A SHOOTING CASE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 973, 10 December 1880, Page 3

A SHOOTING CASE.

The Duhbo Express of Nov. 12th gives the following account of the shooting of Mr Norton, P.\f., of Sydney Shortly after the close of Sir Patrick Jennings’ election meeting last evening the town of Dubbo was thrown into a state of consternation by the report that Mr J. 0. Norton, police magistrate, had been shot in M ‘Canley’s public house. The particulars are as follows : —As is well known to many, an unfortunate connection has existed for a long time past between Mr Norton and a rather attractive woman, locally known as Mrs Wilkie, whose husband, it will be remembered, held a respectable position as superintendent of a station in this district, but, some three years ago, was convicted of sheep-stealing bom Mr Ryrie, and got three years’ hard labour. After his incarceration an illicit intimacy sprang up between the wounded gentleman and this woman. Mr Norton was present at Sir Patrick’s meeting, and after it concluded stroll’d down to M’Cauley’a public house, in which Mrs Wilkie had apartments. An altercation was heard immediately af.e" he entered her room, he apparently having accused her of some light conduct, which aroused her violent temper, and she was heaid to say, “If you charge me with that again,' I’ll shoot you.” Within a minute after a shot was heard, and on the landlord trying to open the door leading to her sitting-room, he found it fastened inside. Under a threat to break it open, Mrs Wilkie opened the door, and coolly said, “Come in ; I’ve just shot Norton ” The landlord found in a few seconds that she had spoken only ton truly, as Mr Norton was lying on her bed bleeding profusely from a wound m the head. The police and the doctors were at once summoned. The hall entered behind the ear, and taking an upward aud backward course lodged, in or upon the brain. The doctors announced the wound a fatal one, holding out no hope, death being a lingering certainty. Mrs Wilkie, who had been in custody, was kept in the sittingroom adjoining, in order if possible that Mr Norton’s dying deposition might he taken, but his smni-comatose stare rendering ic impossible to do so, she was removed in custody to the gaol shortly after 11 p. in , a constable carrying her two moo thsold baby. On leaving the sitting room she said in a calm way, “ I hope somebody will see after my two little children asleep there.” Early this morning Mr Norton was removed to his own residence, where he now lies, dying slowly. All the right side of his body is paralysed. Mis Wilkie was in 1872-74 a resident of Gulgong, where as Mrs Mitchell she was well known. The ! pistol is a pocket Derringer, nickel plated, and belonging to Mr Norton.