MYSTERIOUS TRIPLE MURDER, IN TASMANIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 237, 23 September 1862, Page 5

MYSTERIOUS TRIPLE MURDER, IN TASMANIA.

In a former issue we briefly alluded to a dreadful tragedy at Longford, in Van Dicman's Land. Wo now publish fa>;u the Luunce<ton Reporter a. full account of the inquest :—

The coroner's iuqu^t npM the balks of tho vicfcian of thn atrocity was concluded at 8.10 p.m. on Thursday, when the jury returned a verdict of wilful nvirder ajj-uiut so-a; per.un or parsons unknown. We suhp'm tlio pi-i:icipil portions of such evidence, which the authorities will, jw yet, allow to be pui>ILshad, an 1 hupj to bs an iblj.l to furnUl' additional particulars in our next i-wtie. The ease will now Lj further investigated bafoi'a the Police Magistrate, the stupjctdd pirtira having b.-en re-imsted immediately upon being dischar^jl at the close of the inqus&t.

Kebecca Parker—l have seen the holy of the decca&J, the subject of this enquiry, between the hours of tea and eleven a.hi. I do not know thu name of tin deceased female, but she answered to the name of " Bella," The man Sullivan, occupied the hut. I know James Fulicrton, who is married, hut hist wife has not resided with him for more thau six months. I saw Mr. Fullertou and Sullivan together at 5 p.m. on the following morning. 1 spoke to Bella, wfwu she said Fullerton vras in Launcoston. I did not visit the house until the 27th. I knocked at, the door, but could not make any oau hear. Tha curtain was down, but blowing from the sash. I saw the woman lying on the floor. I then went to the hut 11 rind Sullivan, I could not find him, and returned to the house. I returned home, and' told my liusband, who said Full iton had had a glass of drink, and was fallen asleep on the floor. My busbaud gave notice to the police to report the circumstance, und the Superintendent went with my lm-t----baud and forced the door opeu with a garden rake. I fallowed, an I say the two dead bolie*. The kitshen is the place where I saw the bodies lyin». J By tho Foreman .• Mr. Fullertou waslu the-Jial.it ot keeping fire arms. By a Juror: Mr Pullerton locked up the guns! when he went away from town. The young nun, , Hubert Sharman, who lives ia the house with ] my husband and self, was once accused by Air Ful-! Jerton of having shot a dog. The dog that waa shot 1 is still alive. I heard tha report of firearm* on Monday, the 25th. I heard a succession of shota during the afternoon. The firinj; appeared to come from their house. I thought it strange. The qua often stood ia a corner of tho sitting-room, The woman, Bella, ha 3 been in Mr. Pullerton'.-s employ six months. I cannot see tho house from my front door. I did not go towards the house when I heard the report of iire-arms. I know Mr Fullerton was a pussiunate raaa.

By Foreman : On the Monday afternoon Shartnan was round the run looking after Mr Parker's sheep for my husband. That run adjoins Mr Fullaiton's. On his return, when my husband told dhanuan of the Srinjfj he supposed it mu-a be Mr FuJlartoa praethmy with pistols. I think I have made a xuisttake in saying that Sharmau* remarked about the pi-Co!a. Shavman was absent after the sbeip from one o'clock until six p.m. I do not kuo,v the knife produced.

John Garland: .1 knew-the deceased James Fullerton. On Monday, August 25th, 1 wai coming djwn Wilnwre's Lane, towards Longford, at ten o'clock. I saw Mr. Fulleruon sitting on the. fence, looking towards BiahopsDouroe. He asked me if the sLeep were for killing. I said no, they wer; for the We to-morrow. He asked how ninny sheep there wer.% I fc.id him seventy-seven. He was then in the suit of shutting his gate. He had a laying glass in bis hand. I thought at first it was a gun. It was about one p.m. I saw him, and-' [ have uot seen him since. Previous to meeting Mr. Fuliertoa, I saw a female. I don't know her name. It could not bo above 200 or 303 yarJa from where Mr. Fnlkrton was sittin^ to his house. o

By Shirman : I did not see you whea I went with the sheep. I saw two men standing- outside the wicket at the Red House. My .sheep wen* uot branded 80. I took the spyglass for a blunderbuss. The Red House is between Mr. Fullertoa's and Longford. I saw no one about but Mr. Fuliecton himself. I heard no nhots fired.

Douglas Downic: lam in the s rvice of Mr. Edw.ird Westoa. I know Park Mount, where Mr. Fuilerton lived. On. Monday, the 25th, was employed eartio» dung intr> the paddock. 1 heard some shots fired that day brfore three p.m. I ransjraber hearing taree, I took the sound to be In the direction of Mr. Fullerton's house. Two of the shuts wore immediately after each other, and the other about live raiimt.es after. I had a fair view of Mr. Fullerton's from where I was.'. I did uot sea any one about at that time. I went on with my work as usual. I did not see Fuilerton on that day. I have never heard shots abont Fullerton's hou^e befo c, I have heard them far away. Tim shots seemed like the report of a gun. The last shot" appeared ' further away than the others. The shots were fired before I heard a sound of a horse in the road.

By Parker; I do not remember seeing you on Tuesday the 20th. Edward Webster: I live at Hythe, adjoining. Park Mount. I was from homo on the 25th. I returned a .little- after *2 .. p.m. on the 25th. I passed by Park Mount gate. I hea;d. sonic shotd tired when I wutf about half - way from first gate to my boundary. I beard two shots. I hurried my horse back when I heard another. The last was not ho loud as the previous ones, and sounded from the back door. The first shot sounded as though iaside the house. The last time I saw Mr. Fullerton was a week previous. On the 14th or 15th of the monh he paid me £1. He took it out of his portmonnaie. I could not swear'to the same, i could recognise one as being similar. I saw no one about Fuiiei ton's premises as I pas3ed. I would have heard screams had there been any. It was a calm still day. Thomas Perkins—l anj Superintendent of Police at Longford. About half-past three p.ra, on Wednesday, the 27th August, John Parker came to my house, knocked violently at the door, and said he wanted me it once at Mr. Fullerton's, He was very much agitated. I asked what was the matter. He said Fullerton had beaten or killed his wife or housekeeper. I told him to go on and I would get my horse and follow directly. I did so. I overtook him and asked him if he knew the particulars. He said his wife had been to Fullerton's, and she told him that the woman was on the floor, and then he went over and looked through the window, and he saw the woman lying down with the blood or dirt on her by her feet. That Mr. Fullerton had his back against the door, and ho could not get in.- He said the doors were fastened. I then asked Mm if he knew if Mr, Fullerton kept a gun iv the house. He said yes, he had three and two pistols. I asked if he knew whether iie kept them loaded. He said yes. We rode together to Mr. Fullerton's. I saw Mrs. Parker in the yard at the gate, and she followed us down to the house. I went to the back door and knocked and called Fullerton several times, getting no answer, I went to the front. I called Fulleiiofl again getting no answer. I picked up a large rake and burst the door in and entered. I went into the parlor to the right, and then into the bedroom and found the door leadinginto the bedroom about a foot open. I saw the chest of drawers, three were open and one shut. Things in the drawera seemed ransacked. I saw a bright steel poker on a chair. I then went into the kitchen, I saw in front of the door 1 opened and near the back door, Fullerton on his back, dead, with his throat cut. To the left I saw a female on her side^ with her throat cut; on th 6 table I saw a large telescope. I said to Parker look here. They are both dead with their throats cut. This man never resisted anyone entering for some time. He said, yes, they are dead. He seemed very nervous and agitated, and

■went out to tell hia wife, who I- thiuk camo to the door. I found the back door locked, and no key in it. 1 toun-.l the two front windows and kitchen window fastened. The be lroom window was not fastened, but there was a fork or knife in it, so I was quite convinced it had not been opened for some time. 1 saw no murk of violence except about the Iront door. In the front of the door it is dark soil, and it had been raining and was wet. I saw several foot marks all of the same foot; it was a large boot full of large nails; I looked nt Parker's boot, and said there are no footmarks but yours, Parker; he said, yes. Hia manner at the time was so buspicious that I should have taken him into custody, only that the doctor had arrived or was coining. When he arrived it was thought that Pullerton had murdered the female, and had then committed suicide. On the day following after hearing the evidence of Mrs. Parker, ami having seen that the bodies had been shot, I asked lamer ..if he had lent the gun on the Monday to Sliarnmn ; he wid,- « No." I then took him to his hut, where he said Sharman was; I f aw ssharman, anil searched the room he occupies and .found he had no clothing only what he had on and a shirt, which was in the bed. I asked Inm where he was on the alt-moon of Monday ■ Iw said he could account for himself, and was at 1 fiirkcll 8; Red House until the evening from after dinner. I said then, the I*l who is inindin- the place can satisfy me that you w«rc there. ftook turn on my way to the watch house. I had to pass rhirkeij a Red House, and while dofnjr so tho boy Philip* was standing in the verandah ; I went straight on to the watch-house with him On the following day I went up to l'ullertoii's for the purpose of looking for the mis-Mug man hulliyan ; tlwre wera several others there ; I sent for Parkur ; we started o<F into the bush in various directions to look for him. J and larkcr went toother ; persons had told of a water hole, and I wished to tin and look at it Amonthose who were goinp: to wk for the man was Mr! John Ritchie, who was on my ri^ht and Parker on my left 1 went as straight as 1 could to the water hole, but Parker kept calling me away to the left saying this way, taking me a-ay from the water ii i»- \ e? we lja'-l been out about ten-minutes, John Kitchio coooyed. I humeJ round nn<i said r'T ri'M^'l^ tbat keying? He mid, yes; John Ritflno has found the body, it is m thewttcr hole.-. I-and Parker, wem to the -water hole, and there (he body lay. I could we the hinds ami a portioa of the face. Mr. Ritchie pulled the tntly out. Parker seemed very nervous at the tiiiie. I said Parker, I think you know something of the murder; throughout the pieco your manner h%% been very suspicious. Prom the manner of your reporting it to me, and from what you led me to believe ami from continually wishing me " to come to the left on tho rise of the hill, nn.i directly Mr. Ritchie coocys, you say he h .« found the My, it h in the water-hole.. Parkor never spoke, mvl I said I ahull take you into custody. There were five or six people ! present. I brought him away towards the hous^, I and as I camo through the w.Utles, about 40 yards i i from the waterhole, I saw his wife In the wattles ;he said toll Mr. Parker (his ma«ter), sometuing about the sheep, he was #01114 to the j watch-house for they had got him for this murder, when I not to-Fullt-rton'a I gave Parker over to a constable, and ordered him to be taken t j the wa'chhotise. 1 then wont over to Parker's house and got the shot" belt and tbuble-barrelled gun ; one barrel Joa-led, one not. The shot I now profuw was the charsre I drew from it. On tho 27th I went up stairs an.Uoimd these keys covered o^er, which fit the door ol l-ullertonHs house, and these small keys which fit his drawers. The butcher's knife was on a chair close by b aHerton's bauds. In his left hand was this Pen. At the back of the Oro-place was an ink bottle, f Un the front of the lire w;w a teapot and some tea 1 in it, and in tho left-hand front room I sw a clra-j cupi and saucer on tho table, sugar basin, bread tray and half a Uif on-iha fJo«», the bottles out of a cnie"t stand, containing pepper. Nothing- seemed disturbed i>ut the ftloJliea- at the drawers." This knife was smeared with blood. I noticed in three places"'marks of violence to tlw bid-room door. The nw»eor«nce in the kitchen of the bodies and other things gave ire the jmpres&ioii that death had taken place two day-; the bodies were -quite cbM. I askcl Parker if he knew whore Fulferton kept hia arras. He showed me behind the door in one of the parlors. I looked but could not sec them. Hctol I ineth--* he.lud mm the deeds the previous week, that Fuilarton kid shown them to him. I broke open tho drawer, an* saw two dewis in it, .und took them uway. Parker di«l not ?ay what he luul Iwen talkinir about in front of th« house Parker did not say how Sullivan had m-jt his death whi-n he heard the cooty. Parker did not speak when ho went up to the water hole. _lly Parker: I w;w in ioy stables on -Wednesilav afternoon,-.when Mra. Perkins cal!&i to me tlsat'a man watil^l mo. I to!.! her to k-U him to coia« round to the (rate. You enme round, ami lam positive you -jtiid," I demand your presence at' Mr. FuHerton'B. I think it was after "the doctor came that I said there are footmarks at ths frontdoor; I do not remember you »»yinjr you had been biwkwarJs-and forwards taking the doctor's hone. -1. told you that I wanted you to go to the bush With me. I cannot «ay whether I uaid I wanted you to titke me into tlw bush or round the bush, I don't remember Mr. Ritchie Haying be knew where the water hoe was. You never went, with the other* in the bu^h, but kept away to the left by yourset. I did not see Mr. Urfcg9 from tbe Vim we kit i 1-uIU-rton'a until we were pulling the bo.lv out of the water, am! I think"-Mr. flrig^s wai the !^t who came up after the Iwdy wm found we went direct to the water bole aftrr" the body. I called you ; I could bcq Mr. Ritchie : I did not observe Parker pull th« body out, Th» knife in the chair near I<u!!erton was very sharp, and a piece of sharpening stone was lying in' the moath of the oven in the kitchen ; It ha<l evidently been rtccntlv u.«sed I was not at Fullerton^ oa the 27th ten minutei before tho, arrival ot Dr. Whitfield.

Dr. \\ hitneld : Oit Koin«{ into the kitchen I Raw on tliewomana wound in the .throat wldch-I-put my .finger into, and it went into the gullet; my impicasioa wxs at this time that the woman had been murclered, nnd that Fulierton had committed -suicide. On I'ulkrton's right aide lay a butt-tier's joifc, on a chair. On examining, the b<sdy of the woman I foun-l a wound ia the "neck with the blood vessels divuled, iiLso a wound on breast." Found shot under skm and m tha left nrm a gun shot wound. The wound in Hid neck dividing tho blood vessels was tho cause of death. On examining- tha body of Pullerton I found n gunshot wound in the upper part of the breast, ■ which shattered the bone and entered the right cavity of the cheat. f |i'he J-Ixummtr • nUins the following ad litional items;—

Mr James Smith, of Longford, deposed that on t-nday previous to Monday, 25th August, thu prisoner fcharman called at !ii« shop ami purcbawxl 1 Ib. of So. I shot, ami tir.n he wore a'pair of very good moleskin trousers The shot found in the dead boiiiet corresponds with that sold by witness. Several other witnesses were examined, who gave evylenxe corroborative of the statements of the foregoing W.tnC3BCM.

The jury returned an open verdict to the effect that the three unfoitunatrs had been wilfully murdered by some person or persons unknown, Parker and Sliarman are retained in custody, and will bo brought up at the Police office ou Thursday next on suspicion of having committal these murders. Meanwhile, a reward of L3OO is offered for the discovery of the perpetrators. From marks found on articles of female wearing apparel in the house, it appears that the housekeeper's name is Isabella Webster or Brown.