The Walgett Tragedy.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7186, 10 June 1891, Page 4

The Walgett Tragedy.

A MURDEROUS ATTACK,

A terrible tragedy occurred on May 23, at Eoso Isle, on the Narren river, and ia reported as follows by the Walgett correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald : —

Rose Isle is a homestead lease belonging to Peter Murray, situated near the Nan-en river, about fiv? miles from Wilby Wilby, and is adjoined by the lease of Henry Austin, a eon of the murdered man. It appears, f ro»j the latest newß to hand, that on Saturday afternoon Murray was afc work near his cottage erecting a shed, accompanied by William Bradford, a boundaryrider, who hfid just returned from looking after sheep. Murray, looking towards Austin's place, which is situated about three-quarters of a mile away, observed a man named George Kemp coming towards him, creeping along on his hands and kneea, carrying a heavy American axe. Murray sang out to one of hia boys to go and get tho horses and go down to the police station, as Kemp was apparently mad and dangerous. Murray immediately went towards Kemp, asking him what was wrong. Kemp muttered in an incoherent manner, saying Murray was a good fellow, and it was all right.

Whilo this was iroing on, William Austin, father of tbe homestead lessee, who 13 only a recent arrival in the Colony from England, and aged sixty-six, came up, looking for Kemp, who was living with him, looking after stock. When the old man came up Kemp immediately sprang up, and, swinging the axe, made a murderous attack on Austin, striking him on the shoulder, and again across the groin, and felling him like a bullock. Murray rußhed at Kemp immediately, and he then attacked Murray with the axe. Murray fortunately evaded the blow, and, calling out to ono of hia sons, a little boy, told him to fetch out his gun quickly. Murray dodged till ho got the gun, when he warned the lunatic to stand back, which he did not, but rushed a<*ain at Murray. _ Murray had not time to raise the gun to his shoulder, but fired immediately, intending to disable Kemp in the hands, but the shot struck Kemp in the body in the region of the heart and he fell dead instantly. The unfortunate old man Austin lingered for a few hours and died at about ten o'clock that night. Hia body was a terrible spectacle, being hacked and torn about. The only other spectator of the tragedy except Murray's little boy whs Bradford, who is an old man, nearly seventy years of age, and who is crippled iv one arm. The police from Walgett and Dr Oliver were immediately sent for, and in the absenco of the Coroner, the DeputyCoroner for the district (Mr Stavely), from Collarendabri, proceeded out on Sunday. An inquest was held at Wilby Wilby o"n Monday, when Murray was exonerated from any blame, and formally discharged from custody. It is regarded as a lucky thing that Murray was at home at the time and had tho presence of mind to act as he did, otherwise the madman might have made a most terrible slaughter of Mrs Murray and the young children iv the house, and Bradford, being a cripple, would have been unable to defend them or himself.