One of the men supplying the gang with food during the month of November was ‘strong sympathiser’ Ben Gould, a hawker Ned had befriended during his younger years. It was noted by the police that Gould was ‘buying up large quantities of sausage and supplying it to the outlaws.’ Constable Johnston believed that Gould was … Continue reading Provisions from Ben Gould
During the day on the 30th October in 1878, a selector named Gideon Mragery who resided near the Murray, noticed four horsemen close to the river while he was setting up fishing lines. Curious as to the identity of the four men, Margery walked down to where they were. ‘He had some talk with them. … Continue reading Bread and Wine
‘There were various signals by which the gang communicated with their friends. Sometimes a couple of stones placed in a peculiar position would be the signal, and sometimes an eccentric horse track. Thus, one of the gang would ride in a circle near a sympathiser's hut, and then jump a fence, and again ride circuitously, … Continue reading Outlaw Signals
“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
An Outlaw’s Journal 