The Argus at KellyGang 1/11/1878 (2)
The Argus
1 /11/1878
... part of the KellyGang story
SGT KENNEDY
The body presented a frightful spectacle, and from the manner in which it had been mutilated was scarcely recognisable. The unfortunate sergeant had evidently attempted to escape from his murderers by the same track as that taken by Constable McIntyre when he jumped upon Kennedy’s horse and rode off, as bullet marks were visible on some of the trees in the line of the track. He had been shot through the side of the head, the bullet coming out in front, and carrying away part of the face, while several other bullet wounds were found on his body, one of which had penetrated the lungs. His jacket was singed as if a bullet had been fired into his body from very close quarters, probably after the unfortunate man had fallen. The remains were placed upon horseback, and conveyed into the township, where the excitement over the deeds of the outlaws appears to be increasing. Sergeant Kennedy was a vigilant officer and generally well liked, and much sympathy is expressed for his widow and five children, who, however, are believed to be in tolerably good circumstances.
KELLYGANG
If a telegram, which was received yesterday evening from Chiltern, is to be credited, it would appear that Kelly and his gang are endeavouring to make for New South Wales , and by this time have probably crossed the border. The following is the telegram referred to:—
“Chiltern, Oct. 31, 3.30 p.m.
“Kelly and three others stuck up a man named Neil Christian near Baumgarten’s place, at Bungowanah, before daylight yesterday morning, and obtained provisions from him. Kelly threatened to shoot Christian should he give info rmation. Intelligence was not obtained till this afternoon. Assistance required to scour the country in the neighbourhood of Bungowanah.
“JAMES LYNCH, Sergeant.”
Bungowanah is a small township situated on the banks of the Murray , on the Victorian side, nearly opposite to Howlong, on the New South Wales side, and is believed to be a well-known haunt frequented by the Kellys. One night in August, 1877, eleven horses were stolen from four farmers residing at Moyhu, near Greta, at which latter place the Kellys then lived. Some time elapsed before information of the offence was given to the police, as it was thought at the time that the horses had only strayed away. Ultimately the police traced the missing horses to the possession of the Baumgartens, who are two farmers living at Bungowanah. The Baumgartens, who were brothers, were tried for receiving the horses, knowing them to be stolen, the result being that one brother was convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Pentridge, while the other was discharged. From inquiries made at the time, it was ilicited that the Kellys had sold the horses to the Baumgartens, and it was whilst endeavouring to arrest Daniel Kelly for horsestealing in April last that Constable Fitzpatrick was shot in the wrist by Edward Kelly, and so narrowly escaped with his life. The distance between Greta and Bungowanah is between 70 and 80 miles, and as the Kellys had travelled between the two places on several occasions, and were evidently well acquainted with the track, it would certainly be within the bounds of possibility that, after having murdered the three constables on Saturday last, they at once made for the residence of Baumgarten, with the intention, no doubt, of crossing over into New South Wales. The wisdom of such a step on their part may be questioned, as from the wild and almost inaccessible nature of the country near Mansfield, they might have held possession of their secret fastnesses for some time to come; while by passing into New South Wales they will get into comparatively open country. Whether this be the case or not, it now remains for the police to hunt down the maurauders with merciless severity, and to leave no stone unturned to effect their capture, dead or alive.
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