The Argus
4 / 1/1879
... part of the KellyGang story
Full text of article
Editorial
What the Mansfield magistrates were about on Thursday in letting off the fellow
HART with a nominal fine,
we are at a loss to imagine. This fellow, who appears to be a brother of STEVE
HART, the outlaw, was brought up at the police court charged with using threatening
language. Taking up a position near the courthouse, he proclaimed that "he
did not care a - for all the traps in Mansfield , and that if he were locked
up he would, upon his liberation, join the Kellys; that he was a friend of
the outlaws, and sympathised with "them." He pleaded that he was
drunk, and did not know what he was saying, but two constables swore that
he was perfectly sober when arrested. The magistrates appeal to have credited
his story in preference to the sworn testimony of the police, for they imposed
the paltry fine of 5s, or six hours imprisonment- a lighter penalty that
a common drunkard swearing at large might expect to receive. He should at
the least have been smartly fined, and required to obtain sureties
for his good conduct for the next six months. The sequel is, according to
the telegram received last night from our Mansfield correspondent that the
fellow "after doing his six hours imprisonment, went away on horseback," with the intention apparently of carrying out his threat. He has been re-arrested
with other supposed friends of the Kellys, and he is under strong suspicion
as in accomplice of the gang. The events which have followed so quickly on
the original proceedings throw into still stronger light the misguided leniency
of the Bench, but their proceedings upon the facts originally brought before
them must excite the gravest remonstrance. Considering the disturbed condition
of the district, it is essential that all demonstrations in favour of the
Kelly gang should be repressed in the sternest possible manner, and that the
police in prosecuting ruffians of the Hart type, should have all the sympathy
and support which magistrates can give. If society is to be menaced with limpu-
unity, Hart will not be without lmitators, who will argue that the authorities
hold them in dread, and will thus be encouraged in giving to the outlaws that
aid which is so valuible to them in eluding the pursuit of justice. The Minsfield
magistrates, in dealing with HART, committed a grave error. We trust that
should they ever have to deal with similar cases, they will be more alive
to their duties and to the obligations they owe to society.
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THE MANSFIELD MURDERS
ARREST OF ALLEGED CONFEDERATES
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH]
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
MANSFIELD , FRIDAY.
At last there is some excitement regarding the Kelly gang. Two awkward-looking women have been in Mansfield during the past two days, and being strangers, excited some gossip. Upon their appearance being discussed by two or three, a gentleman said he could almost swear that the features of one of the women were those of Steve Hart, one of the murderers. Later in the day the supposed Steve Hart was seated in a side- saddle on horseback, leading another horse.
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23-aug-10
This document gives you the text of the report about the KellyGang for this day. The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. We also apologise for any typographical errors.