THE DEATH OF KELLY.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 2, 17 April 1875, Page 3

THE DEATH OF KELLY.

The following is the Bulletin’s account of the shooting of John Kelly, reported to be identical with the dancer of that name well known in New Zealand. About 8 o’clock on the morning of February 27th the report of a pistol and the screams of a woman attracted the attention of special officer Thomas Bether, who on hastening to the scene of disturbance in Kearney.Street, found a man lying on his face dead, with a cocked four-shooting pistol clenched in his right hand. The story of the tragedy, as detailed by the witnesses in the police court seems to be about as follows: —John Kelly, well known as a clog dancer, took a benefit at Buckley’s Varieties, at at the corner of Pine and Kearnoy’sstreets. Alter the performance he was introduced to a woman named Camilla King, whom lie accompanied to her residence, but she refused to permit him to enter, as he was somewhat intoxicated. This was about midnight. Towards three o’clock in the morning the woman King and James Weihe, an attorney, left her house, and proceeded down Pinestreet to Kearney’s. At this point Kelly crossed over, and stepping in front of the woman, pushed her off the side walk, ordering her not to go with that man. Wcihc assisted the woman back on the side walk, whereupon Kelly struck at him. Wcihe parried the blow, and the other stepping back drew a pistol, saying, “ I will kill yon.” Weihe pushed his arm aside, and drawing his own pistol fired, the ball piercing Kelly’s heart. He swayed for a moment, and fell heavily upon his face. Weihe then preceded to the Police Office, and surrendered himself to Captain Douglas, telling him what he had done. Kelly’s body was conveyed to the morgue. The deceased had the reputation of being a very reckless man. The police state that ho has killed more than one man. On the examination of the case in the Police Court the above facts appeared in evidence, and Judge Londerback declared the killing to have been done in self defence, and discharged the prisoner.