Page:The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal 1(28).djvu/2

 8 Yd@4N AND HEEGAN, ‘cwo NamniyRs, sHoT. WILLIAM KEATS, 4 YOUTH,
 * SPRARED.

‘The intelligence of the affray which has led to this horrid eatastrophe, was received with mingled feelings of gratit- cation, and regret, But obe sentiment prevails as regards the death of Yagan, which is that of satisfaction, and with some even of exultation, but its genenal- Jy lamented that the youth should have fallen 2 sacrifice to his boyish daring, We at prosout reftain from making an comment upon this eveut, our space this Weel being so limited ; we therefore Teave our readers to draw their own conelusions as to the serious lesson it ‘The Afray took place on 'Thurstay last the [1th Inst, and on the following! morning an ingairy was instituted by the Megistrales (lose names are attached tw the depositions.) We are indebted to the desire of these Gentlemen to make ‘the public aciquainted sith every partieu- Jar for the fllowing statement uf facts —

James Keats, brother of the deceased, being sworn, stated that yesterday morning he went with his cattle in company with his brother and saw the natives coming towards Mr Bull's house for flour. On meeting them and observing the proscribed Native Yagan with the party, they then spoke and induced this said Native to turn back, which he did, and remained with the nearly all the morning. In the meantime, his brother the deceased attempted once to shoot him, but the gun stopped at half-cock. They then went on to the place where the other natives were making dampers, where they remained a short time; when the natives accompanied them over to the river, Yagan then refused to go any further with us and became vexed, threw his fire brand and digging stick down, and put himself in a threatening attitude. I then said to my brother, "If you wish to shoot him, now is the time," but he refused and allowed him to join the rest of his party. On reaching them my brother cocked his gun, and laid it over his arm, pointing the muzzle towards Yagan's head, and almost immediately pulled the trigger. The man directly fell, &mdash; the natives then began to fix their spears in their throwing-sticks, and on looking round I saw Heegan in the act of throwing. I fired at him and he fell; I again looked round and saw Weeip throwing &mdash; I fired my other barrel at him, but missed. I then said to my brother, "We must run for it." We started, he took round the side of a hill, and I ran straight for the river. I had dropped my gun and tumbled down twice in descending the hill. When I got to the bottom I turned round towards my brother; the natives were on the right hand. I called out, "Why don't you fire the other barrel?", he then came towards me and said something which I did not understand. He passed me and I observed three natives, running on this side of the hill, intending to cut me off. I then turned, and took the river; when I was some distance in the river, I looked back to see if they followed me. I saw none coming after me, but four, including Weeip, had surrounded my brother, and appeared to be driving their spears into his body.

William Cruse, sworn, states that when he heard of the affair he went up to the spot accompanied by six other. and found the body of William Keats lying close by the river. He saw no spears in the body but had no doubt the wounds were made by spears; there were many feet tracks of the natives about, and his head had been smashed, he supposed by a gun, which lay broken beside him smeared with hair, and blood. We then went on about 300 yards and saw the bodies of Yagan and Heegan; we were led to them by the moaning of the latter who was not quite dead. He was shot through the head and his brains were running out; one of the party put him out of his misery.

yqhtisiard Jones, som, tated that 1e was une of the party who accompanied Cruse, whose eritence le corroborated. He further stated that he was well wc quainted with the person of Yugan, and at he was one of the deceased native ‘Phe body was also reeoguised by Wile iam Ded, Juines Me” Dermott, aud Nuthuniel Shaw.

‘The opiuion expressed by the Magis- trates present, Wi. Locke Brockman, 1. B, Lennard, and Henry Bull, Esqs.,

"That the Decoused met with bis denth ju an, affray with the Nutives, aiter having killed the oulaw Yagan in par= suauce of the Goverment Proclamation.

Temay he us well to remark that Wil-

lian Keats, the wufurtuuate deceased, hhad frequently expressed a deteriination to kill Yagan, although in opposition to his masters will, with a desire it was presume w obtain the reward

‘Thue seene of the murder was a short distance from Mr. Bull's residence on the Swan, and no gentleman, we believe, has head more anxious to avoid it, having given repeated, and positive or ders to his mon nt to shoot, Yagan,

As was only on Monday lust that Mr. [Bull took Weefp and three otlier natives to Fremantle to see Miduegooruv's son, the native boy, eho is under the eburge Jot Vincent the jailor—he interview is reported to us to have been very alfect- ing—Wreeip bursting into tears, at the boy's disclaiming any knowledge of him, ad vincing cul perfet inference the little urchin either pretended or could not speuk his own language, and turved jeside whistling and playing with his jyoutbfal instructor, and eompanion—an incorrigible thicf 6 years of age. ‘The native lad is so much pleased with his situation, that at any attempt to take him out’ he cries most pitifully ; he is looking remarkably well, and seems very much attached to his Keeper and Mrs Vincent,—a strong proof of their kind trestinent. Savages nre not to be won by austerity o severe diseipline.

‘We have just ascertained that Wil- iam Keats, the deceased, was 18 years

of age ; James, bis brother, who escaped, vesooly 18. =

‘Yallowgonga with several of his tribe, came twice into Perth, during tha past week ; and inquired of the Kg. Georges Sound natives whether Yagan had. been shot. Although this tribe have always been considered peaceable and inoffen- sive; we nevertheless caution our towns- men not to encourage them.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Luma 1 Cockavas Sousa —The Bllen, 6

Yeinment Schooner, the Cape Bret, and Core

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL

‘Twn Article in ow prose nawher, relative to the formation of a Saciaty for “the permssnent support of Orphins and Desitate eildren by mau of Appteutiatip nthe Colones” ie de- erving of every allen, more partially fn this Colony, and we only lameot that the qnesee aug- gota by the Soviet, were not teased to us, and tnt thy have come to owe knowledge at late a period. The stot ie takon foun the Hobart Toso Courier of Decenber las, which ‘we lave enly recently recive ly way of he Cap, ve prope giving the continuation in our next, With sl remarks as ay oscuro

We have long sougit the comnvnication af our sien, upon vues which snore iimmetiately come Under their obersiton, ata distanea fom ‘our note; and congratulate our readers that we Tava lengel elicit ths sentinats of © Pilon let” upon the resent all engrossing topie uk the Nativas:” we stragiy recommend the of ervations eouluinel n hip letter to the serie ‘consideration, of every member of our eorauniy. It is mse by one expose to the fav eoneaque ‘of misglded judgment av to leat the voice oft gifted alvveste of humanity fo wnt most di tant wilds

nig to 8 to Gnd scl seatients ex

CIVIL COURT, weeig, 9, 4.0 LO ge 1888 Bate 6: Moon Beg, Chil Commissioner.

W.H Drake George Leake. This was an action upiva Ii of Eschange for 260, Brg ly Me Dru as Heitor (© the eale of the Inte Mi.G:F-Jotonon. After thaJurywasswary the Sl wae Hed tthe Con misiomer

hfe Liste objeael othe pants yroceding fn this evo, onthe grow of isnot vag any Tropes in de Dil ant not hetog tho legitimate bole. Lake ered Nina ear ‘pon the inne of bis being brovght up to led au acon tetiatel by Fry who hal no ution ta prone aga him.

‘ir Dike thot fe sory unwurantabe to cow ovt wach pattie, ad le di ot expect itu Gonnan of i ees jes.

CCornsioer™=t sopposs you (lrg to 3k Dr) erly wnbel to show that you were usted as an Becto.

‘Major ‘Naira topped ureard and stated be could xsi the mater, aalseqent per of Slory to that eld bythe ate Me Flan, and ‘rheh nas inthe hans of the. Hazstor,"yas {ive to him whon ns in Hobart mn and he {iat shown Me Drake bis ight othe Bl

‘ir. Drake-—But rocediogs hal sealy been inate.

‘Com—M. Deake no doubt was jelous of is sight a oo Exclu

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