Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1860 – 1927; 1929 – 1931; 1933 – 1938), Friday 25 November 1881, page 9
THE GLENROWAN INQUIRY.
The board appointed by the Government to inquire into Mrs. Jones’s claim for compensation for loss of her hotel at Glenrowan, and the shooting of her child, during the attack of the police on the Kelly gang, on the 28th June, 1880, sat at the Benalla courthouse on Friday, the 18th inst. Present — Mr. Longmore, chairman; Mr. W. Templeton, and Mr. J. C. Tyler. The Government were represented by Mr. Chomley and Mr. Wrixon, of the Crown Law Department. Mr. Dwyer appeared for the claimant. The evidence taken related principally to the value of the premises, the furniture, and the stock-in-trade.
Mr. Jarvis, storekeeper, of Wangaratta, deposed that the value of the building itself was about £200. He had furnished materials for the erection of the hotel to the extent of £71, and had the place insured for £100 in the Colonial Mutual Insurance Office, from which £100 had been received for the loss. The place had been built about 18 months when it was burned down. He estimated the value of the business at £500— that was, to Mrs. Jones. Believed an agent would have got £300 for it.
Annie Jones, the claimant, agreed with the estimate of the building, furniture, &c., given by the previous witness, adding that her takings were from £6 to £7 per week, one-half of which was profit, and on some descriptions of drink the profit was much more. She had refused £200 for the house, without furniture, which she valued at about £70, the stock-in-trade being worth from £60 to £70. She would not sell the place for £1000.
In cross-examination, the witness stated she had never seen Ned or Dan Kelly or Joe Byrne until the morning when the place was stuck up. She knew Kate Kelly and Mrs. Skillion, but they would not speak to her because her place had the reputation of being a “traps'” house. Steve Hart’s sister had been stopping for a time at her place. The rumor that her place was the resort of the sympathisers had been circulated by the police. The Lloyds had been there once. She described the circumstances of having been called out of her bed on the morning of the 27th June by the Kellys, but denied inviting them to breakfast. Did not tell the people to remain until they had heard a lecture from Ned Kelly. Anything she did was from fear of the consequences of disobeying Ned Kelly’s orders. Had not seen her daughter use a pistol. Had put out the fire when the police came, to prevent the place from being burned. Had been left penniless and dependent upon friends since the destruction of the hotel.
Jane Jones, daughter of the claimant, deposed that she had been ordered to accompany the men when they went to take up the line. Steve Hart had asked her to sit down near the place, and he laid his head on her knees and said that he was sick. Had held a revolver in her hand when courting the prisoners. Had been made to do so by Dan Kelly.
William C. Hearne, brewer, Wangaratta, deposed that his firm supplied Mrs. Jones with beer to the extent of about 12 hogsheads a year at £4 10s, each. He could not give an estimate of the value of the goodwill of the premises.
This closed the case for Mrs. Jones.
Mr. Chomley intimated that he proposed to bring evidence not only as to the value of the house and property destroyed, but also as to Mrs. Jones’s conduct prior to and during the time the prisoners were in her house.
Mr. Dwyer objected to his client being tried a second time for the same offence.
The Board thought they could hear evidence as to Mrs. Jones’s conduct prior to the Kellys going to her house. She might have been acting from fear in doing anything as alleged after the gang had taken possession of the hotel.
Constable Bracken deposed to Mrs. Jones having spoken on one or two occasions in very friendly terms of the outlaws, and to her having declared that “neither she nor one of her breed” would ever take blood money. He had seen Steve Hart’s sister there and spoken to her, his object being to extract some information.
James Reardon deposed to having assisted in taking up the rails under the direction of the gang, and stated that he had heard Mrs. Jones say to Ned Kelly, “Come, old man, to my place, and have a wash; it will do you good, as you have been up all night.”
Denis Sullivan corroborated this evidence, adding that Ned Kelly accepted Mrs. Jones’s invitation, and witness subsequently saw the outlaw washing his face in one of Mrs. Jones’s bedrooms in the hotel. He did not consider that Mrs. Jones was a prisoner like the others.
Margaret Reardon said she heard Mrs. Jones invite Dan Kelly and Byrne to go into Stainstreet’s house. She had a bottle of brandy in her hand. She asked them to go up to her place, and she would give them something to eat. During Sunday night Dan Kelly told her that she might leave the hotel, and she and another woman were about to go, when Mrs. Jones prevented them, saying that they should wait until Ned Kelly gave them a lecture. Mrs. Jones seemed quite pleased and merry, and stated that she had kissed Ned Kelly.
Edward Reynolds stated that he had seen Mrs. Jones in the yard with her arms round Ned Kelly’s neck.
Alexander Tone, auctioneer and valuator, estimated the value of the house at £150, the kitchen at £25, and the furniture at £50.
James Knox, shire secretary, stated that in 1878 Mrs. Jones’s hotel had been rated at £30 per annum, and in 1880 the assessment had been reduced. He estimated the value of the building, land, and fence at £180.
This closed the evidence, and the board adjourned until Thursday (yesterday), in Melbourne. It was anticipated that several days would have been occupied in taking evidence ; but the whole business was disposed of at the one sitting in the most prompt and satisfactory manner.
Glenrowan 