The Telegram. — 1894-03-06 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

MURDER AT POKESDOWN. 'BUS COMPANY'S MANAGER SHOT. On Tuesday morning, what would appear to be a premeditated murder was corninitted on the premises of the Bournemouth, Busc.mmhe, and Westbourne Omnibus Company at Eokeeduwu. The victim was William Mitchell, the company's yard manage:, and the assailant was a man named Tom Elkins, who up till last Saturday was also in the employ of the company. Last week wane unpleasantness occurred at the yard, and it was decided that, in the interests of the other employees, as well as of the company, Elkins should be discharged. This was dune on Saturday, when he was offered a week's wages in lieu of notice, btr. refused to accept them. The same day he went to Southampton and there bought a revolver, and in the evening he saw Mr. W. Mate, the chairman of the company, and Mr. W. H. Pettey, one of time direetcrs, who refused to interfere with Mitchell's arrangements. On Monday morniug, in accordance with an arrangement made, Elkins presented himself at the Pukeedown yard and took his money, and it was thought that no more would be heard of him. He had asked to be allowed to remain in the employ of the company, but it was thought that, as he had charge of the engine, he might do some mischief, and his request wise, therefore, not acceded to. On Tuesday morning, Mitchell with attending to a horse in one of the stables, when Elkins, who, of course, had no right in the yard, arrived between ten and eleven o'clock, and again pressed the deceased to take him on. Elkins' voice sesta heard by men in the adjoining stables to he raised in loud expstulation, and almost simultaneously a ebb was heard. Elkins then came out of the stable, and, in passing through the yard, remarked to oue of the men who were at work, " The old man's shot." The men at once went to Mitehell's assistance, and found him lying on the bricks just inside the door in a pool of blood. He exclaimed " Good God, he's shot me." He had a wound in the head, which had been caused be a revolver shot entering behind the right ear. by men carried Mitchell to his residency adjoining the stable and lid him on a bed, where be died within ten minutes and before the arrival of a doctor. . .  Elkins, after leaving the yard, made his way straight to alicombe and when near the Palmerston .Hotel met P.S. Head, whom he asked to take a drink, but who refused. Elkins then said, "Well, I want to make a statement to you, but I must have a drink first. Will you wait until I come out ?" On receiving an answer in the affirmative, he went into the Palmerston Bar, had his drink, and came out. The sergeant said, "Well, what have you done?" and Elkins rejoined, "I have done a crime, and had my revenge." On being further interrogated by Sergt. Hood, he said, "I have shot Mr. Mitchell this morning with a revolver," and putting his nand on his coat pocket told the sergeant to take the revolver from it, but to be careful, as it was leaded. The sergeant said, "You have never done this Elkins said, " nght enough, sergeant. 11l crane along to the Polise-station quietly." He alim said that he had been discharged from the 'bus company's service on Saturday, that he had gone to the directors the same night, and that morning he went to tee stables and iisked Mr. Mitchell if he would take him on again. He added: "We could not come to terms, so I said, I shall come to terms with you and shoot you." Hood took the revolver from the man's pocket and found it was five chambered, one ot the chambers having been discharged. Elkins was at once taken to the Policestation.  The deceased, who was a Scotchman, was married and leaves a widow and a family of nine, of whom four are small childien. He had been in the employ of the company since April, 1E92, and was respected and liked by all who knew him. He was between 50 and SO years of age. Elkins, who is aged 47, is married and has a family of three children. He lived in the Victoria Road, Bosconibe, and had been in the employ of the company for about three years as chaff cutter and engine-driver. He is described as of a morose and disagreeable disposition.