Jerilderie Bank

JERILDERIE BANK ROBBERY 10 FEB 1879
Bank of NSW

Jerilderie Telegraph Office.

Some time before the robbery, the four Kelly gang members rode up to a pub
not far from the town of Jerilderie in N.S.W called The Woolpack .
The purpose of their visit was to glean information about the strength of the police
force in nearby Jerilderie and to hear what locals thought of the Kelly gang.
The bargirl was free with her information and had no idea she was talking to the
Kelly gang themselves! The following night they rode off toward their objective,
the bank at Jerilderie.

It was after midnight when they rode to the police station (with residence) in the
town of Jerilderie. A policeman named Devine who lived on the police premises
was called from his bed, under a ruse that there was a dispute at Davidson's
Hotel, Devine and his off-sider Richards opened the door only to find that they
were covered by several revolvers. The hapless policemen were then locked
in their own cell. The next morning Ned and Dan put on the police uniforms and
had their horses shod, at the police departments expense.

Next the gang visited the Royal Mail Hotel, and introduced themselves to Mr. Cox
and informed him that they were taking over the hotel parlour in order to hold
prisoners as they intended on robbing the bank next door.
Around lunchtime Ned & Joe entered the Bank of New South Wales and ordered
customers and staff alike to bailup. The bank shared the same building as the pub,
however they were separated within and for security had bars on the inside of the
windows.

Joe entered first acting like a drunk, he was greeted by a not too happy Mr.Living,
the banks accountant and said "I am Kelly", perhaps thinking more fear could be
gained this way that by calling "I am Byrne". Meanwhile Dan walked along the top
of the public bar counter watching over his prisoners being ably assisted by
Steve Hart.

Bank Manager Tarleton was in the process of taking a bath when he was interrupted.
Living, followed closely by Steve Hart came into his bathroom, Steve wanted the key
to the safe. While he was waiting Steve stole the bank manager's watch. Ned had
come to Jerilderie not simply because he liked its bank, he and Joe had written a
56 page letter explaining his past actions and wanted it published. Jerilderie had a
printing press and Ned intended getting it printed. Unfortunately, a couple of men
upon learning what was happening made a run for it.

One person who managed to escape was none other than the newspaper editor
Gill. Gill had said some not so flattering things about Ned and the gang in the past
and thought that the fact that Ned was 'after' him meant he was in trouble. Ned did
not intend to hurt Gill but after he found the man was missing he was furious and was
in a rage. It was understandable considering that this was Ned's chance to tell the
public what wrongs had been done to him and his family. It would take until 1948
before the general public would get to read a copy of this most important document.
(now known as the 'Jerilderie letter')
Ned had to be content to give it to Mr. Living, who promised faithfully to get Gill
to print it. Unfortunately he never kept his word and gave it straight to the police.
Now that the robbery was over and the 2,000 plus pounds was in the bag it was time
to go.

Telegraph poles were cut and to the thirty prisoners a farewell speech was made.
Steve Hart took the parson's watch and Ned made him give it back.

Eventually the excitement ended, the gang had the much needed cash and Jerilderie
would forever be remembered as the town the Kelly gang held up.
It would be 17 months before they would be seen again.