The Goulburn Herald suggests John O’Connell was involved but he was in Gaol. John was in gaol at the time for having some goods from the first Foxlow robbery at his house. However he was not involved in that robbery. The NSWPG states that Tom O’Connell was present at this robbery . Note the description of the stolen items – food and clothes for men, women and children – if the bushrangers were involved, the goods would be no doubt distributed amongst the harbourers and those in need. The masked man was thought to be Johnny Clarke. There were no charges ever laid for this robbery. This would indicate that the identity of the culprits was not certain. Henry Parkes was concerned that police were involved and the specials police were hoping to find evidence of this on their trip to Jinden in January 1867.
Yass Courier, 1. Sep 1866.
The Late Sticking-up of the Foxlow Station, from the Goulburn Herald.
The following detailed particulars are from the Queanbeyan Age. We regret to hear that the outlaw Clarke and his gang, who have been lying hid for a short time, have again made their appearance in one of their old haunts, and have been successful in once more bearing off a large amount of property. Between eight and nine o’clock last Thursday night the dogs at Foxlow became very violent, and on Mr. Vallance going out to ascertain the cause, he found himself covered by a loaded rifle in the hands of one of the Clarkes. From the kitchen opposite, another of the ruffians, with levelled rifle, was bringing all the people found there. And a third (Connell) was marching Mr. Jones, the overseer, in the same manner as the rest, to the room which had imprisoned the Foxlow people on a former occasion. But this was only a bedroom, and had no fireplace; and as the night was intensely frosty Mr. Vallance asked Tommy Clarke to allow them to go over to the kitchen, where there was a large fire, while he finished the business which had brought him again to Foxlow. Clarke, smiling, consented, and assured some of the females, who exhibited some fear, that no harm was intended to any of them. When they were all safely lodged in the kitchen, Connell, with revolver in hand and rifle slung at his back, took up his position in the court-yard, and walking backwards and forward kept strict guard over his prisoners all the time his associates were ransacking the store. There were four of them altogether — Tommy Clarke; John Connell,[however John was in gaol at the time] and one who is supposed to be Johnny Clarke. The fourth man had his face masked, and is therefore not known. They had not been long in the store before Mr. Vallance was summoned to tell them where he kept all his spirits. He told them there was not a drop in the place. Shortly after wards he was again called to produce his money. He said that, beyond about a pound in silver and a half-sovereign, he had nothing but cheques. They took his word for it, but would have nothing to do with anything save the hard cash. At this time Mr. Vallance expressed his deep regret at seeing Clarke and his associates — men all in the prime of life — continuing in their dangerous and un happy career, for, he continued, it was impossible they could be happy in their present mode of living. Would it not be far better (he asked of Tommy Clarke) to make a bold push and endeavour to get out of the country and in some other land commence a new and better life. The outlaw admitted that it would; but added, ” it would be a damned hard job to escape from New South Wales.” His perilous position, it is said, did not seem to affect his spirits in the least: he was all smiles, and appeared to he in good health. Connell, on the contrary, was very surly and cross, and on conveying Mr. Vallance from the store to the kitchen, after his conversation with Clarke, cautioned him in a very significant tone to be careful what they said or did about their proceedings this time. They took property from the store to the value of nearly £I00 and Mr. Vallance’s and Mr. Jones’s saddles, both nearly new, but left an old one in their stead. The gang, after telling the people in the kitchen not to attempt to come outside for half an hour, left between eleven and twelve o’clock, and shortly afterwards Mr. Vallance sent a message to the Ballalaba police, who went on Clarke’s tracks by eight o’clock on Friday morning. NSWPG, 29 August 1866.