The Argus
11/ 8/1880
... part of the KellyGang story
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Tennant offered to load the guns to help the police. “We’ll help you,” was all he said. We had no idea at all that the Kellys were about until we reached the station. The gold hunting watch you (Mr Gaunson) now produce is like the one shown by the prisoner. I can’t swear that that is not the watch. Mr Tennant, who has rather a hasty temper, wanted to fight the prisoner, but he did not do so. Prisoner treated us very well, and offered us no violence. I did not see my rifle afterwards; neither did I ever see again a bottle of whisky we left in the spring-cart. (Laughter.) It was only a lemonade bottle we had got filled with whisky at a hotel on the way.
Henry Dudley gave evidence at the committal hearing
Henry Dudley, ledgermaker, employed at the Government Printing-office, stated. - On the 10 th of December, 1878 , Mr MacDougal, Mr Casement, and myself were driving over Younghusband’s station, and Mr Tennant, who was on horseback, went ahead to open the railway gates. The prisoner at this moment rode up to us, presented a revolver, and said the station was bailed up. I took him to be a policeman in plain clothes. I felt irritated when he said to us, “Where did you shake the cart from?” and said to him, “How dare you accuse gentleman of stealing a horse and trap?” and I told him I would report him to his superior officers, whereupon he told me to hold my tongue or he would blow my brains out. He took us all to the station, and locked us up in the storeroom. When we arrived at the station he made a person named Stephens introduce him to us “because,” he said, “these gentlemen don’t seem to understand or comprehend who I am.” We were then info rmed that he was Kelly. He paid us several visits in the storeroom. On one occasion MacDougal and I were standing near the door. MacDougal remarked, “This is a bad joke,” and the prisoner opening the door came in. The prisoner showed us a gold watch. I took it to be a double-cased one, and he said, “Isn’t that a fine watch?” I replied that it was, and he said, “That is Kennedy’s watch,” and added, “Wasn’t it better for me to shoot the police than have my mangled corpse carried into Mansfield ?” he did not name the police.
To Mr Gaunson.―When I returned to Melbourne I was interviewed by reporters, and gave them statements. The gentleman who subpoenaed me did not ask me about this case. He simply gave me the subpoena, and departed in peace. (Laughter.) We had three tails and the hind part of a kangaroo, and at the time we were bailed up we were just joking about having a feed. There was also a bottle of whisky in the cart. It was intended for me, but I never saw it again. (Laughter.) When we arrived at the station Mr Stephens introduced me to the accused, saying, “This is Mr Edward Kelly, the bushranger.” Then, as it is vulgarly termed, I tumbled to it. (Laughter.) When stuck up by Kelly I asked the accused, not knowing who he was, “Are the Kelly’s about?” He said they were. Tennant then came up, and addressing me said, “Harry, what’s the matter?” and I said “Why the Kellys are about;” and he, being a Scotchman, said, “Eh, mon, let’s get up and load our guns.” (Laughter.) Edward Kelly took great care that we should not get into the cart, and wise, too, on his part. When I was irritated and giving Kelly―well, call it impudence if you like, he pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and the sight of them settled me at once. (Laughter.) We were all locked comfortably in the storeroom all night, with nothing but a bucket of water and a dipper to drink with. (Laughter.)
Edward Living gave evidence at the committal hearing
Edward Richard Living deposed. - In February, 1879, I was teller of the Bank of New South Wales at Jerilderie. On the 10 th of that month the accused and his mates stuck up and robbed the bank. I heard them afterwards talking to a number of people in the hotel. The accused showed a revolver, which he said had been taken from the police who were shot. I could not swear that I heard him mention any particular constable. Other people were asking him as to the shooting of the police, and he said that the gun he shot them with was an old gun, but a very good one. He said it was bound about the lock with string or wire, and that he could shoot round a corner with it. The accused said to me, “You come along; I want to see about the bank’s books.” He also asked where the newspaper man could be found, and we went to look for Mr Gill.
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