Tragedy at Toowoomba.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7920, 8 September 1905, Page 3

Tragedy at Toowoomba.

ALLEGED FRATRICIDE. BRISBANE, Aug. 29. A sensation was caused at Toowoomba to-day by the news that Ralph Stephens, aged 32, had been shot fry Ms hnouhtr, Herbert Stephens, 011 their farm at Middle Ridge, near Toowoomba. It appears that an employee bamert Weingartner heard the report of a gun about) eight o'clock, and 011 investigation found the body of Ralph lying outside the backdoor of the house. Herbest, who was standing l.jv, told him to go to town and get" the ambulance ffcingartner at once gave the alarm, and the police were informed. Meantime Stephens made his way to the house of a neigltiAJur, and it is alleged stated that • he. had a quarrel with his brother during breaklast, over an invention of Ralph's, ami they had come to blows, and he shot Ralph down with a gun that was near at hand, and which was always loaded. Ilcrbcii Stephens then eaniv lo Toowoomba, where he was arrested about 10 o'clock. He will he brought up at- the Police Court tomorrow on a charge ol wilful murder, A post-morten was held, and it is stated that death was due to hemorrhage of the lungs, caused by a gunshot wound. Death was probably, instantaneous. The deceased, who had been manager of the farm for some years, is described as of a quiet genial disposition, and was highly respected. His father, Mr S Stephens, resides in Toowoomba.'