THE MURDERS IN TASMANIA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3688, 10 May 1883, Page 4

THE MURDERS IN TASMANIA.

Tho following further particulars in connection Avith "the bridal and appallingmurders atEppiug Forest, uearLaunceston, arc from the reporter of tho Hobart Mercury: —■ The utterances of the prisoners themselves show a most heartless levity, and a total absence of any desire to justify their conduct by plausible reasons. When questioned by persons among the crowd which assembled on their arrival in Campbell Town as to why they shot Holman, Mahoney replied that thoy did it " because he Avas alive," adding that he looked at them, and he (Mahoney) Avas not one to Stand looking at. In seeking for a motive prompting the attack on AVilson, I have not bcon able to find any symptoms of revenge as arising out of a quarrel between him aud his murderers. There are circumstances, however, Avhich point to Ogden as the prime mover in that tragedy. Ho and AVilson were acquainted for not longer than four or iivo mouths, and no rupture had taken place between them that could account for the murder of AVilson. Ogden himself has given no definite reason for his act. Tho prisonersl simply assert that it was line fun for them, and that it was better sport than shooting rabbits, because the murdered men fell heavier. In making these statements they made use of the most vile aud obscene language, .such as only the confirmed and utterly depraved larrikin can utter. The conversation at Wilson's house, for example, Ayas totally unfit for publication, and iv relating their atrocious * misdeeds the _ prisoners gloried in tho crime as something to be proud of. If tho information received is reliable, and I have every reason to believe it is so, there Avas a Avoinan at the bottom of the affair Avith AVilson, just as there is in so many other unhappy occurrences. It appears' that Ogden was paying some attentions to a girl living iv the neighbourhood of AVilson's hut, and the deceased platelayer, having his own opinions about Ogden's character, warned the girl not to consort with him. AVhcthcr this warning was or Avas not acted on is not at present clear, but Ogden evidently accepted the warning as a personal offence and insult to himself," as ho subsequently made a threat that ho would put a shot through AVilson. It is presumed that he secured the assistance for this purpose of Mahoney (or Sutherland, his alias), as it was Mahoney avlio did the shooting. The only evidence obtained so far of a feud between _ the prisoners and Hohiian is contained in a statement by Mahoney that Holman had refused to give him a ride. He said he had met Holman driving a lemonade-carton the road from Campbell Town to Launccston about four months ago, and asked him for a ride. Holniun, he said, told him to go to h- . He replied, " I will see you there before lou B -, old num." AVhen detailing this after the murder he added, "mid, hy C , I -will, because ho is there now, and I will soon be Avith him." There is no other reason assigned for taking the lii'o of Holman.

Utterly oblivious, apparently, of the fearful consequences of their crimes, the prisoners havo maintained an undismayed and even hilarious bearing. Soon after they Averc placed in the lock-uptfiey began singing songs iv praise of the Kelly gang, and other similar effusions. A night's reflection did not make much difference_ iv their conduct, for thoy resumed their singing this morning, and their voices could be hoard joining by turns in conversation and laughter, or in ribald and discordant songs. They talk frequently and loudly, and their appetites seem in no way affected. Mahoney, who is apparently the more actiA-e of tlie two, is of a small but wiry build. His complexion is dark, and tho face oval. Ho has long, busy eyebrows, closing towards tho top of the nose, and under them he has small, bright, restless, dark grey oyes, that cannot look one in the face. His skull, upper lip, and chin are covered Avith a short growth of hair, and the muscles at the corners of the mouth aresharply indented, giving a satirical expression to the loavct part of the face. The Avhole sentiment of the face is that of Avay ward perversity, combined with some cunning and considerable vivacity. Ho is a fair specimen of the bush larrikin. Ogden, on the other hand, is of a more retiring mood. He does not talk or move about so much or so rapidly as his companion, and is the more likely to be the fust to realise tho situation. This morning he Avas heard to observe that he wished they would hang him off at once and be done Avith it. His height is about tho same as Mahoncy's, but his build is more heavy. Tho face is Avithout much expression, and apparently does not portray its owner's emotions. His complexion is sallow, the face square and hairless, tho month small and ill-defined, the eyes dark and heavy-looking, the cycbroAVslight-coloured, the head covered with a thick shock of straw-coloured hair growing abundantly all over the scalp. Both prisoners arc small and insignificant-looking, and appear no older than their years, Asdiich are—Mahoney 23, and Ogden 20. The weapon Avith which all tho murderous deeds Avere done is an old single-barrelled gun of common make, and much broken on the stock. The trigger-guard and several pieces from the stock are broken off. It has been very much used. According to Ogden, however, "it is a splendid hitter,'' and, judging by results he is right. ll._ says that if it ivas stocked he Avould not take £5 for it. The gun, with its ammunition, is now in the hands of tho police. A tremendous charge remains in the gun, occupying about four inches of the barrel. Constable Phillips, avlio arrested the prisoners, found with them 31b of shot, 813 and No. -1 mixed ; Alb of powder, and a box and a-half of caps. Tho size of the shot accounts for the severity of the Avomids on the bodies of the victims, Avhich I haA-e just seen.

Mahoney, alias Sutherland, is a native of the colony, and Avhen eight years old Avas left an orphan. lie was adopted by a shoemaker utEvandulo, named Rose orßosehill. but did not take kindly to Avork, and had always an inclination to roam about public houses. He was a bully and a coward, and thoroughly quarrelsome. He first became knoAvn to the police a few years ago, Avhen he received a sentence of three mouths for assaulting a constable, and completed a sentence last November for larceny at l-'iugal.