“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
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
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
'Before they left, (Euroa), the man Byrne returned to the door of the hut and said, “I want to see Mr Scott, give me your watch.” I said, “No I won’t. You can take it if you like,” and he accordingly unhooked it and carried it away.’ The Argus, December 14, 1878. On Tuesday evening, … Continue reading Mr Scott’s Watch
‘Sherritt was an extraordinary man. He could stand anything-endure any hardship. He thought nothing of sleeping out in the wet and cold and letting beetles and things run all over him. One day constable Dixon was in the hut and said to Sherritt, “Didn’t you say you could lick any man in the police force?” … Continue reading An Extraordinary Man
“My men are in rags and must be fed.” On the 2nd of November 1878, a week after the tragedy at Stringybark Creek, the Kelly Gang, soaking wet and thoroughly exhausted, called at the Victoria Hotel in Everton. According to Mary Vandenberg, she had just closed up for the night and was going to bed … Continue reading A Plate of Stew
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
"I always said this bloody armour would bring us to grief." The armour was never Joe’s idea and nor did he like it. This is evident in the exasperated words he declared to Ned at Glenrowan. “This bloody armour” are not the words of a man who had put forward the idea of mouldboard armour, … Continue reading This Bloody Armour
An Outlaw’s Journal 