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First Hand Accounts History

Anton Wicks’ Testimony

Testimony given by Anton Wicks (i.e. Wick, Weekes) regarding Aaron Sherritt’s death.

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First Hand Accounts The Police

Constable Arthur’s Testimony

Constable James Arthur’s recollections of the siege given to the Royal Commission.

Categories
First Hand Accounts The Police

Senior Constable Kelly’s Testimony

Testimony given by Senior-Constable John Kelly regarding his involvement in the Kelly pursuit and the Glenrowan siege.

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First Hand Accounts History Sub-Inspector O'Connor and the Queensland native police The Police

O’Connor’s Letters (19 March 1881)

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.

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History News Reports The Kellys

Mrs. Kelly interviewed (17 May 1881)

Her residence, a four-roomed slab hut, with a bark roof, stands in the middle of a paddock comprising about 40 acres. It is within a short distance from a mountain called Quarry Hill, whence a good view of the surrounding country can be obtained. Within the paddock there were two or three horses and as many cows, and there were a few fowls and a tame kangaroo about the house. But the place presented a gloomy, desolate appearance. There was a very small kitchen garden, but there was no other land under cultivation. Some of the panes of glass in the windows were broken, and, excepting that some creepers had very recently been planted at the foot of the verandah posts, no attempt had been made to beautify the house, or make this home look homely.

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Aaron Sherritt Detective Ward Glenrowan Joseph (Joe) Byrne Superintendent Hare Superintendent Sadleir The Byrnes The Cave Party The Police The Sherritts

Constable Armstrong’s account of the murder of Aaron Sherritt

The following information comes from the evidence of Henry Armstrong who had been one of the constables stationed with Aaron Sherritt the night he was murdered. It concerns the events leading up to the murder that may have played a role in Aaron’s death, and follows the narrative through the murder with the occasional detour. These are merely extracts from the evidence, rather than the evidence in its entirety in order to keep it as focused as possible on the subject of Aaron Sherritt.

Categories
History Superintendent Hare The Police

Supt. Hare’s account of Glenrowan from the Royal Commission

The following extracts come from Superintendent Hare’s testimony during the 1881 Royal Commission. We begin with Hare’s account of the events leading up to the siege and his involvement in the early stages, including his injury. We close on Hare recounting some of his frustrations with the police that were to be working with Aaron Sherritt, as well as a brief account of a discussion with the “Diseased Stock Agent” about the armour.

Categories
Captain Standish History The Police

Captain Standish’s Royal Commission Testimony

The following is extracted from the 1881 Royal Commission into the police force, where the newly retired Captain Standish gave an account of his involvement in the Kelly pursuit. The extracts contain information directly relevant to the Glenrowan siege and the police that were placed to protect Aaron Sherritt.