THE DUNGOG MURDER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 134, 3 December 1909, Page 7

THE DUNGOG MURDER.

AN ARREST. By Telegraph. — Presa Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 2nd December. The police have been advised that Wilhelm Gerlach, a German, "wanted" for the murder of Frank Ooleman at Dungog, has been arrested on board the steamer Apolda (bound from Australia to Antwerp) at Cairo. He shipped as a fireman from Australia. The murder took place on 25th October, the body being found later in a deep water hole. Gerlach and Coleman had been camping together. At the inquest a dairyman living near their camp stated that on the day of the murder he heard four shots fared, and also a man calling out. He heard three calls, the time being about 1.30 a.m. ' Later in the morning he saw smoke rising from the camp. He visited the camping place on 2ist Movember, when he toimd that one tent had been removed and the other burnt. On 24th October he heard the German and Coleman talking. Goleman mentioned that he had a £50 note in his trousers, and that it had not been injured when he washed the clothing, though he had forgotten to remove it. Charles Hurkett, teamster, stated that he was residing about 450 yards from the camp of Prank Coleman and the German. About 1.30 a.m. on 25th October he heard three shots tired, and screams lasting three or four seconds. These came from the direction of the tent occupied by the two. Henrich Heminger, second secretary at the German Consulate, stated that Captain Paulsen, of the Apolda, came to the office, bringing with him five men to sign on the vessel. Ono name was "Wilheim Gerlach," the man stating that he wished to go as far as Antwerp. The vessel's first stopping place after Melbourne would be Suez, then Port Said, and Antwerp. Frederick Steelj ship's tailor, deposed that he knew the German "j>lax,'' and had seen him 011 board the Apolda a few minutes before the departure of the vessel. The captain had informed him that he had in his custody some £70, the property of "Max."