The True Story of the KellyGang of Bushrangers Chapter 9 page 2

full text

Some time previously Senior Constable Kelly had forwarded from Hedi, an outlaying station on the King River about thirty five miles from Benalla, a letter which had fallen into his hands, apparently revealing a plan on behalf of certain persons to assist the outlaws in leaving the district and crossing the Murray into New South Wales. The opinion of all the respectable portion of the community gave further weight to the view held by Mr Nicolson and Mr Sadlier, that the Kellys, baffled in their former attempt by the floods, would try again to cross the river, and the letter helped them in deciding to act. This document, which was addressed to a near blood relation of the Kellys and one of their most thorough assistants, ran as follows: ‘Sir, I have been requested by E and D Kelly to do what I could to assist them in crossing here’ (the letter was not dated as to time or place). ‘I am to write to you to let you know the arrangements. They are to be at a time to be named at the junction of Indigo Creek and Murray, and there is to be a password, it is this-‘Any work to be had?’ ‘Yes!’ ‘Where?’ On the New South Wales side one shall meet you. I will have a boat ready. There must not be any horses come to the river; if you should have horses they must be led by the bridge to a safe place already prepared for them. I will have four on each side of the river to watch upper and lower side. I have a place fixed where you will be safe. If you should want horses there will be some got for you. There are two say they will join you if requested. You must mind it will want money and I have got none. When you write, direct to Howlong for (the singer).’

Mr Sadlier, after the destruction of the gang, did not think it wise to mention the name of the writer, who was well known and suspected in the neighbourhood, but the envelope showed the postmarks of Bungowunnah Albury, border towns, of December 3. Half believing this information, but with a note to the effect that no action by the writer or his confederates was to be apprehended for a few days, unless the letter were a blind to cover other movements, Mr Sadleir sent word of it to the police sergeant near Howlong, at the junction of the Murray and Indigo rivers, between Albury and Bungowunnah where the proposed crossing was to take place, and he also sent notice to the New South Wales police.

Then, on Mr Nicolson’s return from the search expedition, the two officers, consulting together, agreed that it was most desirable to have a good watch kept upon all Murray crossings in the suspected neighbourhood and decided to go up themselves to Albury to direct matters in person.

See previous page / next page

This document gives you the text of the report about the KellyGang for this day. The text has been retyped from a copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. We also apologise for any typographical errors. This document is subject to copyright.

the previous chapter/ next chapter . .The True Story of the KellyGang of Bushrangers index