AN AUSTRALIAN HERO.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13109, 18 May 1911, Page 4

AN AUSTRALIAN HERO.

There can scarcely be a more curious relic in the Dominion than a little piece cf red cloth in the collection of Captain Hennah, officer-in-charge of tho Government buildings in Wellington. To those unacquainted with its history its inclusion among more interesting looking things from all parts of the world would seem to be inexplicable, but it has a thrilling history. It was part of the woman's scarf that brought the Kelly gang to a timely end. It was this way. The last act in the drama of the ICcJly gang was the "sticking up" of Glenrowan. They took charge of the railway station, and put everybody in the'township under guard in Mrs. Jones's hotel. Among those imprisoned were Mr Tom Curnow, the local schoolmaster, and his wife. In the. afternoon Mr Curnow prevailed on Ned Kelly to allow him and his wife to go home, on account of his wife's health. Kelly consented reluctantly, and told Mr Curnow that if he tried to leave his house ha would be shot. The gang knew that news of the murder of Sherritt just before their descent on Glenrowan would be sent to Melbourne, and guessed that polico or troops would bo despatciied by rail. They therefore compelled some platelayers to damage the line near the station so that when tho train came it would be wrecked. Mr Curnow knew of this, and when he heard the train in tho distance, resolved to stop it. He seized a buggy lamp and a red scarf belonging to his wife, and crept out of^the house towards the, railway line knowing that at any moment a bullet might reach him As the train approached he stood in the middle of the track and made a danger signal out of the lantern and the scarf. Tho driver saw it, the train was quickly pulled up, and the situation explained to those on board. The gang were surrounded, and what happened subsequently is well known. The "bit of red in Captain Hennah's collection carnpt from the scarf, and was given to him by Mr. Curnow, who is an old ■ £ ~ Mr Curnow is still teaching m Ballarat.