On Ann Jones's detailed compensation list for the Glenrowan Inn (which was burned to the ground by police during the siege of Glenrowan) she had an entry for "40 fowls destroyed" and was asking for 4 pounds in compensation for their loss.
During the Compensation Inquiry, a storekeeper by the name of William Robert Jarvis, who helped Mrs. Jones find the means to build the Inn in the first place, was asked: "Did you ever notice any poultry about the place?" His reply: "Yes."
Constable Robert Graham, who had been to the Inn several times on his duty made a report in which he said:
"The item 4 pounds for fowls is very questionable, I noticed no fowls about the place, certainly none were destroyed by the police."
At first we would maybe think that the birds were all scared off by the exchange of gunfire and general ensuing havoc during the siege and were perhaps gotten by predators (of the four or two foot variety), right?
Wrong!
When Jane Jones was asked by the Inquiry Board: "Was there some poultry in the place?" She replied "Yes." The Board then asked: "What became of this poultry?" Jane's reply: "They were sold."
Another item on the list Ann Jones requested compensation for was the stable behind the Inn. She asked for 15 pounds for that.
Robert Graham in his report had the following as regards the stable:
"The stable was not injured further than the removal of the door (which was used to convey a dead body on)."
Sounds like Mrs. Jones was trying to pad the compensation a bit, doesn't it?
And which dead body was the door used for?
WELCOME TO ELEVEN MILE CREEK. Thanks for visiting us. We hope to use this blog to bring news, views, nuggets and musings, some serious, some lighthearted, but all to do with all things associated with Ned Kelly.
Hi Shaz,
ReplyDeleteInteresting! This is the side of the story I know very little about. However Cherry comes to mind Shaz.
Wonder what become of the door? perhaps a souvenir hunter held on to it & now sits in a shed somewhere collecting dust.......very unlikely though.
Good on Mrs J for trying.
There are lots of interesting things hidden in the PROV Archives. That is if one can read some of the atrocious chicken-scratch writing! I often wonder if the recipient of those letters back in the day had the same difficulty in deciphering some of it?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the stable door, you would think that if it was "borrowed" that they would have had the common decency to return it and put it back on the hinges! Wonder if they did? Or did someone keep it as a ghastly souvenir?
It is a shame that Mrs. Jones did not receive compensation in a timely manner, she had to fight tooth and nail to get what little she did!
It's at my place Joe :) BAILUP!
ReplyDelete