FURLONG'S FIREARM FAKE.

NZ Truth, Issue 60, 18 August 1906, Page 5

FURLONG'S FIREARM FAKE.

The Hero Charged with Attempted Suicide.

He Got It Where the Chicken Got the Axe.

As sequel to the "terrific" tragedy at Newtown, reported m our columns last week the gentleman who played the hero, villian, funny man and supers parts m this one-man drama made another appearance on Monday morning This time he only had one part, that of defendant m a. little problem play, entitled— "Was the Barker meant for Business?" In 'other words Furlong was up on a charge of attempted suicide. Detective Henderson related how, on the evening of the 4th, prisoner alarmed his mother by rushtng into the house shoutir.- "Mother, I am shot." Assistance arrived an* dressed a wound which was m the throatAccused told witness about a man who -.-.is' on the other side, of the road when' the bullet struck him and whom he believed shot him. Next day Furlong substituted truth for melodrama and told Detective Mcllveney that !: accidently shot himself, and the story of a strange man shooting him was a parcel of lies. Mrs Furlong, prisoner's mother, told how prisoner chased himself into the house holding a blood-stained handkerchief to his throat arid veiling; "I am shot." She asked how it happened hut her son contented himself with reiterating the self evident fact that he was shot. She had often told him not to handle firearms, as he v,v > of an excitable nature. Witness agreed with the Detectives' statement that accused had taken part m a play called "The Governor's Revenge," taking the character of Inspector Tiersley, N.S.W. Police. The play preyed on his mind and she tried to persuade him to keep away. ' Mrs Cummings, a neighbour, explained that she took accused m to his house after the tragedy. She had known him 18 years as rather eccentric, but not weak-minded. Detective Mcllveney related the cock and hull story Furlong first pitched about a man shootin^ him from the opposite side of the road. Subsequently prisoner said he was cleaning a . revolver lent him, and while walking along Somerset Place pulled the trigger to see if it was all right, but no report followed. He then showed how thoroughly efficient he was m the use of fire arms by turning the muzzle towards himself and pulling the trigger again. This time the revolver went off and he shot himself.

Furlong reiterated this version of the affair and swore the shooting was' quite accidental, and S.M. Kettle accopted this view, but advised accused stroii"'-- to prive up amateur acting, and discharged him.