MURDERS AT PARAMATTA, N.S.W.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 219, 11 April 1872, Page 6

MURDERS AT PARAMATTA, N.S.W.

Telegraph notices have appeared at d fferent times respecting the committal of certain murders in New South Wales, and the arrest of the supposed murderers. The Australian papers to hand contain full particulars, and from them we gather the statement of facts which follows. The first person missed was John Bridges, or Peter BriSger, for some tim« wardroom steward of H. M.S. Rosario. His body was discovered in the mid channel of the Paramatta River, at a place called Kissing Point, near Nicholson's Point. A man named Freeman passing in a boat had his attention drawn to the spot by a foetid smell, which at first he thought proceeded from the carcase of a dead horse, but on examination found Bridge's body floating, with the head and arms above water. Having towed it towards Nicholson's Point, he obtained the assistance of a policeman, and succeeded in landing it with some difficulty, owing to a stone weighing about two hundredweight being fastened to the ankles. There was a hole in the skull, and a scalp wound on the side of the head. From the evidence of Dr M'Laurin, it was concluded that the man was dead before the body was thrown into the water. Two men, Nicholls and Lester, alias Frowde, were arrested by the police on Sunday, March 16th. Both were well known to the police, Nicholls having been frequently convicted, and Lester having undergone at leasb one term of imprisonment. They were convicted on 10th May, 1870, at the Central Criminal Court, of a series of larcenies and forgeries of a most extraordinary character, and both sentenced to two years' hard labor in Darlinghurst Gaol. As the time for which they were sentenced has not yet expired, it is difficult to understand why they are at large. On being arrested, Lester had in his possession a silver presentation watch, inscribed, "Presented to Mr B. Walker, by H.M. Congregation." Suspecting some foul play, the police instituted enquiries, and discovered t,tbat a recent {arrival from Melbourne named Walker was missing, and also Irving, known in New South Wales as the Tambaroora speculator and mining agent. On searching the prisoner's lodgings a shingler's hammer and life-preserver, both stained with blood, were found. We need not encumber the narrative with all the rumors that were afloat. At Walker's lodgings a sum of LBS in cash and other property was found, and a letter intimating a presentiment of evil. The police succeeding in tracing Walker's having had communication with the prisoners, and after patient search his body was discovered in a place called Five Dock Bay, through particles of fatty substance being observed floating on the water. The body lay in about four feet of water. On endeavoring to raise it, the feet floated uppermost, and it was then found that a rope was fastened round the neck, to which a heavy stone was attached. On landing the corpse it was found the back of the head was beaten in, and there was also a fearful' wound on the side of the head. On examination of the pockets, a purse containing three sovereigns was found in them, besides some trifling articles. At the inquest, it appeared that Walker had been decoyed into pe*sonal communication with his murderers by answering advertisements inserted in the Sydney Herald — A steady man required for country store; drive pah 1 hoiee waggon. T, Y. C, ffcrald office. " m " '

Glerk wanted, aotive, intelligent, for countn store ; liberal salary to competent person. T, Y. C., Herald. It seems certain that Bridges replied to the first advertisement ; and from the evidence of Charles Evans, watchmaker, Walker absolutely engaged to a man professing to be ; the manager of the second store named, and calling himself James, manager for one Norton. There was, however, something mysterious about the matter, which led to hesitation on the part of Walker. For instance, he had called at the Royal Hotel, where James said he was stopping, and, instead of seeing him, he was met by a lad at the door with a letter addresed to him, and a message that James was indisposed ; but that he would meet the " family boat " at the Paramatta wharf, which would convey him to Norton's mansion and store. Evans strongly advised him not to go. Charles Edwards, a phrenologist living at the same lodgings with Walker, gave similar evidence. Deceased had told him that a man and a boy had called upon him about half -past eight or nine o'clock on the evening of (he thought) Monday, the 4th, in consequence of his answering the advertisement. The man and youth said to him that they had received 200 applications. Amongst those they had selected six, and he was one of the six. The situation was for a " Mr Norton," in the Bathurst district. "Mr Norton " was said to employ 14 hands. The men suspected were addressed by Detectives Elliott and Camphin. On taking Nichols into custody on the charge of murdering Walker in connection with Lester, alias Frowde, Nichols said, " It is a complete mystery to me, Elliott. It will be solved in time." Camphin, on charging Lester, asked him where he had got a certain watch, which he described, when he said, *'Oh, it's all right, Mr Camphin; it's not my watch." Camphin said, "Whose watch is it ? " He replied, " It's Walker's." On being asked, " Who's Walker?" he said, "Oh, he lives over here," and pointed in the direction of the Haymarket. When he got ou-.side he said, " Nichols gave me that watch to sell for him." Camphin inquired " Where did he give it to you ? " He said! "In the street ; i met him this morning." Detective Wager produced a pocket-book found in Walker's hat- box, containing entries, one of which ran thus :—": — " 1872. Things to be done as soon ps possible after this abominable conspiracy is settled: Mr L. Worsley to be paid, and also Mr Turner's fee for services rendered on December 30th, '71, 21s ; church service to be sent to Miss Hammond ; one pair of cuffs and one front to return to- Mr Annand ; my books to be removed to L.'b from Woodland-house, and also all my property from H. Final wishes. My true Friend, — tlease forward to my dear mother Lls at once, and another sum of the like amount in December, '72. My presentation watch and gold albert chain, and also my set of amethyst studs, to be made into a parcel, to be insured, and sent per Gibbs, Bright, and Co., and letter telling Mr P. Ossen, of Ventnor, 1. of W." (Isle of Wight), " that they are from me, with truest love and blessings. My books and letters and papers not to be destroyed or sold, but, with all my property, neatly packed in boxes, add left in charge of Mr Lee to await my return or further disposal. The money left in your hands to be invested in P. 0.5.8." (post office savings bank) "in name of William Irewett, and the book to be put in charge of Mr Lee or held by yeurselr." Henry John Harrison, an inmate of the Sailor's Home, had answered one of the advertisements, and was engaged by Nichols as agent for the the ideal Norton. His poverty seems to have saved his life, for a letter was sent to him stating that Norton had engaged a clerk. Bockley, a boatman, let out a boat to .Nichols and Lester, the sail of -prHich had been Trashed, but there were several dark stains like patches of blood, which were cut out and submitted for examination to Mr Watt, analytical ohomist. A verdict of wilful murder was returned against both prisoners. Nichols offered to become informer, but the authorities declined his evidence. .He is said to be nephew to a former Solicitor-gGeneral.