THE EYRETON TRAGEDY

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 149, 5 July 1901, Page 3

THE EYRETON TRAGEDY

The following is tho explanation of how the murderer McLean got a home with the Martins :

Some two months ago, Mrs Martin, the widow of Mr Henry Martin, tho earliest settler in the Eyreton district, went, as was her wont, to get tho newspaper from tho box on tho gate, at tho entrance to the drive that led to her house. Glancing towards tho public road, tho figure of a swagger mot her eye, and the pitiable appearance of the man at once touched her sympathetic and motherly heart. He seemed to be suffering from some deformity of his feet, and slouched along in a despondent manner. “ Are you looking for a job ?” Mrs Martin asked. 11 Yes,” replied tho mail, “ hut I liavo just como out of tho hospital, and I am veryweak and cannot do much.” “ Oh, you had better como in, and get something to cat,” Mrs Martin said, and tho man, nothing loth, accepted the kindly invitation, aiM subsequently satisfied the gnawing of hunger. An arrangement was como to between Mrs Martin and tho man, who remained at the farmhouse, and was employed on light general work about the farm. The two parties to tho arrangement, to all appearances, were highly satisfied with it. Mrs Martin was pleased with his industry, and it is reported that the man, speaking to Mrs Martin s son Mr G. H. Martin—stated that so long as he got 4s a week he was satisfied. To this Mr Martin replied that they were not in tho habit of paying a mail loss than 10s per week. To account for the peculiarity notieeablo in his walk, he told Mrs Martin that he had been a sailor on tho steamer Kaikoura, that he had fallen from the rigging, and had had both of his feet injured. Mrs Martin was of a kind disposition, and, with her daughter, was deeply interested in all works of a charitable and religious character. The grandson was a bov of great promise, and a favorite with his grandmother and aunt, and was staying with them at tho time of tho murder, as company for Mrs Martin, who was devotedly foiid of him. As an indication of Mrs Martin's character, it should be stated that she was generally known as the -| mother of Eyreton,” owing to her kindly, sympathetic nature. Airs Martin w-as about seventy- years of age, her daughter was about fifty years of age, and her grandson was four years of age.