Tragic Death of Miss Swain.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 51, 8 October 1887, Page 2

Tragic Death of Miss Swain.

COMMENTS ON THE CASE.

Commenting on the story of Miss Swain's tragic death, which has filled so large a portion ol public attention in Melbourne, and the main features of which, our readers are no doubt familiar with, the Australasian says ; “ Whatever the true version of the story may be, it is certain tnat Captain Moore’s present position is must unsatisiactory, His contention is that it was a clear case of suicide. This statement the jury positively declined to believe. We think tuat their incredulity was dully justified. Captain Moore's story is not consistent with that of the other witnesses. Further, in his view there was literally no motive for the suicide. Girls do not usually walk with their lovers to a bridge and throw themselves from a great height by way of amusement. Then there is the captain's subsequent conduct. He told the jury that he was quite a heroic person—that he jumped three or four years ago, at night, into the Bay of Biscay to rescue a seaman who had gone overboard—and yet he could see his betrothed bride drowning within a few yards of him without an effort to save her. It !• true that he said ho had a bad fall; but he is a strong man, and was able to get about with only a few bruises. The jury evidently thought little of this excuse, for they Censured, in a rider to their verdict, both him and Flynn for their unmanly conduct in leaving the unfortunate girl to her fate under their very eyes. No man is legally bound to risk his life for another. But we trust that there are few mon in Victoria who, if they were placed in similiar eixoumstances, would exhibit the like coldblooded prudence as Captain Moore and Mr Flynn displayed. Flynn was a mere stranger on the scene, and owed no other duty than the instincts of a common humanity. But what can be said of the hero who braved the water of the Bay of Biscay, and yet quietly watched the girl whom he loved as she sank screaming for help in the Yacra 7