Harry Power's early years were a pretty typical story, filled with stealing horses and wounding the law enforcement officers who tried to stop him. But after spending several years confined to a prison hulk, he was transferred, escaped, and fell in with a familiar name in Australia's history — Ned Kelly.
Kelly was only 13 years old at the time, and according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Power crossed paths with him only briefly. Still, the association was enough to get Kelly arrested, even though the charges were ultimately dropped. Still, according to News.com.au, it was Power's influence that planted the seed of rebellion in the teenage Kelly.
But apparently, Kelly didn't run with Power long enough to see the good side of him, because he was, by most accounts, a decent enough guy. He never resorted to violence unless he needed to, and he was also notorious for another reason: a sense of humor. For example, there's one story where he was set upon by three men. Instead of fighting his way out, he agreed to go with them peacefully. Then, seeing his opportunity, he stole their guns and their clothes and left them to head home naked.
He was ultimately brought to justice thanks to an unlikely informant: Ned Kelly's grandfather. After fans petitioned for his release, he got a job as a tour guide on the ship he'd once been imprisoned on. Within the year, he fell overboard and drowned.
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