Murder in Otago.

Manawatu Herald, 30 July 1892, Page 2

Murder in Otago.

Richard Bell, farmer, was returning from a meeting) of the Hokonui Farmers 1 Olub on Monday night, at half-past 10, and when in. the act of stooping from his horse, to, Open a gate was deliberately shot in tb*face by some person waiiliing.near^bjri;./''' The cheek was fearfully and the jaw carried away. >He man laged to reach. his : , home,' and lived three hours, but was unable to tell who was the murderer.

When asked by ..his wife if he knew anybody he thought would do Sis Tirotb.e'r-iu-law, Mr ' J. -AloMi.ster, accompanied Jrim , part way home, and wished him tdviv®<L| at ;his (house, the nigbi being very" dark; j j ®&}a^mjs[(W i o£[fy would be anxious. The snot* was fired from behind a tussock.^jMraQj Bell heard the "report, and ieeung alarmed - went out and along the track to the gate. She met her husband at the small bridge over the stream, which in his desperate con^ ditidn 4 he'tfas unable^ to -«ros¥/tilf ehe assisted him. Mr- Bell' was 86 years of-age^'SaW leaves a widow and family of four or

five ; also his aged father who resided with him.

The gun with which the foul deed was done was found close to the gate with the muzzle driven into the ground. Bell was formerly employed in a brewery in Invercagill, and all who knew him gave him a high character as a man honourable in bis dealing, and of remarkably pleasant manner.

•d- i* £?, S q ? est of + - n6 bod y of Richard Bell, it w W stated that the «un i winch was * O und plunged in the mud at the sc :< j ne of the tragedy has not yet tee;,, traced to the owner) but very definite statements by the deceap^cl to her wife tend to implicate J°Ka McCrae, her uncle, a man of p jo, and lessee of the farm adjoining. Bell lived on good terms with his neighbours, but about a month ago he had a claim made on him for £3 damages, caused by his cow getting at a. stack of oats belonging to Mr Mr McOrae. The matter was referred to the arbitration of two 'neighbours, who assessed the damage at twelve shillings. This Mr Me Crae was dissatisfied with, and asked for two practical farmers as assessors, but no action was taken in that direction.

The evidence given up to the despatch of the report does not include that of Bell's wife and daughter, but William Irwin, a neighbour who was TOUBedby the deceased's daughter, deposed that the girl cried in at the window saying, saying " Rise, Wil ham, fast ; Dada, is shot by John McCrae at the lower gate. Witness roße and went to Bell immediately. Beplying to a question from witness, Bell said "I'm <ions, M and shook hands. He was vomiting blood, taeth and bits of bone at intervals. He did nat - A sk deceased who shot him, because he thought it was the the plar j6 ot his wife or father, who were present, to do that. Bad a con;f evßa tion a ft er Bell's death with Xixb Bell as to how it came about. Addressing deceased's daughter witness said 4t Jeanie, if what you called in at the window is true you will require to be very cautious in what you say, because the policemen will take down everything you say, and you will want to tell nothing but the truth. This might be hanging matter, and you'll want to stick to the truth, and nothing but the truth."

Before the daughter had time to reply, Mrs Bell said, "It is true, and too true. Jennie was following me close behind, and she could hear it. : ' She then stated that she said to her husband, " Dear j.-.iehard, who murdered you ?" and he replied " John McOrae shot me off my hoi-3e at the lower gate." John McOrae was arrested on July 28th for the murder of Biehard Bell, and brought before the Coroner's Court.'

Further evidence was given by Bell's daughter to the effect that she heard her father say that McOrae shot him — Press Association.