THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY.
FURTHER PARTICULARS, We are indebted to the Commissioner of Police for" the following additional particulars of the attempted murder atlnvercavgill on Monday last: —ln the kitchen of the Harp of Erin Hotel, after Brennan had struck the girl Hall, she was found lying in a large pool of blood, and Brennan standing at her side in a somewhat defiant attitude. When arrested by Inspector Fox, and on his way to the gaol, he frequently admitted the crime, and said that he did not know why he did it, but that the " demon" must have got hold of him. Fresh blood was found upon his clothes, his hands and face, and a large drop of blood upon his coat. The weapon with which he committed the crime was a large adze used by MacCavthy'for " tussocking." The adze was found by the girl's side, and had blood stains on the blade and head, as also on the handle. Hall was examined by Dr. Grigor, .police surgeon, and shortly afterwards removed to the hospital, where upon closer inspection, a second dangerous wound was found on the back of the right ear, the other wound being a large and long gash from the top of her head down about four inches towards the neck. She remained unconscious from the time she ' was struck, but some hours after ■ said, " It's very cold, keep the cold.away," and that was all. At the time the deceased was struck she was was not heard to cry, and it is believed from the way on which she lay on the floor that she must have been struck down when ironing and while her back was towards Brennan. Both doctors' say that there is no hope of Hall's recovery. Doctor Maclure pointed out to the police some matter in the blood which he called a portion of her organs, and he said it was impossible for her to recover. Brennan when in gaol and charged with the crime, in the presence of three witnesses and inspector Fox, made and signed the follow-' ing statement:—" Sixpence would Have saved her life. I don't how it was. I asked her for a drink and she refused to give it to me. I suppose I'll have to swing for it; that's all. I don't know how the * demon' put the axe into my hand. I generally had the name of being a good hearted fellow. I don't know what got over me—l suppose the devil got hold of me when I did it. I have nothing else to eay." On the blood on Brennan's clothes and hands and face being pointed out to him, and on his being questioned as to it, he replied that he got the blood upon him after he had done the deed, and that he did not think he had struck very heavy blows. It appears that although Brennan was forty-five years of age and the girl only fifteen last April, it was understood that there kind of expressed attachment towards her on his part. The girl's character is good. Prisoner is sft. sin. or ':.! ft. Gin. As stated in our Invercargill telegram yesterday, Brennan was.charged before Mr. M'Culloch on Tuesday with the attempted murder of Hall, and was remanded for eight days."—' Star.'
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Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 277, 26 June 1874, Page 3
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549THE INVERCARGILL TRAGEDY. Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 277, 26 June 1874, Page 3
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