MURDER OF A FARMER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2389, 30 July 1892, Page 3

MURDER OF A FARMER.

The inquest on the body of Richard Bell, farmer at Lora Gorge, near Winton, Southland, who was shot on Monday night when returning from the Farmers’ Club meeting, and died three hours later of hemorrhage from the blood vessels of the face and throat, commenced on Thursday, but was not concluded. The gun which was found plunged in the mud at the scene of the tragedy has not yet been traced to the owner, but very definite statements made by the deceased to his wife, deposed to implicating John jMcCrae, her uncle, a man of 60, the lessee of a farm adjoining Bell’s. Bell lived on good terms with his neighbours, but about a month ago had a claim made on him for £3, as damages caused by his cow getting at a stack of oats belonging to Mr McCrac. The matter was referred to the arbitration of two neighbours, who assessed the damage at 12s. This McCrae was dissatisfied with, and asked that two practical farmers be appointed as assessors, but no action was taken in that direction. The evidence given up to the despatch of the last report does not include that of Bell’s wife, but William Irwin a neighbour, who was roused by deceased’s daughter, deposed that the girl cried at the window saying “ Rise, William, fast, dada’s shot by John McCrae at the lower gate.” Witness rose and went to Bell’s immediately. Replying to a question from the witness, Bell said “ I’m done,” and shook bands. He was vomiting blood and teeth and bits of bone at intervals. He did not ask the deceased who shot him, because lie thought that it was the place of his wife or father, who was present, to do that. He had a conversation after Bell’s death with Mrs Bell as to how it came about. Addressing the decased’s daughter witness said, “ Jennie, if what you called in at the window to me is true, you will require to be very cautious in what you say, because the policeman will take down everything you say, and you’ll want to tell nothing but the truth. This might be a hanging matter, and you’ll want to stick to the truth and nothing but the truth.” Before the daughter had time to reply, Mrs Bell said :—“ It is true; all too true. Jennie was following me close behind and she could hear it.” She then stated that she said to her husband “ Dear Richard, who murdered you ?” and he replied, “ John McCrae shot me off my horse at the lower gate.” The gun found seems nearly new, and is a muzzle-loader of inferior construction. The maker’s name is “ Moore, London.” John McCrae was arrested on Thursday night for the murder of Richard Bell, and was brought before the Coroner’s Court. Further evidence was given by Mr Bell’s daughter, to the effect that she heard her father say that McCrae shot him. Later. The inquest on Bell was adjourned at to enable the police to trace the ownership 11 o’clock on Thursday night for two weeks, of the gun. John Mcßae, an old settler in the district, and the father of a grown-up family has been arrested on the charge of murder and remanded for a week. At present the only evidence against him is the statement of the wife that deceased told her “ Mcßae did it.”

On Monday night Bell’s brother-in-law, one McMaster, accompanied him part of the way home and wished him to stop at his house, the night being very dark. Mr Bell declined, as his wife would be anxious. The shot was fired from behind a tussock, Mrs Bell heard the report, and, feeling alarmed, went out and along the track *o the gate. She met her husband at a small plank bridge over a stream which, in his desperate condition, he was unable to cross till she assisted him. Bell was 36 years of age, and leaves a widow and family of four or five; also his aged father who resided with him. Bell was formerly employed in a brewery in Invercargill, and all who knew him gave him a high character as a man honourable in dealing, and of remarkably pleasant manners.