DREADFUL MURDER IN TASMANIA.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1300, 24 March 1883, Page 4

DREADFUL MURDER IN TASMANIA.

The Launceston Examiner says a brutal murder was committed on February 17th on the Barton estate, on the river Iris, some 18 miles from Campbell Town. The following narrative is from a. correspondent:—“ A groom named Connolly, in the service of Mrs Gatenby, of Barton, used on. Saturday night insulting language towards Mrs Gatenby’s female servant, and on Mrs Gatenby reproving him, locked Mrs Gatenby and the Misses Gatenby in a room and proceeded further to annoy the young woman. Mies Gatenby got out of the room, and gave information, to constable Thompson, the policeman station ed at Barton, who, coming back with her to the house, interfered on behalf of the girl, and endeavoured to arrest the groom. The groom however, picked up an axe and striking Thomson, broke his thigh in two places. Not satisfied with this, he dragged the constable outside and battered his head with an axe In a most brutal manner, and dragged him round the yard. He then rang for some minutes a large bell which is usea for sol lecting the servants on the estate round, and this wanton bravado tended to his immediate capture, for Mr John Gatenby, of Bicton, and the men on the estate round, hearing the sound at such an unusual hour made all possible speed to Barton House, where they arrived just in time to prevent the groom breaking into the house, in which there were only ladies, he having previously destroyed whatever came in his way, threatening the inmates of the house with murder. On seeing’the new corners he lifted the axe and defied everyone to capture him or approach the body of the murdered man. One of Mr. Gatenby’s [men, however, obtained a gun and advanced towards the groomy, and whilst the latter was attempting to use the axe he shot him in the arm and breast, wounding him severely, and the others coming up he was handcuffed and secured. Attention was then turned to the constable, but life was almost extinct, he having been treated in such a barbarous manner that his hat was mingled with his brains, and he expired shortly after at Barton House, into which he had been conveyed after his rescue from the groom. Great regret is experienced by all who knew Thompson, as he was much respected for his affability and diligence in the execution ef his duty. The groom was taken to Campbell Town by two policemen who had been sent for, and is attended by Dr. Naylor.