The Argus at KellyGang 2/8/1880

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(full text transcription)

REMOVAL OF KELLY TO BEECHWORTH

The question of bringing the criminal Edward Kelly before the City Police Court during the past few days been under the consideration of the Crown Law officers, and it was ultimately decided that it would be necessary, in order to comply with the law, to remand the criminal to Beechworth, which is in the bailiwick in which the murders which he committed took place.  Accordingly Mr Call, PM, on Saturday attended at the Melbourne Gaol, and an impromptu court was held in the kitchen attached to the gaol hospital.  Kelly was brought forward, and Mr C A Smyth, the Crown prosecutor, with whom was Mr Gurner, Crown solicitor, formally applied for his remand to Beechworth.  Kelly, who appeared to regard the whole matter with indifference, asked if the proceedings constituted a trial.  He was informed that such was not the case, but that the intention was simply to remand him.  He then said that when he was tried he should require ex-Constable Fitzpatrick and several others to be present, and concluded by remarking that he had no desire to life, but wished before he died to sift the affair to the bottom. 

Constable McIntyre, who escaped when his comrades were murdered at Mansfield, was then called, and, being sworn, identified Kelly as one of the men who had taken part in the murders.  Mr Call then remanded Kelly to appear at Beechworth on Friday next, the 6th inst. to answer the charge of wilful murder preferred against him.  Prior to these proceedings a certificate had been given by Dr Shields, medical officer of the gaol, that Kelly was in a fit state to travel.  After the remand was granted, Kelly was removed to his cell, where he passed the night. Yesterday morning, shortly after 8 o’clock, he was aroused, and informed that he was going to be removed to Beechworth.  His clothes having been destroyed at the time of his capture in removing them for surgical purposes, the Government supplied him with a serge suit, in which he dressed himself.  At about half-past 8 o’clock, a wagonette quietly drove up to the gaol, and passed in through the large gates without exciting any attention, no person being visible in the vicinity.  Kelly in a few minutes was brought from his cell, and, although limping considerably, he managed to enter the vehicle with comparative ease.  Sergeant Steele and three troopers, who acted as Kelly’s guard, entered the wagonette, which was rapidly driven to the Newmarket Station, where a special train was awaiting his arrival.  None but the police and the railway officials were present, and Kelly, having been deposited in the carriage, the train was at once despatched.


'[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] '

 (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

BEECHWORTH, SUNDAY EVENING

Lest sympathisers of the Kelly gang might hear that Edward Kelly was being brought here, and make some effort to rescue the notorious prisoner, the arrangements for his removal to Beechworth were kept very secret. 

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