DEMENTED MAN MURDERS MATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 5

DEMENTED MAN MURDERS MATE.

ATTACKS SLEEPER WITH BOTTLE AND RAZOR

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 3. While the landlady was preparing breakfast for both men between six and seven o'clock this morning, Patrick John Jager, aged about forty, is alleged to have struck his room-mate and life-long pal, Arthur Creagh, also about the same age, with an empty " blue petes*,’* following up the onslaught by almost severing Creagh’s head with a razor. The \-ictim was then lying asleep in the room both occupied at the Railway Workshops Private Hotel, a two-storied brick building at the corner of Cutten Street and Cargill Road, almost opposite the main entrance to the Hillside Railway Workshops. A firm friendship is believed to have existed between the two men, both of whom had been employed as machinists at Donaglw’s rope works, South Dunedin. Both men had known one another since boyhood, and had worked together for twenty-two years. About a year ago Jager, who had been living at the house for four years, induced his friend to share the room with him. They seemed almost inseparable and from all accounts, until an exhibition of queer behaviour on Jager’s part beginning a few days ago. there had been no suggestion of a quarrel.

It is alleged that yesterday Jager. whose damp clothing, covered with sand, lies on the murdered man’s bed, attempted to commit suicide by drowning. Jager himself made this statement to the South Dunedin police.

Constable Watkins, of the South Dunedin police, was sweeping the watch-house shortly before seven this morning, when there burst in upon him a collarless man.

“ I’ve killed Arty Creagh,” shouted this man, who was recognised as Jager. The constable secured Jager and took him to the residence of Sergeant S. B. Murray at the rear of the station. “ Yes. "Sergeant, I've killed Arty Creagh.” Jager declared when the constable informed Sergeant Murray of the position.

“ I did ftic right thing,” Jager added* “If I hadn’t killed him he would have killed me to-night. He’s after me for my money. There’s a gang watching me. I'm not worrying, Sergeant, as I did the right thing.” Before following the usual course of communicating with Sub-Inspector O’Halloran. the Sergeant went to the house to make certain of Jager’s startling admission. Meeting one of the two sisters who conduct the boarding-house, the Sergeant asked if Creagh was in. “ You will find him upstairs,” was her reply. “We are just preparing their breakfast.” "Are you sure?" returned the Sergeant. who then informed the woman of what Jager had said. A ghastly sight in the men’s room fully Confirmed Jager’s tragic confession. In the room are three beds, one generally unoccupied. Creagh’s stands slantwise in the centre of the room. The Sergeant found Creagh’s bodv fully covered with blankets, except that the left leg was hanging over the side. Broken glass was scattered over the bed and floor, and bathed in a pool of blood Creagh's head lay almost severed from the body. On the floor was a Uoadjstamed. razor usar it - an old beer bottle. Prior to giving himself up, Jager threw £93 in notes into the front garden of the house adjoining. Jager had slept in liis bed. which lies to the left of Creagh’s, but before giving himself up to the police he had made some attempt to put it in order. Personal articles, including a complete set of artificial teeth, were scattered carelessly about the room. Jager was stated to be of a saving nature He had £390 to his credit in the bank and while on the way to the police station he threw a wad of notes valued at £93 over the fence of 7 a residence in Cutten Street. lie informed Sergeant Murray of this and the mor ey was recovered. People in the house say,that neither of the men drank to any extent, -though •on' Sattirday.-even-ing it was sometimes their custom to lay in a small store of beer.

Jager is described as being somewhat miserly in his habits. Those in charge of the house speak of both men as quiet and orderly, though Jager's recent behaviour had led to suspicions about the state of his m'entality,.

Creagh spent last evening with a relative and returned home 'at. about 9.30. The .fact that Jager’s right hand was covered with blood suggests that he had gone roimd to the back of the bed to commit his terrible act. There were no signs of a struggle, the. circumstances indicating that Creagn, when attacked with the razor, was either unconscious from the blow from the bottle or still sleeping. After Sergeant Murray had attended to the preliminary details, the city detective office was communicated with, and Detective Farquharson and later Detective Beer arrived at the South Dunedin station. After interviewing Jager they made an inspection ■at the scene of the tragedy.

Jager was arrested on a charge of murder, and Creagh’s body was remov cd to the morgue. The inquest will probably be opened formally late this afternoon.