CONFESSED TO THREE MURDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 505, 19 August 1902, Page 1

CONFESSED TO THREE MURDERS.

STATEMENT AT SALVATION ARMY

MEETING. Gunnedah (N.S.W.), Aug. 7. Last night Edward Purcell, a native of West Maitland, aged 51, confessed to a congregation at the Salvation Army Building that he had committed three murders in Queensland. He made a written statement in the presoneo of a witness. Senior-Sergoant Borthistlo arrested him this morning. Purcell says he made the statement voluntarily, as he was tired of life. The statement reads as follows "I shot Jack Nicholls at Ada Yale, Queensland, about 28 years ago. He was a half-caste aboriginal; Tommy Burns was with mo. I had to shoot Burns, beoause I thought he would tell on me. “ I shot Willum also 10 years ago at Buleroy, in Queensland.” In reply to the sergeant, Purcell said : 11 1 shot Nicholl over some cattle-stealing at Yarrar Vale, and burned his body. I also burned Burns. Willum was shot over a row, and I chucked his body in the Warrego.” Purcell has been employed at Keepit Station, near Carroll, and seems despondent and repentant. Brisbane, Aug. 8. In connection with the statement by the man Purcell, the Police Commissioner at Brisbane said ho was carrying out the duties of police magistrate in the Avadale district twenty-eight years ago. He well remembers Jack Nicholls, one of the alleged victims, who was himself once charged with murder. He does not remember tho other two aboriginals. The police are now searching the records for information.