Glenrowan
I wish to place before you the facts of my case, which have never been placed in their true light. As represented, I took up arms in 1878 for the purpose of shooting the police, but six months elapsed between the shooting of Constable Fitzpatrick on the 13th of April and the Stringy-bark tragedy on the 26th of October, 1878, and there neither was robbery nor any other offence reported as done by me or my companions.
During this time we were dressing, and he was in the bedroom. He asked who was in the kitchen; and on mother saying only her four little boys, he said he must see them, and did see them asleep. He then said, ” Lock the door and come quick, as I have no time to loose.” Mother, again crying, asked him where he was going to take her to, and he said he had a lot of men bailed up on the road, and that she must come, too; as he was going to take up the line, to wreck a special train that was coming up with police and black trackers.
In his home at Glenhuntley he still treasures the relics of that memorable morning when the reign of terror of the Kelly gang came to an end. In a green baize he keeps the revolver which he took from Ned. It is the weapon that Kelly took from the police sergeant at Jerilderie when the gang held up the town and robbed the bank. A chip from the handle shows where one of the police bullets caught Ned. Kelly’s thumb at Glenrowan. Another interesting relic in Mr Dowsett’s possession is the long boot worn by Kelly in the final fight. It was used as evidence at the trial and shows the hole made by one of Sergeant Steele’s bullets. The mustard tin in which Kelly kept his ammunition shows two holes made by the bullets fired at him by Dowsett. One of the bullets was found inside the tin, and is shown by Mr Dowsett as evidence of his good aim.
To date the most accurate dramatic on-screen depiction of the Kelly story is the 1980 television mini-series The Last Outlaw. Though far from perfect, it comes very close at times to being spot on. The series was originally imagined as a sprawling epic over around a dozen movie-length episodes like the previous production by the […]
The Kelly armour is one of the most famous, and popular, symbols in Australian culture. It has helped to elevate Ned Kelly from being a mere bushranger to being a symbol of rebellion. But, how did it come to be and how have these four steel suits become such important historical relics? This article will give you all you need to know.
Earlier this week was the commemoration of Ned Kelly’s execution and in relation to that Glenrowan was the feature of an article in the Border Mail by journalist Anthony Bunn. The story was mirrored on other news sites as well, some of which are behind pay-walls and some of which aren’t. Below is a transcript […]
An excerpt from chapter one: Loyalty concerning the outlaw Kelly brothers and their siblings.
A contemporary new report describing the siege and Ned Kelly’s arrival in Melbourne.
Young Ned Kelly is transferred to the pridon hulks at Williamstown and has a revelation.
NED KELLY (the Melbourne Herald learns) is cheerful and hopeful. He displayed in gaol none of the bloodthirsty characteristics attributed to him. He was indeed so mild and quiet in his demeanour that it was difficult to reconcile him with the terrible bushranger of the newspapers.
Glenrowan 