Meet the people of the KellyGang story
A sympathizer and hawker who helped the KellyGang at Faithfull's Creek Station.
Links to the KellyGang below , Early Years., Teenage years., First run in with the law., Fitzpatrick Incident., Gold Mining., Mansfield Murders., Escape North., Euroa Robbery., Mass arrest of sympathizers., Jerilderie Robbery., Later in 1879., Early in 1880., Death of Aaron Sherritt., Glenrowan Siege., Ned Kelly's Trial., Royal Commission., Family.,
I had a store at Seymour and used to travel the country as a hawker. I employed Frank Beecroft.
I had been held up twice before (Argus10/8/80)
On the evening of the 9th Frank Beecroft and I arrived at Faithfull's Creek Station and met the KellyGang.
I could tell this story but I think that Sup Hare paints a good picture in his book. He said :-
"About this time a hawker named Gloster, who had a shop at Seymour, but was in the habit of travelling about the country with a general assortment of clothing and fancy goods, drove his waggon up to the entrance of the station, and according to his usual custom unharnessed his horses, and made preparations for camping out for the night; and having made all in readiness, he walked up to the station to get some water to make his tea with. When he reached the hut, he was told "the Kellys" were there, and that he would have to "bail up." Macauley, knowing Gloster to be a plucky fellow, was afraid that he might draw his revolver and there would be blood shed; however, Gloster got his water from the kitchen, and was going back to his cart, when Ned Kelly called out to him to stop. Gloster turned round and looked at him, but thinking it was all a lark; went on his way towards his cart. Dan Kelly immediately raised his gun, and was about to fire, when Ned Kelly ordered him not to do so. Macauley called out to him to "bail up", in order to prevent bloodshed. Gloster; who appeared a very obstinate fellow, took no notice of the threats of the Kellys, or the entreaties of Macauley, but steadily continued on his way and got up into his cart. Ned Kelly appeared to be losing his temper, and went down to the cart followed by his brother Dan. Ned then put his revolver to Gloster's cheek, and ordered him to come out of his cart, at he would blow his brains out. Many angry words passed between them, and it was only by the endeavours of Macauley that Ned Kelly was prevented shooting Gloster.
Kelly then said he would let him off this time, at the same time praising his own leniency, by saying not one man in a hundred would have dealt so leniently with him, after the manner in which he had behaved. Dan Kelly was evidently eager for blood, as he expressed a strong wish to put a bullet through "the wretch." Gloster was then marched up to the store-room, and locked up with the other prisoners. The four ruffians then proceeded to ransack the hawker's cart, and provide themselves with a new fit out; they made regular bush-dandies of themselves, and helped themselves pretty freely to the contents of the scent-bottles which they found amongst the stock. They also took what fire-arms he had. ...."
See also (Argus12/12/78)(SMH12/12/78)(FH) (CHC) (CHC)
I gave evidence at Ned Kelly's committal hearing in Beechworth (Age10/8/1880) (Argus10/8/80) (SMH10/8/80)
On 29/10/1880 I was called upon to give evidence at Ned Kelly's trial. I suggested that Ned took the blame for the others. See a summary of my evidence. (Argus20/10/80) (Age29/10/80) (BWC) (JJK)
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