BEECHWORTH NEWSPAPER
THE OVENS AND MURRAY ADVERTISER
No. 4498
Saturday, January 4th, 1879.
Page 4.
THE KELLYS.—All sorts of rumours are again afloat about the Kellys, few of which are reliable. Several arrests of friends of the gang were effected yesterday, including James Quinn, Tom Lloyd, Mulligan, Harty and others; whilst at length, we believe the proper course which should have been taken long ago is to be carried out, and all known sympathisers are to be arrested. It is rumoured that Stephen Hart, one of the redoubtable quartette is captured, but this requires confirmation. At any rate active and prompt measures are being taken. The only plan now to adopt is to imprison every avowed sympathiser, and unfortunately even amongst so-called respectable men their name is egion.
OUR DEFENDERS.—Yesterday an unwonted sight was witnessed in Beechworth, and numbers of the citizens turned out to gaze upon the spectacle. By the afternoon train, there arrived twelve men of the Victorian Artillery, under the command of Captain Stubbs. They marched to the police barracks. It is intended they shall remain in the town, under the command of Sergeant O’Neill.
Page 8.
INN THE BUSH
Talking of the police, as a matter of course, suggests a thought of those gallant fellows, the Kellys. I suppose the troopers are still “scouring the bush” in those wonderful disguises which would deceive no one. It appears to me that if ever these gentlemanly scoundrels are secured, it will be in consequence of their having too many friends. Two or three hundred relations are something to be proud of, but when it comes to providing them with “compensation,” it will prove rather too heavy a tax, especially as it must be done, in the face of £2500 reward. Why, it would necessitate a bank robbery about once a fortnight, especially if the “sympathisers” required payment in “hard cash.”
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No. 4499
Tuesday, January 7th, 1879.
Page 2.
A RIGHT STEP.
AFTER a lapse of upwards of nine weeks since the tragedy at Stringy Bark Creek, the police have taken active steps towards the capture of the KELLY gang. Acting on the provisions of the Outlawry Act, they have at length made a raid upon the friends, sympathisers, and suspected accomplices of the murderers, and already eighteen of these have been lodged in the Beechworth gaol, where some of them at least, should have been weeks ago. It has long been known that all throughout the district these desperadoes have had numberless sympathisers. And some time since we advanced the theory that the best and only means to effect the capture of these men who have so long successfully defied the authorities, was to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act, and arrest everyone who was suspected of aiding and abetting, or even sympathising with them. It is true that such a course of action may to some seem arbitrary and even cruel, as thereby innocent persons, through fortuitous circumstances, might be taken from their homes and lodged in gaol, but experience has shown that if these men are to be captured they must be cut off from society, and all their means of help must be interrupted. Extreme cases demand extreme measures to meet them, and no such extreme case has arisen in the colony of Victoria for years past. So long as the KELLYS have friends, who are able and willing to help them, and to screen them from justice, so long are the police placed at a great disadvantage, and the law laughed at. We are not amongst those who believe that the letter received by Mr CAMERON, M.L.A., purporting to be signed by NED KELLY, was ever written by that redoubtable individual, but at the same time it contains no doubt a good deal of truth and must have emanated from some one thoroughly cognisant of the movements of the outlaws. From what we have written about police mismanagement and inefficiency we would not abate one jot, as we do not believe they have done their duty. The men have worked willingly and hard, but they have had no chance, hampered as they ever have been by red tapeism, and we still firmly incline to the belief that those who had the conducting of the pursuit altogether failed. No doubt the Government are to a great extent responsible for the delay, and by their supiness and want of administrative, have brought the force into some disrepute, but there are also other influences which have done a great deal towards preventing the capture of the gang. The police have not been up to the mark; the outlaws have been aided by stauch friends, and in their own country have been well protected, so much so, that never since the murder of the constables, save at the time of the sticking-up of the bank at Euroa, have the police really known their whereabouts. They have concealed themselves most effectually, thanks to the faithfulness of their friends, and to the information supplied them by the metropolitan press. The want of discretion shown by some of our contemporaries has been remarkable, and NED KELLY and his comrades have to thank them a great deal for keeping them well posted up in the movements of the police. Immediately after the murders, special reporters were dispatched to the district, by the Melbourne newspapers, and these geniuses very kindly told the KELLYS where the police were, and what they intended doing. In each issue of the papers for some time startling telegrams appeared, recounting the adventures of the police. The public were informed when Sergeant So and So accompanied by several troopers set out from Benalla, Wangaratta, or Mansfield, and their destination was faithfully chronicled, so that the bushrangers were the more easily able to elude detection. No more suicidal policy could have been adopted than that used by a section of the press, as in many instances it rendered the endeavours of the police completely abortive. With so many friends and relatives resident all over the district, with spies in every township, and at every railway station, it is but natural that the news gratuitously given in the newspapers became common property, and speedily reached the outlaws wherever they might be. Then the “our own reporters” eager to obtain news, and gain credit for assiduity, listened to and faithfully transmitted to head quarters every story any loafer might tell them, and KELLY’S friends taking advantage of this managed to spread innumerable false reports, which only tended to hamper the authorities, and put them off the scent. To some extent this foolish system of penny a living, publishing bogus reports merely for the sake of creating an unhealthy sensation, and making known whenever possible what the police were doing, has done a great deal towards enabling the KELLYS to defy capture, and had this not been done, and had the police been better handled, the men sought for would probably, ere this, have been captured. At length the authorities have woke-up to the fact that so long as the known sympathisers of the outlaws are allowed to be at large, supplying them with information, food and ammunition, and assisting to hide them, the chances of their capture are extremely remote, and however harsh it may appear, we thoroughly endorse the action they have taken, and trust it will be productive of fruit and lead to the breaking up of the most desperate gang of ruffians that ever infested Victoria. There are now in Beechworth gaol, men who have openly boasted of their sympathy with the gang, and others who are known to have helped and harboured them, and, if only all such are arrested and confined in gaol, there will be a better hope that the law will soon be vindicated, the country rid of these pests, and justice, stern and relentless done. Imprison accomplices and the chief actors will have their supplies cut off; will have to emerge more frequently from their hiding places, and probably some of those placed in durance will prefer to turn traitors to being immured in gaol. Still, there is much do on every hand; the KELLYS have active sympathisers; the gang is gaining strength; more evils are threatened, and prompt and vigorous action is required.
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THE KELLYS.—The sensation of the past few days, has been the arresting of a number of suspected friends of the Kellys, and the intimation that more are to follow, and that the police are determined if possible to root out a nest of thieves and vagabonds, who for years past have been the curse of the North-Eastern District. The move is a right one, even although (though it is very unlikely,) some innocent ones may suffer. Four young men have created a state of things which can hardly be credited—the police are baffled, the country unsettled, and a regular reign of terror is in existence. On Saturday fifteen men, all well-known characters, were arrested in the Wangaratta, Benalla, and Mansfield districts, and remanded to Beechworth gaol, and on Monday afternoon, three more arrived, and were consigned to Mr Thompson’s gentle care. The warrant sets forth that they “did cause to be given to Edward Kelly and his accomplices, information tending to facilitate the commission by them of further crime.” Their names are—James Quin, Francis Hearty, John McElroy, Thomas Lloyd, John McMonigal, Jas. Clancy, Daniel Clancy, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Ryan, Robert Miller, Henry Perkins, Isaiah Wright, John Hart, John Lloyd, Daniel Delaney, John Quin, Strickland, Wood and another whose name we have not learned. Most of these are intimately acquainted with the Kellys. Captain Standish came up to Beechworth yesterday afternoon, but only remained a short time. The twelve members of the artillery force, under Sergeant O’Neill, are quartered in the gaol, where two of them are always on duty. More arrests are expected.
NED KELLY’S HORSE.—Our Benalla correspondent writes:—A remarkable feature presented itself on the racecourse during the races on New Years Day, in the shape of a horse. The animal was the property of Ned Kelly, now outlawed, who, as it was rumoured, intended having a memorable picture for the police to gaze upon, as it represented £1000 in their minds (but there it rested), and that it would refresh their memories a little on account of the peacefulness of that desperate gang since the Euroa Bank robbery. Many were the rumours floating round, and when the police were near, such remarks as these were made, “I saw Ned Kelly on the other side of the course sitting on the fence, but whether the constables heard themselves laughed at or not, it is hard to say,” but they used to quietly disperse after such remarks, and seek pastures new. The police are keeping very quiet in regard to their movements, and it is notorious that even the Benalla Standard Rambler cannot get a clue as to what they are doing, but as the Scotchmen say “Bide a wee,” and all will come out straight.
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No. 4499 (same number as previous)
Thursday, January9th, 1879.
Page 2.
WANGARATTA POLICE COURT.—On Monday, before the Mayor and Mr Bickerton, J.P., John Quinn was charged with giving certain information to Edward Kelly and accomplices, tending to facilitate them to commit further crime. Sergeant Steele applied for a remand for eight days. The defendant said he was not guilty, and asked for proof of his guilt; remanded until Saturday next. Richard Strickland was similarly charged. The defendant said he could see no charge against him; remanded until Saturday next. William Wood, alias Strickland, was similarly charged; remanded until Saturday next.
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THE EFFECTOFTHE KELLY RAID.—The Hamilton Spectator relates that one effect of the Kelly scare is that “by Thursday’s train three bank managers, one of whom was from Portland and two from Hamilton, left for Melbourne in charge of treasure belonging to their respective banks. The management took with them about £25,000. It is not so much from fear of the Kelly gang that the banks are organising an escort system of their own, but rather from an apprehension that in the present lawless state of the colony the immunity enjoyed by the Mansfield gang will cause a bad example to be imitated by others.”
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No. 4500
Saturday, January 11th, 1879.
Page 4.
HIS HONOR JUDGE BARRY.—An excellent cabinet portrait of His Honor Sir Redmond Barry, in academic costume, has been forwarded to us by Mr T. F. Chuck, photographer, of the Royal Arcade, Melbourne.
POLICE.—Last evening Captain Standish, Chief-Commissioner of Police, and Superintendent Sadleir, arrived in Beechworth. In all probability they will be present when the eighteen Kelly confederates are brought up before Mr W. H. Foster, P.M., this (Saturday) afternoon.
Page 8.
ABOUT THE KELLYS.
That a mere cut throat, vulgar ruffian like Ned Kelly should pit himself against Captain Standish and the whole police force of the colony of Victoria for a number of months is surely derogatory in the highest degree. Can it be wondered at that every criminal class in the community becomes more formidable year by year, when we see a mere cattle duffer, like Kelly, bloom and ripen before our very eyes into one of the most formidable criminals ever known in the penal colonies of Australia? Kelly at this moment holds the lives of thousands in his hands during the holiday excursions, and we maintain that such an admission would be a disgrace to even Spain or Italy. The threats which the murderous fiend in human form made to capsize a passenger train has no parallel in the annals of crime. But there is nothing to prevent him. From Captain Standish downwards not one man in the force has ever yet willingly placed himself within the grasp of Kelly, nor are the police, in our opinion, likely to do so, unless they consider the odds to be two to one in their favor. We therefore conclude that the capture of the gang by direct means need not be reckoned on. A feasible plan of capture, however, we mean to suggest ere we conclude. It cannot have escaped notice that there exists a widespread sympathy with the Kellys, and this we think, can be easily dissipated. Ned Kelly himself is an experienced criminal of the worst type. Nearly ten years ago he served a term in Pentridge, when his present associates were only boys ten years of age. We know, from our own knowledge, the real character of the Kelly shanty, which may be best illustrated by a few incidents within our knowledge. A gentleman once packing between Benalla and Jamieson, riding a horse worth £40, and having eight pack horses in front of him, stopped at the shanty, and went inside. In less than ten minutes he found that his saddle horse had disappeared. Assuming an air of indifference he loitered about the shanty all the afternoon, and shouted freely. Towards sundown he noticed that the Kellys, Wright, and Gun, the son-in-law, disappeared. Making up to one of the Kelly girls, he suddenly said, “If you tell me where my horse is, I shall give you £10.” She said “done,” and jumping on horseback, within twenty minutes she returned at a gallop with his horse, and said, “Hurry off at once before they return.” The statement of Kennet and Rogers is equally true. Teaming in the same direction, in company with others, they unyoked and camped close to Kellys. After tea Kennet and Rogers went up to the shanty for a nobbler, and found Isaiah Wright and Ned Kelly playing cards, and joined them. Wright asked if any one could change a pound note, in order to see who had money, but when Rogers drew out his bag and produced the change, Wright said he could not find the note. Soon afterwards it was proposed to change partners, and Wright went over and sat alongside Rogers. When play was over he discovered that some one had taken his purse. A general row ensued. Wright seized the poker, and even then, ten years ago, Ned Kelly ran into the bedroom and presented a revolver at the teamsters, but old Mrs Kelly, her daughter, and Gun threw themselves between the combatants, and there was no bloodshed. From those sketches can our readers realise the character of the Kelly shanty. It was at once a groggery and a gambling hell. Can they fail to see that to hocus a man, rob him, and if obstreperous, knock him on the head and shove him underground must of necessity have been a matter of no uncommon occurrence. Ned Kelly must take his sympathisers to be terrible flats when he fancies they are ignorant of these facts. To coolly and deliberately commit three murders in succession shows Ned to be no novice at the trade. They were in all probability not the last of twenty he has had a hand in. He wishes us to believe that he is an innocent, interesting, poor suffering creature, who wished Constable Kennedy to shoot him in order to drown remorse; and his next act is to rob a poor hawker of his last £10 note, although he had just received a peace offering from the manager of the bank at Euroa of £2000. Ned prefers knocking it down amongst the harlots, in whose sweet society he is now basking, and where he will remain till cleared out. Ned would be an honoured guest in any of the Stephen street slums. Having said so much regarding the “enforced outlaw,” who prefers thieving to earning an honest living in a country where mutton is 3d a pound, and land is selling at £1 per acre, we would respectfully take the liberty of pointing out to Sir Bryan O’Loghlen the following plan:—Ned Kelly is the gang; get him and you get at the root. The others are mere nobodies, who by themselves would come to grief in twenty four hours. Well, then, let us offer a free pardon; a free passage out of the country, and wherewithal to begin life to any one, or two or three of the gang who will capture Ned Kelly, or give such information or assistance as will lead to his capture. Let this inducement be communicated to old Mrs Byrne or to any of Hart or Byrne’s relations, who will, for the sake of the youths, soon find opportunities of acquainting them with it. Let the proclamation have every publicity by means of calico handbills all over the district. Ned Kelly is now playing the rôle of Frank Gardiner. Everyone knows that Gardner led the Dunns and Gilbert fraternity to the gallows. He was the schoolmaster of youth, like Kelly, but by superior cunning he kept himself out of danger. A bank has been robbed of more than all the reward we have offered. It should be immediately doubled. Had Kelly doubled his gang the escort and £10,000 would have easily fallen into his hands; but that sum would have given him a thousand allies day and night working for his interests. It was a common practice in both the penal colonies of Tasmania and New South Wales to offer a free pardon and a free passage to any prisoner of the Crown who lent valuable assistance in the capture of bushrangers; so that there is the best precedent for the adoption of our suggestion.—Williamstown Advertiser.