Elijah Alder

116

Tony Beale on 29th May 2021

Tasmania Libraries Online Description age 19 5' 2" fair complexion light brown hair light blue eyes

116

Tony Beale on 29th May 2021

The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) Sat 29 Oct 1831 Page 2 The Courier. Ross bridge, Oct. 14.-I regret to be enabled to state the death of Mr. Benjamin Horne, jnr. youngest son of Benjamin Horne, esq. J.P., who was barbarously murdered by an assigned servant in the employ of his father. The following are the particulars of this truly heart rending circumstance :-It appears that on Thursday the 13th inst. the deceased required the services of the servant in bottling off wine, who in all probability had taken every advantage to drink as he became somewhat inebriated, for he became unusually careless in the performance of his domestic duties, being employed solely in the house - he by some means became possessed of his master's double barrel gun loaded with small shot, and very abruptly opened the parlour door (where Mrs. H. and the deceased were sitting the latter amusing himself at drawing) and presenting the gun discharged the contents of one of the barrels at the young gentleman whose back was towards him which passed between the shoulders and lodged in the breast, and caused almost instantaneous death. It is beyond the power of languageto describe the feelings of Mrs. Horne at this afflicting moment to be thus deprived of her child - mark the progress of his diabolical proceeding. He then ordered her to carry the deceased to bed, which she with much difficulty effected - in passing through the passage that leads to the back door, he knocked her down several times, repeating many blows on the face, one of which struck out some teeth ; at length he demanded the key of the store which he obtained, and entering, seemed intent only on procuring shot and ammunition. He then caused her to proceed before him to the men's hut, about 100 yards distance, where two of the men were, one of whom he ordered to tie his mistress's hands and then caused his hands to be tied by the other who remained loose and perceiving the overseer passing (who had just returned from the bush, and of course knew nothing of what bad happened) he then levelled the gun and fired but missed him the man conceiving that there was a general insurrection among the men, ran off to Campbell town to acquaint his master who was there in pursuance of his magisterial duties-having missed, his next step was to again visit the house, taking with him the man that remained loose, in search of more ammunition, leaving his mistress and a man tied at the hut, the latter of whom very fortunately effected his escape and proceeded with all speed lo acquaint the military party stationed at Ross, who without the least possible delay proceeded to the place, where without any difficulty .they secured the wretch who is at present in safe custody at Campbell town gaol. The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) Sat 26 Nov 1831 Page 2 The Courier. Elijah Alder, charged with the horrid murder of Mr. Horne, jun. at Ross, as detailed in a late number was committed by the Court until next Session The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) Sat 17 Mar 1832 Page 3 The Courier. Yesterday, Elijah Alder was found guilty of the murder, on the 13th. October last, of Mr, Benjamin Horne, son of B. Horne, esq., Chiswick and was ordered for execution on Monday The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) Sat 24 Mar 1832 Page 2 The Courier. On Monday morning Elijah Alder under- went the awful sentence of the law on the gallows at the Gaol, for the murder of Mr. Horne, jnr. The Rev. Mr. Bedford's humane and unwearied exertions in bringing the unfortunate young man to a sense of his guilt, had to all appearance been successful, and the wretched criminal died in a very penitent and resigned manner. He had also benefitted by the association of Samuel Williams, a prisoner in gaol at the time, charged with stealing a pair of shoes, but who has since been acquitted of the accusation. This young man, who bad been clerk to Mr. Gunn, at the Penitentiary, used to read the Scriptures and pray with Alder at seasonable times, when Mr. Bedford could not be present. _