2. FYI Update September 2009
'Ned Kelly The Widow's Son' tells a different story to what has become the accepted story line. I believe the
popular story has evolved for the purpose of entertainment. It became based on political astuteness, deliberate and
unintentional mis-information, hearsay, and handed-down gossip. For the most part, books published over the
last 60 years have adhered to this popular story line with confirmation bias. With data gathered over the last
40 years, I have used newspaper reports I've been able to cross reference with other information. Moreover, I have
pointed out the obvious mis-information put out by Ned before and after his capture. Most important, I've tried
not to use any information that has been passed on as oral history. Oral history is known to be remarkably
unreliable. I have used information that was recorded at the time or later by the people who were directly involved
with the incidences to which they were relating. My brother Peter and I still browse the old newspapers, books and documents. It's interesting how often we find evidence that supports the non conformatory story published in
my book. The following quotes are either supporting my premises or, for us, just interesting:
Quotes from the Argus
Friday, November 1st 1878
'The unfortunate sergeant had evidently attempted to escape from his murderers by the same track as that
taken by Constable McIntyre when he jumped upon Kennedy's horse and rode off, as bullet marks were visible
on some of the trees in the line of the track. He had been shot through the side of the head, the bullet coming
out in front, and carrying away part of the face, while several other bullet wounds were found on his body, one of
which had penetrated the lungs. His jacket was singed as if a bullet had been fired into his body from very close
quarters, probably after the unfortunate man had fallen.'
Friday, November 1st 1878
'The search party in quest of Sergeant Kennedy reached the halting-place about half-past 6 last evening, and
camped there for the night. The party numbered in all, including police, 25 persons. An early start was made
this morning at half-past 5, the party being provided with provisions for the day. They headed for the vicinity
of the scene of the late encounter, when the party formed themselves into an extended line, and scoured the country
until they reached the place where the murders had been committed. After consultation, it was decided to scout
for a mile in the direction of McIntyre's escape tracks. Half a mile had scarcely been searched, when a "cooey"
from Mr. Sparrow brought the party together, and it was then found that the body of the unfortunate Sergeant
Kennedy had been discovered. This was about 8 o'clock.'
Monday, November 4th 1878
'Between their tent and the creek and a little to the left were two fallen trees, one lying over the other at right
angles. In the angle facing the tent McIntyre, on Saturday afternoon, kindled a large fire to make the night
cheerful. After he had prepared tea at a small fire at a stump of a tree nearer the tent, he was standing in front
of the large fire whilst Lonigan stood in the opposite angle of the fallen trees.'
Thursday, November 14th 1878
'That they were in the Warby Ranges last week is quite certain, for their tracks were followed right down from
the vicinity of Lake Rowan, until they were at last lost near the Taminick Station, at the southern end of the
Warby Ranges. Not only was the packhorse found as already mentioned, but some little distance further along
the track a pair of hobbles for securing horses at night were picked up, and also a broken ramrod. This latter
was bush-made, and as the gang are known to have a muzzle-loading gun with them, it is regarded as evidence
that the trail, which was well followed up for about 40 miles, was a good one.'
Saturday, November 16th 1878
'Information arrived here to-day to the effect that Walter Lynch was with the Kelly Party the night before the
police were murdered, and could give information as to who the two unknown men are who are with the Kellys.
Other informants, who are well acquainted with the District, state that if the gang were desirous to get into
New South Wales they would not attempt to cross over between Wodonga and Echuca, but most certainly
above this point by North Gipps Land, and into the ranges of the Upper Murray.'
Thursday, July 1st 1880
'GUARD BELL'S STATEMENT'
'It was Bell's intention to pull up the special train at Glenrowan station to oil the engine.'
Saturday, August 7th 1880
'We camped at Stringy Bark Creek, about 20 miles from Mansfield. All four of us travelled on horseback and
were armed. At Stringy Bark Creek the country is thickly timbered, but we camped on a clearing. The photograph
produced shows a portion of the ground. There had been a hut on the clearing, but only remains of it were
left standing. A number of logs were lying about. The opening was about an acre or two in area; we camped
immediately behind the old hut, erecting a tent there.'
Monday, August 9th 1880
"…' He must have fired nearly two rounds of his revolver." I asked, "Why did you come near us at all, when
you knew where we were; you could have kept out of the way?" He replied, "You would have soon found us
out, and if we didn't shoot you, you would have shot us. Our horses were poor, our firearms were bad, and
we wanted to make a rise." I then asked, "Did I show any cowardice?" and he said, "No". We then left him.'
Saturday, November 6th 1880
'THE CONDEMNED BUSHRANGER
'The agitation which Messrs. David and William Gaunson have been stirring up on behalf of the condemned
bushranger and murderer, Edward Kelly, culminated last night in a monster meeting held in the Hippodrome, Stephen-Street…With regard to the shooting of the man Sherritt, all the facts went to show that the condemned
man was not present, and that he knew nothing of it whatever; and as to the pulling up of the rails at Glenrowan,
the fact was that the prisoner had no intention of destroying the special train and its occupants, but actually
arranged with Curnow to stop the train, with the view of capturing the police party, and of then exchanging
Superintendent Hare for his mother, and Inspector O'Connor for Skillian, and of keeping the others as hostages
for the lives of the gang. The statement of the prisoner that he did intend to wreck the train and shoot down
the survivors was explained by the fact that he was at the time in great agony and misery.'
Quote from The Maitland Mercury'
Tuesday 10 August 1880
McIntyre's evidence:
"...I caught and mounted Kennedy's horse, which was close to me. The horse was restive of fire. I turned his
head north, and he moved about twice his own length while I was struggling to get into the saddle. After some
trouble I succeeded in mounting. Kennedy must have seen me mounting, but he did not say anything. A
number of shots were fired while I was riding away; but at whom, I could not say. I saw a blood spot on
Scanlon's coat immediately after the shot I have spoken of, and he laid over on his back. I rode away northerly
towards Mansfield, until I got 100 yards past the gap, when I turned westerly, which would take me to the
telegraph line between Benalla and Mansfield. I was thrown off my horse, and crept into a wombat hole."'
________________________________________________________________________
THE KELLY GANG
The Outlaws of the Wombat Ranges
Mansfield Victoria
Published by G. Wilson HALL
Proprietor MANSFIELD GUARDIAN 1879
'As may be anticipated, the two bushrangers took this opportunity to try and extract from the dying man
[Sergeant Kennedy] as much information as possible of various matters which were of interest and importance
to themselves, and which they were not likely to gather from any other source. About an hour and a half
was expended in this attempt, but the knowledge gained was not of such extent or so much value as they
looked forward to.'
________________________________________________________________________
The Complete Inner History of the Kelly Gang and their Pursurers
By J. J. KENNEALLY
1929 p. 193
'Ned told Curnow that he may go home with his family, and he was also told to stop the train. Curnow was
ordered, when he stopped the train, to tell the police in the train that the Kellys were in charge of the police
barracks. The rest of the party, with Ned and Joe Byrne, went back to Mrs. Jones' hotel.'
Steve McCarthy 30/09/09