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
Tag: Detective Ward
A Sighting by Ah Man
In early 1879, Detective Ward received word that the Kelly Gang had been spotted at Gundowring, north of Bright, by a friend of Joe's named Ah Man. According to Ward, "He told me that he saw the four outlaws at Gundowring. I asked him how he knew they were the outlaws. He said he knew … Continue reading A Sighting by Ah Man
A Purchase of Opium
Telegram from December 1878 informing of Joe’s recent purchase of opium in the Woolshed, it reads: “Detective Eason reports information obtained to Joe Byrne bought opium to which he is addicted last week at Woolshed and requests services of Fook Sing (Chinese detective) for a day or so.” Telegram from the Public Records Office Victoria.
Detective Ward
‘Detective Ward indeed made things very warm for the gang in the Beechworth district, and the gang vowed vengeance against him. Ward was continually receiving letters from them in Joe Byrne’s handwriting threatening his life. On one occasion he was informed in this way that if they could lay their hands on him they would … Continue reading Detective Ward
A Search for Stray Cows
One morning while looking for some cows that had strayed, Anne Sherritt passed an unoccupied hut, ‘about six or seven miles from Beechworth’ and saw Joe getting on Music. She asked him what he was doing there and Joe replied that he was “looking for Hare, to shoot him.” After further conversation with Joe, Anne … Continue reading A Search for Stray Cows
A Threatening Letter
On the 1st of September 1879, Joe rode to the Sherritt selection at Sheepstation Creek with a ‘threatening letter’ he had written, addressed to Detective Ward. He found Jack busy harrowing and told him he had a letter he wanted posting and that it would be requiring a stamp. Jack was hesitant, but agreed when … Continue reading A Threatening Letter