21/12/1878
... part of the KellyGang story
Full text of article
The inhabitants of Euroa were alarmed last evening by the report of a gun on the outskirts of the town. It was rumoured that the Kellys had returned. The detachment of Victorian Artillery at once turned out, and leaving two of their number to guard the bank, proceeded to search the scrub in order to find out who had fired the gun. The whole affair turned out to be hoax.
Sub-Inspector Toohey proceeded to Mansfield to-day in order to take charge of the district, and it is understood that Sub-Inspector Pewtress will take charge or one of the metropolitan or suburban districts. The police force here was further strengthened by the arrival from town by six more troopers by the night train.
Mansfield.- 16th December
The police who left here on Sunday have not yet returned. It is reported that their guns are only loaded with No. 2 shot.
A memorial ie to be erected to the memory of the late Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Lonigan and Scanlon. At a meeting held this afternoon to consider the subject it was decided to forthwith issue subscription lists for that purpose.
Mansfield, 10th December
The residents here have just heard with great surprise that Sub-inspector Pewtress has received notice that he is to be withdrawn from Mansfield, and that His successor will take charge of the Mansfield district. Sub-inspector Toohey has arrived here for that purpose. Nothing is said against the latter gentleman, who is simply doing his duty, but' whoever is directing a movement like this must be committing a very grave error. Mr Pewtress has shown himself a very efficient officer, and has now became acquainted with the district, and his energies and ability are fully acknowledged by every resident here, but just at this time to send a stranger, who must really expend some time in becoming initiated as Mr Pewtress has, is considered the height of folly. Some citizens indignantly say that a contemporary has goaded the chief commissioner on to this. Be that as it may, I fear the people of Mansfield will show their indignation in no measured terms unless this order is immediately countermanded. I understand a petition is being prepared to protest against this short-sighted policy. Give the officers here more freedom of action, and the Kellys will soon be caught.
BENALLA, Thursday (see)
The police have just received information to the effect that the house of a selector living about five miles from here, at Ryan's Branch, on the Kilfera-road, was stuck up by some men at a quarter to 10 o'clock last night. The information was brought in here by a son of the selector referred to, but his statement is of the vaguest. He says that as the family, consisting of his father, mother, sister, and him-self, were about going to bed a man, or some men, came to the door, and ordered them to bail up. Without waiting to here any more, the young man made his way out at the back of the house and walked into Benalla to give the information, but he says that before he left he heard a gun snapped or fired off. A strong party of police has been despatched to the spot indicated.
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