway station I was eventually taken to the [[Melbourne Gaol|Melbourne Gaol]] where I eventually had by wounds looked at in some detail. The details of that time are recorded in the records of the [[Melbourne Gaol|Goal]]. ([[The Argus (14)|Argus30/6/80]]) ([[Herald (13)|MDTel1/7/80]])
A little later the gaol authorities allowed me a meeting with my poor dear [[Mrs Ellen Kelly|mother]] who was in the women's part of the same establishment. It was the first time I had seen her since the trouble with Const [[Fitzpatrick|Fitzpatrick]].
In the Melbourne Gaol I was carefully watched by a warder and on 30/6/80 I was visited by Dr Shields. He produced an official report ([[The Argus (14)|Argus30/6/80]])
Although I continue to suffer very great plain from my wounds I am progressing favourably, and the police doctor thinks that I am 'out of danger' - in this place!. I dont think so. ([[The Age (14)|Age1/7/80]])
[[Chief Secretary|Ramsay the Chief Secretary]] came to gloat at me while I was in Gaol ([[Melbourne Daily Telegraph (11)|MDtel3/7/1880]])
Did they find one of my weapons ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser at KellyGang 24/7/1880 (14)|OMA24/7/1880]])
.
== Ned Kelly's trial ==
By late July I was declared by Dr Shields, at the [[Melbourne Gaol|Melbourne Jail]], to be fit enough to be sent to [[Beechworth Gaol|Beechworth]] to attend my commital hearing. They had just fixed me up so they could have their fun that led to my return to this gaol and my death. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 2/8/1880 (2)|Argus2/8/80]])
On [[1880-07---aftermath|1/8/1880]] I was taken by wagonette from Melbourne Gaol to the Newmarket Station and put on a train under the care of the senoir police officer they call Sgt [[Steele|Steele]] and Consts [[Const Hugh Bracken|Bracken]] and [[Const Faulkiner|Fulkiner]]. The police tried to pump me on the trip north but I was not prepared to just chat. On the way north I pointed out that I was born near Donnybrook. At Euroa I remarked that while Mr [[Scott|Scott]] was hard to get on with I did not have any trouble with Mrs Scott.
I said if I had a tail (that is, a Chinaman's tail) I would go home to China, as one Chinaman was worth all the Europeans. I would rather trust my life to them than any European living. ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 9|RC5488]])
I wore a pilot cloth coat checked waistcoat, and corduroy trousers ([[The Age (28)|Age2/8/80]])
I passed through Glenrowan with a heavy heart as I remembered my friends. But to stop myself from talking and take away the pain I sang most of the way to Beecworth, 'The brave '''KellyGang''''
<blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>'We have mates where'ev we go
That somehow let us know
The approach of every foe
to the brave '''KellyGang'''' ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 10|RC5497]])
</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>
As we passed the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]] remarked 'The idea of Sup [[Hare|Hare]], being a picked man, being sent up to catch me. I can tell you every place his party camped in the Warby Ranges, and who used to get up the horses'.
I asked what was [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] doing at Benalla, pulling my friends into his office, and giving them money to do the lazy police officer's work. The Government could have given them all the money they possess, and then they would not have sold me. ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 9|RC5489]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 7|RC1287]]) ([[The Age (29)|Age4/8/80]])
I also had a swipe at Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]. I accused him of pulling my friends into his office, and giving them money was a lazy mans way of working. The Government could have given them all the money they possess, and then they would not have sold me. ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 9|RC5491]])
When the train got to Beechworth I was hurried into a cab and taken past the post office and court house up the [[Beechworth Gaol|Gaol]] the new iron gates had been installed to replace the wooden gates, just for me.
While I was in Beechworth Gaol awaiting from the committal hearing I gave a press interview ([[The Age (35)|Age9/8/80]]) . No I did not give an interview to the Age ([[The Argus at KellyGang 8/8/1880|Argus10/8/80]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/8/1880|Argus11/8/80]])
and saw Mr [[Gaunson, David|Gaunson]]. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 6/8/1880 (2)|Argus6/8/80]])
Hear what happened at my [[Ned Kellys Trial|committal and Trial]].
What did I wear to my committal hearing?([[Herald at KellyGang - 8/8/1880 (6)|Herald8/8/1880]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 9/8/1880 (6)|Argus9/8/80]])
I was strip searched every afternoon when I got back to gaol. The fear was that I might have been given something by my family ([[Herald (37)|Herald11/8/1880]])
My lady friend ([[Sydney Morning Herald (45)|SMH10/8/80]]) ([[Herald (38)|Herald11/8/1880]])
Did Jullian Ashton draw me ([[Sydney Morning Herald (13)|SMH25/1/1934]])
At the end of my committal hearing, on [[1880-07---aftermath|12/8/1880]] I was taken by wagon from Beechworth to Wangaratta where a [[Railways|train]] took me to Melbourne and back to the [[Melbourne Gaol|Melbourne Goal]]. ([[The Age (46)|Age13/8/80]]) ([[Herald (43)|Herald13/8/1880]]) ([[Ovens and Murray Advertiser at KellyGang 14/8/1880|OMA14/8/1880]])
My health ([[Herald (44)|Herald14/8/1880]])
There are many reports of me enjoying the pretty girls who came to see the committal hearing in Beechworth and my trail in Melbourne. Those reports also tell of me being depressed and disinterested from time to time and of my other emotions. I think I could have done a better job myself. At one point I even tried to run the case. They wanted to defend me in accordance with the normal rules of the legal system.
As an example of the way I was treated read [[Gaunson, David|Mr Gaunson]]'s affidavit before my trial. ([[The Age (48)|Age16/10/80]])
See also my [[Ned Kellys Trial|Trial]] for the next part of my story.
From all that has happened to me I knew that I was not going to get off. I did not want to seek their justice. All I wanted was an opportunity to present my side of the story. I was denied that at every turn. I never recieved even an indication that the [[Cameron Letter|Cameron]] letter was read and the [[Jerilderie Letter|Jerilderie]] letter sat in obscurity before it became a historic relic that is of no use to me.
What did my counsel have to say in my defence ([[The Age (52)|Age30/10/80]])
What did I say ([[The Age (54)|Age30/10/80]])
'''After''' the jury found me guilty I was eventually asked if I had anything to say. Can you believe it. This is what they call justice. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 30/10/1880 (5)|Argus30/11/80]])
After I was sentenced a large protest meeting was held at the Hippodrome in Melbourne. ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (86)|JJK]])
.
== Execution and after ==
My execution at the [[Melbourne Gaol|Melbourne Gaol]] on [[1880-07---aftermath|11/11/1880]] was a great affair. They turned it into a public spectical with an official list of witnesses and all. ([[Sydney Morning Herald (50)|SMH12/11/80]])
What happened to my armour ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/9/1919|Argus22/9/1919]])
My grave ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (91)|JJK]]) See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/4/1929|Argus13/4/1929]])
My body was handed over to my family 10/11/2011
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