THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10760, 26 March 1897, Page 2

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

THB STORY OF BUTLER'S LIFE.

(Per Hail Steamer at Auckland.)

Butler gives the San i'rjncisco Kximicer his true name, which, Ue says, is John JSTerrman. He relates the story of his life, which is truly an eventful one. He sajs that his parents were proprietors of the Boats Inn, a. well-known tavern in Staffordshire. At the age of 17 he ran away from home, joined the Royal Navy, and served 10 years. He took part in the Zulu w&r, was in the column to relieve Colonel Pearson besieged m Fort Eccowa, and wa9 awarded the Zulu medal by the Commission of the Admiralty for services performed dnrin<* that war. Subsequently Batler eulisted in the Gordon Highlanders, served in the Egyptian campaign with the rank of pioceer sergeant, was struck with a splinter iv the band, which necessitated his discharge in Marco, 1883, and was presented with the Egyptian medal for service daring the campaign. Later, Butler says, he worked in a coal mine near Lancaster. On the outbreak of the Soudanese war Batler eclisted, but by au error misled his troops' departure. He was then stationed at Edinburgh Cd»tle, but became disgusted with garrison life. He made himself bo disagreeable that he was courtmartialled and reduced to the ranks. He then deserted, and enlisted ia ths United States CHvslrjr, and was almost immediately promoted to acting corporal. Again he deserted, and wes dishonourably discharged. Ha served as a volunteer in putting down the Kiel rebellion, was assistant meteorological observer in Quebec Obaerratory, again enlisted iv the United States Army under the uama of Anderson, bat, after a few months, deserted aud shipped on the British ship Bakmlpha in September, 1883, under the name of Neirmau, aud at Birmiagham, in a disreputable house, got into a quarrel, in v/hich oue man was shot through the arm, and others injured. This liecrssitated his speedy departure, and he proceeded as a seaman to Chili. He w&s employed in the Ssn Paolo silver mines, got tired of this life, shipped to Antwerp and Liverpool, and thence to Sydney by the British ship Ulida. Butler F*ye : " Three weeks after this I shipped to Newcastle as boatswain in ths British ship Star of Russia (CapUin J. H. Legge). This was a very eveuttul voyage. Some men who read this aud who have sailed with Black Jack, alias Bully Legge, will'understand why ths whole of the crew left before the ship got alongside of the wharf of Sun Francisco. Fourteen days from San Francisco a mutiny was with the grcatsst difficulty averted. Several of the crew refused duty, while I, at the pistol point, was ordered to the after c&bio, where I remained until our arrival at San Francisco. It is probably as well that this was so, else there would have been ao Buily Le^ge or no Star of Russia." Butler denies tbsfc he is guilty of any more serious crime than dssertion, and in conclusion says: "There will be no plea for mercy; no sjrnpathy asked. Death I have faced before in the trenches at Tel-el-Keber and in various occupations of a wandering life. IE it comes to the worst I shall meet it without » qualm of fear. An outcast aad a wanderer all my life, it ia but the closing scene of a wasted life."

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