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John Harding's (1881-1963) Scrapbook
Page 15
19 Dec 1878
NEWTON-STEWART
MURDER OF ONE OF OUR TOWNSMEN

The `Scotsman' of Monday published a special telegram from their correspondent at Crete, dated Dec. 15th, to the effect that Mr Anderson, superintendent of telegraphs at Candia, and nephew of Sit James Anderson, was found murdered outside that town. The deceased was the second son of Mr Anderson, bookseller here; was educated at the Douglas Academy, after which he entered the service of the Eastern Telegraph Company, where he was for upwards of five years stationed at Penzance. In the beginning of April, after spending a few weeks holidays at home, he sailed for Candia, as superintendent of the staff for the purpose of connecting that island with the Mediterranean network of telegraphs. Having scarcely attained his majority, and in the anticipation of his becoming a useful member of society and a credit to the town, his career was watched with much interest. The intelligence has been received here with much regret, and great sympathy is felt for his father. The London correspondent of the 'Scotsmen,' writing on Tuesday night, says the murder of Mr Anderson at Canea, in Crete, has excited profound regret in the telegraphic world. No further details of the tragedy have been received here; but it is known that the, unfortunate young man was murdered with a view to robbery. I hear that Mr John Pender, M. P., has been in communication on the subject with Lord Salisbury, and that his Lordship has promised to telegraph to Crete for further information. Mr Anderson was a young man of more than ordinary ability and promise. His last letter to his uncle, Sir James Anderson, dated, ,November 18th, was written in a very hopeful and vivacious strain, and, strange to say, he remarked in this communication that the people of the island were so civil and obliging that he did not experience the slightest fear.

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