“DIED LIKE A MAN.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10510, 14 February 1928, Page 3

“DIED LIKE A MAN.”

NOTORIOUS NED KELLY

MEMORIES OF EXECUTION

THE ONLY LIVING WITNESS,

First-class Constable “Smith”— that is the name by which he is known in the George Street ‘Home, Paramatta—claims to be the only man living who took part in the execution of the notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly, says the “Sydney Daily Telegraph.” iie states that lie was within reaching distance of Kelly when the latter was hanged. “Kelly,” Smith said, “died like a man. While lie was in prison is Melbourne, bo was visited twice by his mother, who was also serving 12 months in the same gaol. He received several visit from a Roman ceived several visits from a Roman prayers.

“Smith” also claims that he discovered the almost unrecognisable' remains of Dan Kelly in the. Glenrowan Hotel, and that lie removed the iron helmet from Ned Kelly’s head when he was shot down by the police and captured. He says: “We heard that tlie Kelly gang was going to make a night of it at Mother Jones’ Glenrowan Inn. About 20 police, in addition to black trackers, were sent down by train to capture them. The gang must have heard of our pilaus, and tore up the rail lines some way out of Glenrowan, and Dan waited close by to shoot down any of us who did not perish in the smash.

“Wo were saved, however, by the bravery of Mr. Kumow, a schoolmaster, who saw the gang at work. He crawled along the line with a candle and a piece of red undergarment belonging to Ins wife. When he saw the train approach mg lie lighted the candle and held the red cloth to the light. The driver saw the cloth, and pulled up immediately. SETTING FIRE TO THE HOTEL. “We left the train, and walked the rest of the distance. When it was seen how well the gang was protected in the inn our chief sent down to Melbourne for a small cannon. The joke of the whole thing was that it was despatched from headquarters, it was afterwards decided that after the hotel had been surrounded, we should set fire to it. This we did, and as it was blazing furiously the large number of people who were inside bolted out through the doors. “The hero of the night was a West Australian priest who repeatedly dashed into the flames, rescuing those who were trapped. In performing his heroic work, be received many burns about the bands, head and legs. “When we examined the debris after the fire had practically burned out wo came upon a charred body, which was identified as that of Joe Brvne. There were several bullet marks on the remains. Li another part of the burnt timber we found Ivo further bodies, which f am sure were those of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart. Close by each were the remnants of two guns. In no part of the debris could we find a trace of Ned Kelly. How lie escaped 1 cannot tell tj this day. That he bad escaped, we soon found out. A phantom-like horseman came dashing down the hill and opened lire on the police, ft was Ned Kelly, returning to avenge single-handed, the deaths of his brother and mates^.

NED KELLY’S COAT OF MAIL. “"NVe opened lire on the fleeing horseman, who was covered from head to foot, in steel armour. The bullets fell off him as though they were pebbles. We doubted whether it was a buinah being, and many thought that it was a b unyip or some strange order. “After be bad clone considerable damage with his bullets. E irst-class Sergeant Steele, of Wangaratta, ordered us to fire low. It was then that Ned was thrown from his horse. We captured him shortly afterwards. “I took his helmet off and found that it, together with the rest ot his armour, was made from ploughshares. We could have been shooting until now, and we would not have put a bullet through that armour. 1 was one of the guard to accompany Ned to Melbourne where lie was hanged. Besides myself, there were two other members of tlie police force, a .sheriff’s officer and tlie hangman who helped in the execution. All these, are dead now.” “Smith’’ is about 70 years of age, and still can show marks of wounds that he received in the epic capture of Ned Kelly.