Henrich Longford, (1844-13/4/1883). "having some words"

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

What appears to be a determined case of attempted suicide occurred at South Dunedin last night. Henry Longford, living in a four-roomed cottage next to the Fitzroy Hotel, retired to his bedroom about half-past nine o'clock, leaving his wife and Mrs Maxwell, a boarder, in the kitchen. Shortly after the latter heard a shot discharged, and Mrs Longford in going into the passage found her husband with his hands holding his breast. A three-chambered revolver was found in the bedroom, and it was discovered that the man had shot himself in the breast, the ball narrowly missing his heart and lodging in the left lung. Drs DeLautour and Fergusson were quickly in attendance, but last night held out no hope of the man's recovery. The former was of opinion this morning, however, that there was a slight chance, although the man lies in a perilous state. Longford is forty years of age, and arrived from Bushy Point, near Invercargill, where he had been working, on Saturday last. He has since been employed at Messrs D, Reid and Co's wool-shed. The muzzle of the pistol appears to have been pressed close to the breast, and the theory expressed by the relatives as to its accidental discharge can scarcely be entertained. The three chambers of the revolver were loaded, and had remained so for some time — since Longford's return from a trip into the country.  -Evening Star, 12/4/1883.

The inquest on the Dane named Henrich Longford, who shot himself on Wednesday, was held on Saturday. The wife, after giving details of the occurrence, said she had been having some words with her husband about a young woman whom he kept company and corresponded with, and she supposed he was troubled in his mind in consequence. She blamed the woman for the trouble, for he was a very quiet man. The night deceased shot himself witness accused him of writing to this woman, and told him if he did not stop corresponding with her she (witness) would leave him. He promised not to write to her any more. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.  -Ashburton Guardian, 16/4/1883.