The Argus at KellyGang 12/2/1879 (7)
Elliot, the schoolmaster, then went into the bank, and as soon as Kelly saw him he ordered hin to jump over the counter. Mr Elliot replied that he could not, but Kelly made him. They then tried to put the money in a bag, but not having one sufficiently large, Ned Kelly went and brought a bag, and they put the money into it. Kelly asked if they had more money, and was answered "No." Kelly then obtained the teller's revolver and again requested more money.
He then went to the safe and caught hold of the treasure drawer, and requested to know what was in it, and was told by Living that it contained nothing of any value. Kelly insisted on it being opened and one of the keys was given to him; but he could not open it, owing to the manager having the second key, which was required to open it. Byrne then wanted to break it open with a sledge-hammer, but Kelly brought the manager from the Royal Hotel, and demanded the key, which was given to him, and the drawer was opened, when the sum of £1,450 was taken out by Kelly and placed in the bag.
Kelly then took down a large deed-box and asked what it contained, and was told that the contents consisted of a few documents which were of no use. He replied that he would burn the contents, but Mr Tarleton argued with him, and Kelly took one document and put it into the bag, and then expressed his intention of burning all the books in the office. He, however, left the rest of the papers, and said that he would come back and see if there were any deeds for town allotments. The whole of the party then went into the Royal Hotel. Daniel Kelly was in the bar, and Ned Kelly took two of the party to the back of the hotel, where he made a fire and burned three or four of the bank books. In the meantime Mr Rankin and Mr Gill, seeing the bank door open, went in, and were immediately followed by Kelly, who ordered them to bail up. Both gentlemen at once made off-Mr Rankin running into the hotel, and Mr Gill in some other direction. Ned Kelly ran after Rankin, and caught him in the hotel. Kelly caught him by the collar, and asked him why he ran away, at the same time telling him to go in the passage, and that he intended to shoot him. He took Mr Rankin into the passage, and after straightening him against the wall levelled his revolver at him. Several persons called out to Kelly not to fire, and he did not. He then called Hart by the name of Revenge and told him to shoot the first man that attempted any resistance, and told Rankin that if he attempted to move he would be the first shot. Kelly then asked for Gill, and took Richards and Living with him to look for Gill. The policeman had his revolver with him, but Kelly had previously drawn the cartridges.
They went up to Gill's house, and saw Mrs Gill. Kelly said to her- "I have a statement here which contains a little act of my life and I want it published by Mr Gill. Will you take it?" She refused to do so. Mr Living then took the paper, and promised to have it published. The party next went to M'Dougall's Hotel, where Kelly took a blood mare out of the stable, and remarked that he would return it in three weeks. The party then went to the Telegraph-office, and met Byrne who had cut the wires. Ned Kelly then broke the insulators at the office with his revolver. After this, he took the postmaster and his assistant to the Royal Hotel, and left the party there. Kelly returned to the bank and obtained a saddle and a pair of riding trousers belonging to Mr Tarleton, and also a watch and a gold chain. The saddle was put on the mare, and Dan Kelly mounted it and rode away, but returned in five minutes. Dan, Kelly and Hart then both kept guard at the hotel. Ned Kelly informed the postmaster, Mr Jefferson, that if he attempted to mend the wires before next day, or offered any resistance, he would be shot. He also told Mr Jefferson that he intended to take him a few miles in the bush, and then liberate him.
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