LYELL MURDER.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1242, 7 March 1883, Page 2

LYELL MURDER.

CORONER'S INQUEST. Thursday, February 8, 1888. Ellen Williams, hotelkeeper at Lyell, knew the deceased Denis Quinlan. He came to her house in company with Mrs Gramatica between 8 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, 23th January. The two left together, but Qninlan returned shortly afterwards and obtained a bottle of brandy. Witness recollected Monday, 22th January. She saw John Davidson on that date when he came to her house between 4 and 5 o'clock a.m. He knocked at her bedroom window and asked for a bottle of brandy. Witness refused to give it him. He said, " For God sake give it him, as he had a friend near dying, and he would give her 15s for it." When he was refused, Davidson went away growling. Eosana Boyle, washerwoman, was called, but did not appear to remember anything, except that she had seen Quinlan aud Mrs Gramatica crossing the bridge on the evening of Saturday the^ 27 th • Jau uary . Mrs Gramatica waSTat her house on Sunday evening, v 28th. 'DicLnoj .kujp^when rshdvleft? • In fact her- memory failed her altogether when she got a nip or two extra. Owen Kush was next called, but it appeared that he had been on the spree and could not recollect anything that occurred on the 28th. Thomas Croncher, miner, residing at Alpine Hill, said he was in the lockup seeing Davidson, who asked him to go up the Buller for his swag. Witness said he would go on Monday. Asked Davidson what made him cut his throat. Davidson said he had bad luck for over four years, he was heavy in debt, and had been thinking about cutting his throat for 12 months. He asked witness to take a letter for him (on the day Quinlan's body was found) to Mrs Gramatica. Read part of the letter in her own house. She asked witness to read it. It stated she was to let Tommy (meaning witness) have the watch when he paid her the sum of £11. John O'Rourke, miner residing up the Buller River about 2 miles from Lyell : I know John Davidson, he was a mate of mine up to the 28th January last. We have been mates since a fortnight before Christmas to the 28th of January. We worked all Sunday as the river was rising and we were cleaning up the boxes. He said he had business. He came back on Tuesday morning about half past six or seven. He was quite sober but had a peculiar look and seemed excited. 1 - asked if there was anything the matter, and he said no. I asked him had he been in a row ; he said no. He asked me to accompany him to the Lyell as f he wanted to transfer his mining interests to me. I asked him the reason ; he said that he'd never go back any more. I asked him was he going to marry that woman (meaning Mrs Gramatica) and he said I think so. I often heard him talking about the woman before this. We then left for the LyelL We crossed the Buller. On our way here Davidson was behind me and when we came out on the road Davidson had an axe on his shoulder, I never saw the axe before. I did not see him stoop. I did not see liim pick it up. I asked him where he got the axe, he said it was his own, and he was going to take it to chop some wood for the old woman. He left mo at Sloan's and went across the Lyell creek in the direction of Mrs Gramatica's. He was to meet me at Carroll's about 10 a.m. The next time I saw him he had his throat cut. Davidsou never mentioned Quinlan to me ; he was a man who generally kept his own secrets well. I believe I passed within a few yards of Quinlan that morning as I went over by that track to see Davis. I have chaffed Davis about Mrs Gramatica. He gat angry one day when I was running her down. Davis was in the habit of carrying a dagger about -with him. He looked excited that morning and very p-ilo, his clothes were not disarranged, but he had a very bad look.

Davidson told me that Mrs Gramatica once threw a billy of boiling water over a man named Michael M'Gaughin to get rid of him. Bernardo Scioroni, laborer, was next I called. He gave evidence relative to | having been in Quinlan's company on the evening of Sunday 23th January. Also in reference to Davidson coming to him for a bottle of brandy early on the morning of Monday 29th January. He was subjected to a very long examination, but his evidence was of such a contradictory character as to have very little bearing one way or the other upon the case. He was cross-examined by .he jury relative to having been at Mis Gramatioa's on the night of Sunday, 28th January, but he denied having been there. He admitted being at her house two or three times subsequent to that date. Alexander Chase, sworn, said : lam a cook employed at Fama's Hotel, Lyell I was at Mrs William's Hotel on 28th January. I went there just after tea and stayed till 10 or 11. Quinlan and Scioroni came as far as. the back bar door. Iwo stalking, to Mrs Williams. Scioroni came in and panted a game of cards but no- •".-'£' mar Sdfoipa* away leaving Quinlan in the bar. I never saw Quinlan alive after this timo. On the following morning Davidson came to the kitchen door about 5 o'clock and wanted me to call Fama. T. Buddie who was with me asked him why he did not go to Nellie's, and Davidson then asked for Scioroni. I had seen Scioroni that morning cleaning boots before Davidson came, so I told Davidson that he was down in the wash house. Scioroni was up early this morning. Saw Davidson and Scioroni both return to the kitchen. Davidson asked for the brandy, and Scioroni said " I can get you the brandy," they both left Scioroni returned in about threequarters of an hour. Davidson appeared very excited ; he had a black wide awake hat on, with a high crown. He was all over mud and dirt. He had on dark trousers, open in front. The same trousers he has now on in court, but not the same coat. He wore a black tweed coat. He had a brandy bottle in the left pocket of the coat. His shirt bosom was open, all his clothes seemed very much disarranged. He also had a singlet on. He looked very wild and was constantly looking behind him ; he appeared just the same as if he was drunk all night. I said that fellow looked like a white washed Yankee. Buddie then told me his name ; he said " Look at Davidson ;he looks like a murderer ; his eyes are staring right out of his head." After Quiulan's body was found I accused Sciononi of not being in bed on that Sutiday night. Mr Fama told me that he went into his room butSeioroni was not there, it was about eleven o'clock when I took Soioroni home. I had a conversation with Scioroni in thie kitchen about two days after (juin'*lan's body was found. We wore talking about the shameful way in which Quinlan was murdered. I commenced the conversation. He said that I knew nothing about it as he was the last man that saw Denis Quinlan. I asked him how he could be the last man to see Quinlan as I brought him (Scioroni) home, leaving Quinlan. Buddie was standing behind Scioroni (who was standing in front of me) winking to me but I could not understand what he meant. I then explained to Scioroni what took place the night before but he still insisted that he Avas the last man that saw Quinlan alive. By jury : I am quite sure that Scioroni was up the morning that , Davidson came for the brandy. I went to get a drop of kerosine to start my fire, and I saw Sciorini cleaning the boots. The coat and hat that Davidson was wearing were covered with mud ; it was fresh but dry. Davidson came in through tho right-of-way between the Bank and the Hotel. He never went near the side door of the billiard room. I saw Davidson go into the wash-house. I looked particularly because I saw tho man look so strange. He and Scioroni passed back by the kitchen ; Scioroni then said he would get the brandy for him. Ido not think that the coat that Davidson was wearing was Quinlan's. I did not notice any marks about Davidson as if he had been fighting. Scioroni had on the same clothes in the morning as he had on when I took him home the night before. Vincent Fama gave evidence that he had noticed that Scioroni was not, in his bed on that Sunday night when witness visited the bedroom. Katherine Carroll : lam the wife of Patrick Carroll. I reside on the Westport road in the house next to Mrs Grammatica. I recollect the day Davidson cut his throat. I also recollect Monday, 29th January. I did not see Mrs Gramatica or any person about her house during the whole of that day. I took particular notice, as I was surprised seeing no smoke and no one moving about. Wallace had told me when he got up in the morning about a groat row there the night before. I was surprised that I did not see the little girl about or hear her voice. On the Tuesday evening I noticed a smell of. burning, and I called Mr Wallace and said I thought there was something about the place that was burning ; he told me not to be frightened as the smell was coming from Mrs Gra'matica's. This was about dusk. The smell was as if something woolen was burning. I did not see any smoke or fire in the houso on Monday. I went out about 10 on Monday night for a . bucket of water and heard some one strike a match at Mrs Graniatiea's place. It looked to be the figure of a man. I returned into the house and told Wallace thut they wore not nil dead yet as I saw a mau strike a match.

John Eeid : I am a dairyman residing opposite Lyell across the Buller on ferry reserve. I knew Denis Qmalau by sight. I recollect the day on which Davidson cut his throat, I was at Mrs G-ramatica's in the evening. I had given her notice about giving up her farm and cows, I asked her whether drink was, the cause of him cutting his throat* or what, was the real reason. She said she; did! not know. I then asked whether there was anything peculiar about him when she left him at the house on. that; day* She said she saw nothing strange 1 , except that he was drinking plenty of water and sighing deeply. She told: me that. Davidson was a fictitious name ; she said he would not tell her his proper name. She said he was of French parents and born in Canada. She then began speaking of Davidson's: watch. She said when she came into the house, and not seeing the watch. " He is not so mad as I thought, as he has taken the watch with him ;" but when she went into the bedroom she saw it. hanging. up in that rwi-X^ '.--- asked her if DTvidson had slepTin her house on the Monday night, January 29,, r She said he had not slepj; there there that morning from his own. place with an axe to chop her somefirewood. She handed me a watch which she said belonged to Davidson. She toM me to untie it from a rosary to which it was tied, as she could not unfasten it. She said she had the best right to it. She told me to keep it for her. I kept it three or four days. I then went home to my own place. I afterwards came over to the i Lyell the same night and saw David- . son in the police cell, I had the watch then on me. I said nothing to him . that night. I was told he was likely i to recover. I went back and returned • the watch to Mrs Gramatica at her house three or four days after that This was two or three days before Quinlan's body was found. She then. : showed me a letter. I read a good portion of it. She said it was from Davidson. She said she had found it in her bedroom in the bottom of her box and that Davidson had written it the same day as that upon which he cut his throat, but that she did not find it \in til the day upon which I went to her house. So far as I could make out the contents were as follows: — "My hand trembles in writing this. I blame no one for it. lam the only one to blame for it. It must be done, there's no get out of it. Rosy Boyle : is the cause of all this. She's a. devil. I ltfft you my watch ; don't part • with it uutil you die. You'll think of me. .... Kiss me before I am buried." Tliore were parts between the i above sentences which I could not da- [ cipher. I belive there was some mention i in the letter that s!ie would find the watch in the bedroom. I cannot say l whether the letter was signed or not - Since Quinlan was found"! have been to • her twice and advised her if sho k'new-"^ t anything about the matter, that she had' [ better speak out and tell the truth about ' it. She said she knew nothing at all i about it. I saw her at Rose Boyle's i on the night of the 7th February, and ; I told hor that Quinlan had been foully murdered about her place \ that susi pecion was strong against her ; and that she had better tell the truth at the inquest on the morrow if she knew anything, but she made no statement of any importance. By J U1 7; I» reading the portiou of letter concerning him blaming no one, I should imagine there was a third person concerned in what it referred to. By Court ; The watch and chain produced are the same I received from Mi» Gramatica. Frederick Ullmer; I am a baker residing at Lyell. 1 heard Bernardo Scioroui's evidence to-day. I remember the morning of Monday, 29th January, very early, baking. About five o'clock I heard somebody talking in the street, I was curious to know who it was. On. coming into the street I saw Scioroui, a man named M'Quilkin, and John Davidson. They were standing near the junction of the Lyell street and the main road. I went towards them to see what was up. As soon as I approached, Davidson walked off down the road towards the bridge as fast as he could go. I. went up to Scioroni and M'Quilkin and said, "Who is that madman going down the road swinging i his hat like that V Scioioni said it was Davidson. He said." He has half a bottle of brandy in his pocket, and he wants iv.ore." I said to Scioroni, " He can get no brandy at this hour." Scioroni said no that Davidson had been to Fama's trying to get a bottle and that he (Scioroni) had brought him up the street. We waited until w« saw Davidson going along the road on theothersideof the street, five or ten minutes after leaving. He must have stopped a few minutes at Eosy Boyle's. Anyone to look at him would take him to be a> madman. The Court here adjourned till 6 a.m. next day. Tuesday, Februaky 20. Upon the Court opening, Inspector Emmerson read the statements of John Davidson and Mary Grarnatica, after which he called John Keating, constable, in charge Lyell station, who gave evidence as to having, upon receiving information from Patrick Carroll, found the body of a man in a very decomposed state, lying about 27 feet below the Westport road, on the sideling between the river and the road, about threequarters of a mile from Lyell. It was in a half-sitting position. The head appeared to have fallen off, and was lying on the left side, about eight or nine inches from the left shoulder. The f-kull was devoid of flesh or hair! The body was clothed in a black vest* light tweed trousers, white shirt-.*

flannel shirt, woollen socks, and elastic side boots, but the coat and hat were missing. Witness produced the clothes and pointed out a hole in the white shirt, on the left side below the lower rib. There was also a small hole in the flannel uuder-shirt, in the same position as that in the white shirt, but witness did not see any mark on the body which would show that a wound had been inflicted at that spot. Last saw Quinlan alive about 10 or 11 a.m., on Sunday, 28th January. Where the body was found was a track or trail leading down from the road. It appeared as though it had been made, by a body having been rolled or dragged down. Did not see any appearance of marks or footprints near the body, but on a bench above the body, just below the road, the ground had the appearance of someone having been there. The trail to where the "body was lying was a gradual slope, except about four feet nearer the road, where there was a small flat. Thought if a dead body had been thrown down there it would have rested on the second bench, although it might be possible for all to go the whole way from the force of the fall. The distance from Mrs Gramatica's hou§e to the top of the track where the body -was found was 73 yards. Prom Gramatica'a to Carroll's, the distance is 50 yards, and it would be quite possible to hear voices from one place to the other. Was present at the post mortem, examination on the Bth insi "The doctor pointed out several ribs that were broken. Did not notice whether the sknli was in any way fractured; it was quite bare, and ■the lower jaw-bone was detached Some days after the body was found, witness got a quantity of hair in the fern close to where the •head was lying. This morning (20th February) the prisoner Mary Gramatica said to witness in the lock-up that she would like to speak to. the prisoner Davidson, but she was told she would not be allowed, and she then asked for the Inspector, and said she wished to make a statement concerning the death •of Quinlan. Heard her make a staement the same as that read in Court. By jury : The weather between the 28th January and the date of finding the body was very close and sultry, and there were two days' rain. I think the rain that fell was sufficient •to obliterate any footmarks about the locality. J. Campbell, medical practitioner deposed — I made post mortem examination on the '7th instant of the body shown to the jury. When I first saw the body the upper third from below the breast upwards was decomposed, the head was detatched and no trace of flesh. Found an old fracture -of the nasal bone, a contusion over the Tight eye, and another under the left eye. These were old cftntusions of some years' standing. The upper portion of the spine was denuded of flesh, 1 and upwards *°froiß^ tfa^fcfc tib- o»-«itker side. Tha supper portion of the breast bone was broken inwards, of recent occurrence. The Becond and third ribs on the right :«ide, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth ribs on the left were broken. They were ail recent breaks, either shortly "before or after death, it was impossible to tell which. I found several buckshots ■embedded in the right side, in a gunshot wound of old standing. The lungs and "heart were too much decomposed to form any opinion upon. The liver only was -complete, in a normal condition. From "the fifth rib downwards the body waa in a ■state of good preservation. I missed the bones of the neck and the left hand ; they were afterwards found and brought -to me.' If there was any stab in the body below the breast I would have detected it. but above that it would be impossible to •detect a wound, as the flesh was all gone. I did not, wilh the exception of the broken cheat and fractured limbs discover -any marks of violence about the body. Owing to the condition of the body it was impossible to detect a wound, as the flesh was all gone. Owing to the coudition of the body, it was impossible for me to detect whether deceased had been stabbed in the heart I can form no opinion as to the cause of death. It was not from «ny injury to the head or to the lower portion of the body. From the condition of the body it was impossible to state the cause of death. The Coroner then summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against John Davidson aud Mary Graruatica.