THE FITROY TRAGEDY,

Temuka Leader, Issue 2432, 1 December 1892, Page 3

THE FITROY TRAGEDY,

A sensational occurrence happened at Fitzroy, Melbourne, early on Tuesday morning, November 15 James Poulton, an employee in an engine-house in Johnstone street, lives with his wife, and it appears that they had a lodger named Davies, but, a disagreement having arisen he went elsewhere. Davies visited the Poultons in March last, and threatened Poulton with an iron bar. Police Court proceedings followed, Davies being bouno over to keep the peace. On the morning in question he visited the engine-house and fired at Poulton, who rushed ai Davies, struck him about the face, and escaped, Davies tiring at him as he goi away. Before proceedings in the engine house, however, he had gone to Poultonh home and threatened the wife, who managed to escape. Davies ran down the street, threatening to shoot the police and bystanders, firing the revolver wildly and wounding one civilian. Some foot police closed with him, but, when Davies found that he could not escape, he swallowed a quantity of prussic acid, and died as he reached the door of a surgery in Brunswick street. The affair created an intense sensation. About five years ago James Poulton and his wifi arrived in Melbourne from England Isaac Davies, a single man, arriving at the same time. They became acquainted, and Davies secured an appointment on the railway. Poulton was night watchman at the Johnstone-street tramway engine-house. For some time 1 avies was a boarder with the Poultons, but a disagreement arose, and he went to I 0 e jyith a iVjU'B Melbounu; jAljoui Ji|ily fast year he persuaded Mr.poulton to leave her husband and proceed to Sydney and commence business then supplying her with money, but he did not accompany her. After she had been in Sydney some time she decided to return to her husband. Upon hearing that Davies expostulated and threatened that would murder her if she carried out her intention. However, she did not heed the threat, and rejoined her husband. Davies appears to have visited {he house, and onp day Ppqlton returned t id foqnd him there. A quarrel ensued etween the two men. Davies assaulted Poulton, with an iron bar, and the case came before Fitzory Police Court, where Davies was hound over to keep the peace. The affair appears to have rvnkled in Davies’ mind, and the Poultons having removed, Davies seems to have made diligent search to ascertain

their place of residence. In this 11 succeeded, and about two o’clock o.i the Poulton awoke to find .Davies at her window, which he opened after forcing the catch back with a knife, lie morning of November 15th Mis asked at what time her husband would be home, and was told “ six o’clock.” He then remarked that the three of them would die together, stating further that he had come prepared, showing her two revolvers, a large sheath knife, and a phial of prussic acid. Naturally she was greatly alarmed. It seems that Davis had opened the back of the house also. The woman endeavoured to pacify him, but he appeared bent on murder. Then she asked him to blow out the caudle, which he did, and in the darkness she slipped out and got away. Davies, enraged at her escape, threatened to murder Poulton’s two little boys if they did not tell where their mother was. Then, getting an axe, he proceeded to smash up the furniture. A neighbour hearing the disturbance went on to the verandah. Davies went out and demanded that he should give up the woman who had entered his house, evidently assuming that Mrs Poulton was sheltered there. Finding that it was not so, he seems to have gone to the tram engine-house where, seeing Poulton, he fired at him and just missed him. Poulton closed with him, and several blows were exchanged; but fearing the revolver. Poulton took advantage of his opportunity to free himself, .and ran away, Davies firing at him as he did so. Poulton ran into the street, shouting 4 ' police,” but his wife had already given the alarm, and the police on approaching, were attracted to the spot with the report of the firing. Then Davies stood back to the wall, defying anyone to touch him, and firing at intervals, A civilian named Nolan, attracted by the reports, was shot in the foot. Davies had two five-barrelled bulldog revolvers. After firing eight shots he evidently tupposed he had emptied the weapons, for he put his hand to his pocket. The police rushed up and seized him. His motive for putting his hand to his pocket was to get some poison, which he swallowed as the police reached him. They forced an emetic down his throat, but it was too late, and the man died in about ten minutes. Davies had dropped two letters, one addressed to his landlady, giving clear, business-like directions about his affairs, the other a wild incoherent letter to the city Coroner. The body was conveyed to the morgue. Poulton was uninjured, with the exception of a few bruises received during the struggle with Davies. The wonder is that Nolan was the only one struck by the bullets, as a good many people, attracted by the firing, collected in the vicinity,