[Coroner's Inquest (Thomas Darlington), Whim Creek, December 1911. State Records Office of Western Australia, Consignment 3631, Bundle 12: "Case 1 Rex v Seleno", Testimony of Thomas James Hill, licensee of Federal Hotel, Whim Creek]
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I am licensee of Federal Hotel, Whim Creek.
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About 10pm I heard an argument between Cappelli "known to me as Frank" and some other men but do not know what it was about. This argument was in side bar. I could not see them owing petition between us. Side bar & parlour are one & the same room, I did not
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at this particular time. Several men including the two prisoners then came in to front bar. After several arguments between the two prisoners and several men I saw Aylward strike Cappelli. I ordered them outside. Aylward & Cappelli went outside by front door. Seleno remained inside. Did not see what took place after Aylward & Cappelli left. I heard Mr. Kay advise Seleno to leave as there was likely to be trouble and the best thing for him to do was to get away. I saw deceased Thos Darlington in hotel when Crowd was there. Deceased was well known to me often was at hotel. I knew him since he came to Whim Creek.
While Seleno was in bar I heard a blow struck & turning round saw Seleno bleeding over the left eye. Could not see who struck the blow as my back was turned at the time. I then vaulted the bar & ordered the crowd out of the front bar. I got the greater portion of the crowd out including Seleno. I only went as far as the front door. I did not see if Seleno had anything in his hand as his hands were below the level of the counter. Seleno looked cross when Cappelli was struck but did not hear him make any remark.
While standing at front door I saw Thos Darlington "deceased" grappling with Seleno . They were very close to front door. Should say within four or five feet. My hotel has boarded front verandah. Deceased & Seleno were on front verandah. Deceased & Seleno were on front verandah. Seleno & deceased were merely grappling With one another & as no one else was interfering I went back to bar. I could not discriminate against them as to who was the aggressor. Did not see any blow struck on both men fighting for holds on each other. I am quite sure it was the deceased Darlington and Seleno, in holds on the verandah. I saw no Knife in Seleno's hand. It was a bad light on front verandah.
Light came from front bar & from lamp on front verandah. Unless one were looking for a knife it would be possible for any one to conceal it. I was not watching thema minute as there was no one interfering with them at the time. I did not see prisoner Cappelli on front verandah. When Seleno & Darlington were in holds. There were few men on verandah when scruffle taking place but no one interfering with Seleno & Darlington. I remained in doorway about a minute then went back to the bar. After serving a few rounds of drinks I saw deceased being assisted in through the door. Did not notice who was assisting him, but one man each side of him. They laid him on the floor. Darlington had large gash on right side of the neck. He was bleeding very freely from it. He was alive & apparently semi-conscious. I immediately left the bar & went round to him. Did not examine the wound in his neck. Man named Hayman mentioned he was first aid man and tried to stop bleeding. I suggested someone go for the police & Doctor. Saw Const Growden arrive very shortly after deceased brought into bar. Apparently Const Growden close to get there as soon as he did. Saw Const Growden examine Darlington. Gave him cork with which to try stop the bleeding. I shortly after this saw Const Growden re-examine Darlington & heard some say Darlington was dead. I then received instructions from Const Growden to take charge of corpse & not allow anyone to touch it until the Doctor arrived or police returned. I saw Dr Shelmerdine arrive shortly after. Saw him examine the injured man. Heard Doctor pronounce life extinct. Corpse was then removed to adjoining room in Federal Hotel. Deceased was dressed in black hat & I fancy white singlet or shirt on. Did not take much notice of dress at time. He had black vest wearing Khaki trousers. His clothes were covered with blood. Later. Did not see accused Seleno or Cappelli from time Darlington brought into bar until today in custody in Court. Saturday 23rd inst was pay day on the Mine. Several men drinking in the hotel that night. Conduct of men up to 10pm good tempered & jovial. There were no obstacles placed in the way of either prisoners leaving the hotel. Seleno did not approach me, asking if he could leave by the billiard room or back down as he was afraid of the crowd. Did not hear him complain to anyone about being frightened. Have never heard any direct threats against prisoners, by any one but have heard men say they had better keep away from the hotels or there would be trouble. Did not hear the word "Scab" used on night of 23rd inst. did not hear on 23rd or previously anybody threaten deceased. Did not know of any friction existing between prisoners or deceased.
By Coroner. Prisoners had had drink or two but were not drunk. Deceased was not drunk but had had few drinks. He was not quarrelsome.
Hotel is a ramshackle building full of holes and corners. Partitions do not interfere with me dealing with crowd.
"By Coroner." Were the hotel properly lighted & up to date would it have been possible for the knife to have been used without interference?
"By Mr. Hill." I don't know but possibly it might.
By police. The front light of hotel principally throws light on to the road in front of hotel & ver little light is thrown on the verandah.
Amended statement:--Heard word "Scab" used several times but do not know by whom or to whom it was directed.
[signed] Thomas James Hill
for Caton-Shelmerdine
J.P. D.M.O.
Acting Coroner
