THE REEFTON MURDER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2522, 21 April 1881, Page 2

THE REEFTON MURDER.

[By Telegraph.]

Gkeymouth, April 20

The following are further particulars of the murder at Larry’s Creek:— Deceased’s skull was so battered in as to expose the brains, and the splinters from the stock of the gun show the force of the blow. Considering the strength of the two men, McGabey being five feet eleven, and the desperate struggle which must have taken place between them and of which there is abundant evidence, it is thought that McGabey missed Bell when he fired on him while he was sitting on a pail in the barn beginning to milk, of which there was a cupful in the bucket. McGabey had been married about 14 years without having cause to doubt his wife’s fidelity. About two years ago it was rumored Mrs McGabey attempted to poison him, it being reported he had been very sick, and fowls that had eaten his vomit had died, but nothing came of the reports. They had an adopted child, a girl, and soon after the poisoning affair Mrs McGabey accused her husband of violating the girl, but a medical examination, obtained by the police, showed there was no truth in the allegation, Mrs McGabey after that began complaining of the hardship of her married life, and the cruelty she was undergoing. Then her sympathisers procured for her a situation, but she did not remain in it and gave a very unsatisfactory reason for not doing so and went back to her own house at Larry’s, but the next night it was burned down. Then her statements as to the cause of the fire were again considered unsatisfactor}", though the jury brought in an open verdict. Subsequently some friends got for her a respectable and suitable engagement with a private family, but she would not accept it, and placed herself under the protection of deceased, a single man. Then people began to revive the poisoning rumors, the charge of violation, and the burning down of the house, and attributed it to a desire that McGabey should not come back to his farm, which was mortgaged for more than its, value. McGabey laid an information against Bell, when his wife sought Bell’s protection, for stealing his , property, but the charge was not upheld. The inquest was adjourned without taking evidence.