Yung Quonk, Chew Fong and Lee Nyee, three Chinese, were indicted at Ger aldton before Mr, du Beulay on tbe 14th March last with the murder of another Chinaman named Ah Pang. Georgie, an aboriginal native, said that two -days before Christmas last he was at Meka Station, and during the night beard a row among the Chinese there. He went over and saw Pang lying down suffering pain. There was a clot of blood near him. He then gave information at the Station. Peter Gibbons, assistant manager at Meka station, said that the prisoners and the deceased were servants: St tW- Station. On 23rd December his attention was called by the aboriginal Georgie to Ah Pang. He was on the ground and was badly wounded. He had a wound on the temple, as if caused by an axe, and his right foot was nearly cutoff. There were aiso several knife wounds in the back and Pang was bleeding badly. Pang was taken to the hut and placed in bed. While in a semi- conscious state he sa:d ' Three Chinamen — Cruickshank Chinamen.' He tben became un conscious and died shortly afterwards. Ah Pang was the overseer of the prisoners They had previously complained about the food. Witness did not know that there was any motive for the crime. Cockle, an aboriginal, said he knew Ah Pang. Two days before Christmas he saw three tracks close to Pang's hut, and also saw marks of where a struggle had taken place He followed tbe tracks to the huts of the prisoners, and the boots produced, belonging to tbe prisoners, were those which had made the tracks. Arriving at Young Quonk's he found tracks going to and from the well. Donovan was with the witness and got Quonk's boots, which had marks of blood having been washed off them. Richard Donovan, police constable, gave a detailed account of the finding of Ah Pang. He said he had a wound on the left temple, three inches long, and a fractured skull. He could see the brain. There were wounds all ever mini knife wounds and wounds caused from blows from blunt instruments. He subsequently went over to the wool shed and saw the prisoners there. Young Quonk had a fresh scar on tbe left side of the nose, which was covered with blood. Witness asked Quonk if he had seen any strange Chinamen from Cruik shanks' or any strange Chinamen about Meka. He said he had seen none. Witness then asked him about the scar on his nose. Quonk said he could not talk to him ; but if be sent for Arrapean he would talk to him. Witness then arrested the three prisoners. There was a bundle in the shed which Chew Fong said belonged to him. It contained a tomahawk wbich had recently been washed. There were same clothes in it covered with blood. Another bundle Quonk said was his. It contained trousers marked with fresh blood. In Chew Pong's bundle, there was knife, recently cleaned and sharpened. In Lee Nyee's bundle and Quonk's were also knives similarly cleaned. There were also marks of blood on the prisoners boot. On the morning of 24th December witness let Arrapean see prisoners. After a conversation Arrapean said that Quonk killed Pang, but Quonk turning round said tbe three men killed Pong, pointing to himself and two others. Chew Fong said 'Yes, three men kill Pang, me and two others.'
Abo, a native, gave furrher evidence as to the tracking of the prisoners. After Christmas he saw prisoner. Young Quonk said 'I kiil Ah Pang.' Witness asked Lee Nyee what time be killed Ah Pang, and he said 12 o'clock at night. Pang, he said, came out to get a gun and was going to shoot Nyee. Nyee thereupon hit him. On this evidence the jury returned a verdict of guilty, and sentence of death was recorded. THE EXECUTiON. Shortly after 8 a.m. yesterday tbe Sheriff formally demanded from the gaoler the bodies of the condemned meo. The executioner and his assiatant, on the bodies being handed over, entered the cell occupied by Chew Fong and Sin Cho Chi and pinioned them in the usual way ; in addition tn which they were handcuffed. They seemed quite unconcerned though they looked serious.Chew Fong's appearance being distinct ly cruel and bad. The pinioning beingdone the two men were marched to the scaffold, where two ropes had been provided. The noose was first placed round the neck of Chew Fong. and while the operation was being-performed Sin Cho Chi looked on the bystanders just below him apparently quite unconcerned. The rope was next adjusted around the neck of Sin Cho Chi, the cap drawn over both faces, and then without further ado the executioner slipped back, the bolt was drawn and tbe two men were gone. ChewFong died almost instantaneously, although there was for a few minutes a muscular action visible With regard Sin Cho Chi, it was fully 14 minutes before the pulsation entirely ceased and the doctor could pronounce him dead. With regard to this wretched man, there was neatly a bunprie over the hanging, for when the bolt was drawn and the weight of the body suddenly strained on tbe rope, the knot slipped round, and all but came undone ; in fact as the man hung there was only half a turn in the rope which had him in suspension. However, this turn did hold, and thus saved what might otherwise have been a horrible contretemps. The men were allowed to hang for half an hour; -and- then cut down and placed in their coffin. four of which were ready on tbe scaffold. Two new ropes were then suspended to the beam; and the executioner and his as assistant went to the cell of Lee Nyee and Young Quonk. The process of pinionirg was quickly accomplish, Lee Nyee was in the cells on his knees when the officials arrived, but he seemed quite cheerful, and had a decidedly pleasant expression, quite tke reverse of murderous. The other Young Quonk looked very sad and and after he was pinioned never raised his eyes from the ground. The pinioning accomplished both men walked somewhat nervously to the scaffold. Lee Nyee was some what thickset and large in the neck and was therefore given about a foot longer drop than Young Quonk. Both men on halting on the scaffold tremb!ed considerably but the executioner was not long in adjusting the ropes and drawing the bolt, though the delay to the victims and to the by standers was very painful. Here again one of the men. Lee Nyee, apparently died almost instantaneously whilst the muscular action and deep respirations of Young Quonk lasted a few minute longer. There was, however, no hitch whatever, and the drops about six feet in each case appeared to be exactly what was required. After hanging for about ha!f an hour tthe bodies were cut down and placed in the coffins which had been provided. With the exception of that referred to above the executions were satisfactorily and decently carried out. Later on the formal inquests took place, at which the usual verdict of ' Death in accordance with the law ' was returned. There were present at ttie executions Drs. Hope, Black, Davies, and Mc Williams, the representatives of the Press, the Sheriff and gaol officials.
THE CONDEMNED MEN, It was only about three days ago that the condemned men were apprided of the fact that the law was to be carried out: The Colonial Secretaiy had previously had each of the prisoners before him, with a view to ascertaining whether there was any reason why His Excellency the Administrator should bs advised to commute the sentence; but evidently his enquiries did not warrant him in thus advising. On hearing the decision of the Executive the men expressed a wish to be hanged there and then, but, of course, this could not be given effect to. They, however, took the decision calmly and ate and slept as usual. They went to sleep at about 10 o'clock and did not awake until about half past 6 in the morning, when they partook of a hearty breakfast, which was composed of the ordinary prison fare— gruel and bread. The meal finished the men were supplied with new shirt and trousers each, and their irons were taken off. Thence until the time of their execution they sat quietly in their separate cells, apparently very little concerned at their approaching doom. Nyee and Young Quonk being asked a question as to how it was Pang was killed, they answered with the usual ' No savee ' ; but they cheerfully told their names and Young Quonk said he was not afraid to die, because he was good.
Saturday 30 April 1892 The Inquirer & Commercial News (Perth,
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