DECLARED INSANE

Southland Times, Issue 19691, 26 October 1925, Page 5

DECLARED INSANE

THE BACCHUS MARSH MURDERER. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, October 24. Thomas Ferguson, charged with the Bacchus Marsh murder, has been declared insane, and transferred to an asylum. [A sensational shooting fatality occurred at Bacchus Marsh on August 10, when a labourer employed at Greystone Station fired several shots at his mates, killing one and wounding two. Twelve men were working at Greystone repairing a dam, and they had frequently teased Ferguson, who, it is said, was a bit simple. Ferguson decided not to work that day, as he wanted to shoot rabbits. He was given leave by the contractor, and left the camp apparently in the best of spirits. Just on knocking-off time he appeared about 30yds from the dam, dramatically waving a repeating rifle. Thinking he was joking, the men merely laughed. Ferguson pulled the trigger, and William Smith, of Praham, fell mortally wounded. Turning the muzzle in the direction of Charles McGowan, he fired and hit him in the shoulder, then shot Thomas Riddout in the arm. Though bleeding freely, Riddout rushed at Ferguson, and grappled with him. In an attempt to wrest the rifle away a fierce struggle followed, in which the other workmen joined. Ferguson was overpowered, and handed to the police. Three of the victims were married men.]