A TRAPPER’S FATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10560, 10 April 1920, Page 12

A TRAPPER’S FATE

Hi AGED Y OF AUSTRALIAN BUSH

A message was received at Sidney police headquarters recently from the Bathurst police to tho effect that the body of William D. Jones, aged GO, a rabbit-trapper, -was discovered under a log about three-quarters of a' mile from his camp at Barry, near Blayuey. Jones had been missing for a fortnight. Dotcctive-Sergeant Robeon. of the C.I. branch, left Sydney for ’ Bathurst, and yesterday detained a man on suspicion. It is believed Jones was murdered about March Bth or 9tb. On examination of the body a hole wag observed in the back of tho skull and a corresponding hole in the forehead. An empty - 'shell from a Winchester ride was found near by, and there were traces of the body being dragged 60 yards to a log. The right, hand trousers pocket, where it has been ascertained Jones kept his money, had been tom out.

It now scorns that over a week ago the old man was setting a trap at a burrow about a mile away from his hut, and in an area known a* Morrison’s paddock, where ho was fired on from behind, the bullet entering the skull and passim? through to the front of the head. The murderer then apparently hid the deceased’s llat in the burrow and dragged the body about 60 yards through a patch of bracken fern, and hid it under a log. Hero it was found hy a large search party recently after a dog had located the hat‘ in the burrow. An examination of the hut showed that tho_ place had been ransacked of everything of the least value. The deceased’s horse and sulky, however, were still there. The only motive attached to the murder is robbery. .Tone* was understood to have a fair sum of money In his possession, and a few weeks ago it is reported he was seen with £25 in Barry.