DEATH OF THE VICTIM. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 29

DEATH OF THE VICTIM. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

iNvisncAßOiLL, July 22.

John Keown, who ehot the bailiff Hugh Stewart when the latter, in company with another bailiff named Andrew Muldlemi«s, was gairg to seize stock on Keown's farm, near B»ltour, on Saturday afternoon, wts conveyed to luvercargill by (he first train thia morning in the custody of Contt*ble BlKeiizie, of Lubmden, and was brought before Mr H. Wilson, J.P., charged with that he did, on the 20 ch day ef July, at Bulf ur, feloniously shoot, with a certain gun, loaded with powder and divers leaden shot, at and against one Hugh Stewart, with intent in so doing, and thereby feloniously, wilfully, aud of malice aforethought, to kill and murder the said Hugh Stewart. Sergeant KKcdnnneU askf d for and obtained a remaud until the 29 th insb.

Kuown, who is an unusually strongly-built, powerful, and determined lookiug fellow >i standing 6ft high, gave his age as 49 He is a native of the North of Ireland, and is a married man with a family. He is eaid not to be in very ftrai'eaed circnm->lances, notwithstanding the roceut occurrence would indicate such to be the case. He was known to be possessed of a violent temper, but wss not, it is allegeU, under the influence of drink when he committed the crime, and he spoke freely and often of the sff«ir to the constable in whose charge he was travelling. Middlemias, who was single-handed in charge of Keown's property up to Saturday morning, says that Keown shot afc him early on that day, and that he then c'.enrtd out and came to Gore to report the affaic to the police. He was returning to Keown'a with- Hugh Stewart as assistant bailiff when the dastardly deed describrd by him yesterday took place. Stewart's condition now is very critical, and it is tvidenfc some further injaty than the m-.re shooting has happened to him, either by the fall from the horte, or by further injury inflicted by being beaten with ths butt of the gun. The fact of the gun being broken when found lends colour to the latter supposition. Middlt miss, as soon as tho ehot was fired, turuoi tail and rode for dear life to Riv<?rrf.-lale, a di6tbtice of over 10 milos, though a telephone station and assistance were compare t' veiy close at hand at Balfour. Cot sequently poor Stewart was lett without assistance and expo-ed to a cold, frosty air until some members of Ktown's family removed him to a shed, where he was allowed to remain until the police arrived at 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, Stewart having been shot about 5 o'clock on Saturday evening. Dr Bauchop (ft odd Lum-tdoo) and Dr Donaldson (from Gore) arrived en the scene onSun-iay afternoon, after which Stewart was removed to Riveridale. Detective Herbert went from here by the oarly train this morning, hoping to ba in time to get the djiog man's deposition* taken ; bub Stewart was unconscious wheu he arrived, and has been so ever since. It ie not expected he will lire through to-night. Inspector Pardy came from Dunr-diu to Gore by to-day's express, and went on to Balfour by the afternoon train

Stewart died at 8.30 this evening, having never regained coDScionsnesß. An inquest will probably be held on Wednesday. Keown Will now be charged with wilful murder.