"Bulldog" Kelly

(Conclusion)

As we’ve seen, alleged murderer Kelly wasn’t just an ordinary desperado; he had friends in surprisingly high places.

And when they were through pulling strings, creating smokescreens and calling names, B.C. authorities were sorry they’d ever heard of the leering Irishman.

Despite the able and determined efforts of Deputy Attorney-General Paulus Aemilius Irving, assisted by Constable W. McNeill, provincial authorities were stalled at every turn by Kelly’s influential allies. It took seven bitter, aggravating months for the Canadians to even bring Kelly before U.S. Commissioner Spencer in St. Paul.

This, despite the fact that Kelly was charged with murdering an American.

What would it take to achieve extradition? The answer is in this week’s BC Chronicles.

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PHOTO: The BC attorney general’s office worked with the sworn depositions of Manvel Drainard, shown here, and Harry the packer. —BC Archives