THE MURDER OF A MAYOR

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8726, 23 February 1894, Page 5

THE MURDER OF A MAYOR

FROM OUR OWN CORRBBPOXDESTB.

I BY TELEGRAPH. j SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

DEIAIIsS OF THE TRAGEDY.

SSDXEY, February 16. Bnrwood, one of the western suburb* of Sydney, and about seven miles from the city, nftis the scene of a fearful tragedy on Monday morning laet, when Win. Redfern, the Council Clerk, shot and fatally wounded the Mayor, Mr VVm. Paisley, and then blew out his own braius. To understand the motive for the crime it will be necessary to explain that for a considerable time dissension has existed between Redfern and the Mayor and several of the Aldermen owing to repeated complaints being made regarding the manner in which the clerk carried oat his duties. In consequence of allegations regarding the funds of the Council, Redfern in March last proceeded against Alderman Redman for defamation of character. Redfern obtained a verdict, bat as Redman left the colony he failed to secure the costs awarded in the action. ThU and other matters in connection with his dutiee appeared to prey on Redfern'a mind, and rendered the relations between him and the members of the Council still more strained. Recently the Council came to a decision to obtain a younger man in Redfern's* place. He was fifty-one yean of age and had occapied his position for nine years. Redfern then resigned and his resignation was to have taken effect on the 25th inst. The Bar wood municipal elections took dace on Friday, and Paiaiey «eas re-elected Mayor.

The tirfit meeting of the new Council was to have been held on Monday night, and the Mayor attended at, the Council Chamber shortly after eight o'clock in the morning to take over the books from Redfern and prepare a report for the meeting. Just after the Mayor was seen to enter the Council Chambers a Mrs Green, living opposite, heard a number of shots tired iv the Town HalL She called the attention of a man named Hewitt to the shooting, and the two went over to the building. As they approached the Mayor rushed out and staggered down the street. As they were about to enter the door was slammed and locked in their faces by the Council Cierk. The firing of two shots inside followed soon after. Tiie services of Constable Lilly were tlieu procured in order to obtain an entrance. He had to smash a window in the Couucil Clerk's room, and he then found Re'lforn sitting iv a chair at a table, with a bullet wound through the top of hie head, and a revolver at hie feet, just breathing his last. He had apparently placed the revolver in his mouth, and pulled Ihe trigger. The ball tore its way through his head, coming out at the top. In another small room adjoining that allotted to Redfern were found evidences of the terrible struggle which had taken place between tiie mafyor and Irs assistant. Chairs aud other articles of furniture were upset and covered with blood stains, which covered the floor, as if after the Mayor had been wounded the two raeu had roiled over and over in a death grapple.

After leaving the Town Hall the Mayor, bleeding profusely from hie wounds, made bis way down the street towards the lesidence of Alderman Archer. Some 400 yards distance from the houa* he met A. Hawkins, to whom he said, "My God, Tin shot. Redfern has murdered mc." He then fell exhausted from loea of blood. With the assistance of Mr Archer, who then came up, he was removed to that gentleman's house. Aα examination showed that four bullets had taken effect in Mr Paisley'a body. One had entered his skull behind the left ear, passed through the flesh, aud made its exit on the other side. A second pasted through the left elbow, smashing the bone. A third entered the back jnat above the seventh rib on the left side, asd passed through the stomach, A fourtlwM£?red the back just below to* 6floul<£er jM»lfe;'«.iMl burled itself. in the muscles.

The Mayors statement, aa far as lie could give it to Alderman Archer, vu to the effect that he weut ia the usual way to the Council Chambers to transact- some necessary business. He was sitting ia an armchair ia the clerk's room writing a letter when Redfern came up behind him and fired two shots in succession into hie back. He jumped up immediately and grappled with his wouldbe murderer and they, struggled into ab adjoining room kuown as the store room, c, yery small place, and here Rsdfern drew a small dagger or stiletto and made a cut at his head., Mr Paisley was wearing a small black hard felt hat at the time. There is a distinct mark of a partial cut about aa inch, and a half in length on the hat. The stab, however, did not take effect, and it appears Redferu thau fired two more shots at him, one taking effect in his arm and the other behind his.ear, the lobe of which was partially cut away. The Mayor then made a rash for the front door, which he managed to reach, closely followed by his assailant. From there he made his way as stated towards Archer's house. The woret apprehensions with respect to Mr Paisley were realised, as after passing a bad night, he became delirkma, and quietly died at about three o'clock ron Tuesday afternoon. = . . v .

Further information shows that Redfern's singularity of disposition had recently become so marked that 'many residents regarded him 'as quite; insaue. It seems extraordinary, therefore, that he should have been allowed to be ali large after habitually threatening some ,of the most prominent members of the Burwoad Council as he had done. On Sunday he exhibited to one of the residents his three revolvers, stating that they were destined to put an end to Mr Paisley and Mr Griffith Jones. When laughed at be repeated in serious tones hie intention of shooting them. Mr, K. B. Kenway, Inspector of Nuisances, stated that he warned Mr Paisley on Saturday that Redfern had expressed an intention of injuring; him, and advised him nob to go to. the Council Chamber on Monday, but that Mr Paisley said, "Aβ long as. I keep Mm in front of mc lam not afraid because I will watch him-very--closely," and' immediately he raises bis hand I will knock him down. I know he is very canning bat I think I am as sharp as he is." Considerable sensation was caused at the inquest on Mr Paisley by the production of Redfern's note book in which were newspaper cuttings giving an account of the assassination of Mr Harrison, the Mayor of Chicago, across one of which was written in Redfern's hand writing "Turned out of good office by him. So die all tyrants." On another was written " Paisley deserved In a memo* raadum book the lolloping entry was found—" However Monday night's work may fini*hl mean to have Paisley first, be* cause he has ruined mc and all my belongings, and the sole cause is that I have done my duty in refusing his assistance, and making him pay £6 15s for work he had done by the Council. Paisley first, Henuessy second, Schooles third, Archer fourth." These are all Councillors.

Iα hia lucid momenta Mr Paisley gave some further det&ils of Redfern's attack. No words except the usual compliments passed between the two, and the Mayor sat down to write at the centre table. He noticed Rodfern fumbling at the drawers of the table behind him, but took no notice of him until he felt the*ting of a bullet in his back, after which a fight for life began. Redfern spent all Sunday-burning the records of the Burwpod Council fur fourteen years. He left a note faying he woe doing tbis out of revenge, in order to leare them without a history. Three weeks ago he sent hia wife home to England, end at the time stated hi* intention of following her. Subsequently he announced his candidature, in the free trade interest, for for the Burwootl electorate at the cotnitiir general elections. He came to the colony about eleven years ago, and for some tinie he resided id Melbourne, afterwards securing the Council Clerkship at Bnrwood. JH the inquest on Redfern, the jnry returned a verdict of " Suicide while temporarily insane." The Corocer pointed one that there was no evidence Jliat the deceased was insane, but the jury declined to alter the verdict, saying that it was apparent that the man was labouring under very grtat •xoiUmtat.