Euroa Advertiser (Vic. : 1884 – 1920), Friday 28 January 1910, page 5
THE KELLYS AT GLENROWAN.
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Mr. Fitchett Corrected.
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LETTER FROM MRS. JONES.
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To the Editor.
Sir, — In defence of Mrs. Jones I must crave a short space in your paper. Your old readers must have been amused when perusing “The Story of the Kellys,” recorded by Mr. Fitchett, B.A., L.L.D. That gentleman appears to write down all the unfortunate people who were more or less mixed up in the so-called fight at Glenrowan. If those scribes had been in the beseiged hotel from first to last, experience might have inspired them to record true facts as they occurred. However, I will leave the story to one who will bring it out in book form and answer Mr. Fitchett and others. Mr Fitchett says that Dan Kelly ordered the prisoners to go home from the hotel (as the police would soon arrive and business begin), when Mrs. Jones, unwilling to lose such a party of customers so soon, arrested the exodus and asked Ned Kelly to give them a speech. That request cost the unfortunate woman the life of her own child. Now, sir, that is misconstrued from end to end. To give a clear explanation would require too much space and I will only add that what I said or did was under instructions from the outlaws. It was nonsense to assert that a good business could be done under the will of outlaws. Besides, the unfortunate prisoners were poor farmers and working people who were bailed up. As for the Kellys, we all know they had no money at the time, but treated themselves and others to a few cheap drinks and food. But no persons were under the influence of drink. During their stay my takings did not amount to 10s. In conclusion, I have lost my health through the Kellys taking me about day and night when sick, and also my son and daughter, who were shot by the police when firing on the hotel. Eventually I remained in the gaol hospital for some weeks, charged with inviting and harboring the outlaws who had already taken possession of my hotel. From beginning to end my counsel left me in disgrace, so I was compelled to accept the sum of £265 for two years’ trade and the loss of my home, whilst my name is before the public for over 30 years, I am yours respectfully,
ANN JONES,
Glenrowan.
Jan. 21st, 1910.
Glenrowan 