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4 corrections, most recently by InstituteOfAustralianCulture - Show corrections

DREADFUL AFFAIR AT BROKEN HILL

   

TWO FOREIGNERS RUN AMOK

RIFLE SHOTS FIRED AT A TRAIN

FOUR PERSONS KILLED AND SEVEN WOUNDED

MURDERERS SHOT DOWN DY AVENGING PARTY

Broken Hill, January 1.    

One of the longest and most crowded   picnic trains that has left Broken Hill   carried those who set out with light hearts   this morning to attend the annual picnic  

of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows at Silverton. The train left the Sulphide-   street station at 10 o'clock and the goods   station a few minutes later. The train  

consisted of two brake vans and 40 ore trucks of the usual sort used for Barrier picnics, with about 1,200 picnickers

board. When the train was about two   miles on the way to Silverton, near the   cattle yards, an ice cream cart, with a flag  

flying on it, was noticed on the northern side of the line, close to the railway fence. The flag was red, about l8 inches square,  

with a white crescent and white star -- the flag of Turkey. Two men were also seen  

crouching behind the bank of earth which

marks the line of the water main from Umberumberka to Broken Hill. These men   attracted the attention of Mr. M. Kenny, who was a passenger on the train. Mr.   Kenny, who is engaged on the water supply works, thought at first that there must be something wrong with the main, and that  

these men were attending to the damage. He then saw that they had rifles in their hands, pointed at the train. Almost simul- taneously he saw and heard the rifles fired. The firing continued during the whole time the train was passing. The two men fired 20 or 30 shots in all.

Killed on the Spot.        

The men, being so close to the train, could be plainly seen to be either Turks or Afghans. As they were flying the Turkish flag, it was assumed that' they were Turks, of whom there are several in Broken Hill. Mr. A. E. Millard was riding along the     track beside the railway line as

the train was fired on, and he became the target for one shot, which killed him on the spot, the bullet going  

through his head. The train was stopped. and, it being ascertained that a number of the passengers had been seriously injured, if not killed, it was taken a little farther on to the Silverton Tram-   way Company's reservoir, where there is telephonic communication with Broken Hill. Three of the victims were removed from the train and taken to the pumping-station

at the reservoir, and medical men were summoned from Broken Hill. The train, with its saddened freight of men, women, and children, then returned to Broken Hill, meeting on the way Dr. Moulden and others in motor cars, who had responded to the telephone calls.

Shot Another Man.

Some of the injured were taken into these cars, and the others were brought on in the train. The alarm was telephoned from the railway pumping-station to the police, and Inspector Miller at once sent out a force of police. The constable on duty at the explosive magazine, not far from the scene, was early on the spot, and was in a position to give valuable assis-

tance to his comrades. Lieutenant     Resch was communicated with by the   police, and he dispatched all the    

available men connected with the mili- tary forces whom he could reach. The Turks after their attack on the train,     moved off towards the west of Broken Hill, and were followed by their armed pursuers. After shooting another man on their way they at last took cover in some rocks a few hundred yards west of the Cable Hotel. These rocks are a white  

quartz blow, projecting well above the  

general level, and they afforded good   cover. Soon there was a general rush to-   wards the spot from the town, mainly by   civilians, mostly present or past members  

of rifle clubs and members of the Citizen  

Forces.    

No Quarter for the Turks.

The general operations were under the direction of Inspector Miller and Lieu-

tenant Resch. The attacking party spread  

out on the adjoining hills, and there  

was a hot fire poured into the enemy's position, the Turks returning the fire with   spirit but without effect, which is rather   surprising, as the range was short and the  

attacking parties in some cases exposed themselves rather rashly in their  

efforts to get a shot. There was a desperate determination to leave no work for the hangman and to run no risk of the mur- derers of peaceful citizens being allowed to escape. It was not a long battle. The attacking party was being constantly rein- forced by eager men who arrived in any  

vehicles they could obtain or on foot. At just about 1 o'clock a rush took place to  

the Turks' stronghold, and they were found lying on the ground behind their shelter. Both had many wounds. One was dead and the other expired at the hospital later. They wore the dress of their people, with turbans on their heads. The police took charge of the bodies.  

When the News Came.  

It appears that on receipt of the infor-   mation Inspector Miller dispatched Ser- geant Gibson, with two motor cars con-  

taining a force of armed police, who fol-   lowed on the track taken by the Turks leading along the western outskirts of the town. When the police cars reached a point near the Cable Hotel Sergeant Gib- son saw two men amongst the white quartz rocks on a hill. Not suspecting that they were the enemy, Sergeant Gib- son was about to make enquiries of them when suddenly they opened fire on the car. Mounted-Constable Mills was struck by two bullets at the outset and then firing began on both sides. Just before the final rush took place Inspector Miller and Lieutenant Resch, in a motor car, the latter driving, swept round the hill between the Cable Hotel and the enemy's position. On reaching the front of the firing line the occupants, including a third person, a civilian, all armed with rifles, joined in the advance, and were just in time to reach the fallen foe amongst the first dozen or so. Inspector Miller checked a disposition that was manifested by some to fall upon the bodies of the killed or wounded men. On the first examination both the Turks seemed to be dead. One had been shot through the head, and the other had several wounds, and was mo- tionless. On their being carried towards the road by which the ambulance would be able to approach, Inspector Miller no- ticed a movement in one of the men, who was found to be alive. He was removed to the hospital, and there attended to, but he was evidently mortally wounded, and his death was only a question of a very few hours.

Fired Point Blank.

Tlie police, under Sergeant Gibson, ran short of ammunition, and the sergeant made a perilous journey to the rear of the Cable Hotel to obtain a fresh supply. On their way across to their rocky strong- hold the Turks knocked at the door of a house near the Allandale Hotel. The occu- pant opened the door, and some words passed between him and the Turks. Then one of the men raised his rifle and, with- out warning, fired point blank, the bullet going through the victim's body. Two of the iron railway trucks bear marks of the fusillade. One has a circular hole in it about seven-eighths of an inch in diameter. The other has a circular bullet mark, of about the same size, but this one did not pene- trate the steel side of the truck. The large size of the hole in the perforated truck suggests that the bullet had expanded con- siderably on striking the steel and had not passed clean through on impact. The ap- pearance of both the bullets suggested that soft-nosed bullets were used, as it might be reasonably supposed that a hard nickel service bullet would go clean through the thin steel at such a short range.

The Official Report.

The following is the official report of the police:— Two colored men, Afghans or Turks, armed with rifles, fired on a picnic train laden with men, women, and children just outside the city en route to Silverton, and killed and wounded several. The police when informed went in pursuit of the offenders, who took refuge on a rocky hill and fired on the police and wounded Mounted-Constable Mills. The two men were finally shot down.  

Killed.

Elma M. Cowie, Frieberg Hotel, Railway

Town.

A. E. Millard, Cobalt-street, Railway

Town.

William Shaw, foreman, sanitary depart-

ment.

James Greig, aged 69, laborer, next Cable Hotel, shot in the abdomen whilst chop- ping wood in backyard.

Wounded.

Mary Kavanagh, aged 23, tailoress, Cum- mins-Street, shot through base of skull.

Condition serious.

George F. Stokes, about 14 or 15, corner Cummins and Garnet streets, shot in shoul-

der and chest. Condition serious.

Thomas Campbell, aged 70, tinsmith, Rocky Hill, Allendale, West Broken Hill, shot in side. Condition not serious at pre-

sent.

Lucy Shaw, age 15. Wolfram-street, bul- let in elbow. Wound opened and bullet extracted. Returned home.

Alma Crocker, age 34, care of Mrs. Bray, Beryl-lane, shot in jaw (this victim only arrived from Petersburg yesterday morning on a holiday).

Rose Crabb, aged 30, Mark-street, Waterworks Hill, shot through shoulder, bone splintered. Returned home.

Constable Robert Mills, shot in groin and thigh, suffering a good deal of pain. Condition not critical.

(Continued on Page 16.)

T H E WA R

(Continued from Page 15.)

SOUTH AFRICAN

JOBELS;

SERIOUS POSITION:':

ÍVIGÓBÓUS ACTION.

?.'?'?'-;.?- j-; PRETORIA, January 1.

' ;An official communique published to- oday says:-"Although 'the rebellion in ¿South Africa has been. suppressed, it is Tc'car that if the rebel leaders in German :'South-West Africa succeed the situation way «gain become * acute.; "It , will be -necessary, in view of the danger of in- vasion,, to employ much larger forces

.tuan nas at first intended in order to

^destroy fie enemy and the rebel forces-, and to prev ent a -recurrence of the menace to the peace oi SouHi Africa The Gov- ernment arc confident that the Citizens Jwill render IU the German South West vAincan campaign as 'williDg and loyal scrnce as they did with such brilliant "buccess m the suppression of the re

îbelbon "

«""?A proclamation'-has been issued calling -""out the first and second classes of the 'national reserve in the Transvaal except "î-utBe Rand, also in the northwest of .Cape, Colon},

' COMPULSORY SERVICE.

-PRETORIA, January 1.

The South Afnr-nti Union Government announces that it is resorting to the powers given under the Defence Act to commandeer men for service m German South Africa and in the Union. The Go

\ eminent adds that the j situation which has arisen cannot adequately be met bj depending upon volunteer recruits The Union troops on Christmas Day reoccupied Walfisch Baj, a British port in West ^Attica. They were not opposed by the Germans.

." THE AUSTRALIANS.

DUTY TO-KEEP FIT.

CAIRO, January I

The High Commissioner (Sir George Reid) took the salute of the Australian and New Zealand troops on the occasion or the general parade of the forces in Cairo

vesterdav.

r Sir George Reid, in addressing the sol diers, said.-'"Earl Kitchener will send you to. the front directly you are fit to take the field against the enemv. It is your ' duty to get fit as soon as possible and to v*tecp -fit "

4 Sir George will visit Upper Egypt be-

fore starting for h's return journey to London on January 11

i DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT ;.: ; MAILS.

?V --

--¿-From C. E. W. Bean, Australian war

correspondent with the Australian Im henal .Torce - " '

, -v- - CAIRO, December 31.

,-« General Maxwell and Lieutenant General "" Birdwood, with Sir George Reid, reviewed

tbe_remainder of the Austrahans at Mena '«amp to-day.

The men marching pa«t looked very well on both dav o To day one íegiment came m straight across the desert from its dav"b work The men marched to the parade with coats off and sleeves rolled up

~ At- the end of the review General Max well remarkd to Sir, George Reid .-"Well, ^-that's a-splendid- sight,- Sir George.'' Be

ilso io\d. Sir George Reid that ho was enormously-impressed-witli-the men.

Lieutenant-Gêneràl "Birdwood said that the work of the men was quite first class.

Sir George Reid, referring to Lieutenant General "-"Birdwood, -said it was a great /pleasure to seé'liîm'appointed to command <<., the.. Australian and Maoriland forces. His

career in,§outh Africa and India showed that'Lord. Kitchener had madi- one of his "invariably happy" choices in the selection pt this distinguished soldier to command .them. .

.'"General*Birdwood is an exceptionally */young lieutenant-general. He obtained-dis- tinction as Lord Kitchener's staff officer. ."The general's friendly manner has already

won him popularity with those Australians who have been in contact with him.

The miscarriage of mails has been a dis- appointment to the ti Oops.

i ) . .,_ -

GIFTS FOR THE POOR.

? *' ?' ' LONDON, January 1.

Tlic special committee of the London Chamber of Commerce appointed, for the purposci has allocated the consignment of food sent'by the Sydney Chamber of-Coru 'merce, partly to many of the English and Welsh municipalities for distribution among the poor, and to the hospitals receiving wounded eoldiers. A large quantity of the food has also been distributed to the Bel- gian refugees and to the families of French soldiers. Monetary grants have likewise been made to various funds for the relief of soldiers and sailors, aa well as to the Serbian and Montenegrin relief funds.

NEW YEAR'S WISHES.

LONDON, January I

The "Daily Chronicle" publishes New Year wishes, for the success of the Allied forces in the present war from Mr. Fisher, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth; Mr. Holman, Premier of New South Wales; Sir Alexander Peacock, Premier of Vic- toria; Mr. Denham, Premier of Queens' land; Sir Richard Butler, acting-Premier of South Australia, and Mr. Scaddan, Pre mier of Western Australia,

A MUNIFICENT GIVER.

LONDON, December 31.'

The committee of the Australian Volun- tary Hospital has received a cheque for ?7,000 from Mr. Colin Stephen, of Syd

ney.

GENERAL "WAR NEWS.

HONORING THE DEAD.

LONDON, January 1.

The British War Office has decided to defray the cost of the conveyance to Eng- land of the bodies of soldiers dying on active service in cases where the relatives of the dead specially desire that the fune- rals should take place near their homes. A sum to meet funeral expenses'will also be allowed.

BRITISH REVENUE. -

LONDON, January 1.

The British revenue for the "quarter ended on December 31 was £43,323,000. The details show these figures:

Customs Duties. £9,995,000 Excise Duties.£10,762,000 Stamp Duties. £1,757,000

- The total estimated revenue for the year 1913-14 was £195,825,000, the details show- ing: - Customs, £35.200,000; Excise, £38,850,000; stamps, £9,800,000.

WAZmi TRIBE LOYAL.

LONDON, Jauuary 1.

The Waziri tribesmen on the Indian frontier have informed the Indian Govern ment that they can remove the British troops on the north-west frontier of that Empire, as the Waziris will keep peace and order.

WAR AND TRADE.

.CRIPPLING GERMANY. .

^ NEW YORK, January 1.

The United States exports decreased by £7b,000,000 during November as a result of the war in Europe. Germany's consump- tion of United States goods in November last was only £8,000, as compared with nearly £10,000,000 in November, 1913.

A SOLDIER KILLED.

Melbourne, January 1.

Mr. John Thomas Gough, a member of the 3ra Light Horse Expeditionary Force, met his death this morning at Broad- meadows as the result of a kick from a horse. He was 23 ¿ears of age, and had come from Howie's Creek, near Mansfield.

DID NOT TRADE, WITH THE ENEMY.

Melbourne, January 1.

Tfie Minister of Defence (Senator Pearce) stated this evening that searches made at the business premises of Strelitz Bros., Perth, and at the private resi- dences of members of the firm had failed to bring to light any incriminating documents or let- icia. He desired that the general pub- lic should know that the (inn had not offended against the laws relating to tiade with1 tlie enemy.

NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

Melbourne, January 1.

The Minister of External Affairs has re- ceived copies of dispatches from the Gover- nor-General oi South Africa to the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies. One, dated November 10, gives an account of an in- spection of a motor brigade and a speech by General Smuts at Johannesburg. In his speech General Smuts said:-''The re belbon in the Cape is over. Manta and his satellites have fled back into German South-West Africa. In the Transvaal the postion is much better than Í3 generally thought. General Beckers has been driven out of the Transvaal, and he will not be given rest day or night until he has been accounted for."

DIED IN NEW GUINEA.

Melbourne, January 1.

News has been received by the Navy Office from Rabaul of the dçath irom ma- laria oi two able seamen. They are Charles Henry Foster Gardiner, of the Armorer's crew (next of kin, Airs. Ann Jane Ross, Tarella, Montalbert-road, Balwyn) and Herbert Charles Williams (next of kin, Mrs Elizabeth Williams, 21, Langley-lane, South Lambeit-road, Vauxhall, London).

- THE NAVAL COLLEGE.

Melbourne, January 1.

At Melbourne on January 4 the inter-

viewing committee for the final selection of candidates for entry into the Royal Aus- tralian Naval College will -begin its work. Tlip results of the recent educational exam- ination have proved that 59 candidates are qualified to appear before the committee. Of the« ?1 belong to Victoria, 20 to New

South 'Wales, four to Queensland, six to | South Aust>-aliu, three to Tasmania, and j five to Western Australia. The interview-, ing committee will consist of Commander J. B. Stephenson (president). Lieutenant Setton (of the training ship Tingira), the Rev. W. Hall, Chief Naval Instructor, the State Director of Education (or his repre- sentative), and Staff-Sergeant Horsfall. It is proposed to enter 30 cidet? into the college according to the 1914 quota.

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