MURDER OF MR. GEORGE WHITFIELD AT SYDNEY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 204, 9 December 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

MURDER OF MR. GEORGE WHITFIELD AT SYDNEY.

The Herald of the sth instant gives the following particulars of this tragical occurrence:— Mr. George Whitfield, the gunsmith, was yesterday evening deliberately murdered by a man named Patrick M’Glinn. At about half-past six o’clock Mr. Whitfield was standing at his shop

door, in King-street, near the corner of Georgastreet, talking to Mr. Donovan, the tobacconist, when M'Gliun stepped up;behind Mr. Donovan, and, levelling a six-barrelled revolver over his shoulder, fired off the contents of one of the chambers into Mr. Whitfield’s head. The ball struck Mr. Whitfield on the forehead, near the right temple, and passed out at the back of his head. M’Glinn, who is a gunsmith, and carried on business in York street, one door from King-street, did not, as it is understood, preface his murderous work by any remark, and it is possible that his hapless victim was not aware of his presence. Miss Whitfield ran out of the shop on hearing the report, and her consternation may be conceived, but not expressed. Mr. Whitfield was caught hold of by a man who saw the shot fired, and who assisted him into the house. The murdered man never spoke, and he died almost instantly. A cab was started off for Dr. Wright immediately the deed was done, but the unfortunate man was dead before medical aid could be obtained. , Mr. Donovan took the pistol from M’Glinn, and constable Thompson, who was on duty a few yards off, went up and apprehended him. M’Glinn acknowledged his guilt, and made no attempt to resist capture. He was taken to the Central Police Station, and locked up. Several reasons have been mentioned as having incited M’Glinn—such for instance as that deceased had disparaged M’Glinn in his business as a tradesman, and that they were embittered against each other by religious animosities. The culprit, however, has assigned no cause for his commission of the dreadful act, and it is, perhaps, therefore, not desirable to amplify the account of this distressing occurrence by recording supposititious rumors when it is difficult to determine what, or if any, amount of credibility attaches to them. Inquiry on this score is best left to the judicial tribunals before which the matter must be brought. An inquest respecting Mr. Whitfield’s death will be begun as early as possible, probably to-day. Mr. Whitfield had been long established as a tradesman in Sydney, and his death will be sincerely deplored, for ho was widely known and much esteemed by many of his fellow-citizens. This tragical affair was the principal topic of conversation in the city last night, and the deepest commisseration was expressed on account of his untoward fate and for those who are bereaved by his untimely death. The doors of the two gunsmiths’ shops were beset for some hours last night by throngs of people, attracted there, no doubt, by curiosity or by feelings of a more painful interest.