26 October 1878

Constable Thomas Lonigan is shot and killed at Stringy Bark Creek.

The events which took place at Stringybark Creek became the pivotal moment that the Kelly gang would become the most wanted outlaws in Australia.

Ned, Dan, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne disappeared into the wilderness of the Wombat Ranges with a reward of £100 offered on each of the Kelly brother's heads.

The police, a contingent of four policemen who set out from Benalla and another party who had set out from Mansfield camped in Stringybark Creek on Friday October 25th 1878. The contingent camped at Stringy Bark Creek were the group under the command of Sergeant Michael Kennedy and consisted of Irish natives Constables McIntyre, Lonigan and Scanlon.

The Kellys had come across the camp setup by Kennedy's group and armed with shotguns overpowered the members by surprise. Kennedy and Scanlon were out tracking in the bush during this time unawares as to their colleagues fate at the camp.

McIntyre and Lonigan were taken by surprise, McIntyre surrendered immediately but Lonigan threw himself behind a fallen tree and drew his pistol. Ned fired at him and killed him, more than likely this was in self defence although this cannot be ascertained.

With his hostage McIntyre, Ned lay in wait for the remaining members of the police group, he helped himself to the police arms and ammunition from the camp before concealing himself in the bush.

McIntyre advised Kennedy and Scanlon to surrender when they returned or face certain death. Ned convinced McIntyre to assist at gunpoint, if the troopers agreed to surrender they would lose their pistols and return to Mansfield on foot unharmed.

Kennedy and Scanlon returned at nightfall, McIntyre was sat on a fallen tree with Ned Kelly positioned behind him. McIntyre announced to the returning troopers that the troopers should "dismount and surrender, we are surrounded". The belief was that McIntyre was actually joking until the moment that Ned arose and demanded: "Bail Up you bastards, put up your hands".

Scanlon charged and was met with a bullet to the chest and killed instantly. McIntyre grasped Kennedy's horse and fled into the bush, the Kelly gang hotly pursued Kennedy into the blackness of the bush where volley upon volley of shots were exchanged. Kennedy was eventually brought down by a bullet to the torso. Fearing that the man would not survive the night he chose to shoot the mortally wounded Kennedy through the heart like a wounded animal, saving his suffering. He covered his body with Kennedy's overcoat as a mark of respect.

McIntyre meanwhile, having been thrown from his horse made a detailed description of the evening's events in his notebook. (How he did this in the pitch black of the bush I have no idea). He eventually made it back to Mansfield where he gave an account of his experience to the local police who set out with McIntyre as guide in search of the gang.

They never found the Kelly gang, they did find the bodies of Scanlon and Lonigan the next day but failed to find Kennedy. Sub Inspector Pewtress tried in vain to recover the body of Kennedy on several occasions but each time he was not successful. Another party found him 4 days later, a monument still stands in Mansfield as a testament to the men's bravery and reads, "To the memory of three brave men".

The events at Stringybark reinforced the state Government of Victoria's urgency to halt the gang and placed a reward of £500 on their heads.

The police were being accused of complacency and also being accused of disregarding vital information.

25 October 1878
The police, a contingent of four policemen who set out from Benalla and another party who had set out from Mansfield camp in Stringybark Creek.

26 October 1878
Constable Thomas Lonigan is shot and killed at Stringy Bark Creek.

7 October 1881
Constable McIntyre retires from the force.

1. Power's Lookout where Harry hid from the police. He was finally captured here.

2. Stringybark Creek and the Kelly Tree

The Ned Kelly Trail - Stringy Bark Creek

The Ned Kelly Trail Stop 9

An important spot on the Ned Kelly Trail. Here Ned Kelly committed the crime of murder on October 26th 1878, he shot Thomas Lonigan and sealed his own fate.

To get to the Kelly Tree in Stringybark Creek from Benalla take the Tatong Road. Follow the sign to Tolmie past the town. The road becomes gravel at the point you enter the state forest. This route can be difficult to drive in winter, particularly after rain and one must be cautious due to the frequency of logging trucks which also use this road.

The day visitor centre is down Stringybark Creek track. You can camp at the campsite off the Tolmie Tatong Road between the Stringybark Creek Track and Madhouse Road intersections.

From Mansfield take the Mansfield Whitfield Road for 31km. Turn left down the Tatong Tolmie Road and travel 9.5km to the campsite.

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