Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Saturday 2 July 1887, page 6


ANOTHER SHOOTING TRAGEDY

AT FREMANTLE.

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A TOWN COUNCILLOR SHOT THROUGH

THE NECK.

EXCITING SCENES.

THE Jubilee festivities at Fremantle have been brought to a sad end by another of those dastardly shooting outrages, for which in the last few months the Port has acquired so unenviable a notoriety. On Thursday week the children's Fancy Dress Ball took place at

the Town Hall, and was,as will be seen from

the account appearing in another column, a

most brilliant success. Dancing was kept

up till midnight, after which the company began to disperse. About 1 a.m. on Friday morning, only the Mayor and Town Council-lors, Mr. W. S. Pearse, M.L.C., several ladies and gentlemen, a few children, and the Corporation officials, remained in the build-

ing. The Mayor,some of the Councillors and

their friends were in the banqueting room partaking of refeshments before dispersing

to their homes after the arduous labours of

the evening. While the Mayor was engaged in proposing a toast, William Conroy, the landlord of the National Hotel at Fremantle, came to the door and asked for Cr. Snook, The Mayor in courteous terms asked him to cease his interruptions, which request he complied with. Soon after the gathering broke up and the party went towards the main entrance of the hall, where the cloak-rooms are situated. On coming out of the banqueting room, Mr. W. S. Pearce, noticing Conroy, said '' good evening " to him and asked him what he was doing there. He replied "Im waiting for someone" or used words to that effect. Mr. Pearse then passed on just behind the Mayor and Councillor Haley, while Conroy remained waiting. Almost immediately afterwards Councillor Snook came out, and it is supposed he and Conroy walked down through the triangular courtyard to the entrance court at the main door. Here they were seen by a spectator conversing to all appearance in an amicable manner. Their words, as far as we have been able to glean, were not dis-tinctly audible, but we are informed that one of them was heard to laugh just before the shot was fired. Apparently without any previous warning, Conroy put his hand into the pocket of his overcoat, and, taking out a revolver, presented it at Cr. Snook, and im-mediately fired, sending a bullet through the front of Cr. Snook's jaw, which came out at the back of his neck. The wounded man at once fell heavily forward on his side, the blood meanwhile gushing from his month. During this time the Mayor, Cr. Haley, and Mr. Pearce were in the cloak-room. Im-mediately they heard the shot they rushed out into the entrance court. Mr. Pearce en-countered Conroy, and said, "Good God, Conroy ! What have you done?" Conroy replied, "He turned me away this even-ing," or words to that effect. Mr. Pearce then asked him where his revolver was and he replied that it was in his coat-pocket. At the same time as Mr. Pearce took hold of him on one side, the Mayor had also secured his other arm, and, feeling in the overcoat pocket, produced a small pocket revolver. The two gentlemen at once placed their prisoner in the cloak-room, and, without delay, sent for the police, on whose arrival he was given into custody and conveyed to the police-station. In the meanwhile, Cr. Haley had not been inactive. While the Mayor and Mr. Pearse were securing Conroy, he knelt down beside Cr. Snook, and, propping him up into a sit-ting position, did what, he could to staunch the wound, from which blood was flowing freely. Dr. Hope was sent for and arrived soon after. The wound having been dressed by him, Cr. Snook was taken to his residence where he now lies. The bullet has not touched any vital part in its passage through the neck, but grave doubts are expressed as to the wounded man's recovery on account of his advanced age and the severe shock to his

system. Cr. Snook is in his 71st year, and only a short time ago retired from active business, with the exception of that im-posed on him by his duties as a Town Councillor. He is universally respected in the town, and, as soon as the news spread throughout Fremantle yesterday forenoon, one continual expression of sympathy passed from month to mouth, accompanied with the strongest denunciation of what the public look upon as an apparently most dastardly outrage. The assumed reason for the attack is that Conroy had been refused admission to the Hall by Cr. Snook, at an earlier stage in the evening's festivities, and it is supposed that on admittance being denied him, he went home to get his revolver, and then returned to the hall to await an opportunity of effect-

ing his design. There are, however, rumours that a family dispute is at the bottom of the matter, Mr. Snook being a connection of his assailant. It is hardly necessary to add that these reports are little more than surmises. There were several people, including ladies, in the entrance court when Cr, Snook fell, and the scene that ensued was most painful, several of the ladies fainting, and others ex-pressing the excitement of their feelings by hysterical shrieks. Throughout Friday, the outrage was the staple topic of conversation, and much regret was expressed, not only, for Mr. Snook, but also that the very successful

Jubilee festivities should have been marred by so sad an ending. The action of the Mayor and Mr. Pearce in so promptly securing Conroy was the subject of universal commen-dation, and a feeling of thankfulness was generally manifested that the occurrence had taken place inside the hall rather than in the dark streets, in which latter case the perpe-trator would probably have effected his escape, and suspicion would immediately have fastened on to Thomas Hughes.

CONROY AT THE POLICE COURT.

On Friday morning William Conroy was brought up at the Fremantle Police Court be-fore Mr. E. Fairbairn, RM. and Mr. L. W. Clifton J.P., and charged with " feloniously and maliciously shooting one John Snook with intent to kill and murder " him. Im-mediately on the prisoner being placed in the

dock the information was read, and Sergeant Peacocke then requested a remand for 8 days, which was granted. The prisoner, who to all appearances, was calm and composed, was then removed to the cells. Conroy, who is well known in Fremantle, is not a native of the colony, but has relations living here. He is of short stature, has a round face with a shaven chin and short moustache and whiskers. The police Court was crowded with persons eager to catch a glimpse of the prisoner. Since writing the above we learn that the revolver bullet has been found. After going through Cr. Snook's neck it grazed the corner of the wall and passed into the right-hand side cloak-room. Numbers of persons visited the Town Hall in the course of the morning to view the blood stains on the floor, which marked the spot were Cr. Snook

fell.

LATER.

FREMANTLE, June 24.

Drs. Hope and Ingoldby saw Mr. Snook at half past five this evening. He is doing as well as can be expected, his pulse being fair, and fever moderate. His condition is pre-carious, but it is impossible to say for a day or two what the result will be.