A MURDEROUS ATTACK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 114, 6 July 1911, Page 3

A MURDEROUS ATTACK.

TWO MEN ; ’ i,)pW,N r .., Details of the West Australian hush tragedy ,briefly reported by cable show that on Bgt.prday, June 24, das. Smith made a, murderous attack on his two mates, William Wake and Edward Butler, .who, wjere engaged witii him clearing land. -Doth subsequently died. Smith and Wake: had a disagreement some days before, but it was patched-up, anil they wore on the best of terras until Friday, when Smith appealed to he sulky. The three were camped on Hedston’s property, which they were clearing, and were alongside the camp of Stanley Withers, William Mellowslup, and John Burns. On Friday night Smith kept aloof from his camp mates, and Butler told the others that if Smith did not speak on Saturday he would' dip his head in the tank. Smith returned to camp at noon on Saturday,- and found Butler and Withers cooking dinner. After having a drink at the itank, Smith picked up a mattock; jam! .walked towards his tent. Butier was sitting near the fire, and Smith struck him two successive blows' on ,taie. head with the mattock, and Withers ran over to prevent Smith front again striking Butler. Smith then aimed a blow at Withers. Butler’s, leg was across the canlp lire, and as. Withers went to pull him away Smith exclaimed: “Lei him stop there.) - He is the second. You.'cpll he the. .third. Get my tobacco 1 and knife out of the camp.” ‘•i’ll get you nothing,” replied Withers.. Smith then said, *‘l will give myself:up if you leave me alone.” Tie then started to walk to the police station. Withers sent for the police, and shortly afterwards Wake was found in ‘The hash with his skull sinh shed ”'• h!n L• ■ txfhii'e'd' 1: Wll h 1 ■ bio fid. Smith gave himself up to the Kellorberrin police shortly after his attack on Butler. 9.h ( P. io wav t a ; ! .settler named Paul gaye' him a ride,., On reaching the police; 1 station Smith.asked Paul to let bin), out af the trap, as lie wanted to give, himself up. Smith took Ids mattock, into the police station and told the constable that lie had done for his mates. He was arrested on a charge of having assaulted Butler and Wilke, with intent’to kill. Smith’s demeanour subsequently seemed to_ indicate that hep-tots' not in his right mind. One seeing his victims and his other mates at the station, ho exclaimed, “Sing Up', Hoys, sing up!” A cablegram published yesterday stated that Smith had been found guilty of murder.