THE MURDER AT WEST OXFORD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1374, 11 July 1878, Page 3

THE MURDER AT WEST OXFORD.

THE INQUEST. An inquest was hold yesterday at Ferguson’s Oxford Hotel, before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., and acting coroner, in the absence of Hr. Dudley, district coroner, on the body of Tekla Hoff, who was found in a dying state, and is since dead, at a cottage in the Oxford Bush, on Monday, the Bth inst, Eguirs Hoff, the husband of the woman, and in custody charged with her murder, was present during the enquiry. Mr E. Clark, of Rangiora, watched the case on behalf of the prisoner, and Mr Frank Macharlick acted as interpreter, Hoff being but imperfectly acquainted with the English language. The case was conducted by Mr Inspector Buckley. A jury was sworn in, and Mr Richard H. Parish chosen foreman. The jury having viewed the body, the following witnesses were called : Sergeant Alex. McDonald, stationed at Oxford, being sworn, deposed as follows : —lt was reported to me on the Bth instant, at 12.45, that a house was on fire and a woman nearly killed in the Oxford Bush. I proceeded to the place situated in the Bush about a mile and a half from West Oxford in a westerly direction. I found a woman lying on the ground about ten yards from a house on fire, and which was nearly burnt to the ground. The woman was alive, Dr. Weld and several other persons were present. There were several cuts on the woman’s head, and one on her face. They were fresh cuts and bleeding. About three yards from the fire there was a stream of blood, about seven yards from where the woman was lying. The woman was unconscious, and apparently dying. She neither spoke or made any sign. From information received I at once proceeded in search of a man named Hoff, the husband of the deceased woman. I went to the house of a man named Megarlick, about three-quarters of a mile from where the body was. At Megarlick’s I got possession of a gun from a boy named Joseph Megarlrck, also a powder flask and two boxes of percussion caps (gun, flask, and caps produced). From Mcgar.ick’s house I came into Oxford and arrested the prisonar, Eguirs Hogg, at about three o’clock p.m on the road, on the charge of attempting to kill his wife. I did not know what he said, as it was in a foreign language which I did not understand. I brought him to the watchhouse and locked him up. About half an hour afterwards I was informed by Dr. Weld that the woman who had been injured was dead. About six o’clock I went back to the prisoner in company with Mathias Horrick, a countryman of the prisoner, who interpreted to him that I charged him with the murder of his wife. lie afterwards made a statement to Horrick in his own language. When I charged him with killing his wife the prisoner apparently understood me, saying ‘‘Ja. ” Horrick explained to the prisoner in his own language the nature of the charge, and afterwards there was some conversation between them. I took down in writing what Horrick told me. The house which I had seen on fire must have been of wood ; it was so completely destroyed, nothing being left standing but the chimney. In the evening I went back to the house, in consequence of what Horrick had told mo, to look for a tomahawk, and found a cleaver (produced) in the debris. Yesterday I searched again, and found the head of a shingling hammer (produced) in the ashes. To-day another tomahawk (produced) was given to mo by William Barrett, The tomahawk and shingle hammer (produced) all show the action of fire. Today I took possession of the clothing (produced) which were taken off the body of the deceased woman by Dr. Weld, The body of the woman now in a shed belonging to the Hotel is the same that 1 saw outside the burning house. The broken gun (produced) appears to have a small charge of powder in it. It does not appear to have been discharged recently. By Mr Clarke —I did not measure the distance, but I should think the body was about ten yards from the building. It did not appear to have been touched by the fire. The stream of blood I saw did not connect with the spot where the woman was lying. I could not say how the deceased was dressed, as she had an upper covering on over her clothes. The tools were among the embers of the house. They would be about twelve yards from the body. By the Coroner—When I got to the burning house I saw Dr. Weld, William Barrett, and John William Leo, and other persons whom 1 did not know. Mathias Horrick deposed—l am a blacksmith, living at East Oxford. On Monday evening last at about 6 p.m. I accompanied Sergeant McDonald to the police office. I saw Eguirs Hoff there. The sergeant asked Hoff if ho understood him, but he could not. The sergeant told me to ask Hoff what he had to say. Before I spoke to Hoff in his own language, the sergeant said he was in prison for killing his wife. The prisoner made no reply. I then spoke to him in Bohemian. Prisoner said he was cutting some scraps in the garden. He said he was hungry, and walked inside the house and wanted some tea and bread, and his wife would nob give him any. He then took the tomahawk, and walked to the table, and cut up some tobacco with the tomahawk. He was growling at her because she would not give him any breakfast, and she went to the fire and took up a piece of iron and wanted to strike him. He then gave her a clout on the head with the tomahawk. After that lie walked to the fire, and took up a piece of five which he put on the bed to set the house on fire, and then he cleared out.

By Inspector Buckley—l know nothing of the terms on which the prisoner lived with his wife.

By Mr Clark—l had not seen the prisoner for three weeks before. I went with tho sergeant to the police office. The sergeant sent for me. I was never in the house which was burnt down. By Inspector Buckley-—Tho sergeant asked

prisoner if he killed his wife, and ho replied “ja,” which moans yes. John William Leo deposed—l own a sawmill at East Oxford. On Monday morning last about half-past II o’clock I saw a fire in the direction of Barrett’s place where Hoff lived. .1 made my way towards the fire to see what it was. It was about a quarter of a mile from the mill. When I got there I saw a house on fire. I saw no one about. I found the body of the deceased lying on its back about three yards from the door. She was lying in a pool of blood. Her head was bleeding. The head was towards the door. I drew the body some distance away from the fire. I should think about seven or eight yards. 1 drew it by the legs, and by this time a little boy came up. I sent the boy to mill for help, and then went myself and returned with throe men for the body. Another man followed. When wo got back, we covered the woman with some sacks that wore lying about, and put some wrapping under her. She hud her clothes on. The woman was insensible from injuries to the head and face, which were bleeding dreadfully. She was alive, but could not speak. I saw several wounds on the head and one on the cheek. After wo moved the woman, I saw what I took to be the brains oozing from the head. About an hour after that, the doctor came, and after looking at her said he could not do anything for her, as she was too far gone. 1 sent another man for a doctor, but Dr. Weld met him and sent him for the police. I prepared a litter to carry her away, and by that lime the police came and carried her first to the mill, from whence she was brought down to Ferguseon’s hotel in Dr. Weld’s trap. She was alive when she got down here. She was put in one of the front rooms, and I then loft and went home. I understand that the house that was burnt belonged to Barrett, and that Hoff lived there. I have known the latter for about twelve months, also his wife, whom I recognised when I saw her lying outside the house. Barrett resided in the house with the Hoffs. The house was all on fire when I reached, and the roof fell in just as I was getting over the fence, which was about a chain off. The house was a timber one, about 10ft. by 20ft., and consisted of one room without any division. The fire was too far gone to be put out. The body lying outside is that of Mrs Hoff. I did not see Hoff on the day of the fire previous to it. The house could bo seen from my mill. The last work Hoff did was, I believe, for me. He once or twice assisted Barrett in the bush, who was employed by me. Hoff generally occupied himseff about the garden. The nearest house to Hoff’s is about a quarter of a mile from the mill. There are several in other directions, and at about the same distance. The house stood in an open space. By Mr Clark—When I first saw the body of the woman I did not notice the brains oozing from the head. I believe, but am not sure, that her eyes were open. The ground where she was lying was of a stony nature, but not very rough. In dragging the body the head would be on the ground William Barrett deposed—l am a bushman living in the West Oxford district. I lived in my own house with Tekla Hoff and her husband Eguirs Hoff, There were five acres and a half of land, and I let Hoff have half of it for the remainder of his life for £l4. No mention was made of the house, but he lived in it. They had no family. I left him on Monday for my work in the bush about halfpast seven o’clock in the morning. Both of the Hoffs were in the house when I left. The man was sick in bod, but the wife was up. About one o’clock Mr Lee’s man cooeed to me on the tramway that he wanted me. I did not hurry myself, but when I came out he told me my place was on fire. When I got to the house I found it burnt down, and Tekla Hoff was lying on the ground nearly dead. I saw blood about the head, and a cut upon her cheek. She had no marks or cuts about her when I left in the morning. The body was put in Dr. Weld’s trap and brought down to the hotel. I saw it put into the billiard-room, and remained in it until she died. She never spoke again. By Dr. Weld’s request I sang out in her ear, thinking she might recognise my voice. She just opened her eyes, but could not speak. I think she was unconscious to the last. She lived about half an hour. I should say the deceased was about forty-five or forty-six years of age. She did not know it rightly herself. Deceased and her husband are both foreigners, and spoke very little English. They have been living in the house that was burnt about seven or eight months. They lived previously with me at Gloutui, altogether about three years. Until about nine months ago I rented a place from Richardson and Co. I provided all the food. Prisoner has not lately been employed. He is a carpenter by trade, and the only work he did was sometimes helping me in the bush. He has always been drinking since he has been with mo. He always lived on bad terms with his wife. It was his own fault. She was a good woman. I never allowed the prisoner to beat his wife in my presence. She was a quiet inoffensive woman, and he used to abuse her. She attended on him like a child. There was only one room in the house, and the deceased, Hoff, and I occupied it together. My bed was about eighteen inches from the one occupied by the deceased, and close to Hoff’s. There were two separate little beds, and each had its own clothing. Prisoner never told me his reasons for not living happily with his wife further than that he believed she was unfaithful with other men. He was always jealous of her, and I think without reason. I was at the spot this morning where the house stood, and I found the axe-head (produced), which I handed to Sergeant McDonald. It belongs to me, and had been used by Hoff for cutting tobacco in the house. It was always kept sharp. It was lying under the bed on the morning I left. The articles produced (the axe-heads and shingle hammer) are my property. The gun (produced) was formerly mine, but I gave it to the prisoner. I knew that there were caps, shot, and powder in the house on the morning I left, I have seen the prisoner use the gun, but not lately, and not in its present broken state. About five weeks ago, early on a Sunday morning, he left the house, and returned at eleven o’clock a.m. the worse for liquor. He began to abuse his wife. We all left the house, and when ho returned he again abused his wife, and grabbed the gun and was leaving the house with it. I had a suspicion that he meant mischief tohis wife, who was outside in the hen-house. I took the gun from him, and broke it across the stock. I have never had the gun in my hands since. I can understand sufficient of the Gorman language to know that the prisoner abused his wife continually. There was a small piece of hoop iron used for poking the fire. There was no poker or bar of iron. Joseph Plachart—l am the son of Prank Plachart, I lived over the swamp at East Oxford. I am fourteen and a-half years of age. I know Eguirs Hoff. Last Monday I saw him at about half-past 11 o’clock in the forenoon at Beamish’s Bush. He was running away from his own house, with something like a gun under his arm. He was about half-a-milo from Barrett’s house. lie was not very near mo—-about three chains off. He did not speak. He had no hat on. Wc lost sight of him on King’s place. John Megarlick deposed —I am a bushman living at East Oxford. I know the prisoner, who is a countryman of mine. Last Monday, about half-past twelve o’clock, he came to my house. He was shaking, but he said nothing. I asked him what was the matter, and he said “ Bill wanted to hammer him, and that he had taken the gun to go and shoot birds. He hud said he had it loaded about a fortnight ago. He asked me to screw him the charge out. I said I could not, as I had not got a screw. I (old him my son would clean it for him. He said that was all right, and ho gave me the gun, which I gave to my son. He gave my son thp ppvyder, pips, and shot produced. My p;;t water in the |gun, and washed ;'t out. I told him I had no time to spare, us f wanted to go out, and when he came again I would show him something. Hoff said he would come next Saturday. I went out to King’s, leaving Hoff in my house. It is about twenty chains away from my house. When I got there I saw Mrs King and Mrs Langosson, who told mo that Hoff had set fire to his house and killed hja wife. I went back home, and when i saw Hoff, I said to him ?< What did you do ? you have killed the missus.’' Ho said “ Vos,” I

said “ You come with me to the police station,” and ho said “ Yes,” and he went with mo into Oxford. We met Sergeant McD maid, who took him into custody. He said nothing about his wife. Ho had no hat on when he came to my house, and the water was running down his head. I live more than a mile from Plachart’s. Samuel Hawke deposed—l am a miner, living at East Oxford ; at present lam working as a laborer. Last Monday I was working on the Bay road. The last wit ness and Hoff passed by the cutting where I was working. The last witness stopped, and in the presence of Hoff said that ho (Hoff) had killed his wife with a tomahawk. Hoff made a motion of his hand to his head, but I could not understand what he said. [By Tklkobaph.] John Edward Weld deposed—l am a medical practitioner residing at East Oxford. On Monday last about noon one of Mr Lee’s men came and informed me that a house had been burnt down, and a man’s wife injured. I went with him to a house that 1 have since learned to bo Barrett’s. My attention was drawn to a woman who was lying a few yards from a house then in flames. I examined the woman, and found her in a dying state. Blood and brains were exuding from her head. I directed the men to inform the police, and when they arrived stretchers were improvised, and she was removed as carefully as possible to the nearest (this) hotel. She soon after died. I was present when she died. Examining the patient I found a flesh wound about 4in, long on her cheek. On one side of the back of the right ear was a large cut, the gash extending about Gin. or Bin., made up of a series of wounds, through which the brains were protruding. There was another wound on the opposite side of the head of about 2in. in extent, through which the brains also protruded. The woman was dying at the time, and I could see it was useless to torment her. I have since made a post-mortem examination of the body, the result of which showed that the cause of death was the wounds on the head. The wounds were eight in number, five of them penetrating into the brain and three to the bone. Anyone of the five would be sufficient to cause death. The wounds are all at the back portion of the head. There are no wounds or bruises on the body. The wounds must have been inflicted by some sharp cutting instrument, such as a tomahawk or shingling hammer. The woman was lying outside the house when I first saw her, and there was a trace of blood about 10ft. or 12ft. from the door towards where the body was lying. A considerable amount of force must have been used to produce such wounds. There must have been at least nine blows struck. The clothes and one portion of the body of the deceased bore marks of fire. The skin of the hands and a portion of the forehead were singed. I gave the clothes the deceased had on to the police. Any of the three instruments (produced) would inflict the wounds. When I got to the house half a dozen people were present, among them Mr Leo. From the appearance of the wounds on the head and cheek, they must have been inflicted from the back. This terminated the evidence. After a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of “ Wilful Murder.” The coroner complimented the witnesses Lee and Megarlick on their action in the first instance, and also on their manner of giving evidence. The prisoner was then brought before Mr Whitefoord in his magisterial capacity, and remanded until next w'eek, when he will be brought up for committal.