A TRIPLE MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 12867, 17 July 1906, Page 6

A TRIPLE MURDER

A BOY SUSPECTED. Press Asaomtiaa— By Teksgraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, Jury 16. A man named Daniel O'Keefe <a pioneer cane farmer near Ballina), his wile, and a farm laborer named Gillett were murdered some time last night Mr OTKeefe's eon Tim, with hia sister, went to church, six miles distant, and on their return they found a youth named Brown, eighteen years of age, on the premises. Brown wag formerly employed on the farm. Tim O'Keefe asked •where Gillett was, and Brown replied that he was in his own room. Tim O'Keefe then turned to put his sulky up, when, he alleges, Brown hit him on the back of the head with an axe and then ran away- Soon the daughtei missed her parents, but die surmised that- they had gone to visit a neighbor. However, in the morning the bodies of Mr O'Keefe and Gillett were found in the orchard, and that of Mrs O'Keefe in the fowlhouse. , The police are investigating the matter. # Brown, who is a member of a Scottish volunteer corps, was dressed in uniform when he was accosted by young O'Keefe. The uniform, which is blood-stained, has been found near o"Keefe's house. The pockets of the murdered people were ransacked. A boat is missing from the vicinity, and it is supposed that the murderer has utilised hin crossing the river. The police are continuing their search. DETAILS OP THE TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, July 17. (Received July 17, at 10.26 a.m.) Brown is an ex-State boy, and bad worked at CKeefe's for three years. Recently he left, and obtained employment at Ballina. He was not a volunteer, but on Saturday he borrowed a uniform from a companion, with a view to having his photograph taken. Attached to it was a small sword, or bayonet, and this, apparently, played a terrible part in the tragedy, the bodies bearing numerous stabs A blood-stained axe, tomahawk, and bush hook were also discovered. The body of Gillett, or Gfllick, was fearfully hacked The time of the O'Keefes' murder is not known, but Gillick's must have been between nine o'clock (when he left the house for a neighbor's some distance away) and ten, at which hour tie young O'Keefes reached home. Tim O'Keefe was badly stunned by the blow on the bead which he received from Brown's axe. When he had partly recovered he and his sister took refuge in. a front room, where they were too terrified t* move, until daylight That Brown should attack the men and Mrs O'Keefe is unaccountable, aa he bad received from them nothing but kindness. He came to them from the training ship Sobraon. At various times he had given them trouble, and once was ordered back to the training ship. After remaining there for some time he pleaded to be returned to O'Keefe, and the latter consented to take him. For some time, however, there had been bad feeling between Brown and GiQick. THE POLICE VIEW. SYDNEY, July 17. (Received July 17, at 10.36 a.m») The police incline to the belief that Gillick's death was the only one premeditated, and that in some way the old people learned of his scheme and sought to interfere before Gillick returned. That would account for their murder prior to Gillick reaching the farmhouse, as it was impossible the three murders could have been committed and the bodies hacked and dragged about between the time of Gillick's return home and the coming of the young people from church. THE HUNT FOR THE SLAYER. PERNICIOUS LITERATURE. SYDNEY, July 17. (Received July 17, at 10.32 a.m.) There are indications that Brown intended to remove the bodies, but was interrupted by the arrival of the young O'Keefes. The police from all the surrounding districts, and many civilians, are engaged in the search for Brown, who is stated to possess a rifle. He is reported as hiding in an island in the middle of the Richmond River. The police are closely watching it, and intend to thoroughly search it Another rumor is that he was seen seventeen miles from the scene of the murder. The residents throughout the district are in a state of great fear, many being too frightened to go to bed. Brown is described as a great reader of the Deadwood Dick school of literature.