Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 – 1918, 1935), Saturday 24 July 1880, page 3
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT SADLEIR.
Police department, Superintendent’s office, Benalla, 1st July, 1880.
Sir, — I have the honor to furnish the following report for your information of such of the proceedings of 28th ult. in relation to the capture of the Kelly gang as occurred whilst I was in command of the party of police carrying on the attack :— I was first made aware of the encounter with the gang by Superintendent Hare’s return, at about four a.m.; and after exchanging a few words with him as to the position of affairs, proceeded to Glenrowan by train, accompanied by the whole of the reserve on the Benalla station. Immediately on reaching Glenrowan, and on dispersing to take up the best positions we could find around the building, numerous shots were fired from the direction of the house, striking the ground and fences close to us. After finding Mr. O’Connor and learning what I could from him of the position of the men, I made myself assured that the buildings were surrounded by the police, and in this I was greatly assisted by Constable Dwyer, 2507, who was always willing to run the gauntlet under fire from one post to another. It was not, however, until the capture of Ned Kelly, and then only from his statements, that there was any assurance that some of the gang had not passed through our lines, as the prisoner himself had done. We had occasional firing from the outlaws within the house, and could hear them calling out and rapping on their armor, but after this arrest the remainder of the gang slackened their fire greatly, and only a shot at intervals was heard. About ten a.m, I called on the persons kept prisoners by the gang to make their escape, and allowed ten minutes’ grace before recommencing firing, and soon after the word was passed on by the posts nearest to the front of the building a general rush was made by these persons, and no further shot was fired by the police until they had all been examined and passed out of the lines. We had ascertained from these prisoners that the two outlaws, Dan Kelly and Hart, were still alive, and that Byrne was dead. These two survivors were called on several times to surrender, and on their failing to do so several of the police repeatedly appealed to me to let them rush the building. This I would not permit for various reasons, chiefly that the party rushing in could not be supported by those outside; that a long narrow passage through the home had to be traversed before the outlaws — whose exact position in the buildings was not known — could be reached; that they could not be knocked over, on account of the armor, until the police actually had their hands on them; that I knew they still had large supplies of ammunition; that there were yet several hours’ daylight; and that the final capture or destruction of the two outlaws was a matter of certainty. I therefore held to the determination, though under considerable difficulties, to sacrifice no life in this way if it could be avoided. I think it was about 3 p.m. when Senior-constable Johnson, 764, volunteered to set fire to the building, and after a short consultation with Mr. O’Connor and some of the senior members of the force present, arrangements were made accordingly. A strong firing party was placed under cover in front of the building, and another at the end to be fired, and protected by their fire the senior-constable was able to carry out his work and return in safety. This precaution was considered necessary, as a few minutes before it was reported that the two outlaws were seen at one of the windows. It was known at the time that Martin Cherry was lying wounded in a detached building, shot by Ned Kelly early in the day, as it has since been ascertained, because he would not hold aside one of the window blinds; and arrangements were made to rescue him before the flames could approach him. This was subsequently done. When the fire had taken hold, the Rev. Mr. Gibney, a clergyman of the Church of Rome, with great bravery passed towards the building, in spite of all remonstrances, and the constables and myself, with a view of stopping him, rushed forward, and this movement immediately changed into a general rush for the building, when, as I have stated, Cherry was removed, as well as the body of Byrne, the latter from the burning building. It was found impossible to reach where the other outlaws were, and it is clear from the Rev. Mr. Gibney’s statement that these were dead when the fire took place, and it is impossible to say whether they had been killed by our last volley, or had shortly before taken their own lives. Before proceeding briefly to refer to the conduct of the police under my command I wish to call attention to that of Mr. Jesse Dowsett, an employee on the railway, who, armed with a revolver only, stood manfully to his ground in the capture of Ned Kelly. His conduct has been specially commended to me by the members of the force who witnessed it. I understand also that Mr. Charles Rawlins, of Lake Winton, was in Mr. Hare’s company at the first encounter, but that officer will be in a better, position than I for describing what his conduct was. I have also to acknowledge the readiness with which Dr. John Nicholson, of Benalla, accompanied my party to afford any professional assistance that might be necessary, and his services were at once afforded to Ned Kelly when captured. The conduct of every member of the police force engaged was completely satisfactory. From Sub-inspector O’Connor I had throughout the day continued assistance and advice, and with regard to the members of the Victorian force, my only difficulty was in restraining a few too eager spirits. I have already alluded to the conduct of Senior-constable Johnston. He did the special work sought by him in the face of special danger, as all then supposed. I am assured — for I was not present on the spot — that the men who captured Ned Kelly had a difficult and dangerous business for the short time it lasted. I find that Sergeant Steele (1179), Senior-constable Kelly (1925), Constable Bracken (2228), Dwyer (2507) and Montiford (2697) were the men concerned. I find also that Constables Arthur (2971), Phillips (2745) and Healey (2886) were all more or less directly assisting in the arrest of Ned Kelly. Ned Kelly, from his appearance in the imperfect light, looked like some unearthly being, on whom bullets had no effect. Mr. Dowsett, who was also on the spot, says he thought he was the devil. The conduct of the Queensland trackers was excellent, and shows certainly that in good company at least they may be thoroughly relied on. The circumstances of the day did not call for many acts of conspicuous daring, and, excepting the severe wound to Superintendent Hare, none of the attacking party received any injury. Martin Cherry died in a few minutes after his removal from the building, and a boy named Jones has since died from his injuries in the Wangaratta Hospital. I also understand that a youth named Reardon is in a critical condition in the same institution. A man named George Metcalf has also been forwarded by your instructions to Melbourne for treatment to an injury received in the eye while the firing was going on. After the affair was over the bodies of Hart and Dan Kelly were given over to their relations, as I reported to you on your arrival at Glenrowan. Their friends applied to me next day for the necessary order for burial, which I had procured for them, and expressed their acknowledgments for the consideration shown to them. Subsequent reports as to the conduct of these people have, as I have good reason to believe, been greatly exaggerated. The body of Martin Cherry was handed to his sister. The body of Byrne was buried at four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon in the Benalla Cemetery, and was not claimed by any one. Attached you will find a list of all the members of the force concerned in this duty, with the hour of their arrival. — I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant. J. SADLEIR, Superintendent of Police.
The Chief Commissioner of Police, Melbourne.
Glenrowan 