BURNT TO DEATH IN A BUSH FIRE.
An inquest was held on Thursday, November 21, at Arthurton, Yorke's Peninsula, to enquire into the case of death of William Henry Murnane, aged 19, son of Mr. Michael Murnane, who was burnt to death in a bush fire the previous day. The body presented a frightfully charred appearance and could scarcely be identified. Mr. Henry Lamshed, JP., was Coroner and Mr. Thomas Sutton Foreman of the Jury.
Margaret Murnane said— William Henry Murnane is my son. He left home at 1 o'clock yesterday to look where the fire was. Did not see him afterwards until I saw his remains lying at Mr. Smith's hotel, Arthurton. He had his two younger brothers with him, but sent them home for fear of the fire. I fully believe the deceased to be my son, but cannot recognise him, the body being so charred. Identify the buckle as belonging to his trousers, and the buttons on his shirt.
Heber John Beck said— About 8 o'clock yesterday morning I went to Mr. Henderson's section to mow on the top of the bill, near Arthurton. I saw a fire from there which appeared about ten chains south-east of Mr. W. H. Wilkinson's farm. It was then very small. Then observed another fire about ten chains north, and in the space of half an hour I observed another fire, and remarked to a young man who was with me that the fire had broken out again further north. Said also that I thought it had been lit by some one, as it was in a contrary direction to the wind. Took but little notice of the fire after that. I cannot recognise the body of the deceased.
By Police trooper Orr— The fire was burning from the north-west. It appeared about ten chains from Mr. Wilkinson's house. Was about seven miles from Mr. Wilkinson's house and cannot swear whether tbe fire was on his farm or not. The wind was blowing very strongly at the time. Believe the fire could not travel in a north westerly direction. Thought the fire waa lit by same one. Never heard a relation of Mr. Wilkinson's say that 'there was good feed in Kalkabury- or that he ' intended to burn the scrub.' Believe the fire was the cause of the death of deceased.
By the Foreman— The fire was about six miles when I first saw it from where deceased was found. The wind at that time could not blow in the direction where deceased was found, but afterwards the wind shifted and blew in the direction where deceased was discovered. Considered there was no danger wben first I saw the fire. Cannot say if there were any woodcutters in the direction of Mr. Wilkinson's farm.
Herbert Humphrey Beck said— I knew William Henry Murnane and can recognise the body as his. Know that he came to his death by fire. Saw young Wilkinson this morning and was speaking with him. Asked him who lit the fire, and he said his father lit it in four different places to burn out the corner of the paddock, the scrub then being so thick that they conld not find the bullocks in the morning. They were going to burn it after harvest, but his father said they could not be bothered any longer. I told him that deceased waa burned and he said be would go home and tell his father. He further said the fire had burned one hundred of bis father's posts. His father was in such a way about it when he saw the fire going towards Kalkabury that be could not eat any dinner. He said it would be ruin to his boys. Young Wilkinson is sixteen years of age.
Edward Buik said— I have seen deceased but cannot swear to his identity. Believed deceased's death was caused by fire but cannot swear how the fire originated. Heard young Wilkinson say he would have the right side of us, and that they had set light to the scrub several times, but it would not go. Saw the fire first at 9 o'clock north of Mr. Wilkinson's farm. Saw deceased's body before it was removed from tbe ground. The position of tbe body was towards the north as if he was running from tbe fire. The body was jammed between two mallees. There is no ill-feeling between young Wilkinson and myself. I think deceased could not have escaped from the fire even if be had not been caught in tbe mallees. Deceased was 67 chains from the clear ground when found.
Frank Wilkinson, of Weetulta, said— I saw the fire in father's paddock but don't know how it originated. The fire started from my father's paddock first and I was close to it.. No one else was with me. I did not see more than one fire. Did not tell any one else about the fire when first I saw it.
By the trooper — Why did you not tell your father when first you saw the fire?
Witness— I thought my father was in the paddock. I heard my father say that be was going to set fire to the scrub after harvest for feed. .Remember seeing you this morning. Said then that my father set fire to the scrub but I was not sure of it. All that I heard my father say was that he wished the fire would go out. Heard him say that be did not think tbe fire would cross the road. Cannot say who lit the fire. There were road men camping near the fire when first I saw it. Cannot say if tbe men raising stone use powder or not.
By the Foreman— Did not see any one trying to put out tbe fire. The men are quarrying stone there now. One of the quarries is only a quarter of a mile from the house. Do not know whether the fire I saw in the morning caused deceased's death.
William Henry Wilkinson said— I went two miles to see if tbe fire was injuring any of my neighbours. Did not think it would and returned. Was struck by the evidence of Beck saying that it commenced within ten chains of the south end of my section.
By the Foreman —Are there not men working on tbe north of the sections?
Witness — Yes; two parties, one north and the other south. Do not know the deceased, nor do I know anything of his death. Do not know how he came by his death. Do not know how the fire origitiated that caused his death. Have never tried to burn tbe scrub between Kalkabury and my farm. Observed fires near my place and considerably below it, tbe wind blowing at the time from the north or north-west.
Wesley Wilkinson said— I knew the deceased. Saw tbe smoke of tbe fire but do not knew how it originated. Went down to see where the fire was after cocking hay. An hour elapsed from the time I first saw the fire and when I went to it. Was half a mile from the fire. Father has wheat near where the fire was — about 800 yards distant. I do not know if it is a general rule to look after a fire when it breaks out. Have not been accustomed to farming. My father kept a school before he came here Did not hear any one say he was going to set fire to the scrub. There was a man with me helping to cock hay. Did not see any one try to put the fire out.
George Orr, police-trooper of Moonta, said— About 10 p.m. on the 20th inst I received information by telegram of the death of deceased, which was caused by a bush fire. Arrived here this morning at half-past 7 and received information that the fire was seen originating close to Mr. Wilkinson's. Proceeded thither and saw Frank Wilkinson. Asked him if he knew where the fire originated said, ' Are you certain? ' He paused awhile and then said, 'Father set it alight.' Asked him for what purpose. He said "They have plenty of feed at Kalkabury and we have none here, and father wanted to clear the scrub.' Asked him if he saw his father light the fire, and he said no. Then said, ' How do you know your father lit the fire ?' He replied, ' Because I beard father say that he was so sorry, but he did not think it would get across tbe wood or burn tbe fence,' Then saw Wesley Wilkinson, and be denied having any knowledge of the fire. Then saw Mr. W. H. Wilkinson and asked him if he knew where the fire originated. He said, 'Down there in my section.' Then asked him how. He said, 'I decline to answer that question.' Asked him if he set a light to it. He said 'I am not compelled to criminate myself. ' Told him that I could not compel him to answer that question; it would be for the Coroner. He then said, "Can I speak to you in confidence? " Said no ; I could not hear anything in confidence. The Coroner having carefully reviewed the whole of the evidence, the Jury retired, and after a considerable time returned the following verdict, viz. :— " That William Henry Murnane came by his death by a bush fire, but there is not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated.'