On the evening before the Kelly Gang rode into Jerilderie to stick up the bank in 1879, they camped in a paddock behind the Mulwala Cemetery and called in at Mary Jones’ saloon.
Mary Jones, known as ‘Granny Jones’ and the ‘Mother of Mulwala’.
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There they ordered drinks and bought a bag of chaff that had been cut by a hand operated chaff cutter.
Thirty policemen were about the village at the time, hoping to catch them crossing the river at Yarrawonga.
The next day near Savernake, the Kelly’s met Mary’s daughter Jane, riding a beautiful grey hack.
The original Jones home built by Charles with Mary at the doorway with two of her daughters, Jane (left) and Emily (Mrs Camplin).
Steve Hart grabbed the bridle and said, “That’s too good a horse for a girl to be riding!”
The young woman burst into tears. Ned Kelly raced over, saying to Hart, “No you don’t! Never frighten nor interfere with a woman.”
Granny Jones’ kettle, that she used to serve Ned Kelly a cup of tea. Now on display at the Pioneer Museum, Mulwala along with her life story.
Turning to the young woman, he said, “Get away back home and don’t stop till you get there. No funny business. You have seen no-one on your way home.”
Jane was off in an instant and was soon out of sight, making a beeline for Mulwala at a fast gallop, clearing every chock and log fence in fine style.
The late Mrs Olive Hargrave (in red coat), local historian, unveiling the new plaque on the grave of Mary Jones in 1994.
There was great excitement at the village when she pulled up at the saloon, but it was only to her mother that she told what had happened.
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