Saturday, July 14, marks 113 years since 57-year-old farmer Joseph Sewell, strapped with sticks of dynamite, blew himself up outside the Murchison Courthouse in what is widely regarded as the world’s first suicide bomb attack.
Joseph had been in a long-running dispute with his neighbour Walter Neame over various property issues, and for two years prior to the bombing their focus had been on the ownership of a distinctive white-faced heifer.
Despite the best efforts by Lyall’s Constable Scott the pair was unable to resolve the matter and in 1905, when they faced one another in court, local interest ran high and the courthouse was packed.
It soon dawned on those within the courthouse that Joseph’s left hand had remained on his vest pocket, arousing enough suspicion for the magistrate to suggest Joseph go outside to compose himself.
Once outside, an agitated Joseph pulled out an elongated explosive and announced he had 50 more of them on his body.
Inspector Wilson attempted to calm the farmer but, as he did, a huge explosion took place and Joseph’s body was reportedly “blown to atoms, portions of it recovered over 100 yards away”.
Many were wounded in the explosion and everyone except Joseph survived, including the brave Inspector who received horrific wounds to his head.
Damage to property was particularly extensive for the nearby Downies Hall, that was later demolished in 1916. The courthouse was shifted several inches on its piles and several adjacent houses had their windows blown in.
It was later ascertained that Joseph had acquired the dynamite from his own collection that was originally intended for blowing out stumps.
Almost exactly a year later, Walter Neame was killed in a trap accident.