The Kelly Gang was a notorious group of Australian outlaws led by Ned Kelly, who were responsible for robbery, intimidation, and violence. They made their last stand in 1880 at the town of Glenrowan, intending to take hostages to force the release of their jailed fellow gang members. The siege was foiled by the authorities, leading to a firefight that lasted for hours and the death of Joe Byrne. Ned Kelly was seriously wounded and Dan Kelly and Steve Hart managed to escape but were later found dead. Despite being injured, Ned Kelly managed to escape and was later captured and sentenced to death. The Kelly Gang has become part of Australian folklore and is celebrated as a symbol of defiance against authority.
THE DARING ESCAPE OF THE KELLY GANG FROM GLENROWAN
The Kelly Gang was a notorious group of outlaws who roamed the Australian countryside in the late 1800s. Led by the legendary bushranger Ned Kelly, the gang was responsible for numerous acts of robbery, intimidation, and violence. In 1880, the Kelly Gang made their last stand at the town of Glenrowan. The ensuing battle and their daring escape from the authorities is an event that has become part of Australian folklore.
The Background:
The Kelly Gang was formed in the late 1860s by Ned Kelly and his younger brother Dan. They were joined by two other men, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne. The group quickly gained a reputation for robbing banks and stagecoaches and gained the loyalty of many of their fellow bushrangers. However, it was their murder of three police officers at Stringybark Creek that set them apart from other Australian outlaws.
The Glenrowan Siege:
By 1880, the Kelly Gang was on the run from the law and had been declared outlaws. They decided to take refuge at the small town of Glenrowan, where they intended to take hostages in order to force the release of their fellow gang members, who were in jail awaiting trial.
Their plan was foiled when a local schoolteacher, Ann Jones, alerted the police. The authorities quickly surrounded the Glenrowan Inn, where the gang was staying. In a firefight that lasted for several hours, Joe Byrne was killed and Ned Kelly was seriously wounded. Dan Kelly and Steve Hart managed to escape, but were later found dead at a nearby farmhouse.
The Escape:
Despite being seriously injured, Ned Kelly managed to escape from the shootout at the Glenrowan Inn. Dressed in homemade armor made from plow blades, he had shrugged off several bullets that would have killed a normal man. After being captured by the police, he was taken to Melbourne for trial, where he was convicted and sentenced to death.
However, the daring escape of the Kelly Gang from Glenrowan has become part of Australian folklore. It is said that Ned Kelly managed to slip away from the police by disguising himself as a policeman and mingling with the crowds of onlookers who had gathered to watch the siege. Some people believe that he was helped by sympathetic locals who hid him from the authorities.
FAQs
Q. What happened to the Kelly Gang after their escape from Glenrowan?
A. Dan Kelly and Steve Hart were later found dead at a nearby farmhouse. Ned Kelly was captured by the police and taken to Melbourne for trial. He was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.
Q. Why did the Kelly Gang become so famous in Australia?
A. The Kelly Gang has become part of Australian folklore because of their daring exploits and their defiance of authority. They were seen as Robin Hood-like figures who stood up for the rights of ordinary people against a corrupt and oppressive government.
Q. Did the Kelly Gang really wear homemade armor made from plow blades?
A. Yes, the Kelly Gang did wear armor made from plow blades. Ned Kelly believed that this would give the gang an advantage in a firefight, as it would protect them from bullets. However, the armor was heavy and uncomfortable to wear, and it is believed that it contributed to the gang’s defeat at Glenrowan.
Q. What is the legacy of the Kelly Gang in Australia?
A. The Kelly Gang has become a part of Australian folklore and is celebrated in books, movies, and songs. Some people see them as heroes, while others see them as criminals. However, the story of the Kelly Gang has become a symbol of defiance against authority and the legendary courage of ordinary people.
