The Age
30/10/1878
... part of the KellyGang story
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Mansfield 27th October
There is still no tidings of the cowardly and bloodthirsty villains where diabolical murderers in cold blood of two police constables has roused the whole colony to a feeling of horror and alarm. Anxiously as intelligence of their capture is awaited by the entire community, the spirit of expectation is some what tempered by the general conviction that the first news concerning them will but chronicle the committal of some fresh atrocity on their part. With the guilt of two murders fresh upon them, and the knowledge that they need expect no mercy from their pursuers they will shrink from nothing to prolong their wretched existence, and will not hesitate to murder any one who they may fear would be instrumental in compassing their arrest. Although young- the eldest of them being but twenty three years of age- they are expert bushmen, and, as any rate as far as the Kellys are concerned, are thoroughly acquainted with the country in the vicinity of the spot where they first encountered the police. Around the district know are known to exist a number of low shanties, the proprietors of which in many instances would need but little persuasion to afford them assistance by concealing them, or by supplying them with provisions, and in this way they are very probably at the present moment evading pursuit. Should, however, this means of escape not recommend itself to them, it is not improbable that they would have recourse to other measures and deliberately stick up some of the minor townships which are well aware are not in a position to resist the attack of an armed force. These various contingencies have not escaped the attention of the police authorities, and a comprehensive plan of handling down the fugitives has now been organised. Superintendent Nicolson has been entrusted with the direction of the search, and three large parties are already scouring the country while others will be despatched as quickly as they can be brought together and equipped. These parties, starting from various points radiating from the central position, and encompassing a circle about fifty miles across from east to west, and forty miles from north to south, will gradually work to a common centre, with a view of drawing a cordon round the murderers through which it would appear to be almost impossible for them to penetrate undetected. Should they attempt to cross into New South Wales from almost any point on the River Murray, they will soon be captured, as Mr Forseberry, who is in charge of the New South Wales police there, on receiving information from Captain Standish, at once took steps to patrol the whole neighbourhood, and has telegraphed the satisfactory intelligence that these arrangements have been completed. In order to afford protection to the inhabitants of the isolated townships on the Victorian side, a detachment of twelve men of the Melbourne foot police were yesterday despatched to the scene of the outrage. They are each armed with revolvers and repeating rifles, and will be allotted to the various localities by Superintendent Nicolson. In view of the danger attaching to these appointments none but unmarried have been sent. No telegrams or reports were received by the authorities during yesterday until shortly after eight o'clock last night, when the following telegram came to hand from Constable M'Intyre:- "Mansfield, 29th October, 1878- Warrants issued for Edward and Daniel Kelly, and two others, names unknown, for the wilful murder of "Constables Michael Scanlan and Thomas Lanigan, near Mansfield, on the 26th instant. First man, about twenty one years of age, five feet nine inches in height, slight build, very fair complexion, hair beard and moustache, skin, mild expression of features. The second man, about nineteen years of age, stout build, only few straggling hairs on face, sinister expression. The energy of the police and of the residents in the various localities who have volunteered for the prosecution of the search will doubtless be unabated until their mission has resulted in a successful issue; but bearing in mind the career of the bushranger Morgan, who, for nearly three years, set his pursuers at defiance, it is doubtful whether the murderers will be captured until some of their allies are induced to place them within the reach of the hand of justice. Those who would for a moment harbour such wretches are lost to every sense of duty or honor, and the only way in which they are to be reached will be by means of bribery. The reward offered for the capture of the murderers is, therefore, a most important matter, and requires immediate reconsideration . The sum originally placed on Morgan's head was gradually increased, and it was not until it amounted to £1100 that he was captured. It is thus apparent that the amount of £200 offered for each man is quite insufficient, and should at once be increased to double or treble the sum, a few hundred pounds being but of trifling importance compared with the possibility of the escape of such desperadoes.
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26-aug-11
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