A VICTORIAN TRAGEDY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2494, 18 March 1881, Page 3

A VICTORIAN TRAGEDY.

• A determined suicide and deliberate attempt at murder occurred at Dennis’ Eeyuk station, about eight miles from Mortlake in the western district of Victoria on the afternoon of Thursday March 3. It appears that the owner of the estate, Mr A. Dennis, had gone to Camperdown during the day, and there were no male servants or rather men about excepting those concerned in the unfortunate affair. Charley Sims having watched his opportunity, fired upon Louis Fisher while he was carrying some water into the garden. Fisher was only about 12 yards distant at this time. The shot appears to have entered his head. He exclaimed, thinking that Sims was firing at some parrots, “ Oh, Charley, you have shot me.” He raised his hand to protect his head on seeing that Sims was deliberately aiming at him, and the next charge entered his arm. Sims then coolly reloaded his gun, and fired another charge at him just as he was entering the kitchen, being several yards nearer him than formerly. Sims appears to have concluded then that he had thoroughly done for his victim. There was a great deal of excitement at this time among the servant girls, one of whom is said to have been threatened by Sims, but was let off after much earnest entreaty. Sims afterwards left the house, telling them he and his gun and ammunition would be found at a certain tree. On subsequently looking for him he was found there, having shot himself through the side by tying a piece of string to the trigger, and placing his foot to it. The other barrel of the gun was also found loaded, showing that he had evidently meant to make sure of his own destruction, as well as that of Fisher. Medical assistance was obtained as soon as possible, and there are some hopes that Fisher may recover, though his injuries are very serious. A number of shot have entered the head and left eye, others the region below the heart, and the only part of his body which has altogether escaped is one of his legs. It is reckoned that there must be 100 shot in his body. He passed an easy night last night and today he is also calm. Some Bor 10 of the shot only have as yet been extracted. The shot happened to be a rather small size, or he must have been killed upon the spot; the wonder is that this was not his fate. As far as can be learned, Sims has for a long while been jealous of Fisher. Several years ago he tried to kill him by running a pitchfork at him to stick him to a wall, but Fisher narrowly escaped by dodging to one side. It appears that Sims is an orphan, and came here originally from one of the Melbourne institutions. He was only 19 years of age, and_ Fisher is but 25 or 26 years. The affair has caused great excitement in the district, as both the young men are well known, having been residents here for many years,’ An inquest was held on the body of Sims, when a verdict of died from the effects of a gunshot wound, caused by his own band, was returned. The weather is very favourable for Fisher’s recovery.