TRAGEDY IN VICTORIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1615, 2 August 1887, Page 3

TRAGEDY IN VICTORIA.

Melbourne, July 13,

A murder of a woman named Mrs Callow has been committel at Docker's Plains, near Wangaritt'j, and a a Mrs MephaD, is in custody on the charge. The house was some distance from those of the nearest neighbor*. On Thursday afternoon, when a girl named Tuhoy called for some mi'k, she saw the body of Mrs Callow lying near a shod in the yard. CiHed several times, nod not seeing it stir became frightened and told her parent", who informed the police. On the arrival of Sergeant Steele at five o'clock he found the house deserted and the body lying »s described. The head was partly buried in soft mud, and wa3 surrounded by a pool of clotted blood. It wa* baiterpd'iu at the back, and several cuts were visible. The temples wore cut and the f.,ce and eyes bruised. The de-c-!n»ert'rt hut was lyi-'g several y«rda aw«y. Clo« to a dny in th* y-vrd w;is a portion of h battle, upon which wer-t some grey hairs ani b ood, nnd there wera «Uo p< rj ions of » sl'hWl, which hid apparently 1 been torn iu u airutffUe ; but there weie ho I unusual marks ou the ground. Thu

deceased was a widow of about sixty years of age, nnd nlie liverf with her younger sister, Mrs Mephan. They did not agree, as Mrs Mephan's temper whs ungovernable, and Hbe illused her sister repeatedly. The quairelß were caused by the desire of Mrs Mephan to possess the property of her sister and anxiety lest Mrs Callow should leave it to another sister living in Brighton. The previous Friday the quarrel roached a greater degree of fury than usual, and Mrs Mephan chased her sister into the bedroom and otherwise behaved vio'ently by upsetting the dishes and scattering the furniture, The police had to be called int he next day, but Mrs Callow would not give her sister in charge ; or summon her. The murder is believed to have been committed on Wednesday afternoon, the body being rigid when discovered and the fireplace in the house cold, as if no fire had been lit during the day. Mrs Mephan called at Hie house on Wednesday afternoon, when she appeared drunk and much excited. Her eyes were wild, and Bhe used threatening language to the police and neighbors, v»ho had previously interposed on behalf of her sister. She came into Wacgaratta the same evening, and went off by train to Wagga, in New South Wales, where Bhe had previously lived. She was arrested there, but she declares her innocence ■of the deed,