FATAL AFFRAY AT BALLARAT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 827, 20 June 1871, Page 3

FATAL AFFRAY AT BALLARAT.

(From the "Ballarat Star," May 22.") Ayoungman, uamed EdwardSprncklen died iu thd district hospital shortly after eleven o'clock last night from injuries received in a fight which occurred at the Chinese Camp the night before. It appears that the deceased man lived in Wills-street, near Ooutt's bakery. He was twenty-three years of age, and lived with his father, whom he supported At about eight o'clock on Saturday night he left his home and went into Bridge-street, and there met another young man named John Buckley, with whom he was acquainted. They went into the Criterion Hotel, and Patrick Johnson, and the three had some drinks together. They then went to Ward's Hotel, in the Main-road, and had some more drinks, and after leaving this hotel they then went to Lee Soon's public-house in the camp, and had some more drinks, and afterwards re-entered the gambling house. Alter stopping here for some time they went back to Lee Soon's, and had some more drinks with a young man named Benjamin Storey, who had joined them at Ward's Hotel in the Main-road. It appears that Buckley had lent Spracklen his pipe, and when they were in Lee Soon's he asked for it. Spracklen would not give the pipe up, and after some high words, Buckley challenged him to fight, saying that he should keep the pipe if he proved himself the better man. They went into the road a little way from Lee Soon's, and Buckley took off his coat, but Spracklen kept his on. They then commenced to fight, and after they had exchanged several blows, Spracklen called out that he was stabbed. The fight then stopped, and Spracklen removed his clothes to show the wound to Storey. He then began to feel faint from loss of blood, and was removed in a cab to the district hospital, when it was found that he had received a terrible gash across the lower part of the abdomen, from which the intestines protruded. The intestines had been cut in several places. Buckley was soon afterwards arrested by the police, and lodged in the Eastern lock-up. At a quarter-past two o'clock on Sunday morning it was evident that Spracklen would never survive, and he was in such a precarious state that it was deemed advisable to have his dying depositions taken. Dr. Butler, J.P., was immediately sent for, and then Spracklen, after he had been sworn, gave a narrative of the occurrence, similar in effect and detail to that above. The prisoner Buckley was present, and in answer to a question of his, Spracklen stated that they were all drunk, but knew well what they were about. He also stated that he forgave Buckley, though he did not deserve to be forgiven. About four o'clock p.m. on Sunday, the deceased man's first deposition was read over to him, and he stated that it was perfectly correct, and that he was stabbed about halt past ten or a .quarter to eleven on Saturday night. Spracklen died shortly after eleven o'clock on Sunday night.