HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 61, 28 August 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

MURDER, FRATRICIDE, AjS t D ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Information was received in town on Monday of tbe enactment of one of those fearful tragedies which happily are of such unfreqnent occurrence

fis to startle and appal the mind. A person known as Captain 'libbclts, in the Mataura district, has murdered one man, and afterwards attempted the life ot his own brother, who in self-defence, shot him down, and then horrified by what ho had done, endeavoured to put a period to his own existence. A variety of rumours were in circulation last night respecting this sad affair, but the following particulars may, we believe, be considered reliable It appears that Captain Tibbetts had sold his station to Mr. Switzer, but bad removed a number of horses to another station. The horses strayed back to their old pasture, and Captain Tibbetts went in search of them. Ifo found one horse with a bi oken leg, and accused Mr. Switzer’s people of having illused it. High words ensued, and he got into a violent altercation with the cook, and losing command of his temper drew his revolver and shot the man dead. Information of this catastrople was conveyed to Mr. Charles Tibbetts, who at once sent for the police, and with Sergeant Morton laid in wait for his brother, in a lint that he was almost sure to visit. The Captain apnroached the hut, but saw the inmates, and began to shoot through the cracks of (he door. llo° fired several shots from his revolver through the door and window, and at last his brother fired in return and shot him dead. Mr. diaries Tibbeit then in an access of remorse, took the pistol to shoot himself, but Sergeant Morton seized the weapon which exploded in the air. It was generally understood that Captain libbetts had some time previously had an attack of delirium tremens, it is therefore charitable to suppose that he was not in his ri<dit mind when he committed the murder, or wheiThe made the attack upon his brother, which led to the melancholy circumstance, of his falling bv that brother’s hand. The following is the ollieial report sent to the Commissioner of Police :—- [coni'.] Police Department, Tokomairiro August 1, 1882. S’K, —T have the honor to report that when inspecting the Molyneux District on the 2nd instant, I received information that a murder had been committed by a settler named Tibbetts (commonly known as Captain Tibbetts), on a Herman employed as cook on Mr. Switzer’s station, on the Mataura Diver. 1 despatched Mounted Constable Elat eh to the place where the body was awaitin'* an inquest yesterday. Captain Tibbetts, after committing this crime, proceeded to a station about nine miles from Switzer’s, the other side of the Mataura, in the Southland District, and there attempted to shoot his brother, Mr. Charles Jibbelts, and Corporal Morton of the Southland Police, the former of whom shot Captain libbetts dead, and afterwards attempted seii-destruetion. lie is now in the custody of the Southland Police. 1 have further the honor to report that I am not aware of the name ot the deceased. I have the honor to be, Sir, lour most obedient Servant, JaCKSuX Ivi'ivnKl.L, Sub-Tnspeelor of Constabulary.