Tuesday, January 2, 1883

BIRTH,- At Uitenhage, on the 15th December, the Wife of W. Howard HARRIS, Esq., Consulting Engineer, of a Son.

Thursday, January 4, 1883

DIED,- At East London, on the 21st December, 1882, Robert WEBSTER, of Merino Walk, district of Queenstown, aged 63 years. Friends at a distance please accept this notice.

Tuesday, January 9, 1883

MURDER AND SUICIDE AT NEWCASTLE.- Trooper WILLIAMS of the Natal Mounted Police had been guilty of some act of insubordination, for which Corporal DRIEMER, in charge of the station, thought it necessary to order him under arrest. At about 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, the 12th inst., DREMEIER proceeded to WILLIAMS' room to take his arms from him, as is the custom in such cases, and to put a sentry over him. He was accompanied by Trooper GAMBLE who was to act as sentry. On their arrival at the spot, WILLIAMS asked the corporal if he would not let him off. The corporal answered in the negative, and WILLIAMS then said, "Do you really mean it?" DREMEIER said, "Yes," and WILLIAMS immediately fired at him with a revolver, the bullet from which struck DREMEIER in the forehead, passing through his head and coming out above the ear. DREMEIER fell, and the whole force in the station at once went to town to procure assistance. Immediately on the receipt of the news in town, the Magistrate accompanied by the District Surgeon, Mr. SLATTERO, Superintendent of the Township Police, and two or three other gentlemen, proceeded to the Police Camp, and found that WILLIAMS had committed suicide by blowing out his brains with his revolver. – Newcastle Echo.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.- On Tuesday the neighbourhood of Balfour was visited by a heavy thunderstorm. During the afternoon the rain poured down like a waterspout near Buxton, causing the Balfour river to swell rapidly. Just before it rose, Mr. Carl WENTZEL and his son, with their families, had arrived at the drift near Grey Kerk, on their return home from a funeral of a highly respected young farmer named MAREE. Mr, WENTZEL junior led the way in crossing the drift; and when he had reached the bank he saw the river coming down like a huge bank. By this time Mr. WENTZEL sen. Had entered the river. The son called out to him to hurry quickly through or turn back, but the horses were obstinate and refused to obey the rein. Within a few minutes the rolling body of water broke over the cart and horses, carrying them down the stream. Mrs. WENTZEL was washed over a waterfall of several feet in depth, just below the drift; Miss WENTZEL and Miss POTGIETER were also washed some distance but they managed to get hold of the overhanging branches of a tree, where they held on until assistance came. Mr. WENTZEL sen. Had a narrow escape, and was rescued with difficulty. He is still suffering from the effects of the accident. Mrs. WENTZEL's body was recovered near the Balfour Bridge, a long distance from where the accident occurred. – F.B. Advocate.

FATAL ACCIDENT.- It is our painful duty (says the Cape Argus) to record a fatal accident which happened on the morning of Boxing Day to Master Allan Thurburn MURISON, a lad of nine years, son of Mr. James MURISON, jun., and grandson of the Hon. J. MURISON, M.L.C. It appears that on the morning of Tuesday Mr. MURISON and family, with a party of friends, started from the neighbourhood of Kalk Bay in a bullock-wagon, with the intention of spending a week at "Cometje." When on the eve of starting, Allan begged to be allowed to ride the horse which had just been taken out of the buggy, and his father, knowing that he could ride well, threw a sack over the horse's back, and the lad started in advance of the wagon. While proceeding along the Kalk Bay-road, the horse apparently swerved aside, and the lad fell off, his head coming in contact with a stone, the result being that he received a serious cut on the fore part of the skull. Some persons picnicking in the locality observed the accident, and hastened to the poor little fellow's assistance, and with their aid he was removed to a house close by, and messengers sent for medical assistance. Dr. WRIGHT arrived speedily from Wynberg, and under his direction the sufferer was removed to the village, where he died.

Queenstown Fire Insurance. Loan Trust, and Agency Company, (Limited).
NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
In the Insolvent Estate of Johan Christian JANSE VAN RENSBURG, of Zwaartfontein, District of Queenstown.
All Persons claiming to be Creditors under this Estate are required to take notice that the undersigned has been duly elected to and confirmed in the appointment of Sole Trustee of the said Estate, and that the Master has appointed the Third Meeting to be held before the Resident Magistrate of Queenstown, on Tuesday, the 13th February, 1883, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, for the proof of Debts, for receiving the Trustee's Report, and also for the purpose of giving directions to the said Trustee as to the management of the said Estate.
And all persons indebted to the said Estate are required to pay the same to the undersigned on or before the 13th February next, or proceedings will be instituted against them.
J.B. SHEARAR, Sole Trustee.

Queenstown Fire Insurance. Loan Trust, and Agency Company, (Limited).
NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
In the Insolvent Estate of Martinus Wessel PRETORIUS, of Bamboos Hoek, District of Queenstown.
All Persons claiming to be Creditors under this Estate are required to take notice that the undersigned has been duly elected to and confirmed in the appointment of Sole Trustee of the said Estate, and that the Master has appointed the Third Meeting to be held before the Resident Magistrate of Queenstown, on Tuesday, the 13th February, 1883, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, for the proof of Debts, for receiving the Trustee's Report, and also for the purpose of giving directions to the said Trustee as to the management of the said Estate.
And all persons indebted to the said Estate are required to pay the same to the undersigned on or before the 13th February next, or proceedings will be instituted against them.
J.B. SHEARAR, Sole Trustee.

Thursday, January 11, 1883

THE SUICIDE AT UITENHAGE.
The Uitenhage Times reports:- "A suicide of a most determined character was committed last Wednesday evening in the beautiful garden of the Rev. Father O'BRIEN. While the rev. Gentleman was watering his garden at about 7 o'clock, a young man, about 30 years of age, named McDERMOTT, and said to be highly respectably connected in Ireland, entered the garden and began conversing with the Rev. Father as to the future consequences of self-destruction, whether a suicide would be entitled to Christian burial, &c. The rev. Gentleman expostulated with him for talking lightly on so serious a matter, thinking from his manner that he was talking out of bravado. He said to him "only cowards destroy themselves, and you are not a coward!" Not suspecting any fatal act, the rev. Gentleman went on watering the garden and a few minutes afterwards saw him place his hand to his mouth and quickly leave the garden. A few minutes after a lad named MORRISEY came in and informed Father O'BRIEN that the man was sitting down at Noyce's corner spitting. Shortly after the poor fellow as reported lying dead inside the fence surrounding the R.C. School. Dr. LAMB was at once sent for, and it was discovered that the unhappy young man had taking carbolic acid. On his person was found another bottle containing a mixture of turpentine, &c., and (the doctor suspects) strychnia. A razor was also found in another pocket.

Tuesday, January 16, 1883

FINAL NOTICE.
Estate Henry WOODFORD, deceased.
All Persons indebted to the above Estate and not paying the respective amounts on or before Three Weeks from the date hereof, will be prosecuted without respect of persons.
BELL & SHEPSTONE, for Executors.
Dated 2nd January, 1883

Thursday January 18, 1883

FOUR CHILDREN BURIED ALIVE.- A private letter from Ventersburg, district of Winburg, O.F.S., to the Express, gives particulars of a terrible and melancholy accident, which happened there some time ago. On Thursday, the 14th December, about three o'clock in the afternoon, in consequence of the heavy rains, the house of P.J. v.d. BERG fell in, with the result that four children, two girls and two boys, between the ages of nine and two were buried in the rubbish. The tidings of the sad occurrence made a deep impression on the inhabitants of the town and district, and much sympathy prevailed for the parents, who at one fell swoop had been deprived of four of their offspring. This sympathy was practically displayed on Sunday, the 17th December, when the mutilated corpses were consigned to earth in the presence of 140 men, women, and children.

Tuesday January 23, 1883

MARRIED,- On the 16th January, at St. Michael's Church, Queen's Town, by the Rev. C.S. VYVYAN, assisted by the Rev. A.J. NEWTON, George RANKIN, C.E., youngest son of W.H. RANKIN, M.I.C.E., to Florence Mary Coleridge, eldest daughter of John SUTHERLAND, M.A.

BRUTAL MURDER.
A murder most foul and brutal was committed on the night of Wednesday late at a house near Kimberley, on the road to Griquatown. The victim of this dastardly act is a girl of eight years of age, daughter of Gideon VANDERNESS, a woodrider. From information received by the police authorities, who, we may mention, maintain an official reticence with regard to particulars, being desirous of having the matter clearly investigated, the Assistant Resident Magistrate proceeded to the scene of the murder early yesterday morning for the purpose of investigation. Arriving at the house, which is situated near the last toll of that road, he found a little girl lying in a pool of blood on a bed, with her throat cut from ear to ear, and her father in the custody of a constable. Mr. BRADSHAW was informed that soon after the murder was committed the girl's father came out of the house and told his son, who was sitting outside, to go into the house and see his sister, who was lying dead in bed. He did so, and saw her as stated. On examination of the place a knife, a large bladed one, with which the deed is supposed to have been perpetrated, was found wrapped up in the mattress of the bed on which the unfortunate girl was lying. Nothing has been ascertained which can in any way account for the hand of the murderer being used in such a cowardly manner as has been indicated above. It is said that the murder might have been committed by some native who got into the house by the window, and finding the girl asleep, cut her throat; but probabilities do not support such a supposition. The father of the murdered child had been drinking heavily for some time, but on the night of the murder appeared to be perfectly sober. VANDERNESS, who is the only one arrested on the charge, is the father of eight children older and younger than the one who has thus been deprived of her life. He was brought before the Resident Magistrate yesterday, and remanded, pending a post mortem examination by the resident surgeon being held on the body of the deceased. – Kimberley Advertister.

Thursday, January 25, 1883

SUICIDE AT GRAAFF-REINET.- On Sunday morning a patient at the Midland Hospital committed suicide under somewhat singular circumstances, by drowning himself in a raised tank, in which is stored a supply of water for irrigation. The man's name was Thomas PARR, aged 42 years, who had been a patient residing in the hospital for the next three months, suffering from chronic rheumatism. He had previously been for the same disorder at the Provincial Hospital, Port Elizabeth, from whence he was removed to the ward for chronic sickness in the Albany Hospital. He left that Institution voluntarily and subsequently found his way here, and was admitted to the Midland Hospital. His back was bent from rheumatism, and his hands were stiff and nearly useless. HE was of a quiet habit, but from what he said lately to other patients, it is clear that he fell into a desponding state of mind as to his state, and wished himself dead. He did not express this feeling to the Superintendent. It is the custom at the Hospital that when the Doctor pays his daily visit, such patients as may be out in the garden should at once return to their respective wards. On Sunday morning last, Dr. MAASDORP attended at the Hospital about half-past 11, and was engaged for a short time with Mr. READY. The Superintendent, and Mr. TEBB. The patients who were outside meanwhile returned to their wards, excepting only PARR, who stayed behind. The last one to come in told him to come, and he said he would do so presently. Being thus left alone in the garden, PARR placed his hat on the ground, and turned over a bucket, which was near the tank. Upon this he stood, so as to lean over the wall, and there can be no doubt that he deliberately threw himself into the water which was then only two-and-a-half feet deep. As the Doctor and Superintendent went their rounds, PARR was missed from his place; and on being sent for was discovered partly immersed in the tank, and quite dead. The R.M., Mr. HUDSON, held an inquest on deceased yesterday, which was adjourned until Thursday in order to obtain the evidence of Dr. MAASDORP.

DROWNED IN A MORASS.- A Kokstad correspondent of the Kaffrarian Watchman writes as follows:- "A lamentable fatal accident occurred here last week. Mr. W. JOHNSTON, a well-known and an extensive farmer of this neighbourhood, was out in the Matateile direction on a sporting expedition, and while crossing a morass, he was thrown off his horse, and sank amongst mud and water. No assistance being at hand, Mr. JOHNSTON was unable to extricate himself and so perished. His body was ultimately recovered and brought into Kokstad for interment. Mr. JOHNSTON, who was unmarried, was a native of Stonehaven, Scotland, and came to the Colony with his brother, who only went home a month or two ago on business."

Saturday, January 27, 1883

MARRIED,- By the Rev. C.S. VYVIAN, at St. Michael's Church, Queenstown, on January 24th, 1883, by Special License, James Holehouse JACKSON, of Everton, Queenstown, to Emma Eugenie Margarathe Helena WERNER, of Brandenburg, Germany, only daughter of F.C. WERNER, Esq., Berlin, Germany.

Tuesday, January 30, 1883

FATAL ACCIDENT.- On Thursday last at Modderfontein, a little child of Mr. J.J. OOSTHUYZEN, whilst playing about, fell into a hole, near the threshing floor in which material were mixed for plastering the floor, and when found the little one was quite dead. – Colesberg Advertiser.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT DE KAAP.- The Natal Advertiser has the following paragraph: -Mr. Clifford W.B. SCOTT, commonly known as Kliffie SCOTT, who was known in Durban and Martizburg, has unhappily met with a fatal accident at De Kaap. He was riding in a steeplechase, and had just passed the post a winner when the horse stumbled and fell. SCOTT came to the ground with a crash, and the horse rolled over him, the death of the former being immediate, as his neck was broken." According to the Witness there is some doubt as to the truth of the report, which it is hoped may turn out to be untrue. Meantime, the painful suspense of the young man's family, who are in Maritzburg, may be imagined.

Saturday, February 3, 1883

MARRIED,- At Fort Beaufort on Thursday 25th inst., W.D. BENTLY, son of T.H. BENTLEY, Esq., Tylden, to Miss S. ELLIOTT, daughter of N. ELLIOTT, Esq., Fort Beaufort. No Cards.

Tuesday, February 6, 1883

EXECUTION OF A MURDERER.- A correspondent sends the following:- The execution of Adam FREDERICKS, a Hottentot, for the murder of Mr. LAWMAN, at Slagter's Neck, took place at Somerset East on Monday morning, at half-past 7 o'clock. About 7 a.m. the black flag waived from the staff within the goal, and very shortly a large number of coloured people collected outside the prison. The prisoner walked to the scaffold with a firm step, and to outward appearance not realising his awful position. He was attended on the scaffold by the Rev. Mr. OATES, minister of the coloured congregation here, and by Mr. DIEPERINK, editor of a Dutch paper in this place. Both gentlemen read and prayed with the condemned man, who, during the words spoken, betrayed no signs of fear, but rather seemed to betray a stolid indifference to what was about to happen. After the words of consolation addressed to him, the two gentlemen shook him by the hand, the Rev. Mr. OATES asking him "if he had found Christ and grace," to which he replied "yes." They then left him to his fate, and in a few moments he suffered the full penalty of the law.

FATAL ACCIDENT.- We regret to hear that a man named BILLINGHURST, a contractor on the Colesberg Extension, was accidentally killed a few days ago. It appears that on the arrival of the engine, with a long train of trucks at Zoutpansdrift, the man was missed, and about an hour and a half afterwards a following train was signalled to stop by some platelayers, who had found the man lying by the rails, with both leet broken and so injured that he died before reaching Zoutpansdrift. The supposition is that he fell off between the trucks, the wheels of which went over him.

Thursday, February 8, 1883

MARRIED,- On the 7th February, by the Rev. James THOMPSON, B.A,, by special license, William Robert, fifth son of the late G.F. BLACKBEARD, Esq., of Grahamstown, to Annie, second daughter of Capt. J. BOLTON, of Whitstable, Kent, England.- No Cards.

MARRIED,- On the 6th February, in the Presbyterian and Congregational Church, Queenstown, by the father of the bridegroom, Alfred, youngest son of the Rev. H.H. DUGMORE, to Sarah Jane ("Dollie") eldest daughter of Ralph John GODDARD, Esq., of Queenstown.- No Cards.

Thursday, February 15, 1883

BRUTAL AND WHOLESALE MURDER NEAR HOOPSTAD.- News has reached Bloemfontein of a most horrible murder having been committed in the Middenveld, about 5 or 6 hours from Hoopstad. It appears that a Mr. THOMPSON, who had a wife and three children, kept a shop on a farm, about an hour from Nauhaus's. The report brought into town of this awful affair by Boers from the neighbourhood, differs somewhat from the telegram received by Government from the landdrost of Hoopstad, via Boshof, published below. They say that some of the neighbouring farmers went on the 23rd instant to the shop of the unfortunate man, THOMPSON to buy some necessaries. They were surprised to find the store closed. On going to the door they discovered a pool of blood on or near the doorstep. They broke in at the window and saw THOMPSON lying with a pillow on his head, but could not tell whether he was dead or not. The body of Mrs. THOMPSON was lying close to her husband. The neighbours forces the door open and found that both Mr and Mrs. THOMPSON had been brutally murdered by being knocked on the head and stabbed about the body. An infant of 3 months old was also killed, and a child of about 4 years of age was badly wounded, but not dead. A little girl about 9 was missing. The neighbours immediately attended to the child that is still alive, and sent at once to Hoopstad and the fieldcornet to report the state of affairs. The child revived so far as to be able to state that two black men committed the awful tragedy. The landdrost, however, says nothing about the child being wounded, and nothing about natives. He mentions, the Friend believes, the name of a white man who is suspected. This is what he telegraphed:- "A bloody murder took place in the night of the 23rd inst., on the farm Kalkpoort, on the boundary of the district. Mr, THOMPSON, wife and child were brutally murder.ed. Have apprehended persons on suspicion – am busy tracing culprits. Please offer reward in the Gazette." The Government have issued a warrant and offered a reward of £50 for the apprehension of the murderer or murderers.

Tuesday February 20, 1883

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN CAPETOWN.
MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
A tragic occurrence took place on Saturday night, at No. 19, Caledon-street, when a white man, of the name of John Peter NELSON, murdered his infant child, attempted te murder his wife. And attempted to commit suicide. The details of the horrible story are not yet fully known, and can only be ascertained by the story of the unfortunate wife, who is the only person who can really give any distinct narrative of the circumstances which led her husband to the committal of the crime which he has perpetrated. The outlines of the occurrence are, however, very clear and simple, and have been corroborated by the wife herself as being something to the following effect. Shortly after ten o'clock on the night in question, some of the neighbours in the vicinity of NELSON's house, which is directly opposite the grocery store of Mr. PFUHL in Caledon:street, at its junction with Canterbury street, were startled by the loud cries of "murder! Murder! He has murdered my child!" in a woman's voice, proceeding from the house, above mentioned. A rush was immediately made to the door which was discovered to be locked, and this necessitated a resort to the window, which was suddenly thrown up, and the agitated and terrified wife leapt out into the street, and hurriedly narrated that her husband had murdered her child. Some hesitation was at first felt by those present to enter the house, but at length three gentlemen arming themselves with sticks, to be used in case of emergency, entered through the window into the front room, where all was found to be quiet, but the articles of furniture greatly disordered. A quantity of blood was discovered upon the bedclothes and on the floor, and a track leading out in the passage, when followed up, conducted the three gentlemen to the kitchen, where the man was found extended upon his back upon the floor, with the dead child upon his left arm. The throat of the child, a girl of some two years of age, was cut in a most frightful manner, close to the junction of the neck with the body, right away through to the bone at the back of the neck, the knife having severed the carotid arteries, the jugular vein, and everything else, almost severing the head from the trunk of the body. The wound was so deep that death must have been almost instantaneous, though when first discovered it is said that there were still some signs of life in the body, which was drawn up in contortions. The man himself had cut his throat, not so much under the chin in the vicinity of the jugular vein, but rather more to the side under the jaw, and the injuries were rather more the result of a flesh wound than otherwise. The floor of the kitchen was deluged with blood, which was scattered too in ghastly pools in other portions of the house. The child and the mother having been removed to the house of Mrs. TURNBULL, her sister, who resides in the neighbourhood, Drs, ROSS, FALKINER, and FISK were sent for to attend to the man's wound, information of the circumstances also being despatched to the Resident Magistrate. On the arrival of DR. FALKINER, and subsequently of Dr. FISK, the man was removed into the front room, where his wounds were attended to, and he was subsequently left there in charge of two police constables. The Resident Magistrate arrived upon the scene of the tragedy at about half-past eleven, and proceeded to inquire into the circumstances of the case. NELSON himself was perfectly conscious during the night, acknowledging one of his friends, and it is said that on being interrogated as to the motive which induced him to act as he had done, he replied that he was desirous of "sweeping off the whole lot." Shortly after the occurrence took place, the street was rendered almost impassible owing to the number of people who congregated round the house. The man NELSON was removed in a cab to the new Somerset Hospital at about twelve o'clock on Sunday morning. On his arrival there, however, he was pronounced to be in no danger of his life, and it was recommended that he should be removed to the gaol, as at the hospital he could not meet with such constant supervision in order to prevent him from proceeding to any rash measure to rid himself of life. To the gaol then he was accordingly removed, and there he will be under constant surveillance of a police-constable. From what can be ascertained, it appears that on Saturday night the prisoner showed signs of a restless spirit by constantly shifting about and altering the position of the furniture in the house. At about ten o'clock he left his wife upon the bed, endeavouring to compose the little child to sleep, and proceeded into the kitchen where he obtained a long strait knife, with which he intended to commit the diabolical crime. He suddenly returned to the bed-room, and accosted his wife with some words to the effect that he intended to make away with her, and following up his words, he endeavoured to cut her throat. Springing up she screamed for help and struggled with her husband in order to obtain possession of the knife, receiving several cuts in the attempt. Her attempts seems to have been unavailing and her husband suddenly picking up the child from the bed cut its throat with the knife he had obtained, the unfortunate women having wrested the knife away, then seems to have flown to the door, and in her terror seems to have lost her presence of mind, rendering her totally incapable of unlocking it. From the door she rushed to the window, by which she escaped, as we have already narrated. The husband of late has been employed as a driver of one of the railway engines in the docks. He is said to have been a steady man until some time ago he lost a child, which apparently upset him and unhinged his mind. This appeared to have preyed upon him that he became morbid and melancholy, and a resort to hard drinking stimulated these morbid ideas, which at length completely gained possession of his mind... – Cape Times.

SUICIDE.- Last Sunday week a native, named Willem GAIKA, committed suicide at the Location, Port Alfred, by hanging himself. He effected it by means of a woollen scarf tied twice round his neck, and then attached to the end of a piece of chain suspended from the top of the hut. No reason has yet been assigned for the rash and insane act.

Thursday February 22, 1883

A MAN named John RYAN has been killed at Natal through falling under the wheels of a tramcar. He was endeavouring to get on the car whilst it was in motion.

SUICIDE IN CAPE TOWN.- It was reported by Mr. Avendale JONES, residing with his parents at No, 31, Mechau-street, that his father, Mr. George JONES, had hanged himself to the frame of the door in the kitchen by means of a pocket handkerchief on Tuesday. It appeared that the son arrived at home about 12.15 p.m., when he found his father in the position indicated. He immediately cut him down and sent for Dr. ROSS and the Resident Magistrate, life being however, perfectly extinct. The body was removed shortly afterwards to the New Somerset Hospital.

THE MISSING SCHOOLMASTER.- Some weed ago we reported that a schoolmaster named Antonie GENTZ, had been lost in attempting to cross the Baviaan's Kloof mountain. We are now requested to contradict a report that the body of the missing man had been found, killed by lightning. A most earnest search was made but no traces of the missing man found. – Times.

Tuesday February 27, 1883

FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE KIMBERLEY MINE.- An overseer in the employ of the French Company, named MORAN, we regret to say, lost his life on Monday afternoon, through falling from a tub, whilst he was coming out of the Kimberley Mine.

Thursday, March 1, 1883

BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on Feb. 28th, the wife of D. NICHOLSON, of a Daughter.

Tuesday, March 6, 1883

In the Estate of the late William TRENNERY.
The undersigned having been duly elected to and confirmed in the appointment of Executor Dative, Notice is hereby given to all persons claiming to be Creditors in the above Estate, that they are requested to file their Claims with the undersigned at Maclear, or at the Office of Mr. Attorney A.D. WEBB, in Queenstown, within Six Weeks from this date, and all persons indebted to the same to pay within the same period.
For Wm. ALLEN,
Executor Dative.
A.D. WEBB.
Queesntwon, 6th March, 1883

The Murder of Mrs. LEPPAN.
The Somerset East Advertiser gives a report of the preliminary examination held prior to the committal of LEPPAN for train for the murder of his wife. At the close of the investigation prisoner was asked if he anything to say, and was cautioned in the usual manner that whatever he did say would be written down. He made a very lengthy declaration to the effect that he left for Rwagershoek via Pretoria, on the 14th of this month that in consequence of hearing that his child was ill, he returned on the 19th, when he found an envelope on the table addressed to ----. This aroused his suspicion, and during the evening, when his wife refused to hand him the keys of her desk, he took to beating her with the sjambok doubled. He was, he said, not aware that he had no ill motive or intention of taking her life, and that he was therefore not guilty of wilful urder. Prisoner was then committed for trial on a charge of wilful murder, and taken to gaol. We may mention that prisoner requested to be tried at the Circuit Court to be held here on the 8th of March. The deceased lady was the eldest daughter of Mr. T. KYD of Murraysburg, late Professor of the Gill College here, and much sympathy is expressed for the family under the sad bereavement. She was barely 22 years of age, and leaves two little children. Her brother, Mr. R. KYD, clerk to the Resident Magistrate of Cradock, arrived on Tuesday evening; the other members of the family being to far distant to come. The funeral took place on Wednesday, at 11 a.m., and was very numerously attended, considering that the preliminary examination of her husband was being conducted at the same time.

Thursday, March 8, 1883

A Sad accident is reported by the Worcester Advertiser to have happened on Monday at Hex River East. Mr. David FALCONER, a gentleman, lately arrived from Scotland, in outspanning his horses, tied the riem of the horses round his wrist, when the animals suddenly took fright, dragged the unfortunate man about, kicking him and fracturing his skull. Medical assistance was of no avail. Mr. FALCONER, who in the short time he has been in the Colony has made many friends, died early on Tuesday morning. The corpse was brought by train to Worcester, and taken to the residence of the Rev. Mr. ESSELEN, from where the funeral proceeded yesterday to the burying place. Many people are in the habit of tying the reims of their horses round their wrist when outspanning but from the above it will be seen how dangerous this practice is.

FATAL SNAKE BITE.- A Mr. Hendrik FICK, residing on a farm of Mr. P.E. KRUGER's, of Somerset East district, died a few days ago from the effects of a snake-bite. The deceased was in the veld, and in attempting to extract honey from a bees' nest, was bitten in the forefinger of the right hand by a snake, which lay in the nest. The reptile had such a firm hold that Mr. FICK had some difficulty in shaking it off. He rode home immediately, a distance of twenty minutes on horseback, and although the usual remedies in such cases were tried, he died in three hours time.

Tuesday, March 13, 1883

BIRTH,- At Cathcart, on the 8th inst., the Wife of Mr. J.M. TURVEY of a Daughter.

SUICIDE THROUGH LOVE.- On the night of last Sunday week a terrible occurrence transpired at Herbertsdale in the Mossel Bay district. An American carpenter of respectable connection, John Augustus DORRENT by name, carried on business as a carpenter and joiner on the farm of Mr. SWART, who in addition to farming did, as many Dutch persons do, a good deal of carpentering on the farm. DORRENT had been 18 months thus engaged, and fell in love with Hester SWART, a girl just over fourteen years of age. The young man took a dose of corrosive sublimate, lay down in an outer room of SWART's house and died. An inquest was held by the Magistrate at which several witnesses were examined, among them Mr. SWART, who stated that he had dispensed with the services of deceased and they parted. After he left he found a letter he had written to his daughter. The following is one of the letters to Miss SWART – "Ask some one to write on a plank these few lines; J.A.D., born 16th November, 1853, and died 18th February, 1883, poisoned for the love of a woman." Verdict:- Deceased, John Augustus DORRENT, committed suicide by taking poison called corrosive sublimate.

THE MURDER AT HOOPSTAD.- A warrant has been issued by the Landdrost of Hoopstad for the apprehension of Charles SMITH alias Jack SAVAGE, charged with having murdered the THOMSON family on the 23rd January last, says the Friend. SMITH is described as an Irishman, about 28 years old, slender build, with brown hair, clean shaven, marks on his forehead as if scorched by gunpowder, mark on one of his cheeks, and a woman tattooed on his left arm.

SUICIDE OF A BARMAN.
Much excitement prevails in De Beer's through the information received by Mr. F.A. COTTY, that a young man named, Steven PENN, formerly employed by him as a barman, had committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver at Kareeboom Farm, in the Free State. PENN worked as overseer in the claims of Messrs. COTTY Brothers, but subsequently worked as barman up to a few weeks since, when he left for the abovementioned farm. He returned last Saturday, and bade good-bye to his De Beer friends, with the intention of going to the Transvaal. It appears, however, he only went back to Mr. Otto LEVY's farm, which is some nine miles distant form Kimberley, and commenced trading with the farmers in the neighbourhood, with one of whom he quarrelled over the price of some eggs, which seemingly preyed upon his mind. On Tuesday evening he asked to see Miss LEVY, saying, "I want to bid her good-bye, for I am going to shoot myself." This request was not complied with, neither was any heed paid to what was said. Shortly afterwards two shots were heard, but even then no notice was taken of the threat. In the morning PENN's body was found lying in the veldt, about 400 yards from Mr. LEVY's house, showing that the fatal affair was done in a most determined manner, as one bullet grazed the forehead, while the other was lodged in the breast. There is no doubt that the deceased man's brain was uneven, as when working at the De Beer's he was frequently heard to say he would shoot himself. The deceased man has a brother who works as a digger on the river, and he arrived in Kimberley just a short time before the sad news, and at once set off for the scene of the dreadful calamity. – Independent.

Thursday, March 15, 1883

The late Mr. W. MORRIS.- The Alice Times announces the death of Mr W MORRIS of that town, who was one of the original grantees of the Queenstown district, the ground now forming the township and commonage of Cathcart having been occupied by deceased, but was given up for another, when Government required the land for military purposes. Mr MORRIS resided for many years at Lily Vale, close to Queen's Town and always took a lively interest in the affairs of both town and district in the early days of settlement. Mr MORRIS had been suffering from ashma for some time, but ultimately died from an attack of inflammation in the internal parts. Deceased was a son of Mr John MORRIS, one of the British Settlers of 1820, and was a lad of nine years old when the party landed, and had thus attained the age of 71 years and 4 months. He was a man of great energy and force of character, and took an active part in many of the most stirring incidents of frontier life. He had brought up a large family all of whom are grown to manhood. The Rev. James MORRIS, of the Umtata, Transkei Mr W.J. MORRIS, of Xlanga Magistracy, Mr Geo MORRIS of Queenstown district, are sons of the deceased His three daughters are Mrs J.G. WEBSTER, Mrs. J. R. THOMPSON, and Mr E.J. TWEENY The funeral took place last week. Two of Mr MORRIS' and a large number of friends followed the remains to their last resting place in the Alice cemetery. The service in the Wesleyan Chapel was conducted by the Revds J. WILSON and R.H. BROTHERTON. The 49th hymn was also sang. The Rev J. WILSON conducted the service at the grave, and Dr STEWART pronounced the benediction.

Tuesday, March 20, 1883

BIRTH,- At Philipton, on the 13th March, the Wife of Rev. T.G. JONES, of Hackney, of a Daughter.

Friday March 23, 1883

MARRIED,- On the 15th instant, by Special Licence, at St. Michael's Church. Queenstown, by the Rev. VYVYAN, Charles KOCH, to Jessie FALKENBERG, widow of the late C. FALKENBERG, Esq.

Tuesday March 27, 1883

BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on the 22nd March, the Wife of G. BARNES, Jun., Lausanne, of a Daughter.