The Last of the Bushrangers: An Account of the Capture of the Kelly GangHare, Francis Augustus
History
The Last of the Bushrangers: An Account of the Capture of the Kelly Gang
Hare, Francis Augustus
Brigands and robbers -- Australia; Kelly, Ned, 1855-1880
Senior-constable Kelly states--"When we started from the platform we
ran down towards the railway-gates, hearing that the gang were in
Jones's public-house. The men at that time had not sufficient time to
scatter, and all made towards the hotel. As we approached, some one
came out on the verandah and fired on us. Mr. Superintendent Hare, with
Mr. Rawlings, a volunteer from Benalla, was close to me. Mr. Hare said,
'I am shot in the wrist,' but he continued to fire. We sought cover,
and Hare said to me, 'For God's sake, surround the house, and don't
let them escape.' He then fired again, and gave the gun to Rawlings.
He then left, saying, 'Kelly, place the men under cover,' and I placed
the men around the house. Mr. O'Connor and his trackers took up a
position in front of the hotel. I then went round towards the back of
the premises. Constable Arthur was with me, and we crawled about 400
yards. In this way we got to within about fifty yards of the house, at
the back of a tree. In the scrub I found a revolving rifle covered with
blood, and a padded skull-cap." [This was Ned Kelly's. Being wounded
in the thumb, he could not use his rifle.] "We kept strict watch, and
fired upon any one who attempted to leave the hut. There were four
horses saddled and tied up to the back-door. These we shot in order
to prevent the sudden escape of the gang. When we left the station we
met Constable Bracken, who told us that the gang were at Jones's. He,
I believe, jumped on one of our horses, and rode off to Benalla to get
further assistance, and at half-past six o'clock he returned with the
Wangaratta police, Sergeant Steele being at their head. We continued to
fire, and at about eight o'clock, so far as I can remember, Ned Kelly
made his appearance under the brow of the hill, 300 yards from the hut.
He deliberately fired at me. I returned the fire, and my men closed
around him, Sergeant Steele being behind him, myself on one side,
and Dowsett, the railway-guard, on the other. About ten rifles were
brought to bear on him, and we hit him several times. His heavy armour,
however, protected him, and he walked boldly to and fro. Near a fallen
tree he fell, and we rushed forward. I caught him by the head as Steele
grasped his hand, in which he still held his revolver. He fired it,
but did no damage. His armour was taken off, and he was carried to the
railway-station, where he was searched, but only threepence was found
on him, a silver Geneva watch, and a lot of ammunition. I asked him
to tell me where Sergeant Kennedy's watch was, and he said, 'I cannot
tell you; I would not like to tell you about it.' He also said, 'I had
to shoot Sergeant Kennedy and Scanlan for my own safety. I cannot tell
you any more.' We then gave him over to the medical gentleman and Mr.
Sadleir."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account