The Murder at Masterton.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIII, Issue 2377, 10 June 1895, Page 4

The Murder at Masterton.

♦ FURTHER PARTICULARS. Itwas found onexaminingHerbert’s body that there was only one wound in the body, this probably having been caused by tbe first shot that was fired. The bullet had entered the right side of the breast bone, about the junction of the second rib. It had passed through a large vein and an artery, touched a portion of the right lung, and lodged in the bone of the spiral column. _ Three days previously Somerville had been into Mr Bradford’s shop and enquired fora revolver. At that time he said he contemplated leaving for Coolgardie, and wanted something in the shape of protection. He looked through an assortment of pistols, and at length selected one with an ivory handle. He told Mr Bradford to put it aside for him, saying he would call again, as he was not going away for a week. When he entered the shop, again, the gunsmith, of course, knew for what he had come. They again looked through the revolvers, and Somerville, instead of taking the small one he had previously chosen, selected another. This contained the usual six chambers. Somerville asked Bradford how to load the weapon, and the latter showed him, charging it with six cartridges. Somerville then expressed himself satisfied, and tendered a £lO-note in payment for the weapon, which cost 80s. He was about to take it away when Bradford asked him if ho wanted any more cartridges. He replied that he did not. Bradford then drew his attention to the fact that the revolver was loaded, and pointed out that for safety sake it would be bettor to remove the cartridges. The man,however, objected, staling that there would be no danger as he was going to put the weapon away in a box. He then left.