[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 Rupert Love]
29/12/11
Police Quarters Whim Creek
Adjourned Inquest on Thomas Henry Darlington.
Rupert Love Sworn Saith
I am a waiter at the Federal Hotel Whim Creek. I knew deceased Thos Hy Darlington by sight. I saw him alive about a week ago. Do not know if it were Saturday 23rd inst. I know the two prisoners by sight as Seleno and Cattelleni. Police here stated Cattelleni's real name Cappelli. I was on verandah of Federal Hotel shortly after ten pm on 23rd inst. I saw Seleno leaning against the bar. His back against the front bar. I saw Cappelli inside the door. I saw Aylward come up to Cappelli and asked him what he had under his coat. Did not hear Cappelli's reply. Aylward hit Cappelli. Cappelli had light grey coat on. From position of Cappelli's hand it would have been possible for him to have had his hand in inside pocket of coat produced.
Aylward struck Cappelli in face once with closed fist. This knocked Cappelli's head against the front door. There was no confusion at this moment. Cappelli turned and run out on road. toward the creek at fast pace. I saw Seleno struck over the left eye by someone. Blow knocked hat off but not Seleno down. Seleno then picked up had put it on counter & replaced int on his head.
He pointed to someone in crowd and said "That man, How many you want to fight me." There was little confusion in bar after this. Heard someone outside calling out & Seleno called out from the bar in louder tone than ordinary speaking. Do not know what either of men said. Appeared to have been in foreign voices. When I heard shout from road I looked out & afterwards saw man who I recognised as Cappelli come on to verandah with knife in his hand. He walked straight up with knife in hand apparently with some object in view. I heard voice I recognised as James Aylward call out "The bastard has a knife in his hand." There was a light in front of hotel but it was fairly dark on verandah between front door & front step of verandah. I could not get good view of knife. Could not see breadth of blade. Cannot identify knife. It appeared to taper towards end of blade.
I could not see knife gleaming. Not sufficient light to see that. When I heard Aylward call out I jumped back off verandah and stood back. I heard a scuffle on verandah but could not say who it was. I was excited at the time. Scuffle may have lasted two minutes. Two men then left verandah hurriedly in same direction Cappelli went in first place. I saw blood on one of the men who ran away but could not say which one. Am quite sure I saw blood. Shortly after I saw deceased lying on back inside bar door with two men bending over him. Saw blood coming from near his right shoulder. Did not see cut on deceased neck. I ran for doctor and returned part way with him. Doctor then went in. When I returned to hotel I heard the doctor say the man was dead. I have been in Whim Creek over six months. Worked on plant where Seleno was trucking from. Found Seleno decent chap. Have never heard him making threats toward anyone. I was in bar frequently during the night. Saw nothing unusual in manner of men but they were merry. Was not speaking to deceased. Had not seen deceased that night. I saw Seleno in parlour as I passed through as I passed through previous to row. He was speaking to someone but do not know what about. Did not see prisoners from time I saw Darlington bleeding until I saw them today in custody in Court. I did not see anything which would have prevented either of prisoners leaving hotel at any time. Did not know then where prisoners wre camped. Understood Seleno camped near hall.
By Coroner. Did not see either prisoners drinking. Did not hear them quarreling. Heard no threatening language toward them whatever.
Deceased referred to in this statement was Thomas Henry Darlington.
R. Love
for [Caton?] Shelmerdine
J.P. D.M.O.
Acting Coroner
