BALLINA TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1811, 18 July 1906, Page 2

BALLINA TRAGEDY.

A “DEADWOOD DICK”

HEADER.

i'KBSB ASSOCIATION (JOYI'fUGIIT Sydney, July 17. Tho police inclino to the belief that Gilliok’s doath was tho only ono promoditatod, and that in some way tho old people learned oi tho schorno, and Bought to interfere before Gillick: returned. That would account for their murder before Gillick reached the farmhouse, for it was impossible that tho three murders could have been committed, the bodies hacked and dragged about, between the time of Gillick’s return homo and tho coming of the young people from church. There were indications that Brown intended to remove the bodios, but he was interrupted by the arrival of young O’Keefe.

The police have surrounded tho disand many civilians are engaged in the search for Brown, who, it is stated, possesses a rifle.

It is reported that he is hiding on an island in the middle of the Richmond river. The police are closely watching, and intend a thorough search. Another rumor is that he has been soon 1G miles from the scene of the murder.

Residents throughout the district are in a state of great fear. Many are too frightened to go to bed. 1 Brown is described as a great reader of Dead wood Dick literature.

Brown ' is an cx-Btate boy and worked for O’Keefe for three years. He recently left and obtained employment at Ballina. Ho was not a volunteer, but on Saturday borrowed a uniform of a companion in view of having his photograph taken, and attached to it was a small sword or bayonet, and this apparently played a terrible part in the tragedy, the bodies bearing numerous stabs. A bloodstained axe, tomahawk, and bushhook were also discovered. The body of Gillet, or Gillick, was fearfully hacked. Tho time of < I’Keefe’s murder was not known, but Gillick’s must have been between nine o'clock, when he left the house of a neighbor some distance away, and ton, at which hour young O’Keefe reached home. Tim O’Keefe was badly stunned by the blow on the head received from Brown’s axe. When ho had partly recovered he and his s’ster took refugo in the front room, where they were too terrified to move until daylight. That Brown should attack Mr and Mrs O’Keefe is unaccountable, for he received from them nothing but kindness. He came to them from the training ship Sobraon. At various times he had given them trouble, and once was ordered back to the training ship. After remaining there for some time he pleaded to be returned to O’Keefe, and the latter consented to take him. Between Brown and Gillick, however, for some time there has been a bad feeling. ‘

BROWN CAPTURED.

ADMITS EIS GUILT.

TRUSS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT Received 10.37 p.m., July 17. Sydney, July 17

Brown was arrested by Sergeant Kane at Dunevillo Creek, on the Tweed-Lismore railway. He had travelled sixty miles since the night of the tragedy. Ho submitted quietly, and admitted killing Mr and Mrs O’Keefe and Gillick.

HOW THE VICTIMS WERE

KILLED,

PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT Received 12,29 a.m., July IS.

Sydney, July 17

Excepting that he changed his clothes Brown made no attempt to disguise himself or hide. He told enquirers that he -was en route to Tenterfield. Wheu Sergeant Kane accosted Brown he gave a false name. Questioned regarding scratches on his face he threw down his swag. The Sergeant seized and handcuffed him. He then said he might as well make a clean breast of it. He confessed that the swag contained a bloodstained bayonet. He admitted its use in killing one of tho victims. It transpires that O’Keefe was smothered with a towel, and had no wounds. Mrs O'Keefe was stabbed, and Gillick’s head was split open.