Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Friday 21 December 1917, page 9 Gave a lurid account of tragedy.
SISTERS KILLED WITH MALLET BROTHER NOW IN ASYLUM
That Mary and Julia Cummins, both more than 50 years of age, died of wounds indicted by John Cummins, their brother, now a patient In the Criminal Hospital for Insane, Ararat, was the finding of Dr. R. H. Cole, the Coroner, who held an inquiry at the Morgue . today Into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, of the women.
The tragedy occurred at 58 Shlels street, North Melbourne, on December 9. Serjeant C. Nolan, stationed at Hotham Hill, said that at 10.30 a.m. on' December 9 Cummins went to the police station and complained that people were talking about him and his sisters.
He said that they could not walk, down the street without people passing bad remarks about them. He (the sergeant) told him hot to take any notice of them. About 12 o'clock- the same day he heard of the murder, and went to Cummins' place.
On the way he met Cummins, who had a. big knife in his pocket. In reply to questions, Cummins said that he had killed his sisters and was going to finish the job. Witness took the knife, and escorted Cummins to tho police station. In. reply "to Mr. J. Barnett, who appeared on behalf of Cummins, Sergeant Nolan said he had heard that Cummins had attempted to commit suicide some days previously by taking strychnine.
Detective N. Olholm read a statement made.'by"'Cummins, in which he admitted having murdered his sisters by hitting them on, the head with a mallet and then cutting their throats with a razor.
Clearly later the coroner concluded that john was insane and the murder charge was withdrawn.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 26 December 1917, page 6 stated the following.MURDER CHARGE WITHDRAWN.
MELBOURNE, December 25.
On the ground of his insanity, the charge against John Cummins, of having murdered his sisters. Julia and Mary Cummlns, at North Melbourne on December 9, was withdrawn at the City Court yesterday.
All the pieces of this haunting was starting to fall into place.
Kanacki