VICTIMS OF MADNESS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1927, Page 7

VICTIMS OF MADNESS

A VICTORIAN MYSTERY. WOMAN AND POLICE SHOT. Sydney, June 2, An oecurence similar in many respects to the now famous Batson case, in which a madman held the countryside at bay for days, has occurred at Mildura, Victoria, though in this case no one was killed, though two were injured. On Sunday night Mrs. A. E. Behsman was crossing the river- at Mildura in the Abbotsford punt, when she was struck in the thigh by a bullet fired from behind a barricade on the side of the river. Fortunately it was only a flesh wound, and her husband rushed her to hospital where she was treated immediately. Next day Constables Currie and Linklater set out to investigate, and were exploring the banks of the river when they almost waked into the barricade, through which a rifle barrel protruded. “I’ll talk to you from here,” said the man behind the barricade, “but if you come a step nearer you are dead men.” They tried to parley with the mai, but his only reply was: “I know you are after me, aud I will use this rifle. This shell will rip a big hole when she hits.” Deeming discretion the better part of valour, the police retreated, and worked their way round to the back of the barricade. The hidden enemy was watching closely, and when they showed themselves he fired, Currie being hit in the thigh. He tried to struggle away, but was hit again in tiie leg witii a softnosed bullet. Linklater carried him to safety, and then went for more assistance, as he realised that the man with the rifle must be mad. Linklater gathered a posse of police and they surrounded the barricade. The rifle barrel was still protruding from one side, aud a shot fired by the police struck the rifle. Hushing forward, the police found the mau inside dead. He had taken poison before they arrived. Added mystery is the fact that all attempts at having- the man identified Lave failed, and there is a probability he will never be identified. \yhat made him shoot at total strangers' and defy the police is hard to explain.