NEW SOUTH WALES.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 31, 18 January 1864, Page 6 (Supplement)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

T'lE REPOHTEJI MURDER. AT. MUDGEE. ; 'i (From the Western Post.) -, On Saturday morning it was reported, that a woman named Fanning had been brutally murdered by her husband, who - had lately been appointed warder of Mudgee gaol. The "account was that Fanning and his" wife had gone to iuspect a piece of land, situate about eight miles beyond - Barrigane, which they thought of taking up under the free selection clause, and that, having remained at the house of an acquaintance, they got intoxicated"^ and quarrelled. Fanning was formerly a soldier, arid had been absent, from' his wife for some time by his regiment having" been ordered to India. Panning nearly having completed the lime, which entitled him to a good service pension, lie remitted money home to his wife< requesting her to proceed to Australia'^ saying he would join hqr in Mudgee she has friends) as soon; as he could leave, his regiment. The 'wif« arrived in Mudgee and proved unfailhj ful; lv upon. Fanuing joining her h forgave her. During the quarrel Qij Christmas Day the woman said sufficient to exasperate him. He is said to hay« tied he 1 " by the hair of tho head ib th« wheels of bis cart, and dragged - he) some instance along the road ; he nexl release! her, and kicked her about tiu head aud face until he believed her tj be dead. lie then drove to Mudgee i« a state of great excitement, and tolj one of the warders fhat~ a tree hal fallen upon bis wife and killed her, " II was greatly agitated throughout tii! night, and towards daybreak hck'no» ledged having killed his wife. ' He say he was determined to t?k^ the life,* his wife's paramour. The affair reacjjj ing the ears of Senior-sergeant Hardj he took Fanning into custody. iFrtii the statement the prisoner made to M Hardy, the coroner* aud the troopej proceeded to the spot where the murd* was said to have been coin mi tte J Upon reaching the place they found tb' the woman, although much injured, «'* still alive. She has since so far r« covered as to be brought into MudjJ*-*' and she underwent a preliminary e» animation on Monday.