Gnowangerup History

Excerpt from Kalgoorlie Miner June 27 1939
Tragedy at Gnowangerup - Farmhand Arrested Perth June 26
On a farm about 80 miles from Gnowangerup, which is 276 miles by rail from Perth, George Samuel Powell (about 50), a farmer, was fatally shot this morning. The first news of the tragedy was received in Perth about 5 o'clock this afternoon when a report was made to the chief of the Criminal Investigation Branch, nspector J. Doyle, by trunk telephone. In the message it was alleged that Powell was shot in self defence by a man who was employed on his farm. The report was made by Constable Adshead, of Gnowangerup, who said Richard Wheeler had been arrested on a charge of unlawfully killing Powell. The tragedy was stated to have occurred on the farm about 9 o'clock this morning. The distance which had to be covered to and from the farm, which is situated east of Gnowangerup, accounted for the lapse of time between the shooting and the first message received by the police at headquarters. Road maps were studied and distances measured while the police garage was ordered to fill the tanks of a police car in readiness for the long country trip. Within half an hour of the receipt of the message Detective Sergeant Gee was on his way to Gnowangerup.
Four Wounds from Bullet.
When the report of the shooting reached Gnowangerup, Police Constable Adshead notified a doctor, and with him proceeded by motor car to the farm. Powell it is understood, was dead when the doctor and police arrived, but reports stated that he lived for some time after receiving his injuries. It is alleged that the weapon used was a .44 calibre rifle, and the slug tore a hole in one of Powell's arms and then traversed that abdomen at a point near the lower part of the chest. From the one bullet the farmer received four wounds. It is believed to have passed in and out of the left arm, and after puncturing the abdomen to have made an exit wound in his back. Statements that the shooting was a sequel to a quarrel at the homestead, and that after Powell's daughter had been threatened, the farmhand, Wheeler, intervened and discharged the fatal shot in self defence were made tonight by a farmer in the district. The shooting is alleged to have taken place outside the homestead, and when it was seen that Powell was hurt seriously he was carried inside the house, where measures were taken to stem the flow of blood. A fast trip from Gnowangerup to the farmhouse was made by the doctor and Constable Adshead, but it was found that Powell was dead. Detective Sergeant Gee reached Gnowangerup late tonight. A post-mortem examination of the body of the victim of the tragedy was conducted at Gnowangerup Hospital.

Western Mail June 29 1939 Katanning June 27 - The inquest on George Samuel Powell (48) farmer of Needilup who was fatally shot on his farm early yesterday morning is expected to be held on Friday. Powell's body was taken to Albany this morning for burial. Richard Wheeler (40) a half caste dingo trapper, has been arrested of unlawful killing of Powell on whose farm he had been operating for the past three years. Powell lived on his farm at Needilup with his wife and four children. About 8.15 am yesterday he was moving stock about 200 yards from the homestead assisted by his son Arthur George Powell (18) and his daughter Agnes (15). It is alleged that Powell was displeased with his daughter and threatened her with a stick. When she dismounted he is stated to have seized her and threatened her with a sheath knife. Wheeler who was passing at the time is alleged to have gone to the rescue of the girl and shot her father with a 0.44 calibre rifle. Immediately after the shooting Agnes Powell galloped six miles to the property of A. Wilkinson, a neighbouring farmer. Mr A. Jackson who is employed by Mr Wilkinson drove her to the Needilup exchange where she telephoned to the doctor at Gnowangerup. Powell was still alive when the doctor and the Constable Adshead of Gnowangerup arrived at the homestead but he died about an hour later. Wheeler was arrested and taken to Gnowangerup where he is held.