Tragedy at Cue:

Tragedy at Cue.

A FATHER SHOT DEAD BY HIS YOUNG SON.

A terrible tragedy was enacted here this afternoon, by which Mr. John Scriver SNOW was shot by His youngest son.

Mr Snow was proprietor of the shooting gallery near the Excelsior Hotel in Mt Magnet and was known throughout the district as a good citizen, and of fine athletic physique. At 2:30 this afternoon, the lad, hearing his mother utter a cry, thought his father was hurting her, and picking up the rifle used at the shooting gallery, presented and fired, thinking to frighten his father. By some means the gun was left loaded with a cartridge carrying a ball somewhat larger than ordinary swan shot.

Murchison Times and Day Dawn Gazette 1 November 1898, page 2

The charge entered the body under the deceased’s right arm pit and caused his death. The lad, seeing his father stagger into the sitting-room and fall, was frightened and ran for Dr. Taylor, who, shortly arrived. The deceased was then conscious, but ,died shortly after being raised on to the couch. He arrived in W.A. three years ago from South Australia, and was well known both in Broken Hill and Adelaide. He leaves a wife and two boys, William James (PAVY), aged 14, and

Luke, the patricide, aged 7

The fatality of Sunday was the absorbing theme of conversation in the town yesterday. Flags at the five signal and many business, places were at half mast as a mark of respect to the late Mr. Snow. At four o’clock  the tolling of the bell announced that the funeral had commenced its mournful journey to the Cue cemetery. The hearse was flanked by members of the local fire brigade in uniform. Then followed several vehicles and horsemen forming a lengthy procession. The Rev. A. Craven, B.A., conducted the service at the grave.

West Australian – 3 November 1897, page 6

John Scriver SNOW was born in Poling, Sussex England and was the son of Luke SNOW. He married Annie Christina PAVY in Broken Hill NSW in 1888, Luke Farley SNOW was born in 1890.

Annie have been previously married, she was Annie Christine BROWN born in 1862 in Weymouth England. She first married George Benjamin PAVY in Melrose South Australia in 1882. The couple had three children:
William James PAVY born 1883, George PAVY born 1886, Annie PAVY born. George and Annie both died as infants.
In 1888, the same year as the death of her two youngest children, Annie also lost her husband George.
The following year, in 1889, Annie married John SNOW, and they had one child, Farley ‘Luke’ Scriver SNOW. William became the stepson of John SNOW. Annie was to marry a third time to John KENNEDY in Geraldton WA in 1902. Annie died in 1942 in Perth WA.

What became of young Luke after this terrible family tragedy. Its seems he stayed in the Goldfields of Western Australia at least the start of WW1 when he enlisted at Blackboy Hill Camp in 1915. he gave his occupation as a Railway fettler, he joined the 11th Battalion as a Machine Gunner. He returned to Australia in May of 1919. He remained single and died in Perth WA in 1968 aged 77yrs. He is buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, the Grant of burial is in the name of George PAVY.