The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-04-02
WORSE THAN LYNCHING.
Women Servants FIoGGed to DEAN by
Australians.

Women Servants FIogGed to Death by
Australians.
A correspondent writing from Perth,
Western Australia, in December, says;
A great sensation has been caused
here by the trial. before the chief JUS
tice (Sir Alexander 0nslow), of white
souatter named Ernest Anderson for
the murder of an aboriginal called
aSpider" and of two other aborigines,
sBiddy" and polly In spite OF the
clearest evidence and the plainest diree-
ton from the Judge, the jury refused to
convict Anderson of murder and
brought in a verdict of manslaughter
only. | believe no white has ever swung
for a black, and one member of the jury
declared he would sit for week II nee
essarv. but "he would never hang
white for few demned niggers.
Thereupon the others agreed. Ander-
son is said to have been introduced
about the town as "the man who killed
lot of niggers." His only regret was
that he would not be able to see the raee
for the Perth cup. The chief justice
said that he tried a similar ease IS
months ago, but then only one black
man was logged to death, and the jury
acquitted the prisoner altogether.
| The facts in this case are peculiarly
revolving, and the brutality revealed is
of an almostineredible character Seven
aboriginals, three of whom were chill
dren, ran away from Bendhu, station
in the northwest, which was managed
by two brothers named Anderson. The
reason for their fight was said to be
/ that the sheep in their charge had
strayed, and they were afraid to face
the consequences. The Andersons pur-
sued and overlook them at another sta
ton 25 miles off. On the way back they
we're allowed no food. and on reaching
Bendhu they were tied up while the
brothers had their dinner. Aftefward
the wretched natives were mercilessly
logged. Candy one of the adults, was
first attacked. Alexander Anderson
beat him till he was tired, and then his
brother went on with the thrashing.
Spider the eldest native, tried to
run away again, but was brought back
and securely tied by the legs and neck
Then he was logged with such violence
that he died. "Biddy" and Polly met
with the same fate. Even the children
Louie" and minnie" one II and the
other 8. were fogged with the SAME
lsnotted rope.
Among the local community at BAN
boo creek the case was regarded with {
disgraceful leniency. At the inquesi
the jury found that the aboriginals hae
died from exhaustion;" a rider was
added "eensuring" the brothers Ander
son, and bench magistrate inflicted ;
few paltry fines ON them for assault.
Subsequently, by order of the publi'
prosecutor, the bodies of the deaC
aborigines were eXhumed, and afte
expert examination of the broker
limbs an indictment was brought.
Alexander Anderson died of typhoit
fever in Fremantle Jail before bein.
brought to trial.
From the newspaper reports it ap
pears that the judge, In passing sen
tenee, said
Ernest William Anderson, the jur,
have taken a very lenient view of you
case. Nobody who heard the eyidenc
in this case can have the shadow of
doubt as to the crime which you com
mitted. Your crime is nothing but tina
of deliberate. brutal, base and crue
murder-the murder of man and tw
women, and the inhuman fiogging o
two mere girls. However, the jur
have done that which they have in lay
Il right to do. 1t remains for me to pas
sentence upon you. You are sentence
to penal servitude for life. st. Jane
Gazette.