The Argus at KellyGang 6/4/1881 (3)
Hare giving evidence
Selected Senior-constable Kelly and others to accompany me, leaving an equipped party for Mr Sadleir at Benalla, in case anything occurred while we were going to Aaron's house. The special train arrived at Benalla about half past 1 am on the Monday. A Mr Rawlins asked me to allow him to go in the train, and I concurred. The special train brought Mr Sadleir, two ladies, four reporters, and the trackers. Told off Constable Barry to ride on the engine, and did not, as has been said, put him on the buffers. Subsequently withdrew him. The special train engine went as pilot. With regard to taking a pilot engine, I may say that when the sympathisers were in custody, we received information from the agents that the outlaws intended to blow up a train with dynamite about a certain period. Just at this period, the telegraph wires would frequently not work between Tarrawingee and Beechworth. The Government were apprised of the information we received, and Mr Woods, then Minister of Railways, took steps to protect the railway, setting men to watch it. The cause of the stoppage of telegraphic communication could not be ascertained, but it was supposed that the current was diverted to the ground by means of a piece of wire. The best men in the telegraph department were sent up to inquire into the matter, but the cause of the interruption was never discovered.
One Friday, about this time, we were going to Beechworth in the train. At Tarrawingee there was no communication from the wires to the railway station. The operator who was with us told me if he could get to the wire he could tell whether the current was running through. He tested it, and said there was a current. We decided to go on, and found nothing wrong .The line was never interrupted afterwards. Subsequently was informed the outlaws did not know how to work the dynamite. On the occasion of the Glenrowan affair, my party joined the special train at Benalla. When within two miles from Glenrowan station I heard the engine whistle. Looked out of the carriage, and saw the pilot engine ahead. Took down and loaded my gun, and jumped out of the train. Walked towards the pilot, and before I reached it met its guard, who told me he had been stopped by a schoolmaster of Glenrowan, who had informed him the outlaws had taken up the railway line, and had possession of Glenrowan, and were "going to catch the inspector." Took three men and went on to the pilot, where I heard the same story.
Hitched the pilot on to the train, put men on each engine, and went slowly on. Got up to the Glenrowan platform. Gave orders to the men on the engines to jump off. Mr Rawlins came up to me, and I pointed out a light in the stationmaster's house. He and I walked there, and went to the window where we saw the light. Tapped at the window, and saw a woman with children. She was in a very excited state. Asked where her husband was, and also said "They have taken him away." Asked who had taken him away, and she said the Kellys. She led me to infer they had taken him to the mountains. She said nothing about Mrs Jones's hotel. As I was walking to the stationmaster’s house, Mr Rawlins offered me his services, and asked for a rifle. Gave him my revolver. We returned to the railway station. I said I would order out the horses at once. They were not then being taken out of the train. Was standing on the platform amongst the reporters and police, and five or six horses had been taken out. Bracken then appeared on the platform, and said, “Mr Hare, go quickly to Jones's hotel. The outlaws are there, and I have just escaped.
They have a number of people in the hotel." I called to the men, "Come on, we have them at last." After four or five minutes, again called, "Come on, men, we have them in the house." Said they might let go the horses and come on as quickly as possible. When I saw a group of men standing near me, I started towards Jones's hotel, followed by the group. Remember going through a little iron gate. Made straight for the left- hand side of Jones's hotel .While running. I saw a flash, and by the flash a man, and heard a report. He was just on the edge of the verandah. My left hand dropped. I had no pain. Heard it was Ned Kelly who fired. Three reports and flashes followed almost simultaneously. When my hand dropped, I fired my gun; I fired it twice. Put the gun, which was a breechloader, between my legs, and re-loaded it. The firing on my right was taken up by the men who followed me. It was continued for five minutes. During this time I fired my gun off at the outlaws.
The wound dimmed my eyes a little. Kept firing from time to time. Fired several shots, I think six. The bullet that struck me went right through my left wrist. In the middle of the firing I heard the shrieks of persons inside the hotel. As long as the firing continued on the verandah, I continued firing in return. About the second or third round from us I heard the persons inside. Had only one thought – to continue firing as long as we were fired at .Heard one man say "Fire away, you —s, you can do us no harm." One of the police (Gascoigne) called out "That is Ned Kelly's voice.” Suddenly the firing ceased, and I imagined I saw people going into the house. Called out to Senior- constable Kelly, "Surround the house, and, for God's sake, see they don't escape." Told my men I had been shot in the wrist. Told Senior-constable Kelly I was going to have my arm tied up. Left the ground. Never moved from the spot until the firing had ceased. Returned to the railway station. On my way saw Mr O'Connor running from the station to Jones's hotel, in a crouching position. Told him I was shot in the arm. Don't recollect that he made any reply. On the platform I found the reporters collected together. Asked one of them to bind up my hand.
Was bleeding profusely. One gentleman – Mr Carrington, I think –got a hand- kerchief and bound up my arm. Felt no faintness whatever. Remember I was collected as I am now when I went onto the platform. Mr Melvin, of The Argus, patted me on the back and said, "Well done, Hare, you are again successful, as in the Lancefield affair” He was the only reporter there that I had seen before. Did not see one of them again that day. Started to go round the sentinels. A constable told me they were short of ammunition. Mr Rawlins volunteered to take it round. Asked him to do so, and told him where to find it. Proceeded to visit the men, and when I had got into an open space of ground I felt weak, and staggered. Determined to sit quiet, to allow my heart, which was throbbing, to settle. Went to a fence at the rear of the station. Could not get through.
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