TRAGEDY AT CAPETOWN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1977, 12 January 1907, Page 1

TRAGEDY AT CAPETOWN.

ORIENTAL REVENGE. A terrible tragedy occurred on tbo morning of December Gth, about halfpast ton, in Muir street, olf Sir Lowry Road, Capetown, when an Indian storekeeper was killed by two or three of his compatriots. The horrible tragedy was tiro culmination to one of the most weird and startling tales of Oriental revenge which has over been unfolded in this country. Ishmail Bugas, the victim, was a prosperous and highlyrespected Indian wholesale fruit and general merchant, residing with his wil'o and family at 30, Reform street. For tho past two years ho had supplied fruit, etc., to a band of his countrymen. Many of these woro tardy in paying their dobts, and as the lattor became duo Ishmail commenced to take legal proceedings against them. The three men who are now under arrest on the capital charge are named Onior Esop,Omarge Bugas, and Dawood Burgas. They were pressed by Ishmail for. money which they owed. Some 12 Indians had boon harassing, threatening and assaulting tho deceased man for somo timo past, and their methods were characterised by diabolical Hindoo ingenuity. . n In tho previous week II men woro brought before Mr Becker, at the instigation of the deceased, and two bound over in tho sum of £IOO each to keep tho peace for six months. In tho hearing of this case some strange doings were brought to light. It was shown that American blacks had been bribed -to assault Ishmail Bugas. In one case £5 was paid for this work, and somo of tho affidavits sworn were lull of information that threw a lurid light on Oriental methods of revenge. Stories*" were told of how bands of ' Indians waited about at night for 1 Ishmail, how tho latter was forced 1 to go about with a bodyguard, and to ’ watch his food and house. During • the past 12 months thoro had been i several convictions obtained against i Indians belonging to the band for [ assaults on tho deceased. t A charge of assault and robbery , was actually laid against Ishmail by some Indians, Omargc Bugas'f ono of the present accused, being a witness. The police investigated the charge f and found that there was no founda- I tion for it. Since then the deceased 1 had reported assault alter assault to ' the authorities. t

On the morning of December stli, Ishmail Bugas wont to the market on business. As he returned he was met in Muir, street by three Indians, who woro armed with choppers. The vengeful mon rushed at the victim, and after a short chase caught him. The victim of their hate then had his* head hacked in.

His murderers rushed away, frightening all who wore in the neighborhood by their savage determined air. Blood streamed from a gloaming axe carried by ono. Tho men darted into a shop at 7, Tyne street, whero tho axes were washed and then they secreted themselves.

Tho victim lay weltering in his blood in the centre of Muir street. His wife who is shortly to be confined, had been hurriedly informed that her husband’s enemies wore intent upon his life, and rushed from her homo to find him expiring in a pool of blood. .The man had just time to raise himself and to recognise . the faithful woman when ho died-

The polico authorities at Sir Lowry Road wore informed of tho .terrible affair, and a posso of officers went after the secreted murderers. A house at tho corner of Tyne and Chapel streets was quickly surrounded, Tho building is occupied by Indians, and is used for the purpose of storing goods. Tho doors of tho place had boon locked by tho time that tho police got to it, but the officers forced their way in. Acting-Detective Cook, in entering the house, was hit over tho head with a heavy stick, and seriously injured. Sergeant Keegan, Constable Northgrave, and others then arrested tho three mon—Omar Esop, Dawood Bugas, and Omargo Bugas. Several choppers—tho one which murdered the man being quite now—were found in the building, as well, as tho hammer. The deceased jntin was an Indian of a highly superior class, and had earned the respect of prominent citizens by his straightforward dealing. It lias been found that, in addition to himself, his advisers have been threatened with violence.

THE ‘ PRISONERS CHARGED. xV very largo crowd of Indians and other colored people assembled at Caledon Square Police Court tho following day long before tho hour appointed fqr the opening of that building , Thomas John Wes,sols, a colored man, of 9, Muir street, said that between half-past ten and eleven a.in, he was in the passage of his house. The front door was open, Shouts in tho street wore heard, and witness looked out. Ho saw tho three accused men running from the direction of Sir Lowry road. Weasels then hurried into the street, where lie saw an Indian lying. Tho man was bleeding; around him were tho accused, who were striking at him with axes and similar instruments. Two axes wore seen in tho hands of I)a,wood ami Omargo Bugas. In tho hand qf -tfio third mail was an instrument that looked like a hammer. Esop and Dawood Bugas wore hacking at the victim’s head ; Omargo was striking at the logs. This was done because tho prostrate man lifted liis leg into the air. Omargo held the hammer in both hands, and struck at tho man’s legs as though chopping wood, As Wesscls approached tho three Indians flashed off. Omargo Bugas was the last to leave; ho made a final blow, and, called by the other two, dashed off. Witness then recognised the man on the ground as Ishmail Bugas. He went after tho accused, who dashed up Muir street Jntq Chapel street, and then to a shop in Tyiio street,

A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. Fredericks, an occupant of a house in Muir street, said that she saw three men run up tho street. A shriek in the street followed—“lslniJfiil, Ishmail,” and witness ran to tho door and out into the street. Two men were standing beside a prostrate Indian, and a third was running away. The two beside tho victim were bonding down and hacking at him. Blood dripped from the hatchet. A blow across tho stomach caused tho victim to raise his legs, and the murderers struck them down. x\m awful groan followed, and witness, who was by this -tjmc in a terrible state of excitement, shrieked for help. The last of the Indians to leave the dying man was Omargo Bugas. Witness then went to the victim, and identified him as an Indian she had often seen; on one occasion he had run to her house for protection from sonic Indians who were chasing him.