Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1861-09-25 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

MURDER OF A MISSIONARY AND HIS WIIPE.—IIy telegram from Sydney (says the Melbourne Age) we have intelligence of the brutal murder of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, of the Nova Scotia Mission, by the natives at Erromanga—the same island in which, it will be remembered, John Williams was killed in 1839. The intelligence was conveyed to the Rev. Mr. Cuthberteon, at Sydney, by letters from Life. The particulars are as follows .—lt appears that in eonsequenee of the measles, which had been raging among the islands with fearful mortality, the natives of Errumanga determined to kill all the white people on that island, looking on them as the cause of the disease. Gordon was aware that the natives intended taking life, but thought that a little time would change their purpose. About noon on the 20th of May nine Bunkill natives, of whom the chief Love was the leader, called at the mission-house, and inquired for Gordon. They were informed that he was working at a house which he was building as a winter residence. They then went towards that piece. Eight of the men concealed themselves, while the ninth went further down, to inveigle Mr. Gordon into the trap thus laid for his destruction. Be had unfortunately seat all the boys away to gather grass for the roof of the new ' house, and was unattended, when Narabu Loot walked up to him and asked for some calico for himself and others of the party, who, he said, were waiting at the missionhouse. Mr. Gordon took up a piece of board, and wrote I with charcoal_ "Give these men a yard of eotten each." This be gave to the savage, and told him to take it to Mrs. Gordon,...iho would give him what he wanted. The savage then induced Gorden to go with him, and he started up the hill, followed by the native. On arriving at the ambush Narabu Lent buried his tomahawk in Mr. Gordon's spine, lie immediately fell, uttering a loud cry. Narabu Leet then gave another stroke on the right side of the neck, which almost severed the head from the body, and others, rushing from their concealment, quickly cut the poor victim to pieces. While this tragedy was being enacted another native ran towards the mission-house, and Mrs. Gordon, who had been alarmed by the fiendish yells and laughter of the savages, ran out, and, standing near the outhouse, she asked Ouben what all the noise was about Ile laughed and said, " Nothing ; it is only boys amusing themselves." She said, " Where are the boys ?" and turned. Ouben, who had his tomahawk concealed behind his back, then struck her a blow below the shoulder-blade. She fell on the grass, and he then nearly out her head off and otherwise mutilated her body. Both bodies were recovered and buried. A SEA Tamiriiv. The Journal de Constantin ole states that a shocking tragedy lately took place on board the Mecklenburg ship 'Julius,' lying in that port. A quarrel having aiisen during the passage from the Archipelago between the captain, whose name is Zoplein, and one of the sailors, the latter drew a knife and threatened to stab the other. Ile had scarcely uttered the words when the captain fired four shots at him with a revolver, and killed him on the spot. The body was soon afterwards thrown overboard. On the arrival of the 'Julius' at Constantinople, one of the crew informed the captain of the port of what had occurred. Zoplein was in eonsequence arrested and taken to the l'russian Consulate, whore he remains in custody.