The Kelly Bushrangers at Bay The notorious Kelly gang has been broken up after a pitched battle with a picked body of constables . After several hours brisk fighting the Hotel containing the Bushrangers was set on fire . The robbers had armour made out of ploughs , which for a time proved very effective . When one of the constables first saw Edward Kelly in armour , he thought a madman had come to the siege , while others declared it was the devil . 1880