ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IN MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 1259, 31 May 1870, Page 3

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IN MELBOURNE.

(From the Daily Telegraph, May 17th.) Since the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred, no greater sensation has been caused throughout Melbourne than by the news which startled the community yesterday afternoon that Mr George Paton Smith, the late Attorney-G-eneral, had been shot at and wounded ; and that the assassin, in endeavoring to elude capture, had seriously wounded another man, a hotelkeeperand ex-detccfcive named Walshe. Of course, rumors of every description were rapidly circulated ; but before long the truth became pretty generally known.. Mr Smith' is, we are happy to state, but slighty wounded, though this fortunate result is owing, not to any want of deadly purpose on the part of his assailant, but principally to the courage and determination of Mr Walshe, who boldy rushed forward to arrest an armed and infuriated man, and who, it is greatly to be feared, may lose his own life in the heroic endeavor. . The, perpetrator of this attempt is Gerald Henry Supple, a member of the same profession as Mr Smith, and always, aa far as can be ascertained, on friendly terms with that gentleman. "~TEe i circumstances attending the unfortunate affair are, as nearly as can be ascertained, as follows: — Yesterday afternoon, a little before 5 o'clock, Mr G. P. Smith, after leaving the Supreme Court-house, where he had been professionally engaged, was walking leisurely up Latrobe street, in company with Mr George M ? Cullaglr, late of the Royal Irish Constabulary, on his way to attend to his legislative duties, when he was joined by Mr Supple. According to one account, immediately upon accosting him — and according to another, after walking a short distance with him— Mr Supple drew a revolver and fired upon Mr Smith, fortunately, though being at such close quarters, without effect. Mr Smith being unarmed ran from his enemy, calling for assistance and shouting " murder." Mr Supple pursued and fired three other shots, the last of which took effect in Mr Smith's left arm, near the elbow. Several persons were in the street, but none had the courage to interfere except Mr Walshe, landlord of the Star of the Bast hotel, situated at the corner of Lonsdale and Spring streets, immediately opposite Brunton's temperance hotel. That gentleman, who was going down Latrobe street, seeing Mr Smith running and Mr Supple firing at him, courageously threw himself in the way of the assailant, and succeeded in tripping him, and bringing him heavily to the , ground, leant over the prostrate man to secure him, when Supple placed the muzzle of the revolver to the pit of his (Walshe's) stomach, and fired a fifth shot. Walshe instantly fell, and the would-be assassin attempted to spring to his feet; but by this time others had gathered round. Mr M'Cullagh was the first to spring upon Supple, grasped his pistol hand, and knocking frpanhisLhand a dagger he had drawn, effectually prevented his doing any more mischief. A young man named Sergeant also caught hold of him, and in a few seconds he was seized by a score of hands, and .quickly rendered innocuous. Sergeant Summerhayes by this time appeared upon the scene, and Supple was soon handcuffed and conveyed to the watch-house, where he now awaits examination. The scene of this occurrence was close to the Spring street corner of. Latrobe street, and almost, opposite the establishment of Mr Daley, undertaker, upon whose doorstep Mr Smith, suffering from the faintness consequent upon the wound and excitement, sat down. Mrs Daley brought him some brandy and water, which revived him somewhat, and a cab passing at the moment, the passengers willingly descended to make room for the wounded man, who was at once driven to Dr MotherwelFs, and his wound dressed. Fortunately, the wound is not severe in any respect. The ball, a conical one, of nearly three-quarters of an inch in length, and weighing about 16gr., Btruck the left arm a little above the elbow from behind ; and the arm bein g probably bent at the time, the missile has glanced round the bone, and was cut down upon and extracted near the wrist. Mr Smith has suffered slightly, and no dangerous symptoms are apprehended. Poor Walshe, who was at once conveyed to the hospital, is in a very different plight. The bullet, which' was fired so close to him that his clothes are burnt and even the skin a little scorched, entered the body about an inch below the navel, a very little to the left side, and on a superficial inspection of the wound it was thought impossible that he -. could live. However, upon introducing the probe, the course of the ballet was

found to tread away to the right immediately under the skin. Walahe appears at the time to have been holding his breath in the excitement of the struggle, and the consequent contraction of the muscles of the abdomen to have caused the bullet; to deflect, running all round the body under the skin to the right flank, where it was taken out. The course of the bullet is very ''similar to that taken by the ball which wounded ff.R.H. Prince Alfred, although this case presents the rarer phenomenon of a projectile glancing from the surface of a hardened muscle, whila with His Royal Highness it was deflected by a bone. The hurt was at oace pronounced not to be serious ; but later in the evening the effects of the shock became more evident, and his present state is regarded as giving cause for grave apprehension, and it ia dreaded that it may be necessary to take his deposition, a proceeding the excitement attending upon which, it is thought, will certainly prove fatal. The weapon used by the prisoner was a sevenchambered silver-mounted revolver, Smith and Wesson's patent, but probably of Birmingham manufacture, of small size, made for the pocket, with a barrel about 6in. long. Five cf the chambers have been recently discharged, but the other two are loaded. He also had an American cross-hilted dirk-knife, with a blade about ,3in. in length, and sharp both edge and point, which, however, he was deprived of without being enabled to do any further damage. Both the revolver and the knife have the appearance of being perfectly new. Mr Smith, after his wound had been dressed, went down to the Parliament house, where he remained a ; short time and received the congratulations-,. 0f, his friends upon his escape, after which he proceeded to his residence. As Supple was being conveyed to the watch-bouse, he stated that Mr Smith had been j slandering him, and he therefore iiad determined to shoot him, adding that Mr .Smith raight congratulate himself on his (Sup pie's) shortsightedness, for had it not been for that circumstance he would assuredly have been killed. It is stated that Mr Supple has shown lately decided symptoms of abberration of intellect, laboring under the delusion that there was a conspiracy on foot against him ; but since his arrest he has behaved in a very quiet and reserved manner. No reason can at present be assigned for the act. He will be brought before the City Bench this morning. The same journal of the next day says: — A still more painful complexion,. if possible, has been assumed by this almost unprecedented ease. • About ten minutes after three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon Mr John S. Walshe, who had so gallantly intervened between Mr Smith and his assailant, expired in the Melbourne hospital from the effects of the wound he had received. At about halfpast nine o'clock his state was considered so dangerous by the medical officers of the institution, that it was thought advisable to take his dying deposition.. Mr Sturt, P.M., accompanied —by. Mr Wheelan, clerk of the Police Court, accordingly attended at the Hospital for that purpose. The prisoner, in charge of Sergeant Summerhaye3 and two other constables, was present, as was also Mr F. Stephen, on behalf of the wounded man ; and Mr Reynolds, who, as an old friend of the prisoner, watched the case. The following was the deposition taken : — " I was alone at the corner of Victoria and Latrobe streets last evening. I saw G-eorge Paton Smith running round the corner. He ran towards me, and a man, a stranger to me, was running after him. I saw a pistol in his hand, and he fired two shots at Mr Smith. I would know that man again. The prisoner is the man I saw with the pistol fire the shots. Mr Smith ran towards me crying out 'Save me, save me.' He ran past me, and the prisoner close upon him. I heard the prisoner say, 'You slanderous wretch, I'll — ,' but I did not hear the remainder of the sentence. I seized him by the neck, and put my arms round him, and endeavored to hold his arms. He struggled with me, and I knocked him down. I saw him raiss the pistol, point it at me, and fire. lam sure he pointed it at me. rHe fired one shot. I was standing stooping over him at the time he fired. A gentleman came up and seized the revolver, I got quite faint after that. I felt conscious when the shot was fired that I was hit in the belly. I cannot identify the gentleman who came up and took the revolver from the prisoner. I know Mr Smith by sight, but never spoke to him." The prisoner, at the close of the proceedings, remarked, ' 4 1 did not wish to do him any harm ; I meant to kill Mr Smith." After Walshe had given his evidence, which he did in a. very succinct manner, and ' evidently in possession of all his mental faculties, he appeared greatly exhausted. Dr Howitt, who has been very assiduous in attending him, recommended cham- | pagne, which was given him with good effect, having an evidently reviving influence. He, however, in spite of all the care that could be bestowed, gradually sank and died at the hour above stated. During the morning he vomited a quantity of bile, and from that and other symptoms which showed themselves, Dr Howitt believes that a lesion of the intestines had taken place, although the ball was at first hoped .not to have absolutely entered the abdomen. A post mortem examination will, however, be made for the inquest, which take place at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The prisoner Supple was brought up on Wednesday at the City Police Court, and upon the application of Inspector Kabat remanded for seven days. He appeared perfectly cool and collected, with even a slight smile. When asked if he had anything to urge against the remand, he said, in a low, rather husky voice, "I wish to say something ; I meant to kill Mr. Smith, but I am sorry I hurt the other man." Since the prisoner's apprehension rumor has been very busy with the occurrence, and many conversations

and incidents are cited, tending to prove the prisoner's insanity ; but thi3 question will be reserved for a jury to pronounce upon. Mr GK P. Smith, at a late hour lasfc nigh* 7 , was progressing favorably. Hia medical attendant, Dr Molloy, of West Hawthorn, states that there are no symptoms whatever of tetanus,and thatthoonly unfavorable sign is a distressing nervousness, which has prevented his patient from sleeping since the occurrence, and he absolutely refuses to take composing medicines. The intelligence of Walshe's. death, which was communicated to Mr Smith by an injudicious: friend, has also greatly excited him, and- visitors have since been positively interdicted. The unfortunate man Walshe leaves behind hi*n a widow and six children, the youngest about four years of age, in an utterly penniless condition. The wellknown benevolence of the Melbourne , public could hardly" be exercised in a i worthier direction, and it is to be hoped J that as Walshe met his death in a gallant ; attempt to preserve the life of a Melbourne citizen, Melbourne citizens will do their best to. secure a means of livelihood for his destitute family. ' At the inquest held on the body of Mr John S. Walshe on the 19th Inst., the prisoner seemed quite cool, only when Mr Smith was giving his evidence he ;injfcerrupted him two or three times. ,Qn Mr Smith 'B saying that he had never written or spoken anything against -him, Supple exclaimed, " There are many ways of slandering people, and you have done it repeatedly, but I was determined to check' it ;' r and on Mr Smith's remark that he did not usually go that way to Parliament, the prisoner remarked, " I knew he was going that way." On the conclusion of Mr.'Moloney's evidence, Supple said, " I wish to t make a rejnark, M> Coroner. I did nbtVish to hurt Mr Walshe, that is quite plain; butjl did" mean to kill Mr Gh P: Smith; He has been circulating slanders about me for some time. I could not track them down, but I could dee by people's' altered manner that they had been uttered. It is too common in this country." Mr Smith, who had his arm in a sling, •looked much as usual ; but- -the excitement .of speaking^evidently eaused- the wound td^pain him considerably, ~atWt~fatrleft the room as soon as he had given hia evidence. The body of Walshe was given to his family for burial. It is stated by several gentlemen that .Supple wa» noticed more than once about the courthouse during the day of the occurrence, ! and was scrutinising every person that i came out. The case was adjourned till the 25th. '- -Several meetings have Jbeen_.held for the purpose of raising a fund to provide for the family of Mr Walshe, and in Parliament, Mr M'Culloch announced, amid cheers, that it was the intention of the Groyernment to ask the- House to make some provision for the widow and family — not ou thejground that Mr Walshe lost His life in defence" of Ja member of Parliament, but because iHxp ■ peculiar circumstances of the case; and the gallantry shown by the deceased justified hi3 so doing.