The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)(about) |
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Wednesday 17 November 1875
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1 correction by frances - Show corrections
THE CHUDLEIGH TRADEGY
TO THE EDITOR OF THE MERCURY
SIR,-My attention has just been drawn to the letter of your Launceston correspondent published in your issue of the 8th instant, containing some severe strictures upon the conduct of some of the public officials, at Deloraine, in reference to the late tragic occurrence at Mole Creek.
Had your correspondent applied to me, I would have given him all the particulars of the above case, and then I would have been spared the trouble of writing1 this letter in my own defence, and in order that the public may know the true facts of the case, which are
as follows :
On Tuesday, tho 2nd of November, at half-past 1 p m., I received information that a woman, Riches
this I have ascertained is'the correct name, had been, been murdered in ahut at Mole Creek, 17 miles from Deloraine, that a man named John Lambert had been found hanging in a hut close to the. but, and that the woman's husband, Isaac Riches, was missing . I at once got ready to start for the scene of the outrage, but before doing so, I had to see the Coroner (Mr. Douglas and get him to sign a precept, so.that 1 could summon a. Jury for the inquest on the bodies of Lambert and Mrs. Riches . While waiting for the Coroner's signature to the precept, I was shown a. document which waa in the possession of the man Riches on the previous day, purporting to be an agree- ment between Isaac Riches and John Lambert, and containing a clause to the effect that if anything happened to John Lambort within twelve months from date, all his (Lambert's) property waa to go to Rlohes. It was this vvhioh caused me to suspect Riches of having committed the murder. I then sent a telegram to the Superintendent of Police, Laun- ceston, apprising him of the occurrence, and describing Riches, I gave the telegram to the clerk at the Deloraine station, at 2'15, and at once started for Mole Creek. When about two miles from Deloraine I received a message from Constable Flynn, who is stationed at Chudleigh to, say that when he arrived at Lambert's hut, about half-past 10 in
the morning, he found Riches in the bedroom of
the hut with his head fractured, but still alive.
I sent a messenger, back to Deloraine to tell Sub- inspector Lane to see Dr. Rook at once and ask him to follow me to Mole Crock to attend the man Riches. Firom Chudleigh l sent a constable to Mr James Ritchie, J.P., to ask that gentleman if he would accompany me ot Mole Creek to take the dying deposition of Riches. After half an hour absence the constable returned to any that Mr. Ritchie would not come. 1 then, proceeded to, Mole Creek at which place I arrived about 5 p.m.; I found Riches alive but almost uncon cious When I asked him if he knew me he leplied in, the affirmative, but I failed to obtain any information from' him. 1 remained with him till 7 o'clock, and as it was then dark and the doctor had not arrivvrt, 1 started back to Doloraine to procure medical assistance, leaving two constables in charge of the place. At Chudleigh I learned that Dr. Kock had refused to attend that evening owing, I believe , to the inclemency of weather. Upon my arrival in Deoraine I arranged with Dr. McNeil to attendRiches in the morning. 1 was at Lambert's hut the next morning; when Dr. McNeil arrived, and after examing Riches he gave as
hi« opinion that he would not live 21 hours.
On the same 'day, an inquest was held on the bodies of Lambert and Mrs Riches and before leaving in
the evening 1 employed a man to attend Riches On Friday, the fifth inst when the Chudleigh mail arrived, I received iintelligence that the unfortunate Riches waa still alive ; I accompanied the Rev. Mr.
Adams to. see him , and we remained with him until he died at '1 o'clock the same day,
You are , doubtless, aware of the dilliculty there always is in an affair of this kind of getting a true statement of facts at once, and also of forming correct conclusions as. in this case. The first report 1 received stated that the man Riches was missing, and the persons who found the bodies of the murdered woman and Lambert did not see him in the hut. Hence, the telegram alluded to, with the description of the sup posed missing man. On my way to Mole Creek, I first heard that Riches was found, as before stated. It ia a pity that your Launceston correspondent did not
take the trouble to ascertain those facts before he forwarded for publication such an incorrect statement in reference to my conduct in the abovoe melancholy affair. He says he would be, sorry to unwittingly do me an injustice ; and as I, have no means to think otherwise, T must only_ conclude that the injustice already done is unintentional.
Your insertion of this letter will greatly oblige.
D. D. GRIFFIN,
Superintendent of Police,
Dolorniiio,
13th Novombor, 1876.