THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 12545, 1 July 1905, Page 5

THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY

THE INQUEST.—ALLEGED JEALOUSY. The inquest on the body of Mary Arm Swan was held at Invercargill yesterday. Her husband, Daniel Swan, accused of murdering her, was present in custody. Medical men said that Swan appeared to be quite rational when they examined him after the tragedy. The evidence was to the effect that Swan made the fatal assault without the slightest warning or quarrel, the only words that the daughter Rhoda heard previously being a question by her father as to whether Mrs Swan intended to have' a party before their son, who was going to England last Saturday, started. Mrs Swan replied that she "had been thinking of it. Why did he ask?" Rhoda did not hear the reply. Soon after accused rose, took the flatiron from the fire, and struck deceased, who was sitting darning, with her back to him, a terrific blow on the back of the head. After arrest, Swan's remarks in the Police Camp indicated that he was jealous of Clark, the lodger, who was young enough to be his wife's son. The evidence of all the family was emphatically against such statements. The jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against Swan, and commended Rhoda, aged thirteen years, for her brave attempt to stay her father's attack. The girl is in the hospital with a broken thumb and a scalp wound sustained in the struggle. She gave her evidence with great clearness.