“MURDER WILL OUT.”

Kumara Times, Issue 1076, 12 March 1880, Page 4

“MURDER WILL OUT.”

The old proverb, “ Murder will out,” is exemplified by news which reached us recently from Tasmania. About eight years ago a youth named John Hardesty, accompanied by another lad named Ralph Plaice, and a deaf and dumb boy, left Tamar Heads, where they resided, and proceeded in a boat to Flinders Island, Bass Straits, where they remained for a day or two shooting. On the return of the boat to the mainland, its only occupants were Hardesty and the dumb lad, the former explaining that Plaice had refused to come with them, and had consequently been left behind. The missing lad was never afterwards heard of, although strict search was made for him, and it was presumed that he had by some accident been drowned after the boat had left the island, although there were others who thought differently. The deaf and dumb boy endeavored at the time to make something understood by means of gestures, but failed, and the affair after a short period was forgotten. Recently, however, the skeleton of a boy was found ou the island, and as the remains were identified as those of the missing boy Plaice, former suspicions of foul play on the part of Hardesty were revived. An inquest was held, lasting for three days, resulting in a verdict of wilful murder being returned against Hardesty, who has been arrested upon that charge. The evidence goes to show that Plaice was murdered by three blows on the head, and the body then carried inland and concealed.