STRANGE SHOOTING CASE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10038, 3 May 1904, Page 4

STRANGE SHOOTING CASE.

TRAGIC END TO A PERSONAL FEUD ; SYDNEY, April 25. Alderman H. 11. Steward, of Leichhardt, while leisurely walking across Augustus street towards his office m Henry street, on Saturday afternoon, was met by Alfred Russell, and shot dead with a revolver. The bullet entered tlie deceased's cheek on the right side of the nose, between the upper lip and the eye. The shooting was done at close quarters, and death was instantaneous. At the time of the affair veiy few people were about. About an hour before, Russell called at the office of Steward and Emmerick, builders and property agents, m Augustus street, and made | inquiries of the clerk as to the whereabouts of Mr Steward. He was told that he would probably be along shortly. Russell paced up and down the footpath m the vicinity m waiting. At length Mr Steward, came along Henry street from the train line, and turned into Augustus street. In one liand he held a lighted cigar, the other a copy of "Tlie World's News," which he was reading. As he neared the office Russell walked smartly up to meet him, and addressed him by name. Mr Steward looked up from the. paper he was reading, and immediately Russell produced a revolver from his pocket, and fired point blank at <Mr Steward's face. Tlie unfortunate alderman fell back lifeless. Several eyewitnesses of the affair were for a moment dumbfounded at- the occurrence. They then rushed to Mr Steward's assistance, carried him to a neighbor's residence, and telephoned for medical help and the police. Wlieiv. Russell fired the* fatal shot he hurriedly left the vicinity. The news of the tragedy quickly spread, and soon a search was made for the murdei _. Russell walked briskly down Henry street, tlirough Coleman's lane, towards Jones | street, on to a, vacant block of land near Geary's grocer's shop, and then doubled back to Francis street. At this pomt 1 Constable M'Lenn appeared on the scene. The fugitive almost ran into the officer's arms. "There's the man who shot Mr Steward !" called out some children, who had joined m the pursuit. Russell admitted his crime, and was immediately arrested. Tlie constable, on searching him, found a revolver, and one cartridge discharged. He removed Russell to the Leichhordt lockup. TRANSACTION ABOUT A HOUSE. Tliere are many remarkable circumstances connected with the melancholy occurrence. About three years ago the firm of Steward and Emmerick entered into a contract with Russell to erect a house on term.. This was the firm's line of business. Russell paid a deposit of £30 down, and was to pay £70 more when, the place was finished, and. was then -to be the debtor of the firm to the extent of £300. While the work was being carried out, Russell frequently made complaints regarding the class of the construction. Frequently he also made demands tliat certain alterations should be effected, which Mr Steward claimed were not included m the contract. Owing to disagreement still existing at the finish of the work, Russell consulted a solicitor, who advised him that he would probably succeed m securing a satisfactory settlement, but the expenses would represent more than' he would gain. Through his solicitor, however, Mr Steward demanded payment of the balance of the deposit. As a result of negotiations, it was agreed that Russell was to forfeit his deposit of £30, each side to pay his own costs. It is stated that Russell's amounted to £15, and he was so pleased 1 the amount was not more that he voluntarily gave the solicitor another £10 for his services. BITTERNESS ENGENDERED. Shortly afterwards, owing to certain advice received, Russell made a demand to Mr. Steward for £55-r-the deposit money on the house transaction and his legal costs out of pocket. Of course he met with a refusal, as the matter had already been settled. From that time he lost no opportunity of displaying animosity towards Mr Steward. He began by appearing m public with a largelylettered placard on his back, stating that he had been robbed. Mr Steward consulted lus solicitor as to what steps lie should take, but nothing was done. He also received threatening letters, one of which, it is stated, contained a declaration that the writer "would do" for Mr Steward. He was advised to proceed for sureties to keep the peace, but after due consideration dismissed the idea from his mind. Later, when Mr Steward sought a renewal of confidence from the Leichhardt ratepayers, Russell used to attend his meetings and interrupt with unseemly remarks. He would get up and .say, "What about my £55." Mrj Steward felt these repeated accusation, j so keenly that he used to carry about with liim the agreement wliich Russell i had previously signed, and' flourish it inreply, with an intimation that any person concerned was at liberty to sec it. Russell eventually wrote to the Attor-ney-General, the Chief Justice, and the Inspector-General of Police, ventilating his grievance against Mr Steward, and also asking them to take some steps respecting himself as h. did not think lie was accountable for his actions. The Under-Secretary for Justice replied to the effect that Russell should consult a solicitor, which he did. BOTH CARRIED REVOLVERS. Mr Steward naturally entertained a dread of his declared adversary. It was known to him that Russell always carried a six-chambered loaded revolver, and Mr Steward thought it wise to do tlie j same, especially as he frequently carried j large sums of money. The latter used to say that should Russell menace him m any way he would get first shot m. Russell was apparently prepared for this, for when he was searched at the police station on Saturday after arrest it was i found that he was wearing, a breastplate made of slieet iron, one-eighth of an inch thick, tied round his neck and waist with a piece of thick rope. On Saturday Russell, of course, took his victim quite by surprise, shooting before the latter could get his revolver, which he earned fully loaded mMs hip pocket. It was reported that when the body was picked up one luuid was thrust into the hip pocket. _______________