The Argus at KellyGang 28/3/1882 (2)

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Martha Reardon corroborated the evidence of her husband as to the firing that was maintained after she left the house. She asked the outlaws if they would allow her to leave the place, and they told her she had better not, as the police would certainly shoot her.

"Surely," she replied, “they can see that I am a woman." When she went forward a voice cried out " Hold up your hands, or I'll shoot you like a — — dog." The voice came from behind a tree, and on looking there she saw the end of a gun protruding. Two shots were fired from behind that tree and then her son called out that he was shot. She made inquiries of the people about and ascertained that Sergeant Steele was the man who was stationed behind that tree. She could not see his face, but the hat he wore then she saw him wearing subsequently. Was positive that Sergeant Steele was the man who fired at her.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Steele – Did not hear any voice calling out, "Run quickly and you won't be molested." The shawl she wore that morning had a number of bullet holes. She had shown it to the Police Commission Was certain that the holes were not caused by burning.

James Arthur , constable, was present at the Glenrowan affair under the command of Superintendent Hare. The Wangaratta police came up at about half past 6 under the command of Sergeant Steele. Witness was armed with a Martini-Henry rifle. Soon after his arrival Sergeant Steele took up a position behind a tree about 20 or 30 yards from the house. Witness got behind another tree at a little distance from Sergeant Steele. About 7 o' clock saw a woman with a child in her arms come out of the house.

She was challenged by Sergeant Steele, and told to hold up her hands. Immediately afterwards saw Sergeant Steele fire at her. She was 30 or 40 yards distant at the time. Witness called out to Steele, "Don't you see it is a woman. If you fire at her again I'll shoot you." Steele fired a second shot but would not swear it was at the woman.

Mr HERON here read Constable Arthur's written complaint against Sergeant Steele, in which it was distinctly stated that Steele fired two shots at the woman.

Mr HERON – How do you explain the discrepancy between what you wrote and what you now swear?

Witness – My meaning was that he fired the second shot in the direction of the woman.

Sergeant Steele – Mr Chairman, if I had a plan of the field I could prove conclusively that this man is telling a series of deliberate falsehoods.

The CHAIRMAN – Such remarks as that are not allowable. A witness must not be referred to in such offensive terms.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Steele – It was after the Glenrowan affair that he first became acquainted with Mrs. Reardon. Was positive that Sergeant Steele used the words, "I'll shoot you like a b — — dog."

Reardon subsequently thanked him, for having saved his wife's life, but witness never said to Reardon, "Are you aware that I am the man who saved your wife s life?”

When he told Steele that he would shoot him if be persisted in firing at a defenceless woman other constables were within hearing.

Patrick Healey , constable, accompanied Sergeant Steele from Wangaratta to Glenrowan, and was stationed during the fight at a distance of 20 yards from Steele, and seven from Arthur. Never heard Arthur threaten to shoot Steele if he fired again at a woman. Had Arthur made such a threat witness would certainly have heard him. A question put to this witness by Sergeant Steele apparently with the object of eliciting the fact that Constable Arthur had evinced cowardice at Glenrowan, was disallowed by the board.

F J Marsden , clerk of courts, Wangaratta, was present at the Glenrowan attack. Had several opportunities of observing Sergeant Steele, and throughout that officer was calm cool, and collected. When Ned Kelly was captured, Sergeant Steele reproved a constable for kicking the fallen bushranger.

Anne Jones , proprietress of the Glenrowan Inn, stated that Mrs Reardon informed her that a bullet went through her shawl whilst she was lying down on a bed in the house.

At this stage the inquiry was adjourned until 11 o clock next day

end

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