The Argus at KellyGang 12/11/1880 (6)
Byrne was shot in the groin whilst in the act of drinking at the bar, and died immediately. It is not known when the other two were killed, but that they were also shot there is little reason to doubt. In the belief that they were still alive, the police set fire to the house to drive them out; but on the building being entered, just before the flames had taken full possession, the three murderers were seen lying dead. Byrne’s body was removed, but the other two could not be reached, and they were burned to cinders. Thus perished three of the murderers, two of them at least coming to a horrible end - an end with which they had often threatened others, for they were accustomed to declare that they would roast certain members of the police force.
But one, then remained to be dealt with - the arch offender Edward Kelly. He had been outlawed, but he was allowed a fair trial before his fellow countrymen. The verdict of the jury was, of course, “guilty of wilful murder,” and there could not possibly have been any other result. Although he was convicted of but one murder, he was guilty, according to his own admissions, of three; and to his action was due the deaths of no fewer than nine human beings. He murdered Constable Lonigan, Constable Scanlan, and Sergeant Kennedy; he or his gang murdered the man Sherritt; through his illegal proceedings the old man Martin Cherry and the boy Jones were shot; and it was he who lead his brother Daniel and the two other outlaws, Hart and Byrne, into the crimes which brought them to their tragic end. It was on behalf of this man that Mr David Gaunson, MLA, and his brother William were fomenting agitations and scandalising the city. The Executive, however, stood firm and directed that the law should take its course.
THE EXECUTION
Immediately after sentence of death was passed on Kelly, additional precautions were taken to ensure his safe custody in the Melbourne Gaol. He was placed in one of the cells in the old wing, and irons were riveted upon his legs, leather pads being placed round his ankles to prevent chafing. The cell had two doors―an outer one of solid iron, and an inner one of iron bars. The outer door was always kept open, a lamp was kept burning over head, and a warder was continually sitting outside watching the prisoner. During the day he was allowed to walk in the adjoining yard for exercise, and on these occasions two warders had him under surveillance. He continued to maintain his indifferent demeanour for a day or two, professing to look forward to his execution without fear, but he was then evidently cherishing a hope of reprieve. When he could get anyone to speak to, he indulged in brag, recounting his exploits and boasting of what he could have done when at liberty had he pleased. Latterly, however, his talkativeness ceased, and he became morose and silent.
Within the last few days he dictated a number of letters for the Chief Secretary, in most of which he simply repeated his now well-known garbled version of his career and the spurious reasons he assigned for his crimes. He never, however, expressed any sorrow for his crimes; on the contrary, he always attempted to justify them. In his last communication he made a request that his body might be handed over to his friends―an application that was necessarily in vain. On Wednesday he was visited by his relatives, and bade them farewell. At his own request his portrait was also taken for circulation amongst his friends.
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