apr 1, 1878 - FE: "Kelly Gang"

Description:

“A notorious gang of outlaws has been terrorising the countryside of Victoria, defying the authorities and committing daring crimes. The gang is led by Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly, a young man with a long history of conflict with the law. He is joined by his brother Dan Kelly, and their friends Joe Byrne and Steve Hart. Together, they are known as the Kelly gang. The Kelly gang’s outlawry began in April 1878, when a police constable named Alexander Fitzpatrick visited the Kelly homestead near Greta to arrest Dan Kelly for horse theft. A scuffle ensued, during which Fitzpatrick was wounded by a gunshot. He claimed that Ned Kelly was the shooter, but Ned denied being present at the scene. The police issued warrants for the arrest of Ned and Dan Kelly, as well as their mother Ellen Kelly and several other relatives and friends who were accused of aiding and abetting them. Ned and Dan fled to the bush near Mansfield, where they were joined by Byrne and Hart. They decided to fight back against what they saw as police persecution and injustice. On 26 October 1878, they ambushed a police camp at Stringybark Creek, where four officers were sent to capture them. Three of the policemen were killed by the Kelly gang, while one managed to escape. The murders shocked the public and made the Kelly gang wanted men with a large reward on their heads. The Victorian government also passed the Felons’ Apprehension Act, which declared them outlaws and authorised anyone to shoot them on sight without trial. The Kelly gang responded by declaring war on the police and the government. They raided several towns and stations, robbing banks, stores and mail coaches, taking hostages, burning mortgages and making speeches to sympathetic crowds. They also wrote letters to the press and the authorities, explaining their motives and grievances, and demanding fair treatment for themselves and their families. They became folk heroes to many people who admired their courage and skill, and resented the oppression of the squatters and the police

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