The Ned Kelly Papers

In August 2002 several documents relating to the capture of the bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang were returned to the State Archives Collection.

These documents were archival estrays and belong with the papers in:

• NRS 906: Colonial Secretary, Special bundles, 1826-1982, Kelly Gang - Papers re reward, capture etc., 1879-82 [SZ 71], Reel 1709.

A second series of estrays was returned in May 2003. These have been added below.

The estrays

United action by NSW and Victoria

A three page handwritten draft of a letter by the NSW Premier Henry Parkes to the Chief Secretary of Victoria, dated 14 February 1879, suggesting united action by the NSW and Victorian governments in relation to the Kelly gang including the offer of a joint reward by the governments and some banks for the capture of the Kelly gang.

Reward for the capture of the Kelly Gang

A printed proclamation by Governor Loftus indicating the reward for the capture of the Kelly Gang was £4000. This was signed by Loftus and Henry Parkes.

A handwritten letter from Edmund Fosbery, NSW Inspector General of Police dated 4 March 1880, suggested a limitation on the period of the reward as a year had passed without result since its announcement and there was no information about these outlaws committing new crimes. The suggested duration was three months from the date of a new notice and the letter had been initialled by Henry Parkes.

The Kelly Gang surrounded

Telegram from the Chief Secretary of Victoria to the Hon Colonial Secretary of NSW, 28 June 1880, stating that:

the outlaw Ned Kelly has been taken and the others are surrounded in a house at Glenrowan. They will it is hoped be captured today.

Ned Kelly said to be mortally wounded

An undated telegram from JR James, Melbourne to PB Walker (Assistant Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs, Sydney) stating that:

Ned Kelly mortally wounded, Byrne said to be lying shot dead in the hotel, Dan Kelly and Hart ... cannot hold out much longer .... none of police with exception of Supt Hare injured.

Letter from Police Superintendent, Bathurst

Letter from Police Superintendent, Bathurst, to Inspector General of Police (Fosbery), Sydney dated 17 Jul 1879. Outlines plans should the Kelly gang try to make for the Lachlan and endeavour to reach Queensland.

Telegram from Police Superintendent at Mudgee

Telegram from Police Superintendent at Mudgee to Bathurst Police sent on 1 February 1879, the day after the Kelly Gang had held up Jerilderie township. States in part:

I propose locking up small stations and sending men into Townships.

Kelly Gang believed to have crossed the Murrumbidgee

Telegram from Deniliquin Police to the Inspector of Police, Sydney (Edmund Fosbery) dated 8 January, informing him that the Kelly Gang believed to have crossed the Murrumbidgee and were heading with four bay and two pack horses towards the Lachlan.

Comment: This is of interest as an official report of one of the many false sightings of the Kelly Gang while on the run.

Telegram from Albury Police Station

Telegram from Albury Police Station to Inspector of Police, Sydney (Fosbery) relaying report via telegram from Detective Ward, Beechworth Police, detailing shooting of Aaron Sherritt. Says in part:

...watch party stuck up by Kelly Gang at six o'clock Saturday night Aaron shot dead in the hut he occupied by Joe Byrne fired seven shots into the hut the bullets passing besides the Constables' heads.