GlenrowanAll about the men who pursued the outlaws.
The death of Mr. Stanhope O’Connor, one of the senior members of the Stock Exchange of Melbourne, was announced on Tuesday. The deceased gentleman came under public notice in Victoria at the time of the Kelly gang, as he was then lent by the Queensland Government, with a troop of blacktrackers, to assist in the task of bringing the bushrangers to justice.
A very wide circle will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr. Hare, P.M., which occurred at Rupertswood, Sunbury, the country residence of Sir William Clarke, yesterday afternoon. Some three months ago Mr. Hare was seized with an attack of diabetes, and until recently he was under special treatment at Mr. T. N. Fitzgerald’s private hospital, where he went through a successful operation, and recovered sufficiently to seek a change at Rupertswood.
Evidence given by Constable Charles Gascoigne to the Royal Commission describing his involvement in the hunt for the gang, culminating with his involvement in the siege at Glenrowan.
Mr. Superintendent Hare, with Mr. Rawlings, a volunteer from Benalla, was close to me. Mr. Hare said, “I am shot in the wrist,” but he continued to fire. We sought cover, and Hare said to me, ‘”For God’s sake surround the house, and don’t let them escape.” He then fired again, and gave the gun to Rawlings. He then left, saying, “Kelly, place the men under cover,” and I placed the men around the house.
A short statement by Constable Bracken recounting his involvement in the bail up at Glenrowan.
I am a sergeant of police at Wangaratta. I arrived here with five men about 5 a.m. We were at once challenged by police, and answered “Wangaratta police.” My men were then distributed around the hut, and I got to the tree near the back door of the hut. There was no firing then. A woman and child came to the back door screaming, and I told the woman if she ran in quick she would not be molested. A man then came to the back door, and I asked him to throw up his arms or I would fire on him. He was only about twenty five yards distant. The man stooped and ran towards the stables, and I fired. He then turned and ran back to the house, and I fired again. I am certain I hit him with the second shot, as he screamed and fell against the door.
A private quarrel occurred between Mr. Hare and myself altogether unconnected with official business, in which Captain Standish, who was not in any way concerned, took part against me, and carried it into official matters. He made a series of communications to the Queensland Government, tending to depreciate me, and to remove the men from my control and supervision. This was done without my knowledge, and, consequently, I had no opportunity of explanation to my commissioner. My Government ultimately acceded to the request of Captain Standish, and informed him that he was at liberty to have one of my men for permanent service in Victoria. Upon this Captain Standish had the man taken out of my party and attached to his police, although he (Captain Standish) still required our services.
Regret was expressed in the Police Department today at the death of Mr. Michael Edward Ward, 76, formerly sub-inspector in the Criminal Investigation Branch, which occurred at his home, Airdrie road, Caulfield, this morning.
The illness of Captain Frederick Charles Standish, the late chief commissioner of the Victorian police force, terminated fatally yesterday. He died at the Melbourne Club about half-past 5 o’clock. For some months the condition of his health had been such as to leave little hope of other than a fatal ending. About two years ago he had a slight attack of apoplexy , and since that time he has been gradually failing. He was suffering from disease of the heart and of the liver, and there were also indications of softening of the brain.
The meagre items of news that became disseminated during the early part of the day were made the foundation of some sensational narratives with regard to the proceedings of sympathizers with the Kellys. It transpired that there had been a scene of disorder at Greta. Hart and some other friends of the outlaws indulged in some wild threat, stating their determination to prevent an inquest being held. An official report received during the morning reported that fifty armed men had joined Hart and his friends. The Chief Commissioner of Police (Captain Standish), who had returned to Melbourne, sent a body of armed police to the district by the earliest train, and another detachment was sent from Wangaratta, but consequent on the great excitement prevailing in the district the police were very guarded in their movements.
Glenrowan 