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kellycountry2000
Forum Admin
Australia
586 Posts |
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bill denheld
Advanced Member
Australia
96 Posts |
 Posted - 17/12/2008 : 11:02:36 AM
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Muddied waters at Stringybark Creek.
In Ian Jones’s 2003 edition Ned Kelly – A Short Life – in Notes Page 385, he is less than complimentary about my found fireplaces near the police camp site. In his latest 2008 edition on page 443 in Notes about Stringybark Creek he writes in similar vein –
Quote “ Two fireplaces, on the Western bank of Stringybark Creek opposite the Gunfight site, have been given inappropriate significance since 2003. ( see Age 10/2/03 ) No contemporary source refers to them. A second ruined hut mentioned by G Wilson Hall in 1879 ( Mansfield Pamphlet, P24) some distance to the north of the site, was identified in 2006 by Dave Wilson - (Wilson is type error for White) & Dave Brown.”
As everyone knows my research is at ironicon.com.au and I invite critique or alternative views to be expressed. Ian Jones's above book Note is designed to mislead the reader and is absurd !
Firstly, - for him to claim the old rock fireplaces of two small huts near the police camp having " No contemporary source referring to them" is ridiculous. He needs to re- read - G Wilson Hall's 1879 pamphlet - The Outlaws of the Wombat Ranges page 24.
Ian Jones's put down is certainly not what you would expect from an eminent historian unless for mischievous reasons, and it is obvious Dave White (to whom he refers) is now in his good books for helping to muddying the waters, denigrating comprehensive research. It would be interesting to read on what basis he substantiates his claims?
Then Ian Jones says - " A second ruined hut mentioned by G Wilson Hall in 1879 - some distance to the north of the site, was identified in 2006 by Dave Wilson (White) & Dave Brown.”
This is also erroneous as this is what G W Hall wrote - quote -
“The spot where they established their halt, was a small clearing on a rise alongside of the creek, near the ruins of two small huts, one of which was burnt down, and had been the temporary residence of three prospectors, named Reynolds, Bromfield and Lynch, who worked the creek for a short time with indifferent success.”
G.Wilson Hall does not mention a second hut at all, he simply states the police camped " near the ruins of two small huts",
There is also mention in the Argus of 28 October 1878 of where the police pitched their tent - "near the ruins of two huts"
The fireplaces of these two small huts are located near the police camp area , and their existence proves where the police had camped at Stringybark Creek in Oct 1878 - just as The- Argus and GW Hall states.
Ian Jones's book Notes paragraph does nothing to bring clarity, -rather to confuse the reader into believing that his print version of events is complete and correct - when clearly they are not.
From all historical records there is no mention of the huts being separated by any distance or North of the site. Unlike bad history, all good history is always underpinned by truth and the facts.
Bill Denheld
PS, another thread on the topic of the two huts at Stringybark Creek
is at SBC Upgrade Plans On Display thru June3 http://kellycountry2000.forumco.com/topic~TOPIC_ID~360.asp
where Dave White wanted to debate the subject - but we still wait?
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marcus
Advanced Member
Australia
185 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2008 : 08:54:20 AM
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Bill et al
Not having read all the book, I did find the introduction (starting page iv) interesting in relation to Jone's view of subjective research and his references to Ned's disciples.
Whilst on page xvii Jones notes "it almost seems we inherit an image" of Ned yet on page xxv refers to James Whitty as Ned's arch enemy.
To my mind, it appears that Jones has inherited Ned as the hero and therefore looks to Whitty as the villan.
I've made comment on this forum before, I fail to see Ned as having a principle enemy, let alone one that can be considered an archenemy.
Jones' introduction certainly captures the essense that Ned has the ability to polarise opinion and there are many examples of this from a historical perspective, of which Bill's post illustrates.
regards
Marcus
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stevejager
Advanced Member
Australia
100 Posts |
Posted - 21/12/2008 : 12:02:54 PM
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| hear! hear! |
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bill denheld
Advanced Member
Australia
96 Posts |
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New Jones book out