Before we start talking about Kelly's story, I will write about Australia. Australia has been a British colony. In 1770, captain James Cook came to Australia and declared Australia would belong to British. It's just beginning. In 26 Jan 1788, The first fleet of 11 ships carrying 1,500 people haft of them prisoners arrived Sydney Harbor. Until the last convoy ended in 1868, 160,000 male and female prisoners arrived in Australia (The Kelly's story begun) . It meant that Australia was a place which kept mainly criminals and the poor.
Young Kelly |
"to give those people who are suffering innocence, justice and liberty, if not I will be compelled to show some colonial stratagems which will open the eyes of not only the Victoria Police inhabitants but also the whole British Army...." (Amazing guy).
Ned Kelly |
In October 1878, the police were determined to hunt down the Kelly. They found out that Ned Kelly Gang were in the Wombat Ranges, at the head of the King River. There are five police were secretly dispatched to catch Kelly.
Sergeant Kennedy from the Mansfield set off to search for the Kelly, accompanied by Constables, Lonigan and Scanlon. All were in civilian dress. Early the next day, Kennedy and Scanlon went down to the creek to explore, leaving Blantyre to attended to camp duty. He fired two shots out of his fowling piece at a pair of parrots. However, Ned Kelly was heard these shots. About 5 pm, McIntyre was at the fire making tea, when they were suddenly surprised by the Kelly Gang with the cry "Raise your hand, bro". However, other guy is Lonigan went for cover behind a tree and, at the same time, put his hand on his revolver. Kelly shot him in the temple. He fell to the ground and said "Oh Christ, I am shot". He died a few seconds later. Kelly remarked "what a pity; what made the fool run ?" After that, Kelly interrogated McIntyre where the other two were and told McIntyre "I will kill you if you liar to me, bro". McIntyre revealed their whereabouts and pleaded for their lives. It was short talk between Kelly and McIntyre about why Kelly become like this. About Kelly's mom and Fitzpatrick. Suddenly, Kelly heard the approach of Kennedy and Scanlan, and the four gang members concealed themselves. They forced McIntyre to sit on a log and Kelly said : "Minh, I have a rifle for you if you give any stupid alarm, bro". When Kenedy and Scanlan role into the camp, Suddenly, Kelly shot Kenedy after called out "Put up your hand". Kenedy then realised the hopelessness of his position, jumped off his horse and begged for his life "it's all right, stop it, stop it" Scanlan jumped down and tried to make for a tree, but before he could usling his refle, he was shot and killed.
Increase in reward money and the Felons' Apprehension Act
After two hours McIntypre reported the murder of the troopers. On 31 October 1878, the Victorian Parliament passed the Felons' apprehension Act, and called Ned Kelly and his brother Dan to surrender or be declared outlaws under the Act's draconian provisions, which authorized any citizen to shoot a declared outlaw on sight. Moreover, The government also committed a major outlay in public funds to the Kelly hunt and, after the Jerilderie raid in Feb 1879, combined with New South Waves to increase the reward for the gang's capture to 8000 dollars.
Bank robberies
After the murders at Stringybark, the gang then committed two major armed robberies, at Euroa, Victoria and Jeriderie, New South Waves. Their involved the taking of hostages and robbing the bank safes.
The gang and police exchange gunfire. |
Knowing that the Felons Apprehension Act meant they could be shot, the Kelly Gang all wore suits of steer Armour, made during the previous year. Despite this, Ned Kelly was shot in the arm and thumb, and retreated to the bush, from where he hoped to attack police from behind. Furthermore, Joe Byrne was shot in the groin and died. Dan Kelly and Steve Hart were shot dead, and the hotel was burned to the ground by police. Ned Kelly, in his Armour(Iron Man), approached the police from the rear and began shooting. After half hour, he was shot in both unprotected legs. A wounded Ned was arrested and charged with the murder of a policeman. Ned was tried and convicted of the murder of Constable Lonigan at Stringybank Creek.
Melbourne gaol.
In jail, Kelly wrote a long letter to the authorities demonstrating the discrimination against poor Irish settlers. Despite public protests, the judgement of Redmond Barry prevailed. Kelly spoke the immortal last words "such a life" and was hanged on 11th Nov 1880 at Melbourne Gaol.
Ned Kelly's final defiant stand against the Felons Apprehension Act and his pleas for justice to end discrimination against poor Irish settlers did end up opening the eyes of people. Ned in his armour cam to symbolize a fight by a flawed hero. This captured the imagination of writers, authors and general public alike.
Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/ned-kelly
Ned Kelly last stand from Paul Terry.
Ned Kelly the story of Australian most notorious Legend from Peter Fitzsimons