Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), Monday 9 May 1881, page 3
HARBORING THE KELLY OUTLAWS.
TRIAL OF MRS. JONES.
[By Electric Telegraph.]
[From our own correspondent.]
Beechworth, 7th May.
At the Beechworth Assizes to-day, before Mr. Justice Stephen, Ann Jones was charged with receiving, harboring and maintaining outlaws at Glenrowan on the 27th of June last. Mr. Jeremiah Dwyer appeared, for the defence. Mr. Chomley, the Crown Prosecutor, stated the charges against the prisoner. He believed she had not acted from motives of romance, sympathy or love for Kelly or his companions, but had committed an illegal act for the sake of gain. Constable M’Intyre, the first witness called, recapitulated the circumstances of the Stringybark tragedy in 1878. The evidence of Reardon and Sullivan, line repairers at Glenrowan, was taken with reference to the breaking of the line and the subsequent action of Mrs. Jones in inviting the outlaws to her house, and while there entertaining them and assisting them in keeping strict watch over the civilians, who, to the number of sixty-four, had been made prisoners; and also to conversations which and had with members of the gang after her boy, was shot. She said to the outlaws, “You cowardly vagabonds, go out and fight, as you promised to do.” Sullivan stated that either Mrs. or Miss Jones had extinguished the lights in. the room on the arrival of the police, and Mrs. Jones had thrown a bucket of water upon the fire. Several other witnesses, who were in, the inn with the other prisoners, were examined. Detective Ward proved that the hotel was a respectable place, and the prisoner had spoken kindly of the police and promised, witness to assist them as far as lay in her power to capture the outlaws. Mr. Dwyer, in a lengthy speech, addressed the jury for the defence, but called no witnesses. His Honor summed up favorably towards the prisoner, and. the jury, after a brief retirement, brought in a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged from custody.
Glenrowan 