The Argus at KellyGang 29/10/1878 (3)
Kelly remarked when he saw Lonergon had been killed, “What a pity; what made the fool run?” The men helped themselves to several articles in the tent. Kelly talked to McIntyre and expressed his wonder that the police should have been so foolhardy as to look for him in the ranges. He made inquiries about four different men, and said he would roast each of them alive if he caught them. Steele and Flood were two of the four named. He asked McIntyre what he fired at in the forenoon, and said they must have been fools not to suppose he was ready for them. It was evident that he knew the exact state of the camp, the number of the men, and the description of the horses.
He asked where the other two were, and said he would put a hole through McIntyre if he told a lie. McIntyre told him who the two absent men were, and hoped they would not be shot in cold blood. Kelly replied, “No, I am not a coward. I’ll shoot no man if he holds up his hands.” He told McIntyre that the best thing he could do was to advise Kennedy and Scanlon to surrender, for if they showed fight or tried to run away they would be shot. McIntyre asked what they would do if he induced his comrades to surrender.
Kelly said he would detain them all night, as he wanted a sleep, and let them go next morning without their arms of their horses. McIntyre told Kelly that he would induce his comrades to surrender if he would keep his word, but he would rather be shot a thousand times than sell them. He added that one of the two was father of a large family. Kelly said, “You can depend on us.” Kelly stated that Fitzpatrick, the man who tried to arrest his brother in April, was the cause of all this; that his (Kelly’s) mother and the rest had been unjustly “lagged” at Beechworth.
Kelly then caught sound of the approach of Kennedy and Scanlan, and the four men concealed themselves, some behind logs, and one in the tent. They made McIntyre sit on a log, and Kelly said, “Mind, I have a rifle for you if you give any alarm.” Kennedy and Scanlan rode into camp, McIntyre went forward, and said. “Sergeant, I think you had better dismount and surrender, as you are surrounded.” Kelly at the same time called out, “Put up your hands.” Kennedy appeared to think it was Lonergon who called out, and that a jest was intended, for he smiled, and put his hand on his revolver case. He was instantly fired at, but not hit; and Kennedy then realised the hopelessness of his position, jumped off his horse, and said, “Its all right, stop it stop it.” Scanlan, who carried the Spencer rifle, jumped down and tried to make for a tree, but before he could unsling his rifle, he was shot down and never spoke.
A number of shots were fired. McIntyre found that the men intended to shoot the whole of the party, so he jumped on Kennedy'’ horse, and dashed down the creek. Several shots were fired but none reached him. Apparently the rifles were empty and only the revolvers available, or he must have been hit. He galloped through the scrub for two miles, and then his horse became exhausted. It had evidently been wounded. He took off the saddle and bridle, and concealed himself in a wombat hole until dark. He then started on foot across country, and walked until 3 pm on Sunday, when he reached McColl’s place, near Mansfield.
Two hours or so after McIntyre reported the murder of the troopers, Inspector Pewtress set out, accompanied by McIntyre and seven or eight townspeople, for the camp. The police station was so empty of weapons that all the arms they could take were one revolver and one gun. They reached the camp with the assistance of a guide, at half-past 2 this morning. They found the bodies of Scanlan and Lonergon. They searched at daylight for the sergeant, but met with no traces of him. The tent had been burnt and everything taken away or destroyed. There were four bullet wounds on Lonergon and five on Scanlan. Three additional shots had been fired into Lonergon'’ dead body before the men left the camp.
The extra shots were fired so that all might be equally implicated. McIntyre is certain that Kennedy was not hit, but no one here at present ventures to do more than hope that the brave fellow has not been since murdered. It is McIntyre'’ belief that Kelly meant to spare none, but dispose of them in a way to render their fate a mystery. Now that they know McIntyre has escaped, they may possibly let Kennedy live. A large party will be despatched at 7 to-morrow morning to succour Kennedy if alive, and run down the murderers. They will provide themselves with food for several days. Two extra police arrived to-day, and three more will be here in the morning in addition to any who may be sent from town by rail to-night. McIntyre is weak from bruises and from 48 hours severe exertion. The sorrow felt for the death of Scanlan is universal throughout the district. He seems to have been a brave, cool, amiable, excellent man. Kennedy was an efficient bushman and a resolute officer. He has a wife and five children, and, fortunately for them, should he be killed, his circumstances are good. Scanlan was unmarried, and his station was Benalla. Lonergon was from Violet Town . He has left a widow and four children, badly off. The public ought not to be satisfied until the band of villains by whom the district from here to Greta is kept in a state of terrorism is effectually put down.
The report as to Constable Meehan being stopped between here and Benalla last night is groundless. He was unarmed, and supposed himself cornered by two horsemen, who followed him down the road. To escape capture he quitted his horse, and found his way to Broken River on foot this morning. He had lent his revolver to McIntyre before he left Mansfield . I met him this morning mounted, on the way to Benalla with his despatches, fully convinced that he had made a narrow escape; but no traces of any marauders have been seen. The coach passed the spot to-day. The wet weather is likely to obliterate all tracks on the ranges, and render the pursuit of the Kelly’s difficult, but an efficient party will be sent out.
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