THE MOUNTAIN MURDERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3006, 18 December 1896, Page 1

THE MOUNTAIN MURDERS.

Fnrllier Particulars. A SIIUUNC REPORT. A rather sensational report reached the Melbourne Police Department recently from Benalla in connection with the Glon"brook murder. It is said that a man, who is believed to bo identical with Butler, passed through BenalU, en route to Melbourne, a few days ago. The man called on a well-known resident of the district and stated that ho was hard up, and pleaded for food and money to pay his fare to Melbourne. Ho represented that ho had come from Now South Wales, where, along with some mates, ho had lost all he possessed in the way of cash prospecting for gold. Ho was slightly under the influence of liquor, and. it is further alleged, exposed some documents, upon one of which “F. Harwood” appeared. About the same time he dropped a handkerchief. Although promised his train fare, ho did not turn up tor it, having cleared out immediately afterwards. After his departure the handkerchief referred to was picked up, and on examination the initials “P.H.” were found upon it. Tho police wore subsequently asked for a photograph of Butler, but did not possess ono, but he resembles tho sketches of Butler which have appeared in tho press. Tho authorities, however, are of opinion that this is another ease of " a striking resemblance.” ANOTHER PROSPECTING DODOE. The man Butler is stated by a Ballina correspondent to be identical with an individual who visited that district during September, with the: object of forming a syndicate to work some land on Bucca Creek Diggings. On the strength of tho specimens Butler possessed a syndicate was formed, and money was.subscnbed to work the ground. A man named Eylos was sent on behalf of the syndicate to accompany the prospector to Bucca • Creek. Eyles found that his travelling friend seemed more bent on drawing money from the syndicate’s fund than revealing tho gold-bearing country. Tho result was that Eyles abandoned the project and returned to Ballina, bringing back with him the balance of the unexpended money. ANOTHER HISSING YOUTH. The mysterious disappearance of a youth named Campbell at Mudgoo, Now South Wales, is being enquired into by tbo local police. Campbell, who was accompanied by a man bearing a great resemblance to Butler, arrived at Mudgee from Sydney about four months ago. The man and youth stayed at the Railway Hotel for two or three days, during which time he purchased from Mr H. E. Wells, auctioneer, a waggonette and pair of horses, which wore paid for with Campbell's

money. The turnout was not taken on that day, but a few hours afterwards Campbell returned to Mr Wells* house, and brought with him a portmanteau, which he asked Wells to look after for him. That was on a Wednesday. The next night was the last time Campbell was seen at Mudgee. For two days the police made every effort to trace him, but without avail, until- the mystery was considered solved by Mr Wells receiving a. telegram or letter signed by Campbell, asking him to forward the portmanteau to Sydney. Campbell’s sudden disappearance caused Mr Wells some anxiety, and he asked the police to examine the portmanteau, which was found to contain, besides a largo quantity of clothing, some valuable jewellery and two revolvers. A man took delivery of the horses from Mr Wells after Campbell’s disappearance, stating that ho was going to visit several mining centres in the district for the purpose of prospecting. The police are confident that Campbell, never left Mudgeo by train, nor was anyone answering his description known to get in tho train at any station within 30 miles of Mudgee. BUTLER SEEN IN ORANGE. Mr Arthur Lock, license of the Courthouse Hotel, Orange, has recognised tho photo, of the man Butler or Harwood as being the man who stayed at his house early in September last. Mr Lock said that Butler was accompanied by a young man, and they were travelling in a waggonette. Butler, on being asked where lie came from and where he was going, said “We hare come over the Blue Mountains, and are going on to Cobar.” They stayed at Lock's a conplo of days, and went in the direction of Cobar. . TUa ttinomu-zniAtr juaii. Having succeeded in finding tho body of two of the men murdered on tho mountains while prospecting with Butler, the police have now directed their attention towards discovering tho whereabouts of tho third. Enquiries were set on foot, and the police have been instructed to search for traces of tho missing man. Little, so far, has been gleaned concerning tho antecedents of Lesah. It has been ascertained, however, that be had about J 6400 in cash upon him when he mot Butler in September last. The latter accompanied him to McCarthy’s bazaar, wherohepurohased atiltod waggon, and, subsequently, two horses. A big stock of groceries, pick, shovels and a complete mining plant was also bought, and on tho morning following a start Tvns to" be made. In the interval, however, Lesah evidently heard something that led him to mistrust Butler, for he went to tho saleyard alone much earlier than tho hour appointed, and telling the salesman ho did not altogether care for his mato (Butler), proceeded to harness up, intending, as ho said, to give Butler tho slip. Before his preparations for starting were completed Butler, apparently much to Lesah’s surprise, put in an appearance, and after a conversation with the latter got in tho waggon with him and drove off. Tho pair have been traced to Penrith. WHAT AN INNKEEPER SAYS.

Mr G. A. Smith, of the Prospect Inn, Prospect, New South Wales, writes to the Sydney Nows as follows, under date December 7:—“ Just a lino to lot you know that tho man assuming the name of Prank Harwood came hero early in September with a waggonette' and two lion; 0:3. Ho was accompanied by a young man named Leech or Lesagh, or some such name. Ho said- the trap belonged to his mate, and that they would bo coming back in six weeks or a couple of memths, and would sell me tho turnout cheap. He said he was a mining export, and showed me a certificate in the name of Prank Harwood from tholSchool of Mines, Ballarat. It was either the last week in August or the first week in September they were here. X am , not sure about the date. Harwood told mo he was going to 'assay a mine' near Bathurst for a syndicate in Sydney, but I forgot the name of tho place. I did not see either of the men or horses afterwards." KOBE ABOUT BUTLEB. Mr Montague Pordhnm, at present engaged on tho Cumberland Free Press, like Constable Conroy, was in negotiation with Harwood or Butler, to accompany him on a prospecting tour. Ho saw an advertisement in a daily paper for a mate, and replied to it. On Saturday morning, October 10, ho received at Parramatta a 1 mat-card, and on which was written the ; following:—“ Mr Montague Fordham, c.o. Mr Sweeney, Hunter street, Parramatta, D.S., —Will meet you any time and place and talk matter over.—Yours, F. Harwood, Gillham’s Cafe, Pitt street. Sydney." Mr Fordliam answered this communication, and appointed Monday morning, tho 12tb, for an interview. Mr Fordham was punctual to the appointed hour. He entered Gillham’a by the Market street entrance, and by name for tho writer of the post-card. A young woman behind the counter called . out “ Frank/ and in response to the call Harwood stepped forth. ■ , On learning that it was Mr Fordham who had allied, Butler entered into conversation with him. Harwood said that his previous mate had been with him about a fortnight, but “as at the end of that time he thought he Anew more than he (Butler) did, he had to get rid of him." After this Harwood spoke about Glenbrook as the locality where he proposed to ec He was not a little surprised on finding that Fordham knew the country SB well as .himself, having tramped through the district but a couple of weeks before. Mr Fordham informed Harwood that there was no gold to be got round Glenbrook, Fordham was struck with Harwood’s extensive knowledge, not only of the country about .the mountains and the Braid wood district, hut also goldfields of Queensland. That was ; the last the latter saw or heatcL i of him, although a few . days later he noticed in the newspapers a somewhat similar advertisement to the one he had answered. : 1 PBOPEETT LEFT BEHIND. 1- It has been ascertained that Harwood •was at Williamson’s, near Trundle, on September Ist. He sold a waggoneUo and I Seed. -