[Editor: The Complete Inner History of the Kelly Gang and Their Pursuers, by J. J. Kenneally, was first published in 1929. Reproduced here is a copy of the 5th edition (1946). For many years, this book was considered the definitive history of Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang, although there now exists a wide range of books about the Kellys. As this publication did not have a contents page, a list of the contents has been provided so as to enable easier access to the text. In the contents list the section headings have been listed under each relevant chapter; some extra headings have been added (in square brackets) where deemed appropriate.]
The Complete Inner History
of the
Kelly Gang
and
Their Pursuers
By J. J. Kenneally
With Foreword by
G. C. Stanley
[The Melbourne “Herald’s” review]
Foreword by Gerald. C. Stanley, J.P.
Introduction
[Letter from Robert Jon Clow]
Chapter I.
Original settlers.
The Billy-Jimmies.
The Kellys
John (Red) Kelly.
Mrs. Kelly.
Ned Kelly.
Kate Kelly.
Dan Kelly.
Constable Flood.
Steve Hart.
Joe Byrne.
The admission.
The Fitzpatrick episode, April 15, 1878.
[Letter from William Williamson]
Chapter III.
Trial at Beechworth.
Judge Barry’s sentence.
Mr. Enoch Downes.
[Police correspondence]
Chapter IV.
The Battle of Stringybark Creek.
Chapter V.
The search for the bodies.
Flight.
On the Run.
Chapter VI.
A declaration of war.
The robbery at the Euroa bank.
[Ned writes to Cameron, M.L.A.]
Chapter VII.
The police in pursuit.
Chapter VIII.
The spy industry.
Chivalry of the police.
Chapter IX.
Sympathisers.
Beechworth Court proceedings, January 18, 1879. Kelly Sympathisers.
Kelly sympathisers before the Beechworth Court.
April 22, 1879.
To Jerilderie.
Chapter X.
Robbing the bank at Jerilderie.
The welcome home.
Chapter XI.
The spies.
Loaded dice still on active service.
Chapter XII.
Supt. Hare in charge.
Dog poisoners.
Chapter XIII.
Joining the Benedicts.
Chapter XIV.
The armour and ammunition.
More police deception.
Constable Fitzpatrick’s dismissal.
“The greatest man in the world.”
Chapter XV.
Formulating a campaign policy. Sherritt sentenced to death.
Chapter XVI.
Sherritt executed.
The Outlawry Act.
Anton Weekes.
Chapter XVII.
Glenrowan.
Sunday at Glenrowan.
Chapter XVIII.
Evidence.
Constable James Arthur.
Constable William Phillips.
James Reardon, railway line repairer.
Affidavit of John Nicholson, Doctor of Medicine, and legally qualified to practise in Victoria.
The green silk sash.
Thomas Carrington, artist.
Dave Mortimer’s statement.
Chapter XIX.
The hero of Glenrowan.
Chapter XX.
The charred bodies.
[Letter from Sub-Inspector Stanhope O’Connor]
[Reply from Mr. D. T. Seymour, Commissioner of Police]
Ned Kelly’s record.
Police and Government record.
Ned Kelly’s trial at Beechworth.
How Ned Kelly was tried at Melbourne by Sir Redmond Barry, who, at Beechworth, sentenced him to 15 years, though not convicted, tried, charged, or arrested. Friday 15th October, 1880.
Did Ned Kelly get a fair trial from Judge Sir Redmond Barry?
Death of Mr. Justice Barry.
Bias of the Press.
Chapter XXI.
Distribution of £8,000 blood money.
Schedule “D” — special rewards.
The Royal Commission.
Royal Commission’s report.
Dr. Dixon’s minority report.
The desecration of the grave of Ned Kelly.
The Police purge.
Review by Jim Kelly, only surviving brother of Ned and Dan Kelly.
[James Ryan’s review]
Reviews by newspapers in Victoria.
1st Edition – 1st March, 1929
2nd Edition – – 1st May, 1929
3rd Edition, Enlarged and Revised, 15th September, 1934.
4th Edition, Enlarged and Revised, August, 1945.
5th Edition – August, 1946.
Registered at the G.P.O., Melbourne, for transmission through the post as a book.
1946.
Printed and Published by J. Roy Stevens, 1-7 Knox Place, Melbourne, C.1.
(Copyright.)
Source:
J. J. Kenneally, The Complete Inner History of the Kelly Gang and Their Pursuers, Melbourne: J. Roy Stevens, 5th edition, 1946 [first published 1929]
Editor’s notes:
Whilst this publication did not have a contents page, it did have a brief index at the back of the book which listed the chapters, along with references to various sections (many of which approximated the section headings). The section titles listed above are those of the actual section titles used in the book, as well as some added section titles (in square brackets) where considered appropriate.
Several editions of the book have been published:
1st edition – 1929 March
2nd edition – 1929 May
3rd edition – 1934
4th edition – 1945
5th edition – 1946
6th edition – 1950
7th edition – 1955
8th edition – 1969
9th edition – 1980
The 7th, 8th, and 9th editions list the 5th edition (1946) as being published in 1948.
Hi there
I have a copy of The Complete Inner History of the Kelly Gang.
1955 Edition. What is the monetary value? Please.
Thanking you
Kind Regards
Josie
Whilst there can be a significant variation in the value of books, a rough estimate of the value of the 1955 edition would be AU $75 to $100.
Hello,
Finally got to this book after so many years. I have a VGC August 1964 5th Ed & I fear what the rank & file have been led to believe all these years, may not be quite exactly a true reflection of the actual & correct proceedings. A both gripping & disturbing insight!
Would you have a ball park figure by the way for the 5th Ed on the market?
Regards,
Mike
Hi, I have a edition that has a unmasked Ned Kelly, don’t know the year, front cover ripped off and no back cover. Rest of book is ok.
It sounds like the image of an unmasked Ned Kelly is the one printed opposite the map, which I suspect appeared in all of the editions. That image can be seen at: https://www.australianculture.org/map-the-complete-inner-history-of-the-kelly-gang/
What a shame that the title page is missing from your copy, as that would have provided us with the edition details. However, if the book has glossy white paper, then it would be a newer edition; the earlier editions used a matt paper (not glossy/shiny).
Hi there, I have a complete and intact first edition published by Reviews PTY.LTD Henty House 499 Collins St, Melbourne. I has a tear in the spine but all complete.
Is there a book restorer you recommend and would it be worth restoring, I know it would run into the several hundreds to get the process done.
Regards
Mike
Hi, I have a 3rd edition that is missing the back cover, and early pages have become loose, but are still with the book. What would be the best way to put this book up for sale? Or maybe donate to a musuem?
Hi Jan,
The easiest way to put the book up for sale would be to list it on Ebay.
You could sell it via a second-hand or antiquarian book store or auctioneer, but they would have to take a cut.
A 3rd edition, even with some loose pages and without a back cover, could possibly go for $200-$300, although it may take a while to sell (it should easily sell for $100).
However, this should not be regarded as definitive advice; for a better appraisal you should see a professional book seller.
P.S. Donating the book to a public institution would be a great idea. Perhaps to your state library, a university library, or a local library which has a historical collection which is kept aside (under lock and key) for serious researchers. Prior to donating, check the catalogue of the library concerned, to see if they already have a copy.
There may also be a possibility that the worth of the donated item could be used as a tax deduction, although that would depend upon the relevant taxation laws or rules (you had best seek the advice of a taxation professional to check).