ALLEGED MURDER AT PAPAKAIO.

Evening Star, Issue 6032, 12 July 1882, Page 2

ALLEGED MURDER AT PAPAKAIO.

[BY OUR SI'KCIAI, RISPORTKR,} TIRSDAT, JMjV 11. William Eraser, a blacksmith, remembered going to fh- coal-pit for coals on tho 9th hist. Called at Reattie's house, but got no answer to his knock. Went ovor to tho pit and found ih.it there was no cool. Called upon Mrs "eattie to go?, a lag or two, so as not to ho disappointed. This was ab>ut ten o'clock. He observed that there were iio footmarks at the door. He knockc'. rt rb<« door, but got i:o answer. He called Mrs H<"it,tio, but iw iv '.'' no answer. Ho then tried the door, but found it locked. .Ie called again, and heard a sound in the bedroom. He knocked at the bedroom door and called Mrs Beattie again, but got no answer. lie then opened the d<jor and a little dog aims out. He saw no one in thero, but looked round and saw that the things wero raoher untidy. Fowls were in the house everywhere -xcept the bedroom. He turned them out. He loo!»ed to see if the fire was burning in the grate, and found it quite out. He saw a book on the table, looked at it, and found 6s in it. He also saw that Beattie had signed tho book for half a ton of coals on tho 17th May. Ho left the book, took the money, and caiiio to Warwood's, and told Mr Warwood how he had found things up there. He gave Warwood the money to give to Mr Wilhett. H<» «aw Beattie, and asked what ho had done with Mrs Beattie. Ho said she must have done awav with herself, as he had found a razor underneath the bed. Witness thought he meant that she had cut her throat. Witness replied : "That won't go down with nie " ; or, " No woman would cut her throat and then hide herself." Ho had not seen any razor lyinsr on the floor when he was in the house. He" went round the house on the 9th, but did not see Mrs Beattie. To Mr O'Mcagbcr: The house was untidy. The dishes and things were not washed up. Thoro might have been a razor on the floor without him seeing it. He did not see any clothing lying about. He could not repeat the exact words ho used to Beattie. He had said "Halloo, what havo you done with Mrs Beattie," or words to that effect, but he would not swear to the exact words. Beattio said " I don't know ; she must have done away with herself," or words to that effect. He (witness) noticed nothing particular about the houso the day he was in it except its untidiness, the absence of Mrs Beattie, and the presence of fowls in it. He did not pay particular attention to thorn, and could not say whether or not their throats were cut. To the Jury : The dog was a constant companion of Mrs Beattie. It was unusual to see her about without it. Witness afterwards saw the dog at Warwood's. Thore were a dead duck and a dead fowl lying in the room. Gardon J. Millington stated that as far as he could recollect on the 12th June he came out from Oamaru at about twelve o'clock with Mr Richardson. They turned their horses out and went to bed. He was awakened at three o'clock in the morning by a noise on tho verandah. He went to the door and found a man there whom he afterwards found out to be Beattie. He asked to bo let in. Witness saw that ho wa;i slightly tho worse for liquor, and tried to persuade him to go away. Ho tried to push past witness, and witness gave him a shove and he fell off the verandah into a puddle. When witness saw how easily tho man went over he knew thathemust be very drunk. Witness picked him up and tried to persuade him to come round totheback of tho house. He came into the house and commenced calling out " Poor Sally." He then went on with along rigmarolo which witness could not remember, the refrain always being " Poor Sally." Eventually witness took him to a room in the dairy ond put him on some sacks. About eight o.clock a man came to witness and thanked him for looking after him. To Mr O'Meagher: On tho 7th June he had seen the witness Neiss driving along the road. The reins were hanging loosely, and Neiss did not appear to have any control over his horse, which was galloping. Np'ss did not appear to be sober. To the Jury : Witness could not say where Beattie came from when ho canto ip his houso. He could not say positively whether it was the 12th or not when Beattie came to his houso. Robert M'Donald, in the employ of the Millingtons, saw Beattie in the house on the 13th June, but could not say at what time lie came. He saw him going away between six and seven o'clock in the morning. Beattie when going away said " Sally has broken my heart, but she shall never do it again." He saw Beattie again at the hotel at about eleven o'clock the same dav, when there was some talk about selling fowls. Witness made a remark to Beattie " You had not * long Bleep last night," whereupon Allen, the landlord of the hotel, asked where did he sleep, and witness replied at Millington's. Allen then said " I will swear that he was not out of my house last night." On the day after the body was found he picked up the brooch produced about six yards from where the body was found. Tho brooch was lying on the ground. To tho Jury: Beattie was up at Millington's on the 25th, and said that ho wanted to see Mr Millington, and did not want to see witness as he was one of his (Beattic's) enemies. He was there again on the 2Cth. Ho believed the reason tor Beattie calling witness an enemy was that a report had been circulated that he had taken drink to Mrs Beattie. This was untrue, as he had never taken drink to her, and had only spoken to her twice. When Allen said Beattio had not been out of his.houee on the night of the 11th, Beattio replied that he had been at Millington's, and Allen said ho could not understand how he had got out of the hotel. Tho coat produced was similar to that worn bv Beattie on the 12th. It was tho same pattern, but the coat worn by Beattie seemed lighter, according to witness's fancy. Howevor, the coat produoed might bo the same. Dr DeLautour (re-called) described the clothes on the body. He had examined them very carefully, but he did not notico anything about them to cause them to be kept. They would not have been buried with tho body if he had noticed anything. Thore were no stains about them. To tho Jury: Ho had not analysed tho contents of the stomach to see if there were any traces of poison, but he had preserved the contents that thoy might be analysed. He did not think the deceased had died by poisoning. He saw no trace of poison. There were poisons which left no traces. Beattie had not been examined to see if there were any traces of violence about him. Fanny Henderson, wifo of John Henderson, stated that Beattio had come to her husband's place at Awamoko on the 13th June and left the same evening. He returned on the 17th and left the same evening. On the lfeth he came again and brought his swag, which ho opened. It contained some .blankets and clothing. Witness folded up the clothes, and Beattie toek them to his hut, when he went to bed. She noticed that a handkerchief was stained with something like blood. Beattio took it away with the rest of tho clothes. Coustablo Livingstone afterwards took away a number of Beattio';) clothes. Mra Beattio's dog camo to the house. It was afterwards drowned by Beattie. To Mr O'Meagher: On tho day the body was found Beittic said he was sorry ho had drowned the dog, beexuso it bolonged to deceased. He said that if he had known where sho was he would havo let tho dog Jowph Beale, a laborer at Georgetown, said that Beattio was working with him at Hall Brothers' from the 31st May to tho 10th Juno. He slept in tho same hut as witness. On tho evening of tho 7th Beattie left the farm to go down to Georgetown. He left at about seven o'clock, and returned r,t about half : past nine Thoy both went to bed together that night. Beattie left Hall's at about half-past five o'clock on the 10th June to bring up a bundle of clothes. To the Jury: He would swear that Beattio slept in the hut with'him every night from the 7th to We 10th.

I To Mr O'Meaghcr: Beattie slept in the same hut as witness every night from the 31st May to tho 10th Juno. Some davs they were ploughing together. Except on Sunday, June 4, Beattio was nevor'away from the farm during the whole of tho time, with tho exception of one night for two hours and a-half. He could not have gone to Peebles and back in the time -two hours and a-half. Beattie could not possibly have got up and gone out without witness or some or tho other .ncn hearing him. There were Ave men sleeping in the same hut. Beattie returned on the 13th very drunk, and left again tho same night. Ho did not work at Hall's after that time Elizabeth Trainer, wife of Andrew Trainer, rememhered that Beattie came to her house on the Sunday after tho row with Carroll. He came a-ain about three weeks afterwards and was then tho worse of drink. He talked about Sally. Witness remarked that she (Mrs Beattie) was missing, and he said that she would soon turn up. Ho kept on saying '•Oh 1 Sally, Sally; she has ruined me. On tiio Sunday" of tho row Beattie said he would swing for Carroll and Mrs Beattie, and that, ho would burn Carroll's house. ... To Mr O'Mcagher: Beattie was very drunk on both John Willetts, a Coal miner, said that Mrs Beattio rented a cottage from him about 23rd April, lie remembered meeting Beattio on the 16th Juno, after his wife Was missing. They went up to the house on the same evening alittlo after ten o'clock, and Beattio said that Mrs Beattie was away, and. he asked witness to have a look at the hoiise. They went inl and Beattie said that it was not for the want of clothes or money that she had gone away. Beattie went into the bedroom and began to pull tho things out of a box to show that there was a quantity of clothes. Beattie told him that he had been married at Home, on tnc following morning they were again in the house. Beattie then said that he was packing up the things. In coming out of the bedroom, he stooped down and picked up a razor which was just inside the bedroom door He said that it was his razor, that the floor was not the plac* for lt t and that it was kept on the shelf Beattie opened. the razor and said there appeared to be blood on it. He handed it to Witness, who also thought that there was bloedl on it. He said he wondered what she (meaning Mrs Beattie) had been doing with the razor. Witness remarked that there appeared to be some down thrown on it as if it had been used for killing fowls. Witness told Beattie he had better take care of the razor, as it might bo wanted at some future time. Dugald Allen then came in. The key was usually kept under the doorstep. Beattio took It away on the 16th June. To Mr O'Meaghcr: Thero were a number of articles of clothing strewn about the floor of the house. When Allen camo they talked about Mrs Beattie, and on Beattio and witness saying that they thought she was in Oamaru Allen said he was going to town and would hunt for her. He felt sure in his own mind that thero was down upon the razor. The razor (produced) Was not in the name condition aa when ho na« it. 1 There appeared to be more Mood on it, and the down had been removed. He did not notice a carving-knife (produced) in the cottage. To Inspector Weldon: He did not know what Beattie did with the razor. Ho could not say whether Beattie put on his thumb on the blade or not A wet thumb might have made a mark on tho blade, even though it (the razor) were dry. To tho Jury: He did not sec Boattie hand the razor To the Coroner: Witness might have put his thumb on the razor, but could not 6»y whother he did so or not. The razor was quite dry. Toronce O'Brien, a detective, stated that on tho 3rd inst. he went to the house of Alexander Beattie, and ' found tho articles of clothing and bedding disarranged, but did not notice any marks of blo*d at the time. 1 On turning over the pillows in the bed he found on the slips of throe pillows marks of blood. They trad been produced before the jury on the 3rd Inst. 1 [Pillow-slips produced.? On looking underneath the bed he found a canvas bag with what appeared to be blood stains on it, and a handkerchief and a pair of drawers, with blood stains on them. On examining the sofa in tho kitchen he found a calico bag containing feathers, which had been used as a mattress for the sofa. It also had stains of blood on it. On searching the house that morning (yesterday) ho found a lady's cloth jacket amongst the clothes at the foot 'of the bed. This had blood on the collar. On looking round the house ho found a long-handled shovel. On the morning of the 4th insf., at tho Peebles Hotel, Beattio made a statement to him. He (Boattie) said that he was not married to the deceased, and that ho had no reason to suspect that she had cohabited with any other man up to the time that ho found her in Carroll's hut. He said : " I first met Sarah Adams in Southbridge, near Christchurch, about seven years ago. We came to Ota"0 soon after. We lived in Oamaru for three months; then we went to George town, and lived in ono of tho Government houses for eighteen months. I then shifted to one of Ross's houses on the Plain, and lived in that bouso three years and four months. I removed to Coal Pit Gully about ten weeks ago. Five weeks last Saturday I camo down from Hall 1 Brothers.' After being absent fr.'in home three days I went to the house at 10 p.m. and found the door locked. I then went to Warwood's and inquired for mv wife. I remained thore until nearly 11 p.m. I was riding on the road side near Barney's house, when I heard a noise on the floor. I heard her voice, and I then broke the panel of the door. Barney opened the door. There was no li"-ht. I struck a match, and found her under the table. I said a few words to her, and went to the Peebles Hotel. Sho followed me saying 'I will go where you go.' I was having a glass of beer, and I threw it in her face. I saw her no more that night. I next saw her on the following Monday afternoon. She said * Come home, and I will not let the police take you.' I said 'I am dono with you.' I did not see her again that day. I was taken into gaol on Tuesday morning (May 30). I came on by tho four o'clock train on Wednesday. I went direct to Hall's that night. I next saw her in Georgetown on Saturday evening—four weeks age. I was at John Wallace's house, and she came in. She said ' Why did you not como home?' I said ' I have no home; you are a rotten-hearted woman.* She asked for some beer, but got none. She said I brought it on m vself.' I then left, and went home to Hall's. It was between 8.30 and 9 p.m. On tho following Saturday night (June 10) I camo to Georgetown, and Mr Porterous told me that she had cleared out, and that the door was open. I went home, and found tho door open. I had a look round, and saw that some of the things were displaced. I shut the door, and went to the Peebles Hotel. I remained there all night, and went up to the house again on Sunday morning (June 11) with John Harbison, who lives in one of the Government cottages. I picked up my own clothes and remained at the Peebles Hotel until Tuesday morning, tho 13th. I then went to Hall's m company with William Blyth, a storekeeper of Georgetown, and another man. I remained there that night and came back to Georgetown on the Wednesday morning. I remained there for a day or two. I then camo to the Peebles Hotel. I then got the worse for drink. I think I remained a day or two and then went to John Henderson, and went up to Halls' that night. I remained drinking there until Saturday night, Ist July. I got the key of the door from Willetts tho night of a sale at Davidson's, 15th June. Willetts remained with me at mv house a good part of the night. I think I went to Georgetown next day. On Sunday morning, 2nd July, I was on my way to the house, when I met John Warwood at the Peebles Hotel. He told me that he had found my wife in the creek. I went to tho house and got a sheet to cover the body, but I did not see where it lay. I was down the shaft to look for her. I looked for her along the creek, but never higher than the shaft. When I opened my swa«- in John Henderson's I found her gold watch and chain and locket, two sleeve links, a purse, two halfsovereigns, 228 6d in "silver, and a LI note. I slept in the Globe Hotel at Oamaru on the night of the lfith Juno and mado inquiries for her, and reported the matter to the police next day. I did not see any blood on any articles in tho house, except her chemise and drawers." He then stopped, and witness asked him if he did not see a razor in the houso. Ho said " Yes, I found one on tho floor and I gave it to Allen." Witness had timed the walk from the hotel to his house and did it in twenty minutes. To Mr O'Mcagher: He was about half an hour taking the statement from Beattie. Beattio knew at the time who he (witness) was. He did not ask Beattie any questions. He had examined tho pillows from which the slips were removed, and did 11 - ee anv stains of blood upon them. To the Jury : Beattio had not in his statement made any mention of his visit to Peebles on the 10th June and remaining thero until the 12th. Ho had not stated where he was on the Bth and 9th. Beattie said he had gone down the shaft with a rope. John May, a laborer, working at Hall Brothers farm at Awamoko; said that Beattie had been working at Kalis'. He was there the whole of tho time, except sometime when he was away. Witness was with Beattie on Sunday, Juno 4, in Georgetown, when he met his wife. They had some words, and Beattie tola her to keep out of his sight. She said that wherever he went she would follow him. She admitted having done wrong. Boattie returned with witness and remaincd with witness until the following Friday, when witness went to town. Witness had at Beattie 8 requost cut the tails off the coat produced. > To Mr O'Meaghcr: It WW impossible for Beattie to have left the hut in which they ail slept, unless thej had been dead or in a trance. Witness and Beattie slept with their feet touching, and Beattie could not have gone out without witness knowing it. Beattie was away at Georgetown on Wednesday night, June 7, for about two hours and a-half. To the Jury: Beattie was not down at Georgetown on the Oth June. Witness was at Georgetown on the sth. Beattie was at Halls' when witness loft, and was there when ho returned at bedtime. John Henderson, a farmer residing at Awamoko, about three miles from Peebles, said that Beattio was at his place last month. Ho came past about nine o'clock on tho 13th and loft tho same day. He re-' turned on the 17th, left again that night, and returned on tho 18th (Sunday) between six and seven o'clock. He remained until Monday, when he left for Oamaru. He came back on Tuesday night and went away again on the 21st, from his houso in Coalpit Gully. He returned to witness's on the sarao evening, and on the following Friday went to work, remaining thero until the Ist of July. On tho afternoon of the 28th (Monday) Beattie assisted witness in killing two pigs. When ho came in on the 13th June Beattio said that his wife had gone away and he did not know what had become of her. Beattio had not a coat on when he was killing the pigs. Ho had on a pair of duck moleskins. Witness thought the trousers produced were those Beattie had on when pig-killing. Beattie had on a vest like the plaid one produced. Beattie left his swag in a hut at witness s. Witness was present when Constable Livingstone took them away. Ho did not see Beattie using a pocket-handkerchief when pig-killing. He saw Constable Livingstone take a pocket-handkerchief out of tho pocket of a coat like that produced. To Mr O'Meaghcr: Beattie helped to hang Up the pigs, and blood from tho pigs might easily have got on to Beattio's trousers below the knee. Witness got blood on his trousers at the same time. To the Jury : He was positive that Beattie had on the trousora produced at the time of killing the pigs. The jury here intimated that they did not require any further ovidenco. The Coroner summed up, reviewing the chief points elicited in evidence. Tho jury, after about half an hour's deliberation, returned the following verdict:—" That Sarah Beattie (or Adams) camo by her death by tho hands of some person or persons to the jury unknown."