Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1897-04-09 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

USE  TIIE AUSTRAL' AN BUSII URIYERS.  ALLEGED CONFESSION.  Dalziere gee Francisco correspondent telegraphs that Frank Better, before embarking on the steamer for Sysiti,y, tried te olint abide by cutting open his earotid itrtery with his finger nails. Ile WWI detected, anti prevented doing himself further Mjnry. Ile afterwards made the Lffiewing confession to the sheriff:—" I killed Freston in self-defenc.,. I had to Race my own life when be attaeked me. I advertised for R mate who WAR aecinainted with Joining. Preston answered the advertisement, and I met him, and We talked it over. He said lie had worked at seining. ‘Ve went to the Blue Hills, where we prospecbsl in one the!, tried elsewhere, bot we Met With it,, Sileeess, and Preston hermit., very impatient. I found he was quite ignorant of mining, and wiem he proposed to go further north I refused, knowing- the country was barren atol unsuitable for provivtitiz. lie Own bee 1111 l e angry and threatened to separate him-ill front me. I was satisfied that he was useless, and being angered by lila language sail he had deeeiVeil about his bOillg a miner. We accordingly parted iii our work, and prospected in different places by day, but rejoined the camp at night. Ile beetune very ugly tempered, and asked me why I had brought him where there was no gold. I told Lint he ,swild return if he was diasatisfied. He became furious. Afore words followed, and he reached for his gun. My rifle was near MO, SO I aeizod it end tired. Tito bullet struck his nose and went right through his head. When I saw be WAR dead I beeline, frightened, for I had 110 WitlleSS to prove my of intentional murder. I there- , fore conducted to hide the body ant go away altogether. I dug a hole the next moming and placed the body in it in flue position in which it was found. God is my witness that I fired in self-defence, and that it would not have done so had he not aimed at me. Regarding Weller, lam ignorant how he died, though I think it is certain that he committed suicide. He was a member of a party I was travelling with. He WAR very 000 Illy owing to the death of his wife, which took place a short time previously, and he kept apart from us most of the time. one night he did not return to the camp, so we searched for him, and finally found his body on the bill side with a revolver 'beside it, and a bullet through his head. I wanted to report the affair to the officials, Mit the rest of the party opposed this, saying it would result in our being retained as witnesses at the inquest and would interfere with our prospecting tour. We accordingly decided to bury the body and divide his effects among us. The articles belonging to Weller found in my baggage when I was arrested on the Swanhilda were my share."  FOR Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica, Neuralgia, Cramp, Pleurisy, Lumbago, Sore Throat, Bronchitis, Soreness, Stiffness, Bruises, Toothache, Headache, Backache, Feetache, Pains in the Chest, Pains in the Back, Pains in the Shoulders, Pains in the Limbs, and all bodily aches and pains, it acts like magic. Safe, sure, and never failing. Price VII and 2/6.  WAR STORES SEIZED ON THE THAMES