Emily Cook Patch, (1867-28/1/1894). "with the heads off"

SUICIDE IN ALBANY STEEET.

A married woman named Emily Cook Patch died at half-past 9 yesterday morning from the effects of taking poison some days ago. Her husband, John Cook Patch, who is a labourer, states that on Monday night last about 9 o'clock he left their house, which is in lower Albany street, for a walk, and returned in an hour's time, when, however, he found his wife absent. She returned about midnight with a fishmonger named Meinung, who has a place of business in George street, and the latter, with whom she had become acquainted through doing work for his wife, informed Patch that she had told him she had eaten three boxes of matches. Her answer to her husband, when he asked her whether she had really so acted, was a request that he would mind his own business. The subject seems to have then been dropped — at any rate, the authorities were not communicated with, or else the woman would have been taken to the hospital, and the fatal result might have been prevented. On the Tuesday morning, however, the deceased performed her domestic duties as usual, but on the next day she complained of feeling ill and of vomiting, and on the Thursday she took to her bed. Medical assistance wag not obtained until the following day, but the woman not only did not tell the doctor what she had taken, but said that she could not account for the vomiting. Naturally enough the treatment which was prescribed for her did not prove efficacious, and, as above stated, she died yesterday morning, The deceased is alleged to have told a neighbour that she had taken matches because her husband had annoyed her. She was a native of London, and was about 30 years of age. During several years she has lived in various parts of the city. She was married about six months ago, but had lived with Patch for two years. The occurrence was reported to the police after death had ensued, and an inquest will be held in due course. -Otago Daily Times, 29/1/1894.

INQUEST.

DEATH FROM PHOSPHORUS POISONING.

An inquest was held at the Pelichet Bay Hotel yesterday afternoon before the district coroner (Mr E. H. Carew) and a jury of six (Mr F. W. Eggers, foreman), on the body of Emily Cook Patch, whose death occurred at her residence in Albany street on Sunday morning. 

John Cook Patch, a labourer, stated that his late wife seemed perfectly right on the 22nd inst. He had no quarrel whatever with her. She seemed to him, when he came home in the evening, to have had a glass, but she was not the worse for liquor. He went out about half-past 8 for a walk, leaving his wife at home, but when he returned about 10 o'clock, or shortly after, she was out. She came home about midnight with Mr Meinung, who asked him if he was aware that the wife had been eating matches. Witness replied "No." Meinung then said that she had told him she had done so, and that he had got her to take something to make her vomit, which she did. Meinung made her take another dose at home, giving her mustard and water, and this caused her to vomit a good deal. There was a pretty strong smell as of phosphorus from the vomit. Meinung advised witness to procure a doctor in the event of her getting worse during the night, and he said he would do so. After Meinung had left, witness asked the deceased why she had taken the matches, and she told him to mind his own business. That was all that passed between them on the subject that night. She went off to sleep at once, and got up at half-past 5, the usual time, on Tuesday morning to get him his breakfast. She appeared to be all right; and the matter was not mentioned by either of them. He returned from his work at 5.45 p.m., and found his wife at home and the tea ready. After tea she said she was very sorry for what she had done; but she thought she was all right, as she felt no pain. He asked her what caused her to take the matches, and she said it was her temper, and it was a rash act. She kept well until the Thursday afternoon. When he came home that evening she was lying down on the bed, and she said she did not feel very well. Witness asked if she would have the doctor, and she said they would wait till the morning and see, as she was not so bad. She slept very well that night, but on the Friday morning she said she would send for Dr Martin, as she felt no better.. On his returning home in the evening from his work the deceased told him that Dr Martin had been. He asked her if she told the doctor she had taken matches, and she said "Yes." On Saturday afternoon, when he came home, she told him that the doctor had said she was a little better. She vomited frequently at night. He asked her if she felt much pain and if he should fetch the doctor, but she said "No." He did not ask her if she had taken matches again, nor did he suspect her of having taken any. She was easier, as he thought, about 6 o'clock on Sunday morning. About 9 o'clock he went in to give her the medicine prescribed by Dr Martin, but found she was in a dying state. That was the first time he had noticed that she was seriously bad. He sent for Dr Martin, and brought his sister, Mrs Blandon, but she died about 10 minutes after the latter arrived, and before Dr Martin came. He found some remains of matches, with the heads off, on Tuesday last. She had bought 12 penny boxes of matches on the previous Friday. He found that five of them had gone, irrespective of those he had used. He thought that one would have been sufficient for ordinary use during the time. 

Halvor Meinung, fishmonger, residing in George street, deposed that the deceased came to his house about 10.30 p.m. on the 22nd, when she seemed very much agitated. His wife asked her what was the matter, and she said that she had taken matches. Witness told her it was his duty to give her in charge, but she begged and prayed him not to do so, and he then said if she would take an emetic he would sea how she got, on. He gave her two or three cups of mustard and water. After the first cup she vomited what seemed to be a stream of liquid fire, which smelt very strongly of phosphorus. She retched a good deal after the second and third cups; and when she had rested he took her home to her husband. She came to his place next morning and said she felt all right, but she looked pale. On the Wednesday she sent a note to his wife stating that she did not feel very well, and that if she (Mrs Meinung) would put off her washing for a week she would come up and help her. She also said that "Jack" (her husband) and she were quite friends again. On the Monday night witness asked her why she had taken the matches, and she replied that it was only her temper — that she was afraid that her husband by his kindness might take the love of her child away from her. She said she had picked the heads of the matches off and eaten them one by one. He understood her to say that she had eaten the-contents of a big box and two small ones, and that she had taken them about an hour-and a-half before. 

Dr Martin, who was the next witness, said in the course of his evidence that when he saw the deceased on the Friday morning she complained of sickness, and he asked her if she knew of any cause, but she said "No." There was no evidence of anything beyond simple gastric disturbance, with a slightly elevated temperature, and he prescribed for her. On the next morning her temperature was normal, and her own statement was that the sickness had abated. She was not communicative, and told him nothing at all about matches. He had no information about them until after death. A person might die suddenly from phosphorus poisoning, but as a rule death would not ensue for five or six days. There was often, as in this case, an abatement of sickness for two or three days. Mr Meinung acted rightly, but witness thought deceased should have been put in a doctor's hands immediately. In his opinion phosphorus poisoning was the cause of death.

Harriet Madams (who stated that on the morning of the 23rd the deceased told her she had eaten the heads of three boxes of matches on the previous night in order to vex her husband, because he had annoyed her, and that the deceased said on the Friday that she did not like to tell the doctor what she had done) and Elizabeth Blandon also gave evidence. 

The Coroner, in leaving the case to the jury, said it seemed the husband had made a very great mistake in not doing more than he did. He should certainly have told the police or got a doctor to attend her at once, and if he had done so probably his wife's life would have been saved. 

The Jury found that death resulted from the deceased taking matches while in a state of temporary insanity, and added that the husband erred in not calling in a doctor at once.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/1/1894.

Emily Patch lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Catherine Cunningham, (1868-27/9/1891). "three pints of blood"

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A young woman named Catherine Cunningham, daughter of Bernard Cunningham, currier, of Abbotsford, died very suddenly yesterday morning. She had been ailing for the past sixteen years, and had been attended to during that time by several doctors, the last to see her being Dr Martin, who was called in about two months ago. On Saturday night, about ten o'clock, she retired to her room, apparently in her usual state of health. Yesterday morning at half-past eight, before she rose, she was spoken to by one of the members of the household, and, on making an effort to reply, she was seized with a violent fit of coughing, and vomited about three pints of blood. Dr Will was at once sent for, but the girl died before he arrived. She was twentythree years age. It is supposed that the cause of death was a rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs. An inquest on the body was held at Mr Cunningham's residence this afternoon, before Mr Carew and a jury, but it had not concluded when we went to press.  -Evening Star, 28/9/1891.

 INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Abbotsford yesterday, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury, on the body of Catherine Cunningham, who died suddenly at her fathers residence on Sunday morning. 

Bernard Cunningham, currier, deposed that the body shown to the jury was that of his daughter. She was born at Caversham, and was twenty-three years of age. She had been suffering from bad health for about fourteen years. Dr Martin was the last medical man to see her, and he saw her about three months ago. He said she was suffering from consumption. Witness noticed no change in her on Saturday. She seemed right enough then. Oa Sunday morning, at about a quarter to nine, she came up to his bedroom. He heard her coughing before that. When she came to his room she was coughing up blood a good deal. She asked him to go for a doctor, and he went for Dr Will. The doctor returned to the house with him. When they got to the house, after less than an hour's absence, he found his daughter was dead. She used to cough up a little blood some time ago, but never so much as on Sunday. She had been to Drs Maunsell and Batchelor before she went to Dr Martin. He had had a nurse in the house to look after her. 

Mary Walsh deposed that she had been employed as nurse to the deceased since last Wednesday. She noticed no change in her up to Sunday morning. Deceased used to get up in the daytime. At half-past eight on Sunday morning she went into her room and told her breakfast was ready, but that her father was not up. Deceased said she would take her breakfast into his bedroom for him. She was getting out of bed. She had been coughing a little while and threw up some phlegm, and when she got out of bed she threw up a little blood. Witness asked her what she could do for her, as she thought she seemed in danger. Deceased said: "Send for the doctor." She hurried into her father's bedroom, as though frightened. She brought up some blood again, and fell back into witness's arms and seemed to be dying. Her father assisted witness to carry her and put her into bed. He then went away for the doctor. She died in her father's room just after throwing up the blood. At about half-past six witness went into deceased's room, but did not speak to her. She seemed all right then aa usual. 

Dr Will deposed that at about nice o clock on Sunday morning he got word that Catherine Cunningham had just died suddenly, and he went to her father's house at once. When he arrived the body had been dressed for burial. He made an outward examination of the body, and it presented all the outward appearance of a person long ill from consumption. There was blood in her mouth and on her lips, and in her father's bedroom he was shown a large quantity of blood. From what he knew of her, and the account of the rush of blood from her mouth, he had no doubt that she died from the rupture of a blood vessel in the lungs, which was a common form of death from consumption. 

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death resulted from phthisis.  -Evening Star, 29/9/1891.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Anne Miller, (1844-27/9/1891). "followed by a scream"

Anne Miller, a resident of Tomahawk, and but recently discharged from the hospital, was readmitted today suffering from a fracture of the left hand, sustained by falling heavily on it.  -Evening Star, 21/9/1891.

Mrs Anne Miller, wife of a farmer at Tomahawk, died in the hospital yesterday. She was admitted to the institution some time ago for a fracture of the left leg, but was discharged about a fortnight ago. Last Monday, however, she had the misfortnne to again fracture the limb, which occasioned her return to the hospital. At first she appeared to make progress towards recovery, but at the end of last week she sank rapidly. An inquest will be held before Mr Carew tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.  -Evening Star, 28/9/1891.

At ten o'clock this morning Mr E. H. Carew, district coroner, held an inquest at the hospital on the body of Anne Miller, wife of John Charles Miller, of Tomahawk. Mr George Mitchell was foreman of the jury. 

John Charles Miller, farmer, residing at Tomahawk, said that deceased was his wife. She was born at Edinburgh, and had been forty-three years in the colony. Her maiden name was Anne Robertson. She arrived here in the Philip Laing, the first vessel that came with passengers. She was forty-seven years of age last July. She went to the hospital in July, and remained there till Wednesday, the 16th inst., when witness took her home. She was then very weak, and could not move about, one leg being quite paralysed. Last Sunday week witness helped her out of bed and into the kitchen, where she sat by the fire for some time, speaking to witness and her daughter. She said that the crutches witness had got for her were too long, and witness promised to get new ones for her on the following day. Witness showed her how to use them by putting them on the slant. About five o'clock witness had a fire put on in the front room, and he wished her to go in to it. She went into the room to look at the fire, and after he had been in the room for a few minutes he heard a noise as if someone had fallen, followed by a scream which he knew was made by his wife. He went into the bedroom and found his wife lying on the floor, with her stick beside her. She used the stick to help herself along, as the crutches were too long. Witness's daughter was with her mother when witness went into the front room, but she was out of the house when her mother fell. His wife complained very much of pain, and said her leg was broken. Witness saddled his horse and came in to town for Dr Davis, who went out and ordered deceased's removal to the hospital. Witness brought her into the hospital on the following day, Monday, the 21st. Deceased had told him how the mishap occurred. She said she thought she could manage to go to the bedroom herself. She got as far as the bed, but the stick then slipped from her and she fell. She was not a heavy woman. 

Miss Elizabeth Miller, daughter of the last witness, remembered the Sunday on which her mother sat in the kitchen, when a conversation took place about the crutches. Witness's father went into the front room to look at the fire, leaving witness with deceased. Deceased told witness to go to the back of the house to attend to the milk. Witness had been outside about three minutes when she heard a noise and her mother scream. Witness went inside and found her mother lying on the floor in the bedroom. 

Dr Copland deposed that he had known the deceased for four or five months. She was brought to the hospital in July, and left on the 16th inst. When she came in she was suffering from hemorrhage of the stomach. She was very weak when she left, but her legs were not paralysed. She was admitted again on the 2lst inst., suffering from a fracture of the left thigh. She remained in the hospital until Sunday, when she died. During the week she was in she was vomiting blood. The cause of death was partly shock from the accident and partly exhaustion from hemorrhage of the stomach. The hemorrhage would be caused by ulcers. 

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/9/1891.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

David Hugh, (1829-25/9/1891). "struck his head"

David Hugh, a resident of Waikouaiti, was found in a fit outside his hut on Friday morning. As his condition appeared to be very bad the police removed him to the Dunedin Hospital, where he arrived about one o'clock on the same day in an unconscious state. Medical attendance was at once rendered him, but he died on Saturday morning about five o'clock. An inquest will be held before Mr Carew to-morning morning at eleven o'clock.  -Evening Star, 28/9/1891.

At eleven o'clock this morning Mr Carew held an inquest in the hospital on the body of David Hugh, who died in the institution on Saturday morning. Mr James Horsburgh was chosen foreman of the jury. 

James Fell, a schoolboy, residing at Waikouaiti, recognised the body shown to the jury as that of David Hugh, a laborer, who lately resided in a small house belonging to Mr Reeves at Waikouaiti. Last Thursday morning, at half-past seven, witness was out with milk, and when returning home near deceased's house he saw the deceased lying on the ground near to the door of his house. Witness did not go within thirty yards of him, but went and told Mr Crockett, who sent witness for assistance. When witness got back he went into deceased's house, and saw deceased lying on the sofa, with Mr Crockett attending to him.

Constable Bird stated that last Thursday he was in Dunedin. He did not return to Waikouaiti until half-past five. He was informed of deceased having been found outside his house, and at once went to the place. Deceased had several wounds about his face and hands. On Friday witness had the man removed to the Dunedin Hospital. On Saturday Dr Hislop, of Palmerston, told witness he had seen the deceased on Thursday. The doctor said that deceased then appeared like a man suffering from an apoplectic fit. The bruises on the man's face and hands, the doctor also said, might have been caused by a fall when the man was first attended with a fit or by knocking himself about after the fit had passed off. The place where deceased was found was covered with gravel, and at the spot where his hand was resting the gravel was disturbed, which would account for the bruises on his hand. Deceased was unconscious when witness first saw him on Thursday, and he was unconscious when he went into the hospital. Witness had made inquiries, and found that deceased had not been near a public-house for over a month. Mr Crockett told witness that when he found deceased the face was covered with blood, and the left eye was full of mud and gravel, and one hand was badly cut. Deceased was found at the back door with his head partly worked under the weatherboard. The door of the house was locked, the key being in deceased's pocket. His coat was wet, and from that fact Mr Crockett concluded that deceased had been out all night. Deceased was a bootmaker by trade, but for many years had been earning his living as a laborer. Witness had heard that deceased was born in Wales, and had been over twenty years in the colony. At the shearing before last he was working near a woolpress, when he fell and struck his head against a bolt. He was unconscious for some time after the accident, and had not been the same man since. Deceased was married, his wife and family being at Home. He had some friends in Melbourne, and witness believed he had also a friend resident on the Peninsula. Deceased was about sixty-two years of age. 

The Coroner remarked that portion of the evidence was second-hand, as it was considered inadvisable to bring a number of witnesses in from Palmerston and Waikouaiti.

Dr Copland stated that deceased was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon in an unconscious state. He had bruises about both eyes, on the left temple above the ear, and one of his hands was bruised and scratched. He remained in the same condition until the morning of Saturday, when he died. Deceased had all the appearance of a man suffering from apoplexy. 

The jury returned a verdict of "Death from apoplexy."  -Evening Star, 29/9/1891.

I have found no records of David Hugh's resting place.

William Thompson, (1835-27/9/1891). "the peculiar opinions"

A somewhat serious accident happened on Saturday afternoon to Mr William Thompson, who is, well known as the late licensee of the Criterion Hotel. He was engaged in doing something to the embankment at the rear of Farley's Hall, and fell from a plank, a distance of some 25ft or 30ft, on to a brick footpath below, striking a stout wooden fence in his passage to the ground. On being picked up it was discovered that he had sustained a severe blow on the crown of the head, one of his arms had been hurt, and he was suffering from pain internally. He was conveyed to his residence and attended by Dr Wanless, who found that he was suffering from concussion of the brain and severe internal injuries.  -Otago Witness, 29/6/1888.

SUICIDE IN DUNEDIN. 

A WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT SHOOTS HIMSELF. 

[BY Telegraph.] [United Press Association.] Dunedin, 27th September.

William Thompson, a retired publican, committed suicide early this morning by shooting himself with a revolver, the muzzle of which he placed in his mouth and then fired. The reasons for the suicide aro not known. He was a widower, with no family, but he had adopted two boys whose father died some years ago. He was in very comfortable circumstances, though it is understood he had sustained losses recently. He at one time kept the Red Lion Hotel and afterwards the Criterion. On retiring he advanced money to various institutions on condition that the interest was paid during his lifetime, the principal not to be repaid at all. The Masonic Hall, it is understood, had money on these terms, and also the defunct Freethought Lyceum, in which he took great interest. Deceased, on retiring on Saturday, appeared as cheerful as usual. This morning he told one of the boys he had adopted to keep up the fires in the vinery. He said he had been a little worried about a Supreme Court action which came up in Chambers on Friday, when a summons was applied for, calling on Thompson and Brow, as trustees of the late Charles Roberts, to show cause why a statement of accounts should not be filed. Thompson submitted himself, and expressed his readiness, but stated all the books were in Brow's possession. Brow did not appear. It is somewhat singular that the pistol which Thomson used is the same with which Roberts committed suicide.  -Evening Post, 28/9/1891.

The adjourned inquest touching the circumstances attending the death of William Thompson was held at the residence of the deceased at half-past twelve to-day. The same jury were in attendance. 

Dr Hocken deposed: I knew the deceased moderately well for the last three or four years. I never attended him professionally in that time. I was called to see him on Sunday morning, and arrived hero about a quarter to nine. I found him in his bed, the bed clothes and his night clothes being undisturbed. There was no sign of disturbance in the room. Blood had streamed down over his face upon the pillow. His left hand lying across his chest. His right was by his side in the bed, and in it was the pistol produced, lying loosely in his hand. It was uncocked, apparently recently discharged, and in the trigger were two or three hairs, which had evidently come from his moustache. Both hands were blackened as though with smoke. There was no smell of powder. Immediately behind his head, and quite within reach, was the cartridge produced. On examining his mouth, I found the his pallet broken right through, a hole about the size of a shilling penetrating it, and extending right into the brain for a distance of six inches. It was evident to me, from the fact that there was black on both hands, that he had covered his mouth with his left hand, holding the pistol into his mouth with the right, so that the noise would not be heard. The body was warm and supple, from which I judged that he had not been dead more than two hours, if as long as that. The wound was one that could have been self-inflicted. The last time I spoke to him was about six weeks ago. I would not expect from his temperament that he would commit suicide while in a sane mind. From the peculiar opinions he held of life, I think he would hold his life very cheaply. 

To the jury: If a person receives an injury of any kind to the head, drink or excitement such as I believe he has been subjected to of late might cause a depression of spirits proportionate to the mental trouble. The trouble he has had recently, joined with the injury he received three or four years ago, would give a sufficient explanation of his doing this act. 

Franz Beissel deposed that deceased had been a customer of his for many years. He got shaved last Saturday night about halfpast nine, and also had his hair cut. Witness had a conversation with him, but nothing particular was said. He seemed in good spirits, and witness saw nothing wrong with him. He did not speak about personal matters. Witness never saw him in better spirits. 

This concluded the evidence. 

The Coroner said he did not think the jury would have any difficulty in coming to the conclusion that the deceased came to his death by his own hand. If they came to this conclusion, the next matter to decide was the state of hi? mind at the time of the act. There was certainly not much evidence to show that anything was wrong with his mind, but there was this: that he was a man who appeared to be in good circumstances, that an action was brought against him, that he said he did not care about the money matter in dispute; that his solicitor cheered him up and told him that in all probability he would gain the case, and that if he lost it was of no consequence to him. For all that, however, deceased thought very much on the matter, and made it a sort of fixed idea, which was shown by what Mr Bills had said — viz., that once in the greenhouse deceased said to him "If it wasn't for having this to attend to I believe they would drive me mad." That went to show that he had the matter constantly in his mind, and that he had allowed it to dwell so much on his mind that it had unhinged it. 

The jury, after a retirement of five minutes, returned the following verdict: — "That the deceased William Thompson shot himself dead while in a fit of temporary insanity."  -Evening Star, 29/9/1891.

The funeral of the late Mr William Thompson, which will be a Masonic one, will start from the Masonic Hall at 3 this afternoon.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/9/1891.

It is understood that the will of the late William Thompson leaves everything to the Benevolent Institution, which it benefits to the extent of about £3500. All the members of the family are cut, to the general surprise, as his declared intentions were in a contrary direction.  -NZ Mail, 9/10/1891.

William Thompson lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

John Richard Baxter, (1812-11/10/1892). "a very temperate man"

 SECOND EDITION. 

SUICIDE AT DUNEDIN. 

[By Telegraph.] UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, This Day. 

John Richard Baxter, aged 80, stickmaker, of Rattray-street, committed suicide this morning, cutting his throat with a razor. He had been depressed in spirits for some time.  -Evening Post, 11/10/1892.

SUICIDE.

John Richard Baxter, aged eighty years, a gold chaser and stick maker, committed suicide this morning by cutting his throat with a razor.

Mrs Catherine Marshall, daughter of deceased, residing in Maclaggan street, states that she last saw her father alive yesterday evening at about eight o'clock. When she left to go home he seemed to be in his usual spirits. She returned this morning to make him some gruel, and on entering the shop called out to him, but derived no answer. Thinking he was asleep, she went on making the gruel, and took it upstairs to his room, when she noticed blood. She immediately ran out of the house and told Mr Robert Porter, licensee of the hotel next door, and he went into the house, and proceeded upstairs. He found deceased lying with part of his body in the bed, and his head and shoulders over a washing basin, which was filled with clotted blood, and in his right band he held an open razor. He was terribly cut on the right side of the neck. Fanny Mullhern, a servant at the Britannia Hotel, stated that she saw deceased at 6.30 this morning drawing water from a tap. Dr Teevan, who arrived on the scene, has certified that death was caused by the wound on deceased's neck. Deceased wrote the following note on a piece of printed paper, which was found on the kitchen floor: — "Would prefer death than to eat the bread of charity." Deceased, who was a widower, leaves a married daughter. He had been in depressed spirits for some time. An inquest will probably be held to-morrow.  -Evening Star, 11/10/1892.

SUICIDE.

An inquest on the body of John Richard Baxter, who was found dead with his throat cut at his residence in Rattray street on Tuesday morning, was held at the Britannia Hotel yesterday before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six. Mr Charles Johnson was chosen foreman. 

Mrs Catherine Marshall said that deceased was her father, who was born in Birmingham, and had been in the colony about 30 years. He was a widower for the last three years, and was 80 years of age. He was very hearty for his age. Witness last saw him alive at about 10 o'clock on Monday night. She used to go down to his house every evening to make his bed. He asked her to come and see him on Monday as he was in trouble about his rent. He owed L12 for rent, which appeared to worry him very much. Witness stopped with him all Monday, when he seemed to be very cheery. She now thought that his cheerfulness had been a "blind," as he did not want her to see the state of his mind. Witness never thought that he would do such an act, as he was too good a man. She went to his house on Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. He had left the verandah door open, as was his custom. She went into the shop and called for him, and getting no answer ran upstairs thinking that he was asleep. She went to his door and said, "Daddy, are you not awake yet," but got no answer. When she went into his room and saw what had happened she ran out and told the servant at the Britannia Hotel. On Monday afternoon her father kept walking up and down, saying that he wished he had a lot of money to leave her. He then seemed to be uneasy in his mind. He never had any trouble about money before. He seemed to be getting over his trouble on Monday night, and witness was very pleased to see that. 

Fanny Mulhern, servant at the Britannia Hotel, stated that she saw deceased on Tuesday morning at about half-past 8. He was getting water at the side of the house, and was fully dressed. He seemed to be shaking his head in a rather peculiar way. She saw him shaking his head the same way on Monday afternoon, and witness thought it was a bit strange. She told Mr Porter about the matter. 

Robert Porter, residing at the Britannia Hotel, stated that on Tuesday morning he went to deceased's room. Deceased was in bed, undressed. His head was resting on a wash basin, which was half full of clotted blood. He was dead, and had a wound on the side of the throat. Witness considered the deceased a very temperate man. 

Dr Teevan said he examined the body, and found a wound on the right hand side of the neck about 6in long and 1in deep. There was blood on the hands, shirt, sheet, and basin. The right hand was partly clenched, and the left hand extended in the ordinary way. All the exposed parts of the body were quite cold, and the parts under the sheets partly warm. On a table near at hand was an open razor, covered with blood. The wound could have been self-inflicted by the razor (produced). There were no signs of any struggle. He thought the body had been dead about two hours. 

Arthur Marshall, grandson of deceased, and Constable McGill also gave evidence. 

A verdict to the effect that deceased cut his throat whilst temporarily insane was returned. 

Mr J. A. Hislop, who appeared for Messrs Speight and Co., the landlords of deceased's house, stated that as reference had been made to deceased having been worried about rent, the inference was that the present landlords, who have owned the premises for the past six weeks or so, were pressing him. Such, however, was not the case, as they had never, since they became landlords, asked him for rent, or even sent in an account. The rent must have been owing to the former landlords.  -Otago Daily Times, 13/10/1892.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

George Henry Ashcroft, (1858-20/12/1889). "the agony of this night"

DUNEDIN STATION MASTER SHOOTS HIMSELF.

Dunedin, This day.

George Henry Ashcroft, stationmaster at Dunedin, shot himself this morning with a pistol. Deceased, who was one of the most popular men in the service, leaves a wife and three children. It is believed that losses in mining speculations was the cause of the act.  -Daily Telegraph, 20/12/1889.

SHOCKING SUICIDE.

MR G. H. ASHCROFT SHOOTS HIMSELF.

Quite a gloom was cast over the City this forenoon when it became known that Mr George H. Ashcroft, the popular railway station master at Dunedin, had shot himself. From the meagre particulars at present at our disposal it seems that Mr Ashcroft was seen to go into St. Paul’s Church at an early hour this morning, and that when the caretaker entered some time afterwards he found him shot under the arm. On being questioned, Mr Ashcroft said that he had shot himself, and that money matters — speculation in mining shares, it is understood — had been the cause of the act. A five chambered revolver was at his side, with only one barrel discharged. He was removed to the hospital, but died shortly afterwards. 

The deceased was a nephew of Mr James Ashcroft, Official Assignee, and his brother Edgar, an electrician, is now in this City. He was about thirty years of age, and leaves a widow and three children. The deceased was a fine young man, of splendid physique, a thorough sport, and an enthusiastic volunteer, having for some years been connected with the B Battery. He was one of the most popular hands in the railway employ, and was ever courteous to the travelling public. The suicide was the all absorbing theme of conversation in the City today. 

THE INQUEST

was held at the hospital at 3 p.m. before Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr A. Sligo was chosen foreman. 

The following evidence was given:- 

Edgar Arthur Ashcroft, electrical engineer, residing in Dunedin: I identify the body shown to the jury as that of my late brother, George Henry Ashcroft, He was born at Aberdare, Wales, and had been about twelve years in the colony. Deceased was married, and had three children alive. He was station-master at the Dunedin railway station, and had held that position for about nine years. I last saw him alive yesterday morning, about nine o’clock. I was in his house with him for about half an hour, and we subsequently had some little conversation at the gate.

The Coroner: Would anything that took place throw any light on this, or tend to show the state of his mind?

Witness: He was suffering from a very severe cold; that was all I could say. I can trace no connection between what was then said and what has occurred since. There was nothing unusual in his spirits calling for remark. Nothing whatever was said as to his being in monetary difficulties. I do not know much of his affairs, but have reason to suspect that he was a little pressed for money. He was thirty-one years of age last January. 

George Davie, verger at St. Paul’s Church, Dunedin, and caretaker of the South Sea Islands Court at the New Zealand Exhibition, deposed: It has been my practice lately to go to the church early, so as to get to the Exhibition in time. This morning I got there at half-past five o’clock. I went in through the front gate near the parsonage and to the vestry door, in which the keys were. That is usual, and I went in by that door. I took my broom and went into the chancel, where I was surprised to see a man lying down on the carpet, apparently asleep. My belief was that he had been indulging and was sleeping it off. I shook him, and when he woke up — I still think he was asleep — I asked him what he was doing there. He replied “I’m Ashcroft; get me a drink of water,” This I brought him. He raised himself, took the drink, and lay down again. He then said: "Don’t tell anybody about this,” At that time I did not notice that he was injured in any way. He asked me to got him a hassock or cushion for his bead, and to leave him. I went on with my sweeping, and in about half an hour I heard him moaning and vomiting. I went to him and asked him if I had not better get a cab to take him home, as he seemed to be in great pain. He said “No; go and fetch Dr Brown, and tell him to bring something with him that will kill the pain.” I hurried away for Dr Brown, who was roused by the servant. I told him that Mr Ashcroft was lying ill in the chancel of St, Paul’s Church and in great pain, and asked him to bring something to deaden the pain. I hurried back to the church, and told Mr Ashcroft the doctor would be there directly, and that I would keep a look-out for him at the gate. Mr Ashcroft seemed in great pain, and when I wanted to raise him ho said “Don’t touch me,” indicating that the pain was in his left side. The doctor was a long time coming, and on my going back and remarking this to Mr Ashcroft he said “Then go and fetch Roberts. Any doctor under the circumstances.” I went over to Dr Roberts’s house, and found that he was out of town, getting back to the church just after Dr Brown had arrived. When I went into the church the doctor was feeling his pulse and injecting morphia into the arm. I had a suspicion that something was the matter, and, looking round, noticed that the end of the cushion in front of the communion rail was raised as though something were under it. I lifted up the cushion and saw a revolver in a leather case. I put it back again, I think the doctor noticed it. He asked me to stand by the patient while he went to the hospital for the ambulance waggon. After Dr Brown had left I said to Mr Ashcroft “Have you shot yourself?" He replied “Yes; just under the heart,” I said “My God, what made you do such a rash act as that. Was it trouble or money matters that caused you to do it?” He said “Yes; I came in here at one o’clock, and I shot myself at five,” I asked whether I had not better go and fetch Archdeacon Edwards, and also let Mrs Ashcroft know. He replied “No; don’t tell anybody.” The doctor now returned with the ambulance. We got him in, and I came down to the hospital with the doctor in the ambulance. Dr Brown told me that I had better give the pistol up to the police. While the doctor was gone for the ambulance I removed the pistol from under the cushion, and the deceased remarked to me; “Davey, take charge of that.” 

To a juror: I first saw the deceased at halfpast five, and the doctor arrived about eight. The deceased, being treasurer of the church, might have had occasion to go there at any time for his book. There were no marks of blood in the chancel or any other part of the building, nor did I detect any on his clothes. 

Patrick Nash, porter at the Dunedin railway station: I was on duty from eleven o’clock last night till eight this morning. I saw Mr Ashcroft at 1 a.m. on the railway platform. He had left the station about 11.30 and returned about one o’clock. He asked me for the key of his office, which I gave him. I did not notice any light in the office. When I returned to the office about 1.30 I noticed that the office was locked, and so removed the key from the door. It was very unusual for Mr Ashcroft to come to the station at that hour. He did not seem to be as cheerful as usual. About 11.30 p m., shortly after his return to the station, I heard him telephoning for a doctor, but cannot recall who it was, nor do I know whether he spoke with the doctor, as I left the office then.

George Anderson Copland, house surgeon at the hospital, stated that Mr Ashcroft was brought into the institution shortly after nine o’clock this morning. Dr Brown was with him. He was stripped and wounds found in front of the abdomen just below the ribs on the left side. His shirt was slightly stained with blood. We opened the abdomen, searched for the injuries, and found that the bullet had passed backwards and to the right, wounding the intestines in four or five places and tearing the blood vessels. It had struck the rib at the back and travelled upwards. We did not find the bullet. The patient was too weak for the search to be continued. The whole of the abdomen cavity was filled with blood. He had evidently been bleeding for some time. He died shortly after ten o’clock from hemorrhage, caused by the wounds as described. From the appearance of the wound it must have been caused by a small bullet fired at close quarters. Mr Ashcroft was conscious when admitted. We asked him in what position he held the weapon. He said that he held it in his right hand. In a notecase he had in his pocket witness found a slip of paper, on which was written the following: 

1 a.m. — Prayed for my wife and children. 

1.30. — Still do. 

2 a.m. — Very cold; in great distress. 

3.30. — Must have slept. 

4. — Very cold and hopeless. 

4.15. — Daylight. Oh, the agony of this night. 

4.30. — (Blank).

Alexander Grant, district traffic manager, said that he last saw the deceased alive about 5 p.m. yesterday, but had no particular conversation with him. On Tuesday last witness wished to see him in connection with a special that was leaving the next morning for a trip up the Otago Central, but could not find him. This was very unusual. Witness went to the station again in the evening, and asked Mr Ashcroft where he had been. He said that he had been unexpectedly taken away on private business. Witness saw him again early next morning, but noticed nothing unusual then. This morning when witness’s chief clerk informed him what had happened he went over to his office, and got this letter on his desk. It was in the deceased’s handwriting

Dunedin, December 19,1889. 

Memo. for District Traffic Manager. 

Dear Sir, — I hereby tender my resignation as a servant of the Railway Commissioners. I shall be glad also if you will kindly advise the Commissioners that I claim compensation from 22nd January, 1877, to February of the present year. 

— I have, etc., Geo. H. Ashcroft, S.M. 

The date last referred to in the letter was when the Railway Commissioners took office. From a cursory examination of his books witness was afraid there were some discrepancies, but he was not sure until they had been properly examined. He told witness on Tuesday night that some man had dragged him into some mining speculations, and he had been up town getting it put right. He said he had got the matter all put right. 

George Esther stated that he knew the deceased intimately. Witness met him by appointment at the Grand Hotel at six o’clock last evening. Deceased said that he was in serious financial trouble, and wanted to ask witness how to get out of it. He owed witness a large sum of money, and asked if he was prepared to wait. Witness replied that be was. Mr Ashcroft then said that for several days he had been suffering most, excruciating pain in his head, and if the pain continued he felt that he should almost go mad. He then put his hand np to his brow and said; “My God, Esther, if this continues I feel certain I shall go mad.” Witness wanted to know if he was in any immediate trouble, and he replied: “I scarcely know how I stand. It is not my own business. I have been drawn into it with others in mining matters, but if we get time I have no doubt we shall pull through.” He was very much agitated. Witness saw him during the day and could see that he was depressed, but was endeavoring to keep up.

 James Ashcroft, Official Assignee, deposed that the deceased, to whom he had a strong personal attachment, was his nephew. He was of a reticent disposition and very sensitive about any interference with his private affairs. He did, however, mention to witness some two or three months ago that he had made two or three successful specs in mining affairs, and witness uttered a few words of caution. Deceased replied that he was very careful to make himself safe as he went along. Within the past fortnight once or twice witness thought he was looking depressed, and hearing a rumor that he was mixed up with some other gentlemen in mining losses, spoke to him concerning it about a week ago. He said that he had got into some trouble through a partnership in some shares, mentioning about L400 as the amount, but he added that with a little time the shares would be worth the money, and that they (probably meaning the parties to whom the money was due) must wait. He also added “It will be a lesson to me not to mix myself up with other people.” Witness went away reassured. Deceased had not mentioned the subject to him since. Had witness known of deceased’s troubles he would have endeavored to have found some means of relieving him. There was a heavy look about the eyes of late, and witness guessed from it that he was in trouble. He had a good deal of external cheerfulness, and could pass over trouble if he had any. He had a great dislike to persons seeing his real feelings if he was in trouble.

The jury found the following verdict: — “That the deceased met his death by a pistol shot, fired by his own hand; and the jury find, from various circumstances, that the deceased’s mind was at the time off its balance."  -Evening Star, 20/12/1899.

George Ashcroft lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.