To Aaaron Sherritt from Joe Byrne asking him to join the Kelly Gang To Aaaron Sherritt from Joe Byrne asking him to join the Kelly Gang
Public Record Office Victoria
Public Record Office Victoria (State Archives of Victoria, Australia)
North Melbourne, Australia
This letter was written to Aaron Sherritt by Joe Byrne. It is perhaps the only surviving document to have been written by Byrne. The letter was passed on to the police at the Benalla police station through Aarons mother and has been in the Victorian Governments possession for the past 121 years. The letter informs Aaron that the gang are aware he is suspected by many as being a traitor and that Neddie and I have come to the conclusion to get you to join us. Aaron never did join the gang and his role as an agent for the police was never fully proven. By mid 1880, Sherritts conduct had become suspicious enough to the outlaws for them to decide that murder was the only solution to the problem of his disloyalty.
- Title: To Aaaron Sherritt from Joe Byrne asking him to join the Kelly Gang To Aaaron Sherritt from Joe Byrne asking him to join the Kelly Gang
- Creator: Public Record Office Victoria, Public Record Office Victoria
- Date Created: 1879-06-26
- Provenance: VPRS 4969 P0 UNIT 1 ITEM 18 RECORD 2, VPRS 4969 P0 UNIT 1 ITEM 18 RECORD 2
- Transcript:June 26.1879Dear Aaron I write these few stolen lines to you to let you know that I am still living I am not the least afraid of being captured dear Aaron meet me you and Jack this side of Puzzel ranges Neddie and I has come t the conclusion to get you to join us I was advised to turn treater bit I said that I would die at Neds side first Dear Aaron it is best for you to join us Aaron a short time and a jolly one the Lloyds and Quinns wants you shot but I say no you ar on our side If it is no thing only for the sake of your mother sisters We sent that bloody Hart to your place twice did my mother tell you the message that I left for you I slept at home three days on the 24 of may did Patsy give you the booty I left for you I intendHide TranscriptShow Transcript
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