The town of Jerilderie is best known as the site of one of the most infamous and daring raids of bushranger Ned Kelly.
Ned, his brother Dan and their friends Steve Hart and Joe Bryce arrived in Jerilderie on Saturday February 8, 1879, where they captured two local policemen and locked them in their own cells.On February 10, 1879 Kelly and his Gang stole £2140 from the Bank of NSW and destroyed a number of mortgage documents.The wires to the telegraph office were cut to stop news of the Kelly Gang’s actions being transmitted.The original post and telegraph office remains largely unchanged in its Powell St location.It is believed that the true purpose of the Gang’s visit to Jerilderie was to have printed Ned’s side of the story that led he and his Gang along the path of outlawry.Samuel Gill, editor of the Jerilderie and Urana Gazette was, by this time, aware of the Gang’s presence in Jerilderie and had left on foot for Carrah Homestead from where information could be sent on to the Deniliquin police.Ned handed over the written account of his life actions to Edward Living, the bank teller, who promised to pass it on to Gill, a promise he never kept.The letter didn’t become public until 100 years after the Jerilderie holdup.The Printing Office of the Jerilderie and Urana Gazette has been restored by Murrumbidgee Council, and houses The Bolt Exhibition — an exhibition of convicts and bushrangers.Ned’s original missive, known as The Jerilderie Letter, is held at the State Library of Victoria.Murrumbidgee Council is a member of the Ned Kelly Touring Route, which explores the legend of Ned Kelly through the historical sites of Melbourne, North East Victoria and Southern New South Wales.Further information on the Ned Kelly Touring Route can be found at www.nedkellytouringroute.com.au.