He was fighting against the bigotry against the Irish and the how bad the poor were being treated in the 1880s. He was handsome and a big cowboy type of figure who was also literate -- he wrote a manifesto letter explaining his campaign. He probably a criminal and did kill some guys, but there are real heroic elements to the story, so the myth is ambiguous, only adding to the drama.
His life ended in a shoot out with the police. He had a life long fascination with knights and armor and so made armor out of cast iron to protect himself from bullets.
He was finally convicted and executed. 10,000 people signed a petition to give him clemency. Any Aussies out there, sorry. You can correct my mistakes here.
Also, every Freeper should see this movie staring Keith Ledger. (Not sure Keith was the right casting. The real Ned would make an even more impressive movie star with good looks and charisma.) The theme is the individual against oppressive government.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doArSp1AIUw
He was finally convicted and executed.
So which was it? Killed in a shoot-out, or convicted and executed?
NFP