MURDER AT SEADOWN

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 19

MURDER AT SEADOWN

MAN KILLS HIS WIFE. FARMER’S TERRIBLE CRIME. ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE FAILS. TIMARU, January 13. One of the most brutal murders ever committed in the South Canterbury district took place early this morning at Seadown. The scene of the murder is approximately five miles south of Teinuka. on the Seadown road. The house, which is situated nearly opposite the new Seadown School, is a six-roomed villa with a drive leading up to the front. When visited by the police shortly after the tragedy took place, the place presented a peaceful aspect and there was no outward evidence of the fearful happening. The grounds and the farm surrounding the house are well kept, and gave evidence of having been worked by a man who knows his business. The first indication that something was wrong was at 6 a.m., when John Oldfield motored to the farm of his brother, Eldred Charles Oldfield, which is situated about half a mile from his own farm, in a 'northerly direction. He asked his brother, who was engaged in the cow shed milking, for the loan of a gun. The request was willingly complied with, but the brother, somewhat apprehensive and keeping a close eye on John, noticed that he was making preparations to use the weapon on himself. Charles, when he saw this, at once rushed him and regained possession of the weapon, and with the assistance of a cowboy, a lad named Duncan, he secured the would-be suicide and had him securely strapped. John then confessed that he had killed his wife. Charles at once repaired to his brother’s farm and found that the fact was only too true. The woman seemed to be still alive, and Charles got into telephonic communication with Sergeant Dwan in Teinuka, and requested that a doctor and a constable be despatched at once. Dr Scannell lost no time in reaching the scene, but when he arrived the victim of the brutal assault was dead.

Constables T. Kearney and J. Southworth arrived promptly, and a horrible sight met their gaze. In a front bedroom facing the veranda was lying the body of Mrs Oldfield. Blood had soaked through the bedding to the floor, and the victim had a gash about three and a-half inches long on the left temple. This had been inflicted by an axe, gene- | rally spoken of as a three-quarter axe, which her husband had obtained from the wood shed. The deceased had apparently | been murdered while she was asleep, "ami only one blow had been inflicted. There was no evidence of a struggle, and there was no confusion in the room, which might be said to be tidy and orderly. The deceased was about 28 years of age. She was slightly built and bad every appearance of not having lived after the fatal blow had been indicted. It is understood that Mrs Oldfield was a nurse by profession, and her parents reside in Christchurch. Her maiden name was Christine Sutherland, and she was married to Oldfield in Christchurch four weeks ago. She had resided in the district since her marriage. As far as is known the couple lived quite happily and the unfortunate tragedy cannot be accounted for. Oldfield is about 35 years of age and has resided in the district since boyhood. He is a returned soldier, and had two and a half years’ service. He was twice wounded; once in the head, and later in the right leg. The sinews of this limb would appear to have been shattered and a spiral spring had to be attached to the front of the foot. Oldfield was well known in the district and was well liked. He is of a quiet disposition, and the sad news, which spread like wildfire yesterday, caused more than a scr ation. The town was shocked to hear of the tragedy and the only explanation that can be offered is that the man had gone suddenly insane. his war wounds probably accounting for this. When the police went to Charles Oldfield's farm, Constables Kearney and Southworth at once arrested John Oldfield and formally charged him with murder. He was conveyed to Temuka and lodged in the lock-up. Meanwhile the Tirnaru police had b-en apprised of the occurrence, and Inspector Bird and Detective Studholme proceeded to the scene of the murder. Shortly after 11 a.m. accused was brought before the Temuka Police Court, Mr W. F. Evans, J.P., and Mr A. Lowrie, J.P. being on the Bench. Sergeant Dwan read the charge as follows:—“John Oldfield, you are charged with that on January 13, 1930, at Seadown, you did murder one Christine Oldfield, by striking her on the head with a tomahawk.” Inspector Bird applied for a remand to Tirnaru on January 21. The Bench granted the request, and after the warrant had been signed and other necessary particulars complied with, the accused was taken in the police car to the prison in Tirnaru. The accused, who was dressed in a serviceable tweed suit of clothes, did not appear to feel his position keenly, although at one stage of the proceedings he looked a little dazed. The formal proceedings did not last many minutes and the accuse- 1 il -'-n began to question those around him. He was desirous of knowing how the animals on the farm would be looked after and by whom. Inspector Bird assured him

that they would be all right. He then inquired if it would be possible for him to get a better suit of clothes. The request was acceded to ard he seemed pleased. He then hung l.is head ’ "shed: “ What has been done with my wife’s body?” He was told that it had been taken to Tirnaru, where an inquest would be held. INQUEST ON VICTIM. THE ACCUSED UNCONCERNED. TIMARU. January 14. “I realise now what I have done. I was worrying over things. I thought 1 had spoilt the poor girl’s life. I can’t sa.v anything.” This is the statement of Jack Oldfield, the Seadowu farmer who has been arrested on a charge of having murdered his wife, Christina Oldfield. It was produced in evidence at the inquest into the circumstances touching the death of the woman, held in the Tirnaru courthouse to-day. Ihe inquiry was conducted bj - a coroner and jury of six, and a verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence—that the cause of death was a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, the result of being struck on the forehead by a sharp instrument. Oldfield was present during the inquiry, and sat throughout the proceedings with bowed head. He evinced no interest in the evidence of the various witnesses.