HORRIBLE MURDER IN DUNEDIN.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 52, 6 April 1865, Page 3

HORRIBLE MURDER IN DUNEDIN.

A most horrible murder was committed in Dunedin last week. Early on Friday morning the body of a man with his skull fractured in several places, one of his eyes knocked out, his nose almost obliterated or smashed into one bloody mass with his lips, was discovered in Alva street' where it joins High street, about three quarters of a mile from Princes street. He was lying on his right side, with | the left trousers pocket turned out, and on searching the' body all the pockets were found to be empty. Close beside the victim was found a thick bludgeon- like part of a fencing rail with which apparently the murder had been committed. The deceased was a German, known only by the name of Charley. He had--been for some weeks in the employ of Mr' John Allan of the Taieri aud he had lef& there on the Wednesday, together with a fellow countryman named Ignatz Krull to go to Dunedin. They received their Avages before starting; but Charley had only a fortnights' to get, and it is believed that that small sum is all the money lie had. Krull was at once arrested- and detained in custody till after the inquest. At it he was examined and gave the following account of his pro--ceedings in company with deceased. There seems every reason to believe his statement to be time, and he was at once released and has since done all in his power to assist the police. Krull said, I knew the deceased. He worked for a time at Allan's, but he ; would, go the "West Coast, so he went- away.

Then he returned, and he had worked there for the last fortnight. I only know his name as ' Charley ; ' but I think ' the butcher in High street knows it. The deceased told my master he had a wife and "three children in Victoria. We left Mr Allan's at two o'clock, yesterday .afternoon, meaning to go to the West Coast diggings. We had several drinks on the road, and arrived in the town about seven o'clock, having come from Caversliam in a cab. We walked as far as Caversham. We went to the Queen's Arms Hotel, where the cab stops, and we had drinks there. The deceased began a row with, the barman, and then he went upstairs and had a little quarrel with the woman who had been singing. • They' then went to the Provincial Shooting gallery and had some more drinks, and both went out in a cab to Great King Street to Krull's brother's where they had some beer. Deceased said he expected a letter, and got on a cab and went back to town almost immediately, but Krull remained for an hour and a half, and did not return to town till past midnight. He expected to find ' Charley at the Queen's Arms, but did not. He as Iced for him, was told he was not in, and then went to bed. Krull had only seen a£l note, with Charley and he had no watch, ring or' chain. Krull intended to help him to the West Coast. The evidence of the Constable wdio found the body was then taken, and the inquest ad' o\rrnecL A great c at in which the deceased was last seen was missing from his body. The Government at once offered a reward of- £2OO for the discovery of the murderer, and they have since promised a free pardon- to any one- concerned not being the actual murderer. Late in the evening a notorious woman named Ellen Anderson and a man named Ford who lived with her in Stafford street were taken into custody, and on Saturday morning were- brought up before tlie Police Court on suspicion. The only evidence against them was that of the detective officer who had found a shirt with spots of blood on it in Anderson's bedroom^ and that of Ann Sherry who had seen Anderson about 2 o'clock going up Stafford street with a drunken man who spoke broken English. The prisoners were remanded. The ' Daily Times' (to which we- are indebted for many particulars) says : — ' Tlie man Ford was in custody on the 12 th inst., on a charge of stealing. from a German a purse containing three £5 notes, a £1 note and some coins. That German gave the name of William Klauss. It is a fact that at the time this charge against Ford was made to the police, the deceased was in town, and that he reI turned to Mr Allan's, at'the East Taieri without money, although he then had his swag in j town and had intended to go to the West j Coast. It is possible that Klaus 5 and the ! deceased are o:ie ; at any rate, if such be not- | the fast, the Police would be glad to be assured of it, by a visit or a letter from Klauss. j Charley lias since boon identified with Klause 'and Anderson a id Ford have been furtherre- | minded. The Inquest, after hearing medical j evidence of the cause of death, returned a : vex-dict of murder against some person or ! persons unknown.