SUICIDE AND STRANGE APPARITION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 21 August 1873, Page 6

SUICIDE AND STRANGE APPARITION.

A few weeks ago the neighborhood of Back Creek, Bendigo, was brought into a state of gloom when it became known that G-eorge Spencer, aged 21, a brother of two children whom a gunsmith named Eea was alleged to have criminally assaulted, had committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree near the Grassy Flat reservoir. Wo glean the facts in connection with the suicide and with the discovery of the body, which are very strange, from the " Bendigo Advertiser." The investigation of the case of assault referred to above, and the disgrace thereby brought upon the family, appeared to have- exercised a very depressing effect upon young Spencer's mind, for he fell into a melancholy and desponding condition. He left his father's house apparently to go to work on the Thursday morning. As he did not return to his home in the evening, enquiries were made at his place of employment, where it was discovered he had not been that day. Search was immediately instituted in every direction about Back Creek, without effect, although continued all the following day. The brother-in-law, who is a carcase butcher, then said he had not time to prosecute the search, but would gladly pay anybody to continue it. Some people volunteered to go the next day, and they returned in the evening, stating that they had searched all the holes, and had been all round the ranges without seeing or bearing anything tending to throw any light upon the absence of the missing man. On Saturday morning, a well-known character about Sandhurst — Lovett, the chimney sweep — narrated to several persons a dream which he had had. He dreamed, he said, that he saw G-eorge Spencer hanging from a sapling close by tbe quartz rocks known as the " Two Sisters," at the back of the Flora Hill. He described the apparel which he (Spencer) wore, and his position, with great exactness, as revealed by the dream. He described the spot minutely. Greatly disturbed he seemed to be about this dream, and be appeared restless and unable to perform his work in his usual manner. He begged of some one to go to the place with him, " and see if there was any truth in it," as he was afraid to go there by himself. Little notice, at first, was taken of this strange dream, and most of the people to whom Lovett told it made light of the affair. Yesterday, however, Lovett, after dinner, took a nap, and again the same apparition appeared — he says — to his mind. Again he dreamed exactly as he had dreamed before, and he entreated some people to proceed with him to the spot. Many were out scouring the bush at this time — some scores of persons indeed — and a few volunteers offered then to go with Lovett to the " Two Sisters," at the Flora Hill. There, sure enough, they found the body of George Spencer hanging by a hayband from a tree, and exactly in the manner and in the same clothes as described by Lovett. The police were communicated with without delay, and Constable Bradley, of Quarry Hill, was speedily on the spot, and cut down the body. Life was extinct ; the unfortunate deceased was quite stiff and cold ; he appeared to have been dead for a long period, perhaps for some days. He was removed to his own residence, where his body now awaits au inquest, which will probably be held to-day. The deceased was greatly respected by everybody with whom he came into contact. He was unmarried. In connection with this tragic affair, it may be mentioned that the life of the deceased had been threatened by John Rea, son of Rea, the gunsmith, on account of the proceedings instituted by the Spencer family against the latter.

Judge Gush once had a dog case, in which the ownership of the canine was in dispute. The evidence was conflicting and the judge became confused. "Stop!" said he, "stop right there. We'll settle this matter very shortly. You, Mr Plaintiff, go into the far corner of the room out there. Tou Mr Defendant, come into this corner up here. Now both of you whistle, and, Mr Clerk, let loose the dog." So said, so done ; but the dog sprang between the legs of the bystaders and "scooted" out of the door. " Very extraordinary ! very extraordinary ! " said the judge. " I can't understand that. Mr Clerk, on the whole, as the plaintiff couldn't prov3 his case when I gave him the chance, yon may enter jndgment for the defendant. " It is recorded of a famous foxhunter that, having leaped over a fence into a gravel' pit some thirty feet deep, he lay there with his broken leg perfectly quiet.in the hope that he might have company. Presently a farmer comes down, horse and man, with grievous damage, and almost on the top of him. " Why did you not warn me ? " cries the unfortunate ; " Why did you not holloa while there waa yet time ? " " Hush, hush, you fool ? " replied the first comer ; "if you will only hold your noise, we shall soon have the pit full of them ! **