Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly won the hearts of the common people of his own time and for more than a century on (Glen Rowen Cobb & Co. pty ltd).

At the time, mid 19th Century there was growing resentment of an authority that was corrupt, along with a poorly designed government legistation to protect the poor all influenced Kelly's attitudes.

At the early age of 15 Kelly and his family were forced to resort to stealing, amongst other things, so as to survive. In 1869 Kelly was sentanced to 6 months hard labour for assault and indecent behaviour. 3 weeks after his release Ned was arrested again for recieving a stolen horse, although he was unaware that the horse ws stolen, he was given 3 years hard labour. On his return from prison Kelly discovered all but one of his 32 horses had been stolen by the local constabulary. It didn't take long for Kelly, along with relatives and associates, to carry out large reprisals against those who they believed were persecuting them.

In april 1878 Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick visited the Kelly home and assaulted Kate Kelly, this required the intervention of the family to come to her aid, and Fitzpatrick swore an attempted murder charge against them all. This consequantly led to the murder of 3 police men sent to arrest the Kelly brothers, and as a result implicating 2 of their friends. Kelly's gang robbed 2 banks which gave them £4,400, and the manufacture of suits of armour to be worn by members of the gang.

On june 27th 1880 the Kelly gang bailed up at Glenrowan, cut the telegraph wires and forced the railway workers to rip up the line. During the day more than 60 hostages were taken whilst waiting for the arrival of the police's special train. When the train stopped at the station, a bitter gun battle broke out. In the 9 1/2 hours that followed, the building was burnt to the ground, 3 gang members were killed, and a badly wounded Ned Kelly was arrested.

Kelly was quickly patched up, tried and sentances to death. Kelly was hanged at 10.00am on 11th november 1880, where he became an Australian legend, and his name gained immortality.

Please add your opinions on wether you feel Ned Ke;;y was an 'outlaw' or a 'bandit', or neither.