The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-05-03

Fort Bourke. He was easily captured,
and, when brought before the bench, was
hsggard and worn out with fatigue.
This unfortunate man was of com,
parstvely gentle birth, had been med
ical student in England, and being sent
out to the colony to seek his fortune,
had, as is too often the case where a
young fellow is shipped of without
friends, interest or capital, lost caste, got
among dissolute companions, until,
attracted by what weak-miuded boys
would think dashing life, had come by
rapid steps to this terrible depth Of
crime.
The case was simple--his only care
seemed to be to clear himself of the &C.
tual murder of McCabe. The law, how
ever, could take no cognizance of this
whether he fred the shot or not he wss
equally guilty of the mur i,r. He was
committed, tried and sentenced to be
hanged. Subsequently his sentence was
committed to imprisonment for life, and
when last heard of him he was still an
inmate of Darlinghurst jail.
An extraordinary statement of his was
thai on leaving the public house, he had
10 be helped on to his horse in an almost
fainting condition, and yet held up
through that exhaustiDg escape; that a
day later, by his directions, his mate
extracted the ball from his shoulder with
his knife; and yet when taken, though
weak and il, no trace of wounds ave
the scars remained. He had parted
from Rutherford, as his enfeebled state
was danger to both, and lie had not had
the hardihood TO attempt to make his
way through the Gordon formed by the
yigilant guardians of the peace.
But to his companion he was az true
as steel, and would give no clue to the
direction Rutherford had taken.
The latter, who was a much more
experienced bushman, and in stronger
health, was successful in evading his fate
for some time longer. As was afterward
ascertained, he had contrived to elude
the police, and made his way to the
McQuarle river, some three hundred
miles nearer Sidney than the scene of
his late terrible outrage. He was a
smart young fellow, a native Australia,
though OF English parentsge, and OF
good address. Arriving in district
where he was unknown. he had no diff
Guilty in getting employment, and was
for some time engaged breagin2-in
horses on cattle station, duty he was
well able to perform.
Had he been contented TO remain at
honest work he might have long escaped
detection; but it was not to be. He
was soon at his old work, and one day
walked into the Pine Ridge hotel, near
Csnonba, kept by q Frenchman named
Beauvais, and unceremoniously am
nouRced II am Rutherford. Bail up"
The process was without excitement,
orderly and business-like, and Leauyais
knew there was no alternative but to
submit.
He pleaded that he was not a rich
publican, and begged moderate. terms,
offering any refresbment he demanded.
Rutherford wanted money sud nothing
slse--" that or your life." With bis
reyolyeri at the head of the unhappy
Frenchman, he marched him into the
private room where the cash box was
kept, and stood by while his victim
reluctantly and slowly opened it. Hows
ever, he stood q little too close, and
Beauyais, as he described it to me,
thought: 81 will not part with my
money without struggle" There was
no time bandying'words or remonstraace.
Quick as thought he threw up his
antagonists revolver arm, and grappled
with him 10 deadly struggle. He was
q plucky fellow, bat the odds were
against him. Rutherford was younger
and stronger man, armed and now
desperate.
Beauyais' grasp on the revolver arm
prevented Rutherford from getting an
opportunity to fire; still the issue could
not long be doubtful.
At this moment in the unequal COM
bat some good chance caused one of the
men to stumble, and both fell heavily 70
the ground. There was loud reports
Rutherford's pistol had gone off in the