The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1878 (5)
The Army
The strength of the detachment was so fixed that the regular rotation of discipline and guard mounting might be maintained, and that they might be sufficiently numerous for the murderers should they ever pay any of them a visit. In addition to the large number of police sent up lately from Melbourne to the bushranging district, Sub-inspector Toohey and other 25 members of the Metropolitan force left on Saturday. This, with the detachment of the Garrison Corps, brings the total number of men employed in connexion with the bushrangers up to about 200. In consequence of the withdrawal of so many members of the Garrison Corps from town, the guard duty hitherto performed by them at the Treasury and Government-house has now to be provided for by the police. The police who were despatched on Saturday will be distributed together with those relieved by the artillery men amongst such townships as Wood's Point, Jamieson, &c. The fact that in the search for the murderers the Detective department has been hitherto almost totally excluded has been much wondered at, but it will give satisfaction to state that the assistance of three members of that force – all of whom are experienced bush- men, whilst two of them at least have a familiar knowledge of the country and the people – has been called in. It would be inadvisable to state their names at present, as their duties are of a secret nature.
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]
(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER)
BENALLA, SUNDAY NIGHT.
No definite information has yet been received by the authorities respecting the whereabouts of the Kelly gang, although the rumours and false reports about them have been innumerable. The chief commissioner of police is continually receiving telegrams announcing the advent of the gang, and as these come from all parts of the district, it would lead one to believe that they are in possession of the attribute of omnipresence. At one moment news arrives that a station near Alexandra has been stuck-up with the sensational addition that one of the owners escaped by swimming the river; then authentic information is received of their being seen in the Strathbogie Ranges . Another account is that a station at Maindample has been visited ; while a fourth story places the bushrangers in the vicinity of Shepparton, and so on ad infinitum. It is needless to say that all of these stories have so far proved to be without the slightest foundation. The account of the sticking-up of Messrs Stodart and Rowe's station near Alexandra is a case in point. A commercial traveller arrived in Euroa from Gobur late on Friday night, and gave information to Detective Ward that before leaving he had been told at the house he stopped at that Kelly's gang had been at Stodart's station all night, and that Mr Stodart had escaped by swimming the creek. He was asked if he could not give any further particulars of the occurrence, but his reply was that he took no interest in the bushrangers or their proceedings, and therefore asked no questions about the affair.
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