“It is now known that Joe Byrne was keeping company with a girl at Beechworth and was often in and out of the township. The similarity in appearance which existed between Joe and another brother named Patsy enabling the former to pass himself off as the latter.” In early 1880, Paddy Byrne purchased a grey … Continue reading Joe and Paddy
“Some strange disclosures have come to light regarding the movements of Byrne. Some months previous to this last outbreak, it appears he had been seen frequently in Beechworth, where he was in the habit of going to see a girl. He was positively engaged to her, but was mistaken, except by those who were in … Continue reading Strange Disclosures
According to Superintendent Nicolson, during “the months of April and May, the outlaws were in the vicinity of the Greta ranges, and were reduced to great straits. Their horses were worn out, and most of them were abandoned. They were on foot, and used to conceal themselves during the day on the ranges in various … Continue reading Great Straits
One night, Paddy Byrne told Jack Sherritt, “Joe has been home and got some clothes, and cleared out; is not he a bloody smart fellow?” The next morning, according to Jack, “I met two of the cave party—Alexander and Armstrong—and I told them about Byrne being home last night, and they seemed like as if … Continue reading The Cunning of Aaron Sherritt
After the Jerilderie raid, Joe and Dan called at ‘Lord Byron’s’, a shanty in Chiltern owned by Martin Byron and his wife Ellen Byron née Salisbury, an old sweetheart of Joe’s. The “miserable and ragged” outlaws were greatly “in want of food” and Ellen ushered the pair inside, allowing them to warm themselves by the … Continue reading Miserable and Ragged
Shortly after the tragedy at Stringybark Creek, James Wallace was traveling along the Oxley road with a few friends, when Joe passed them riding Music, headed in the direction of Sebastopol.During the Royal Commission, Wallace recounted the following:'I met Byrne one moonlight night on the Oxley road, going in the direction of Sebastopol from Greta. … Continue reading An Encounter on Oxley Road
Out in the ranges of Strathbogie,We do fiercely roam,The caves we seek, our hiding place,Are a wild and barren home.Two thousand pounds are on my head,The bloodhounds on my track.I’ll make them pay and rue the dayTheir mothers gave them birth.I’ll shoot them down like prowling dingo, hawk or carrion crow,Or any other miscreant that … Continue reading The Ranges of Strathbogie
On the 10th of July 1879, two children coming home from Reid’s Creek School met two of the Kelly gang, on the road halfway between the school and the Sherritt selection. The two gang members offered the children some bread, which the youngsters took and ate appreciatively. As Joe was usually spotted alone around the … Continue reading Breaking Bread
The snippet above is what was read by Joe at Faithfull’s Creek, as recounted by Mrs Fitzgerald: “A copy of The Australasian was lying on the table, and the news it contained concerning the gang was read by him with avidity. He denied the report that certain burned saddles which had been found in the … Continue reading Certain Burned Saddles
On an unknown day in September 1875, Joe rose from his slumber in Aaron’s hut at Sheepstation Creek and saddled his mare for another day of ‘roaming about the Woolshed.’ With his pipe clenched between his teeth and the reins threaded loosely through his fingers, Joe rode on, following the banks of Stoney Creek until … Continue reading Joe Byrne and the Discarded Saddle
An Outlaw’s Journal 