MURDER IN PERTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 3 December 1907, Page 2

MURDER IN PERTH.

A GARDENER, KILLS HIS PARAMOUR. “I STRANGLED HER.” THE RESULT OF A ROW. United Press Association—Copyright PERTH, Dec. 2. A shocking tragedy, perpetrated a week ago, has been brought to light. The victim is a woman named Clark, who had been living with a gardener named Moore at Belmont Park. Moore has confessed to the crime, and the manner in which he disposed of the body by burying it six feet deep under the kitchen. Sc complete had it been done that but for subsequent actions the crime might never have been sheeted home to him.

The couple quarrelled frequently', and the story told by tlie neighbors was that the woman had cleared out. On the night of the murder a woman heard her cry' out, “Oh, Jack! Oh.. Jack!” The neighbors subsequently' had their susnicions aroused and informed the police. The latter examined tlie kitchen, and prodded the soft earth of the floor with a stick which Moore sharpened for them for the purpose. Moore accounted for boxes of tlie woman’s apparel in the room by -stating that they were left by liis previous housekeeper, Mrs. Pearson, whose,whereabouts will also be investigated. The search with tlie pointed stick revealed nothing, because it was only three feet long.

On a second visit by' Inspector Connell lie found Moore restive and unable to sleep, liis stretcher being over the soft earth floor on tlie spot where the body was subsequently found. ; When confronted by the inspector. Moore confessed to the murder, and said, “We had a row. I was sitting on a box reading a paper, when she came in and said good-bye. A few seconds afterwards she came hack into the room with an axe wMcli had been hidden for some time previously She made a swipe at me. I ducked and missed the blow, and then jumped up and punched her. Then T grabbed her by the throat, strangled her, and there she is. She is down there,” pointing to the floor. He had burned hoots and clothing and buried the body naked with lime Tho body' was exhumed in a shocking state,.