A DASTARDLY CRIME
MURDER OF MISS LED WELL.
LAUNCESTON, October 28
Details of the murder of Margaret Kathleen Ledwell, aged 16 years, the halfdaughter of a farmer on Cheshunt Estate, near Deloraine, show it to be one of the most dastardly crimes in the annals of Tasmania.
Miss Lcdwell left home on Sunday afternoon to join her parents, who were visiting the home of another settler. The girl was waylaid at a lonely spot on the Springdale road and molested. The murderer, frustrated in his attack, then shot the girl, blowing off portion of her head. The body was found in a depression a little distance off the track.
At the inquest the girl’s father gave evidence that she was not in the habit of walking with anyone. She was strong and healthy, and on the best of terms with members of the family.
The medical evidence was to the effect that there were bruises on both thighs, and that the shot was fired at a distance of two or three feet.
No strangers have been seen in the neighbourhood lately, and there is no clue to the murderer.
October 30
Joseph Henry Belbin, aged 19, has been arrested on a charge of murdering the girl Margaret Kathleen Ledwell. Belbin has been employed as a farm hand. Ho has made a statement which the police has declined to make public.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19131105.2.106
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 25
Word Count
230A DASTARDLY CRIME Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 25
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