HORRIBLE MURDER.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 142, 17 November 1874, Page 3

HORRIBLE MURDER.

The Wellington correspondent of the Western Examiner, New South Wales, furnishes the following particulars of a dreadful tragedy at Narrogal : —“ The, horrible and brutal murder committed in our midst on Tuesday, the Gth instant, has spread great consternation in our hitherto peaceful community, and the terrible details of the horrible event are being constantly discussed. The scene of the tragedy is about six miles from Ironbarks, and the victim, ‘Little Tommy Baker,’ as he used to be called, was about sixty-seven years of age, and well known in this locality as a shepherd. It appears he was in the habit of getting a person to mind his sheep for a few days whenever he wanted a spell. The man (William McCartney), now in custody, was minding the sheep for Baker at the time of the dreadful murder, and was the first to come to the head-station at Narrogal to report the murder. McCartney denied all knowledge of the dreadful deed, but admitted having had an altercation with Baker the evening before, with reference to the breaking of a bottle of rum. Immediately the information was received at the police camp at Stoney Creek, Sergeant Hanley and Constable Scanlan proceeded to the scene of the outrage, H. M. Keightley, Lsq., P.M., being already on the spot. 'The police apprehended M.‘Cartney on suspicion, who denied all knowledge of the event. A strict search was made, and a bottle containing sonic rum was found in the hut. Two sticks, partially broken and covered with blood, were found buried in the ashes ; there was also a mark on one of the door-posts as it made by a lire-stick, which M 'Cartney, who

appeared quite indifferent, stated he had made when throwing such a stick at a dog. M‘Cartncy also stated he put the sticks on the lire to burn a shirt. On prisoner being searched it was found that lie had sewed up in the tail of his flannel shirt over £SO, and £3 in his pockets. There were 2s and a knife and tobacco and pipe found lyin'* a short distance outside the hut: The body of the deceased was found about 100 yards from the hut in the direction of the river, with his head hacked to pieces, whilst there were bruises almost all over the body. Deceased’s hat has not yet been found, nor the tomahawk nor axe, or whatever its was, that was used in the commission of the murder. The prisoner is in the custody at Wellington, and, lam informed, has since made a statement differing from that first made by him. It is the heartfelt wish of the whole of our community that the guilty party may be soon overtaken by justice.”