THE TRAGEDY AT TOP HOUSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 205, 6 October 1894, Page 2

THE TRAGEDY AT TOP HOUSE.

DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE. EXTRAORDINARY LETTER BY BATEMAN. BATEMAN SHOOTS WALLIS AND LANE, AND THEN COMMITS SUICIDE. In last night's issue we were able to state that some terrible tragedy had happened at Top House, but it was not until after we went to press that anything like full particulars were obtainable, and about eight o'clock an " extra " was issued from this office giving a summary of the shock* ing tragedy. First Intelligence, Early yesterday morning — about half past two o'clock, the operator on duty at the Nelson Telegraph Office — Mr Erskine — who had j list iinished his work, and was about to close the office was surprised to hear a jerky, almost unintelligible message from Top House. Much astonished to receive a message at that time of the morning he went to the instrument, but his surprise was turned to consternation when he made out the words " Help !" " Help !" " My poor Willie !" and also learnt that gun shots had been fired. Mr Erskine tried to get further information but failed. He then went to the telephone and endeavoured to ring up the Police Station but he was unsuccessful. He then went out of the office found a constable on duty, and with him went to the Police Station. Sergt.Major Pratt upon hearing Mr Erskiue's story at once appreciated the position, and immediately despatched Constable Kelly to inform Constable Knapp that something was wrong at Top House. Sergt. -Major Pratt then sent Constable Phair by the morning train, and Constables Knapp and Phair went up to the scene of the tragedy arriving there at seven o'clock last evening. Spreading the Alarm,; Mr Erskine from the Police Station went to Mr Calders's residence, and having roused that gentleman, he once again repeated the short but terribly significant message received from Top House. Mr Calders immediately dressed, and went down to the Telegraph Office, where he, for some time, endeavoured to " get" Top House, but the instrument was silent, and the fears aroused became intensified. News Front Our Special Reporter. (By Telegraph) Immediately on receipt of the news that something had happened at Top House, a representative of this paper left for the scene of the shocking tragedy, arriving there just about eleven o'clock last evening. He at once communicated with us by telegraph, giving the particulars of the tragedy, how Bateman had shot Lane and Wallis, and had threatened Miss Wylie, the governess stopping at Longney's. We might here state that the Telegraph Station and the Accommodation House are within a few chains of one another. It appears that Mr and Mrs Wallis lived at the Telegraph Station, and that the Accommodation House, or hotel, was occupied usually by Mr and Mrs Longney, Miss Wylie, a governess, and two children belonging to Mr and Mrs Longney. It seems that on Tuesday last Mr and Mrs Longney left Top House for Blenheim leaving the Hotel in charge of Bateman, Mrs Longney's brother. 2he Finding of Wallis's Body. Bateman, telegraphs our representative, was in Wakefield on Thursday and returned to Top House the same evening, arriving about six o'clock. About half-past eight o'clock shots were fired in the vicinity of the Telegraph Office, but no notice was taken of them at the time. About a quarter past seven o'clock yesterday (Friday) morning a son of Mr Longuey's was sent by the governess to look for Mr John Lane, who was also stopping at Longney's, but who had not been seen since the previous evening. The boy on his way saw the foot of a man underneath a horse cover. Spon pulling away the cover the body of r Wallis, the telegraphist was revealed. Bateman Threatens Miss Wylie. Bateman was at this time walking near the hotel with a loaded gun in his hand. The inmates of the hotel went over to the Telegraph Office, but Miss Wylie — the governess— was brought back by Bateman, who threatened to shoot her After a short time, however, she returned to the Telegraph Office, and communication was made by telephone with the Lake station. Assistance. The telephone message brought assistance and several people came to the Station, Mr Robert Kerr being amongsb the number. Bateman Shoots Himself. A man named Meade and his son approached Bateman who was on the verandah, still having the gun in his hand. He threatened to shoob them, and they left. At hall past two o'clock yesterday afternoon another shot was fired, and it was found that Bateman had shot himself, his body being found in front of the Hotel. Lane's Body Found. Shortly after this the body of John Lane (who is Mr Longney's cousin) was found behind the hotel. No Motive Knoiun. Bateman's Letter. No motive is known, but I hear, telegraphs our correspondent, that Bateman left a letter stating that he intended to kill all about the place, except the children, but this is not authoritative. Mr Longney returned to Top House last evening. Description of Wounds. Bateman and Lane were shot behind the ear, and Wallis behind the head. Inquest. The bodies will be carried down to Foxhil to-day, where an inquest will be held this evening, Thursday Night at the telegraph Station. What sort of a night Mrs Wallis must have passed alone at the Telegraph Station on Thursday night can be easily imagined. A terrible night it must have been for her, and it is no wonder that news reaches us that she is almost demented by grief, fright, and exhaustion. Mrs Wallis has been taken to Mrs David Keer's station, which is aboxit 7 miles nearer Nelson than Top House. Bateman Tempts Wallis to go Hare Shooting. Bateraan wont to the Telegraph Station early on Thursday evening and tempted Mr Wallis to go out hare shooting with him. Mr Wallis consented to do so, and went away from the Station with Bateman. Further Particulars. Both Wallis and Lane must have been shot from behind, with the barrel of the gun almost touching them, as the hair and clothes of both men were singed and charred. The gun used by Batenmn was a double barrelled muzzle loader, and one barrel was found loaded by the police. Bateman drew Lane's body oft' the road into the fern, and came to ,the hotel stable to get a horse cover to cover Mr Wallis. During the night Bateman was prowling about and entered Miss Wylie's room Sharpening a Knife and Threatening to kill her if she did not go to sleep. He also went to the Telegraph station and Threatened Mrs Wallis. A swagman slept in the hotel stable and Bateman took him some rum there, and wanted him to drink, but he refused. The I swagman asked what the shots were, but got no answer. Bateman was on friendly terms with Wallis, and used occasionally to go to the station of an evening to play cards. Whenßateman by threats compelled Miss Wylie to return from the station to the hotel, he made her walk in front, a child, a daughter of Mr Longney's insisting on walking with her, and this it is believed Saved Her Life. Tlie End of Bateman. Bateman shot himself in a strange fashion. He took off boots and socks and eat on the Hotel verandah, holding the

muzzle of the gun to his head, and pulled the trigger with his toe. Ihe Murderer. William Bateman was a baker by trade. He was a good tradesman, and once kept an hotel at Jollis Pass. He was about 28 years of age, had a dark moustache, was about five feet six inches in height, and had a good appearance. He had been at Top House since Augusb 27, and was engaged for mustering Birch Hill station. He was not beieved to be of a cruel disposition, and was said to be fond of children. He was an unmarried man, and is very well known in the district. He is reported to have been sober at the time of bhe tragedy. Mr Wallts. Mr Wallis was 38 years of age. He leaves a widow, but no children. He has been about five months at Top House and was universally respected by all. His life was insured in the Government office; it is believed for £150. Up till May last Mr and Mrs Wallis lived at Cable Bay, where Mr Wallis was lineman, and had charge of the batteries, whilst his wife had charge of the telegraphists' quarters. Mrs Wallis's brothers soon heard of the sad news and left this morning for Mrs Kerr's station. We believe that Mrs Wallis was a Miss Moulder of Suburban North. Mr John Lane. Mr John Lane is well known in Nelson, where ab one time he was in bhe employ of Mrs Moorhouse. He was about 22 years of age, and was much liked. He came to the colony some years ago from England, and after ieaving Nelson took up some land in the North Island. He was a cousin of Mr Longney's, and was stopping with them at the time of the tragedy. The Inquest. The bodies left Top House at eight o'clock this morning for Foxhill.