The Alexandra and Yea Standard, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express at KellyGang 14/12/1878 (2)

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MANSFIELD, Wednesday

The telegraph wires were cut in a desperate manner, five poles being knocked down. A large party of police returned to Mansfield yesterday, but this morning they went off again in search of the outlaws. I think they should have made in the direction of Longwood but they did not. The authorities in Melbourne should give freedom of action to the officers in these towns, and not bind them down too closely to Melbourne instructions. The people here have a better idea how to act than can possibly be had by the staff in Melbourne. A person has just arrived here from Longwood who seats that he saw a suspicious-looking character lurking behind one of the massive-looking blocks of granite by the side of the road, and he appeared to be armed. If the gang is not near the town of Mansfield now, they have taken to their old haunts from Euroa, which is only a continuation of the ranges where the murders were committed.

The bank is situated in the busiest part of town, 50 yards from the railway station, and 20 Mr C L

De Boos' hotel. Ned Kelly was quite jovial and chatty. He told Mr Scott that he expected to have had a much more difficult job, as he had been told that he (Mr Scott) would show fight. He said, "It's lucky for you, old boy. I had you covered before you could get your shooter, otherwise I should have shot you." Having finished their refreshment, they made the ladies of the family prepare themselves and the children for a drive.

The most extraordinary part of the affair was that it wits all done without a soul being anything the wiser. The men were seen moving about in the bank yard by Mr De Boos and his family, but they thought it was some friends arrived to spend their holidays. One of the men engaged at the new railway buildings observed Mr Scott walk slowly to the trap, looking round on each side. He also observed another person who was behind him give him a push forward, but thought it was a friend acting in a jocular scanner. Whilst driving out of the town, they met numbers of people, the town being exceptionally full, owing to a funeral, and to its being licensing day. All, however, drew the same conclusion, that they were friends the Scotts had with them. They left the town at 4pm, and no one had the less suspicion of what had taken place until half-past 9pm, five hours and a half afterwards.

Mr Gorman , station master, then received information, and the one constable of the town was informed of what had occurred and as the down luggage train was just due, he decided to go by it to Benalla, and report. A Mr Walkden arranged with the station-master and constable to start at once on horseback for Faithful Creek Station. He was then to obtain there the latest news of their proceedings, and meet the train on the line with his report. He performed his part, learning on his arrival that the gang had left an hour previous. With the information he proceeded to the line, and signalled the train; but for some unexplained reason the train would not stop.

VIOLET TOWN 12th December

The Age correspondent writes:-- Mr Lambell, a butcher, has just been interviewed by me. He states that at four o'clock this afternoon, upon his returning homewards, about three miles from Violet Town, a horseman passed him, and, doubling back and riding up alongside of his waggon, asked him if he had any money. Throwing his leg over the saddle he jumped into the waggon, drew a revolver, and demanding money, took from him one £5 note and several £1 notes and some silver. He returned Lambell one penny, telling him to go on remarking, "We will be in Violet Town." He then rode off, and Lambell reported the offence to Constable Duross, the only constable on foot there. Important information has been received at Euroa this afternoon concerning the Kelly gang, but in the public interest the police refrain from being morn explicit.

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