Kalgoorlie Western Argus 25 August 1898, page 9
THE KANOWNA MYSTERY
An Accident or Foul Play???
The recent discovery of a portion of charred human remains near the Government dam is still exciting a great deal of local interest, especially as an attempt has been made to connect the supposed tragedy with the mystery surrounding the alleged Sacred nugget. A visit was paid to the locality this afternoon by a party comprising the Warden (Mr P. Troy), the Coroner (Mr H. J. Grey), Corporal Bishop and Mounted Constable Wilson.
The scene of the gruesome mystery is about 2 miles from Kanowna and about half a mile south of the Government dam. The locality is timbered with salmon gum, the smaller growth being a mulga and some quandong trees. Where the remains were found, the timber and debris have been burned off in a large circular patch of about 100ft in diameter, and this fire evidently occurred over a month ago.
The unconsumed portion of the body was found near a young gum tree; the skull remained, but the neck had been burned away, and only a portion of the chest remained. The eyelets of a tent were found in the ashes. By the position of these, it is believed that the man had the tent folded on the ground, and not erected. A revolver was found about a yard away, and two chambers had been discharged, but there is no evidence that the accused shot himself. Portions of a watch were found about ten yards away, and a portion of the contents of a meat tin were picked up near the remains.
In poking the ashes today a portion of the bones of a human hand were found, also an incinerated heel bone and other bone portions. The sight was a gruesome one, and the evidence would indicate that the deceased was asleep when a falling tree fell upon him and pinned him to the ground.
KANOWNA, 18 August 1898 – The acting-Coroner, Mr H. J. Gray, opened an inquest today, at the Kanowna Warden’s Court, concerning the death of the man, name unknown, portion of whose burnt remains were found off the Balagundi road, near the Government dam, last Wednesday. James Doyle, a woodcutter, deposed that he had been working in the locality and that he had been there for about five weeks; during that time, he had not seen a fire in the locality. He discovered the remains on the date indicated and then reported the matter to the police.
Judging from appearances, he would say that the fire occurred about four months ago. He had not heard of anyone being missing, nor had he found any clue to the identity of the deceased. James Clifford, who was camped with Doyle, gave similar evidence. He considered that the fire had burned for three or four days, and he did not think that it had occurred since he was camped in the locality. A third man, Patrick Curry, gave similar evidence.
It appears as if the deceased had been lying down when he was burned. He thought it possible that the deceased had met with foul play.
Mounted Constable Albert Wilson corroborated that with the three previous witnesses. He discovered a six-chambered revolver about 8ft from the remains, two chambers had been discharged, and the other four had exploded by the heat of the fire. A large tree, which had been standing about 8ft from the deceased, had been burnt completely out. Two other trees within 8 feet had also burned out. There was nothing among the remains to show the identity of the deceased.
Evening Star, Boulder – 16 August 1898, page 3
A KANOWNA MYSTERY.
THE NUGGET FINDERS QUARREL,
MURDER, AND FIRE.
This morning a deputation from the Alluvial Rights and Democratic Association waited on Warden Troy and asked that no verdict be arrived at in the inquest on the man found dead near the Government dam until a man, said to be in delirum tremens in Coolgardie, owing to being one of the finders of the big nugget, be examined. They also suggested that the Government offer a substantial reward for information proving the cause of the man’s death. It will be remembered that the man was found some days back, near the Government dam, the body being charred, and a revolver and empty cartridges being near him. Many think that this man is one of the discovered of the nugget, and as a result of an altercation was murdered. Then a fire was made over the body to hide traces of the deed. The affair is causing intense excitement on the leads and in Kanowna. Note: (The nugget find was later found to be a hoax)
7 September 1898: The coroner left an open verdict on the death, and no identity was ever made. Although suicide was generally thought as the cause, it seems an unlikely coincidence that a tree would then fall on the body and almost completely consume it. The remains, such as they were, were buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.
Moya Sharp
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