Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954), Monday 17 November 1879, page 3
DESPERATE ENCOUNTER
WITH
TEN BUSHRANGERS
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FOUR POLICE BEATEN OFF
with
LOSS OF ARMS AND HORSES.
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(By Electric Telegraph. — From Our Own Correspondent.)
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WAGGA WAGGA, This Day.
There is intense excitement in this district to-day in consequence of a report being received that a body of ten armed bushrangers had stuck up the Wantabadgery station and publichouse twenty five miles from here, four members of the police force heard of the occurrence, and in spite of the odds determined to attack the marauders. A desperate encounter resulted, a great deal of shooting taking place on both sides, but at present it is not known with what result, excepting the bare fact that the police had finally to retire, leaving their horses and accoutrements and part of their arms in the hands of the bushrangers. On receipt of the intelligence a fresh posse of police was at once dispatched in pursuit, and the quarter sessions which were being held at Gundagai, were immediately adjourned, to allow the police in the township to go in pursuit. Special constables have also been sworn in. The excitement is very great, and full particulars are anxiously awaited. I will forward full partictulars immediately on receipt. People are anxiously discussing whether this outrage has any connection with the movements of the Kelly gang.
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In reference to the above we learn that the Chief Commissioner of Police has received telegram, announcing that the station was stuck up as stated, by seven — not ten — armed bushrangers. On hearing this, Inspector Meddy and three members of the New South Wales police force went to the place and fired at the bushrangers, who were in the house. The bushrangors returned the fire, and so far as could be gleaned of the telegram were still in the house, which the four police were watching, waiting till reinforcements arrived from Gundagai.
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In our issue of Saturday last we give an extract from the Rutherglen and Wahgunyah News, in which it was stated that recently a large body of armed men was seen the vicinity of Yarrawonga. There is a crossing at that place, and it is in the direct line for Jerilderie, which township the Kellys stuck up some time ago. The country between Yarrawonga and Wagga Wagga is such that it can be traversed by a body of men led by good bushmen without attracting attention. The police professed to have made inquiries, and to have discovered that the persons who reported having seen the body of armed men had mistaken a team of cricketers for suspicious characters. The above telegram now announces that ten armed bushrangers have stuck up the Wantabadgery station, twenty-five miles from Wagga Wagga, and have had a desperate encounter with four policemen, the latter having to retire. It is impossible to say whether this outbreak has anything to do with the Kellys, but it is possible that their successes have led to a reinforcement, and the commencement of a more extensive campaign. At present, however, the particulars to hand do not favor this view,— Ed. H.
Glenrowan 