A SHOOTING CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1404, 13 December 1884, Page 2

A SHOOTING CASE.

[by telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day, Some excitement was caused in the North East Valley last evening by a report of an attempted murder and suicide The report proved true, Baucaup Jacob Vandyke having shot Mary Ann Wadsworth, wounding her slightly, and he afterwards attempted to take his own life. A party was being held in Cameron’s Upper Junction Hotel. It was attended by about a dozm or more people, among whom was Miss Wadsworth. Shortly after 9 o’clock Vandyke entered the room where the company were engaged dancing, and took a seat at the side of the room, but almost immediately rose to his feet, and presenting a revolver at Miss Wadsworth’s head fired. Miss Wadsworth was at the time dancing with a young man who had been invited to the party. The bullet grazed the aide of .her neck, indicting a slight wound, and she fell into the arms of her partner. Vandyke seeing the first shot had not taken effect took aim with the intention of firing again, but the revolver missed fire. He then attempted to shoot himself, but being rushed by the bystanders the muzzle of the revolver was forced downwards, and the ball entered the floor. The men in the room having secured Vandyke, proceeded to bind him with ropes, and at once sent for the police. Sergeant O’Neill lost no time in reaching the Junction in company with Dc Martin, who attended to Miss Wadsworth’s injuries. The wound was ascertaiued to be of a very slight character, and the doctor is of opinion that the patient will be quite well in two or three days. Vandyke was : conveyed to town by Sergeant O’Neill, i who lodged him in the lock-up shortly i before two o’clock this morning. On i searching him, among other things, there i was found on bis person a packet of cart- ; ridges. The bullet which struck Mise Wadsworth lodged in a sofa in the room, i from which it was received by the police, , Vandyke is a gardener who has proper!j r at the Junction. He has resided there foj i about six years. He is a German by - birth, and apparently about 45 years I Miss Wadsworth is 17 years of age, andi \ the daughter of a dairyman well-known ii - the district. Vandyke is believed to havi , paid his addresses to her, and beinj a accorded but slight encouragement he be i came jealous. This is the only motiv ; assigned for the deed. s Later. , Vandyke was brought up at the Gour 1 nvi/1 M/tmnatill fio nawf.