The Argus newspaper (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 25 April 1877, page 7
THE LITTLE LONSDALE-STREET MURDER.
The inquest on the body of William Paine, aged 63 years, who was found lying insen-sible with his skull fractured in Little Lonsdale street early on the morning of Wednesday, the 11th inst, was resumed at the Melbourne Hospital yesterday before Dr. Youl, the city coroner. Anthony M Hale, Bernard Delany, and John Cox were present in custody. John Karney, alias Richmond, who had been arrested since the inquest was commenced, was also present in custody. Sub-inspector Montford attended and exa- mined the witnesses on behalf of the Crown. Mr. R. Walsh appeared on behalf of the prisoners Delany and Cox, Mr. Fisher ap-peared for M'Hale, and Mr. Keogh for the prisoner Karney. The following evidence was taken: -
John Courtney, barman at the Exploration Hotel, was recalled, and the evidence given by him at the previous inquiry was read. He identified the fourth prisoner, Karney, as being one of the four persons he saw with the deceased in the bar of the Exploration Hotel and whom he heard the others call Richmond. He knew him by sight, having seen him previously.
Thomas Yates, a pieman, recalled, stated - I was in Little Lonsdale street about half past 1 o'clock on the morning of the 11th inst., and saw the four prisoners. I identify the prisoner Richmond as one of them. When I asked for payment for the potatoes and saveloys they had he was the most abusive. When the prisoners left me they went away together towards the Exploration Hotel. I heard the deceased cry out and went towards the prisoners, who ran off.
Samuel M. Clarke, a mounted constable stationed at the Richmond depot, stated -On the 14th inst. I arrested the prisoner Karney. He was among the piles under-neath the South Yarra railway bridge. I told him the charge, and he said, ' I suppose you want me about that Little Lonsdale street affair.' I cautioned him, and he said, " I know they cannot lag me, for I was standing at the corner of Little Lonsdale-street and Russell-street when the row took place." He afterwards said that he could not deny having been drinking with them during the evening.
Elizabeth Eckersley, a single woman, living in Stephen-street, stated-On the night of the 10th and morning of the 11th I was at the Exploration Hotel in company with Maggie Floyd. I think it was about half-past 12 o'clock. We had some brandy in the passage. I saw a man drinking with the four prisoners in the parlour. They went out of the house by the back door into the right-of-way. Floyd and I went out by the side door into Little Lonsdale street.
I saw the four prisoners and the other man standing at the corner of the right-of-way as I passed. Soon after I saw the man whom I did not know leave the prisoners and walk towards Russell street. Floyd stopped to talk with a friend, and in a few minutes she called out, "Oh, the man has fallen down, come and help him." I did not see him fall, but when I looked he was lying in the road. I then went home, and in a few minutes re-turned to the corner of Evans lane, off Little lonsdale street. I there saw the four prisoners eating some food. The pieman Yates was rowing with them about the payment.
Yates had something in his hand and one of the prisoners said, " he has got a poker " and they all ran away. I went up Evans-lane, and when I returned I saw a pieman with the man, who was still lying in the street. I have known the four prisoners for a long time. I never made any statement to Sergeant Dalton about this matter. I do not remember if Sergeant Dalton asked me any questions with respect to the death of Paine.
To the Coroner -I can write. I did not write a letter to you. Margaret Floyd, a single woman living in Evans lane, off Little Lonsdale street, stated,-I was in comoany with the last wit-ness about half past 12 o'clock on the morn-ing of the 11th inst. We went to the Ex-ploration Hotel, and had some brandy. While in the hotel I saw the four prisoners and an elderly man drinking beer in the parlour. Soon after leaving the hotel, I was talking to a friend, and saw the prisoners go to where the pieman was standing.
The old man walked away in the opposite direction. I saw him fall off the kerbstone into the street. He appeared to be very drunk, and was sneezing and struggling as if he had a fit. At the time the man fell the prisoners were with the pieman disputing about the pay-ment of some pies. I saw the pieman gallop his horse up to where the prisoners were standing and then they ran away.
John Thomas Costello, a constable, re- called, stated -I arrested Delaney on the morning of the 11th inst. When confronted with Cox and M'Hale, he said he did not know them and had not been in their com-pany that evening.
This closed the evidence.
Mr. Walsh contended that there was not the slightest evidence against the prisoners Delaney or Cox, and it would be only putting the country to a useless expense to send them up for trial.
After retiring for about an hour the jury brought in a verdict that on the 11th inst. the deceased William Paine met with his death by violence at the hands of the four prisoners. The prisoners were then com-mitted for trial at the next Criminal Sessions commencing on the 15th prox.
In connexion with this matter Dr. Youl has received the following letter. Another, believed to be in the same handwriting, has been received at the Police department:-" Sunday Morning April 22 1877 "Dr. Youl
"Dr Sir-With respect to the recent murder of the man named Payne in Little Lonsdale street E M I has a citizen would request you to postpone the inquiry for 7 days longer has during the week I will be able to put you in possession of much in-formation has will enable the jury to deliver an open verdict. Trusting you will see the necessity of the above request.
" I Remain " Dr Sir Respectfully Yours " S S W M
"N.B. The reason for not telling you my address in full is to keep members of the police and detective force woring me for the purpose of making enquiries but has soon has my link of evidence is complete I will with the greatest pleasure forward it to you.
' Dr Youl City Coroner Collins st E M."
Kanacki