The Last Bushranger
Through the late 1800s, Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers looted, pillaged, and terrorized the authorities in Australia—and are still seen as heroes to some.
1. He Had Trouble In His Blood
Long before Ned Kelly became a legendary outlaw, his father proved the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Ned’s father—John “Red” Kelly—was Irish-born, but was sent to an Australian penal colony in the mid-1800s after stealing two pigs.
At 28, Red gained his freedom and started a family with Ellen Quinn in Australia, but he didn’t leave his illicit activity in the past.
State Library of Victoria, Picryl
2. His Father Set A Bad Example
The land the Kellys had settled on was unforgiving, and Red eventually turned to drinking. In 1866, this got him in trouble with the law, but not before he had already been caught with stolen hide the year before.
Nevertheless, Ned proved to have something different in his blood.
David.moreno72, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
3. He Was A Local Hero
One story about Ned came from his childhood when, after seeing a child drowning in a creek, Ned disregarded his own safety and saved the boy. Afterward, the boy’s family awarded Ned a green sash in gratitude. This sense of responsibility would serve him well.
bronzebrew, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
4. He Stepped Up
Only a couple of days after Christmas in 1866, Red sadly passed as a result of his drinking issues. Ned was left to be the man of the house, but this didn’t stop him from getting in with the wrong crowd.
5. He Found A Mentor
When Ned was 14, he met Harry Power, who was an escaped convict turned bushranger—a term for outlaws who inhabited the Australian bush. To Power, Ned became a sort of apprentice. Naturally, the law soon took their first notice of Ned.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
6. He Was Accused
In 1869, a salesman reported Ned to the authorities, claiming that the boy held him up with a long stick and stole 10 shillings from him. This wasn’t the only version of the story, though.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
7. He Told His Side
After the authorities took Ned into custody, he testified that the salesman was lying. In his words, the salesman had asked for a drink, somehow leading to a dispute in which he assailed Ned and his sister. The Kellys testified in support of Ned and the charges were dropped—but Ned didn’t stay off the hook long.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
8. They Eventually Caught Him
Over the next year, Ned and Power continued to rob unsuspecting victims until Ned was again taken in by authorities. He received the charges of three robberies, with some suggesting his resemblance to Power's accomplice. Even this, though, wouldn’t stick.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)

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9. They Couldn’t Place Him
Although the authorities brought Ned before his three alleged victims, none of them recognized him. Ned was therefore released from his month-long stay at Beechworth Gaol, as there was little real evidence against him. Not to mention, the Kellys once again may have had a hand in it.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
10. They Scared Them
The Kellys rallied behind Ned during the trial but were unable to save him through their testimonies. According to some accounts, they instead relied on their power of intimidation, coercing any witnesses into staying silent. Following this, Ned seemingly outgrew his teacher.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
11. He Lost His Mentor
Ned and Power continued their theft spree, but it would soon end in June 1870. While hiding in a shelter, Power was shocked when the authorities stormed in and took him into custody. However, Ned likely didn’t take the news too hard.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
12. He May Have Been A Snitch
Bewildered at how the law caught up to him, Power soon suspected Ned’s betrayal. In truth, Ned’s uncle had given up Power's location, but Ned later revealed he had also traded some information for leniency. Even without a mentor, Ned continued his illicit activity.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
13. He Took A Horse
In 1871, after a few more run-ins with the law, Ned found a stolen horse and tried to ride it home. However, a Constable spotted and apprehended him. Still, he didn’t go down without a fight.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
14. He Tried To Get Away
When Constable Edward Hall tried to apprehend Ned, he got more than he bargained for. Ned overpowered the Constable, but several witnesses intervened, allowing Hall to beat Ned severely before taking him in. Once again, though, he was shown a bit of mercy.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
15. They Were Lenient
Ned received the charge of stealing a horse, but that wasn’t truly what happened. After authorities examined the case, his charge dropped to “feloniously receiving a horse,” giving him a sentence of three years. Once out, he had a bone to pick with a certain horse thief.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
16. He Got Payback
Unlike Ned, the man who actually stole the horse—Isaiah Wright—was only sentenced to 18 months. Once Ned was out, he felt owed some justice and allegedly challenged Wright to bare-knuckle boxing, which Ned won. Naturally, he went back to his old ways, but he wasn’t alone.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
17. He Found His People
In 1877, Ned and his brother Dan became affiliated with a horse-stealing ring. Through this, they met several men who would become close confidants, such as Steve Hart and Joe Byrne. These new friends would help him to face his biggest challenge yet.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
18. He Paid Them A Visit
The following year, Constable Fitzpatrick visited the Kellys with a warrant for Dan, who wasn’t there. When Dan returned, he asked Fitzpatrick if he could eat dinner first. While doing so, Ned burst in and shot at Fitzpatrick, after which their mother hit the constable and they all subdued him.
Eventually, Fitzpatrick left and reported the incident, but the Kellys had a few things to say.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
19. They Told A Different Story
Following the incident, Ellen Kelly appeared in court on the charges of aiding and abetting her son’s attempted slaying. The Kellys described several alternative versions of events suggesting Ned was absent, that Fitzpatrick made advances towards Ned’s sister, and that Fitzpatrick drew his pistol first.
Of course, neither Ned nor Dan were there to testify in person.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
20. They Had Vanished
Being involved in Ned’s offense, the courts tried and convicted Ellen Kelly, who received three years of hard labor. Ned and Dan were already gone and, although they had to leave their mother, they knew when to disappear—and how.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
21. They Retreated
Having become experienced with the Australian bush, Ned and Dan ran into the wilderness to hide. They weren’t alone, though, as fellow bushrangers Joe Byrne and Steve Hart soon met up with them. Still, the authorities didn’t give up their search.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
22. They Were Tipped Off
In October 1878, a search party was sent according to information authorities received on the location of Ned, Dan, and their accomplices. The officers camped out at an abandoned mining site which, unbeknownst to them, was right near the Kellys. However, the gang was ready for them.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
23. They Seized Their Chance
Ned had spotted the search party’s tracks, so he and the others surprised them. After the officers had split up—leaving Constables McIntyre and Lonigan at camp—the gang jumped out and held them up. Ned knew they were at a point of no return.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
24. He Didn’t Hesitate
During Ned and the gang’s ambush, Constable McIntyre, being unarmed, chose to surrender. Constable Lonigan was a completely different story. He reached for his revolver and tried to hide, but Ned fired first, slaying the constable instantly. They had one captive, but two other officers were still out there.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
25. They Tried To Handle Things Peacefully
Eventually, the other two officers—Sergeant Kennedy and Constable Scanlan—returned, but Ned heard them coming. As the gang hid once again, they suggested that McIntyre tell his partners to give up. He did so, and the gang ambushed once again. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out to be that simple.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
26. Their Body Count Rose
In response to Ned’s call for surrender, Sergeant Kennedy immediately grabbed his revolver. During the resulting firefight, Kennedy perished along with Constable Scanlan, who had tried to dismount and fire back. Not all the officers were slain, though.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
27. He Got Away
Among the chaos, when everyone else was busy shooting, McIntyre was able to take Kennedy’s horse and escape. His subsequent report led to the government taking the Kelly Gang more seriously.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
28. Their Danger Grew
Nearly a week after McIntyre’s report, the Parliament of Victoria took more drastic measures against what had become the Kelly Gang. They passed the Felons Apprehension Act, meaning that as outlaws, anyone could eliminate the Kelly Gang members without repercussions.
Fitting their new status, the gang started planning their biggest theft yet.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
29. They Planned Their First Score
The Kelly Gang had already established themselves and inspired a substantial group of sympathizers, but they were still flat broke. So, they turned to the most natural course of action—bank robbing. Specifically, the National Bank of Australasia in Euroa.
An important part of their plan was the “people” factor.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
30. They Took Captives
Before going anywhere near the bank, the Kelly Gang believed the first step should be to take some people captive. At Younghusband Station, the gang took the employees and several bystanders captive. Then, they moved in.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
31. They Visited The Bank
Leaving Dan to watch the captives, Ned, Hart, and Byrne waltzed up to the Euroa bank. Besides walking out with £2,260 worth of cash and gold, the gang returned with 14 more hostages. Throughout everything, the Kelly Gang maintained a level of professionalism.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
32. They Were Strangely Nice
According to several hostages, the Kelly Gang was surprisingly reasonable and friendly. In fact, Ned and the others performed riding tricks for their captive audience before leaving. To law enforcement, however, Ned was less than cordial.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
33. He Aired His Grievances
Ned spent his time at the station dictating a letter, which was later sent to the authorities. It outlined his issues with Australia’s law enforcement, specifically their corruption, and detailed his version of their last two encounters. Unfortunately, the law was after more than just the Kellys.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
34. They Were All Taken In
With law enforcement doubling down on catching the Kelly Gang, they turned their sights on the supporters. In 1879, authorities took 23 alleged sympathizers of the gang into custody, most of which they detained for nearly three months without evidence.
Ned was even less pleased.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
35. He Was Furious
A month after his last letter, Ned sent a response to Acting Chief Secretary Bryan O’Loghlen concerning the alleged sympathizers’ detainment. He rebuked the authorities’ actions, calling it “a manifest injustice”. But Ned wasn’t the only one who was upset.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
36. Their Reputation Tanked
The Kelly Gang already had the backing from everyday people, and the authorities’ decisions certainly helped with that. Following the detainment, the general public criticized the law enforcement’s neglect of basic civil liberties. On the flip side, there was a reason many supported the Kelly Gang.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
37. They Gave Back
While their theft was out of necessity, the Kelly Gang seemed to feel a sense of duty toward their supporters. They divided most of the £2,260 prize between sympathizers and the gang’s families. Of course, this brought them back to their original issue of lacking funds.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
38. They Started Another Heist
Targeting the bank in Jerilderie, Ned and Byrne disguised themselves with the uniforms of two constables they had taken captive. While Dan and Hart held up the hotel next door, Ned and Byrne moved into the bank. This time, Ned wanted to do more than just steal.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
39. He Went Farther
At the bank, Ned and Byrne procured £2,141 worth of cash and other goods, but Ned wanted to send another message. In his opinion, the banks were “crushing the life's blood out of the poor, struggling man". So, he burnt as many mortgages and deeds as he could. He also felt like he needed to say something to their guests.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
40. He Gave A Lecture
During their last heist, the Kelly Gang had performed for the captives, but this time Ned wanted to give them something to think about. Before he released them, he spoke about how unscrupulous and corrupt the law was. After this heist, the authorities only grew more desperate.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
41. Their Bounty Went Up
After the gang’s first raid in Euroa, their bounty was set at £1,000. However, following this second heist, the New South Wales government raised it to £4,000. With the Victoria government matching them, it became the largest bushranging bounty in history. Despite the gang’s reputation, some officers still felt a little overconfident.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
42. He Didn’t Believe It
After a couple of unsuccessful years of the authorities hunting the Kelly Gang, Francis Augustus Hare became assistant commissioner and took charge. In 1880, he heard the gang was on the move again and possessed bulletproof armor, but disregarded this.
However, Ned knew that others wouldn’t underestimate them.
State Library Victoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
43. He Knew They Were Coming
After taking out a former friend who betrayed them in June, Ned predicted the authorities would send a law enforcement train from Melbourne. To retaliate, the gang knew chaos would be their best asset.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
44. They Planned For Anarchy
Foreseeing the authorities traveling through the town of Glenrowan, the gang planned to derail the train and shoot the survivors—proceeding to sow chaos by holding up the banks, releasing inmates, and destroying government buildings. When it came time to enact their plan, they went with a familiar first step.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
45. They Took Another Station
Sabotaging the railroad just beyond Glenrowan, the Kelly Gang posted up at Glenrowan Station and again captured a group of hostages. These included workers and bystanders, with most of them being held in the hotel across the street. To their benefit, and contrary to a certain Assistant Commissioner’s belief, Ned had created a new advantage.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
46. He Made Their Armor
In preparation for any future shootouts, Ned devised a suit of metal armor for each gang member. Constructed of mouldboards taken from farming plows, the armor protected their torsos and heads. During the raid, the gang once again was as pleasant as possible.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
47. They Entertained Them
Rather than keep their captives quiet and scared, the Kelly Gang knew that comfortable hostages would make their plan easier. The gang passed the time with music, games, and generally making merry. After a while, Ned eased up a bit more.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
48. He Relented A Bit
By the evening, Ned and the others had built a rapport with many of their captives. Believing them to be sympathizers, Ned freed 21 captives, including a schoolmaster named Thomas Curnow. But in truth, Curnow had only feigned his allegiance. This was only the start of the conflict.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
49. They Were On Their Way
As Ned predicted, the authorities sent a train from Melbourne, carrying around twenty law enforcement troopers after picking up reinforcements. Before Glenrowan, however, Assistant Commissioner Hare sent a pilot engine to scout ahead. Unfortunately for the Kelly Gang, Ned made a grave mistake.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
50. He Alerted Them
After the schoolmaster Thomas Curnow convinced the Kelly Gang he was a supporter, he was granted his freedom. He then quickly went to meet the train before it reached Glenrowan and stopped it to tell the officers of the plan. Back at the station, Ned took the podium once more.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
51. He Spoke Again
Ned again used his platform to lecture the people on the state of the justice system. However, having been warned of the Kelly Gang’s plan, the authorities’ train stopped at Glenrowan instead of continuing through. Ned’s lecture was cut off and, as the gang had intended, chaos ensued.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
52. They Started The Battle
Still with hostages in the Glenrowan Inn, the Kelly Gang hid and prepared for the incoming attack. As the authorities approached the hotel, the Kelly Gang opened fire and began their shootout. But this was not a battle they would walk away from.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
53. They Were All Injured
The resulting firefight was a brutal skirmish, with all sides sustaining injuries and losses. Hare was shot in the wrist, while three captives perished as they tried to escape in the crossfire. Despite their armor, Ned and Byrne received severe wounds early on. Soon, the first among the gang fell.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
54. He Went Out Like An Outlaw
As the night wore on, the troopers surrounded the inn and continued to fire. Perhaps knowing it was the end, Byrne went to the bar and poured himself a drink. After raising a glass to his fellow bushmen, he got hit, perishing soon after. The other gang members stayed in the building, except for Ned.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
55. He Escaped
Earlier in the battle, after receiving three severe wounds, Ned slipped out of the inn undetected. He didn’t go far, however, making it about 90 meters into the woods behind the inn. There he hid, until the right moment.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
56. He Snuck Up On Them
Throughout the night, the authorities searched for Ned without luck. That was until they got close enough to his hiding place. He finally revealed himself and fired upon them, appearing monstrous in his armor. Even then, he wasn’t alone.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
57. They Supported Him
Engaging in his final firefight, Ned’s injuries made it difficult for him to fire back properly. However, Dan and Hart were still at the inn and continued firing on the troopers to help. Finally, the officers put an end to the fighting.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
58. They Delivered The Final Hit
Beaten and bloodied, Ned remained a force to be reckoned with in his armor. However, everything abruptly ended when troopers shot his legs out from under him before disarming him and removing his armor. Allegedly, he was wearing an old memento underneath.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
59. He Held Onto It
When the fighting stopped, authorities apprehended the outlaw Ned Kelly for the last time. As the story goes, he was wearing the same green sash gifted to him for saving another boy as a child. All in all, Ned took quite the thrashing.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
60. He Was Beat Up
Ned survived, but he wasn’t in anything close to a good condition—counting 28 injuries. His armor stopped many of the shots fired his way, but not all of them, and even the ones deflected left dents that severely cut and bruised him. However, the others faired much worse.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
61. They Were All Gone
With Byrne being the first Kelly Gang casualty and Ned fleeing into the woods, Dan and Hart were the only members left in the inn. By the end of the battle, the inn had been lit on fire, after which both Dan’s and Hart’s bodies were found inside. During the trial, Ned still tried to give his reasoning.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
62. They Didn’t Buy It
After four weeks of recovery, Ned appeared for his committal hearing, during which he attempted to justify his actions. Like in his previous letters, he cited self-defense and compared law enforcement officers to an army. This didn’t convince anyone, so his trial proceeded.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
63. He Was A Familiar Face
In October 1880, Ned appeared in court for his trial, presided over by Sir Redmond Barry. Ned already had a grudge against him, since Barry was the same judge who sentenced Ellen Kelly years prior. However, there was no denying the verdict, and Ned accepted his fate.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
64. He Was Sentenced
Despite his history of lawlessness, Ned was only charged with Constable Lonigan’s demise, which he was quickly found guilty of. Judge Barry sentenced him to execution by hanging and, although he knew his time was up, he kept his resolve.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
65. He Had The Last Word
Ned’s fate was sealed, but he wasn’t about to go without leaving an impression. After Judge Barry gave his usual closing statement of "May God have mercy on your soul". Ned came back with a diabolical retort, saying, "I will go a little further than that, and say I will see you there where I go".
Outside the courts, many weren’t willing to accept this end.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
66. They Tried To Help
Following the announcement of Ned’s sentence, the Victoria government saw firsthand the amount of support he had. Although it failed, sympathizers filed a clemency petition containing over 32,000 signatures, and thousands of people showed up to protests. Thankfully, before the end, Ned was able to say goodbye.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
67. He Saw His Family
While locked up and awaiting execution, the authorities permitted Ned one last family visit. He requested a photograph to leave behind for them, and his mother's last words to him were allegedly urging him to meet his demise “like a Kelly”. As for his own last words, the story gets a bit fuzzy.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
68. He Had Varying Final Words
As Ned walked to the gallows, he said very little, only pausing to comment on the flowers nearby. There are several accounts of his final words, with some stating he only mumbled to himself, while others reported that he uttered, "Ah, well, I suppose it has come to this," or "Such is life".
Shortly after his passing, a strange thing happened with the judge.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
69. They Had An Eerie Coincidence
Concerning Ned’s last words to Judge Barry, stating they would see each other where Ned was going, a strange coincidence followed the execution. Just 12 days after Ned’s demise, Judge Barry followed suit, passing from natural causes.
Although he hadn’t seen any change in life, Ned’s cause continued.
Pegasus, The Last Outlaw (1980)
70. They Were Investigated
Ned was unable to get the government to listen to him regarding the state of the justice system. However, as he had hoped, his demise led to a royal commission into Victorian law enforcement. This eventually revealed a deep-seated corruption and caused a period of real change.