Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 16 February 1889, page 11


MURDER IN THE NORTHERN

TERRITORY.

(BY TELEGRAPH)

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT).

NORMANTON, FRIDAY.

News of a horrible murder by a blackfellow has been received from the Northern Territory, via Camooweal. On the 31st December a stockman on the Brunette Downs, named Muggleton, left his hut and proceeded to work, leaving Robert Hamil-ton behind. On returning in the evening he found Hamilton dead in a pool of blood. Inside the hut was a butcher's knife, stuck in the blood-stained floor beside him. He went a short distance to a gunyah, where he found a black fellow named Caliph, who said Hamilton kicked him in the back, and he then killed him. Muggleton saw that the black fellow had several wounds on the back, and was in great pain, being unable to move. Muggleton then went to the head-station and reported the occurrence to the manager, Mr John Roberts, a magistrate, who went with him to the scene of the murder. After holding the inquiry, Muggleton was sworn in as a special constable, and the black fellow was given into his custody, charged with murder. Caliph, however, died on the 2nd January from the wounds in his back. He had evidently been watching the hut until Hamilton left to fetch water, and then went in to rob the tucker-box ; but, being caught by Hamilton, he returned his attack by stabbing him. Hamilton, who was 80 years of age, was a native of Warr-nambool, where his parents and relatives reside.