A THOROUGH VILLAIN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 440, 12 April 1890, Page 3

A THOROUGH VILLAIN.

ARE THE DETECTIVES ON THE KIGHT TRACK?

Natixis, last night. Dr. McLeod, whose case has excited much interest, has now been remanded to Sydney on the charge of rape, alleged to have been committed in New South Wales three years ago.

[Melboubse Standard.]

Ocean street, Woolharia, Sydney, is a by no means nneommon street in a large Australian town; on the contrary, it is one of those numerous and stately, respectable streets one is accustomed to see in painful frequency It is there that the young bank clerk, who is just getting on, and the young clerk who is not; the harassed father of many olive branches, and the prosperous middle class trader, reside in delicious.oonfusion. It is a street that would suit a young doctor, with a small practice and equally small capital. It* would and did snit a youngish doctor with no practice and less capital. That adventurous practitioner's name was John M'Leod, M.D., D.D., and Sydney will soon be reading with zest the alleged particulars of his adventures in Ocean street and other place?. Some three years ago the inhabitants of that classic thoroughfare were duly apprised of the fact that Mr John M'Leod. M.D.. D.D., had settled in their bosom. They became aware of his arrival partly because of a brass plate, which was naturally brazen—unkind people say, like everything else connected with the doctor—and partly by reason of the appearance of a well dressed gentleman, faultlessly attired in well-fitting clothes and smiles, who drove about in a buggy. This was John M'Leod, M.D., and he penetrated into the homes and hearths of Woolharra, gaining favor by his affable, kindly ways,'hie ready jokes—sometimes a little broad when the ladies were absent —and his pleasant manners. ; Then another section of the teeming milions ; of Woolhsrra became acquainted with a grave I (apparently), youngish man, with a sad ex- I preseion as of seme deep trouble, who came | •/nd spoke gratuitous words of condolence and | and intimated generally that he was •* in religion.” That was Dr M'Leod, D.D. Well, M'Leod prospered hugely. It he could not always save bodies, he could at least save souls, and when the soul was allright he did a lively trade with tonics and pills. Be was generally respected throughout the neighborhood ; the young ladies adored him — he was so kind, and yet so bright. The older ladies thought him “ so superior.” and such a ** good man,” whilst the oldest ladies cherished thoughts of marriage. M’Leod opened a church in the neighborhood, and greatly edified by hie eloquent and morning discourses. M’Leod, as the sequel will prove, was not a marrying man. Whilst his popularity was at its height; whilst 18 distinct ladies of all ages were secretly ’‘working’’ small and useless presents for him—to be sent anonymously with the parcel addressed (accidentally of course) in the donor’s own handwriting; whilst a gouty old man, who had been treated for the past twenty years for a weak heart, Was blessing the good doctor’s name, who had temporarily relieved his indigestion by the administration of a strong pill; whilst, in fact, the whole world of Woolbarra lay at bis feet, the doctor disappeared. Fled, vamoosed, vanished in thin air I The doctor was not seen for a couple of days, and many an anxious friend and solicitous admirer was inquiring for the fascinating dispenser of boluses and Bible. They got very little satisfaction, however. He had gone without leaving as much as a word behind him. A week passed, and the tongue of gossip was busy with the good man’s disappearance. Some said that, in his pious work amongst ths lowest classes, he had been set upon and foully murdered; others that he bad been drowned; yet others that he had got wind of Henry George’s projected visit to Australia, and concluded that there was not room for two such good men, and six elderly ladies cherished the melancholy consolation

that he had shot himself in a frenzy of love for themselves. Another week passed, and s- evil-tongued rumour, never quiet with the most spotless of reputations, began to whisper and bruit strange motives as to the sudden lapsing of the virtuous doctor. A light was speedily to be thrown on the mystery, and an unpleasantly ugly light it was. A young girl named Wilkins, who had been employed by M'Leod as a servant, attended at the local police court, and, through her solicitor, asked for a warrant for his arrest. It is not necessary to particularise the offence alleged against M’Leod, suffice to say it was one of a contemptible and loathsome character. A warrant was duly granted for M’Leod’s arrest, but it was never executed until two weeks ago, when the news came that a Dr M’Leod had been captured at Napier. Had the luckless servant girl been the only person who demanded justice against M'Leod, it is more than probable that he would still be at large. But that leads us to another part of this gentleman’s, in • way, interesting life. In the year of 1872, M’Leod, by some means or other, became acquainted with the family of Mr John Ewing, of Darling Point, which consisted of Mr and Mrs Ewing, and their daughter, Mrs Manson, a widow. The same grave humor, the same fascination of manners, address, and conversation, that had given him such a hold on the esteem of Ocean street, enabled him to worm his way into the affections of Mrs Manson. Her male friends saw his designs, mistrusted the man, and advised her to be on her guard. The lady listened to the advice, and allowed M'Leod to make love to her. She had £l5OO a year in her own right, left to her by her former husband, £lOOO of which she was to lose if she married again. She gave np the £lOOO and married M’Leod. The pair set out for a bridal tour through America; and M'Leod, it is aVaged, quickly threw off his specious mark and affection. The unhappy lady, flbo bad so foolishly trusted him, was grossly Li-used; her income was squandered, and she Continued on fourth page.