Deaths
On the 25th April, at her residence, George street, Ann, the beloved wife of Robert Hagen, aged 33 years. -Otago Daily Times, 18/5/1865.
Robert Hagen, a boy not quite eight years old, and the son of Mr Hagen, bootmaker, George street, in the absence of his father the other day, began to play with his tools. Whilst he had a shoemaker's knife, which was very sharp, in his hand, and pointed towards himself, he ran against the counter, driving the knife through his clothes and partly into his body. A neighbour, learning from the boy's little sister what had happened, promptly took him to the Hospital. The knife, it was found, had made a small wound in the upper part of the belly. It is not thought that the intestines or stomach is wounded, and his life is not expected to be in danger. -Otago Daily Times, 26/6/1872.
City Police Court
Obscene Language, — Frederick Bates, Robert Hagen, Charles Bellman, and Alexander Trotter were charged with making use of foul language on Sunday week last, at South Dunedin. — The police stated that the language used by some of the boys in this locality was most filthy. Hagen, having previously been before the Court, was fined 25s, or seven days’ imprisonment; the others were fined 20s, or five days’. -Evening Star, 11/11/1882.
A DETERMINED CASE OF SUICIDE.
An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Robert Hagen, a bootmaker residing in Maitland street, was held on Monday afternoon at the Maitland Hotel before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr Alex. Cairns was chosen foreman.
Dr Ogston stated that he was called in to see the deceased about 3 o'clock on Monday morning. The deceased was lying on his back in the room which witness visited and there was a cut about 3in long in the front of the neck which opened into the throat at the top of the windpipe. The face was bloody, and there was some bloody froth about the nostrils. Both of the hands were half-bent, and on the back of the left hand there was some clotted blood, also on the front of the right hand. The joints were slightly stiff but not thoroughly rigid. This he took to indicate that the deceased, who was quite dead, had lost a good deal of blood. Witness saw a razor, which was shown to him by a constable. The razor was shut, and there was fresh blood upon the front of the blade. He thought the deceased had been dead only a very short time, as his body was quite warm. There was a great deal of blood in a basin, and also on the floor beside it. Blood was likewise coming from the throat and oozing in a stream down on to the floor. The cut was such a one as could have been self-inflicted. The cause of death was hemorrhage from a cut throat. It appeared as if the basin on the floor had been placed there to catch the blood.
Robert Hagen, bootmaker, deposed that he resided with his father and sister in the house where his father's body was at present. The deceased was born in Ireland, and had been in New Zealand about 27 years. He was a widower, and followed the occupation of a bootmaker. There were three rooms in the house where the family lived, and lately each member of the family slept in a separate room. Before that witness and the deceased slept in one room together. Deceased, however, left witness' room a short time ago and went to sleep in another room. He had been drinking since last January until recently. On Thursday night he came home the worse of drink, and also on Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday morning he went out and did not come back till a quatter to 6 in the evening. He then went into his room and lit a candle, and witness heard him drawing a cork out of a bottle. Witness went into deceased's room about a quarter past 6 to get some coal and deceased was in bed. After getting the coal witness went out and returned about 10 o'clock. When he returned he went to the door of deceased's room and he was still in bed. He pretended to be asleep. Witness went to bed subsequently, and after reading for a time he went to sleep. He was awakened by his sister about half-past 2. His sister asked him to go into deceased's room aud see what was the matter as he was making a noise. Witness went into the room at once and saw deceased leaning out of bed with his face in a tin basin. He picked him up and turned him over on his back in bed. He then noticed that his throat was cut, and there was a razor lying open upon the floor. The razor belonged to deceased. There was blood on it; also a piece of tape tied round the handle to keep the blade fixed. Deceased was not dead when witness picked him up. Witness spoke to him, but did not receive any reply. He subsequently went to Mr McFarlane's house, and Mr McFarlane went away and informed the police about the matter. Deceased had suffered with delirium tremens on one occasion that witness knew of. Witness was not on good terms with him on account of his drinking, and lately deceased had not taken his meals at home. About three weeks ago, when deceased was sleeping with him, he got up, lit the candle, and got the razorcase, but there was nothing in it. Witness jumped up and took the case out of deceased's hand. Neither of them spoke and they each went to bed again. After a time deceased got up again and went to his box in the room and took out three pruning knives. He selected one and put the other two back into the box. Witness got out of bed and took the knife away from him and asked him what he was going to do. He said he could not stand it any longer; he was no good to himself or to anybody else. Witness told him he would go to the police station the next day, and he replied that he did not care what witness did. Witness got him to go back to bed again and then put the knives away. His father got up next morning and went to his work as usual. Witness never spoke about the matter afterwards. At the time deceased had delirium tremens he was running about the house with a razor and witness took it away from him. Previous to last Thursday night deceased had been off the drink so that he did not think that he would attempt to take his life. Last Monday evening he asked for the razor to shave, and as he seemed to be all right witness gave it to him. After he got the razor he must have taken it away as, it could not be found in the house.
Sarah Hagen deposed that when she got home on Sunday night her father was in bed. He called to her and asked for a drink. She gave him a cup of coffee, and he said it was the last cup of coffee that he would require. She asked him why, and he replied that he had taken enough in his inside to settle him. He subsequently stated that he had taken some laudanum which he had in a bottle, but he would not tell where the bottle was. Eventually witness came out of the room and watched her father through the window. He lay still for a while, then got up and drank the coffee. He subsequently called witness to take the cup away. She did so, and also put out the candle, and left the room. After witness' brother came home her father called for a drink again, and a glass of water was given to him. After witness left her father's room the first time he took up the Star to read.
Constable Hastie also gave evidence, after which
The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of unsound mind. -Otago Witness, 15/6/1888.
City Police Court
Affiliation.— Robert Hagen, a young man, was charged with not complying with an order of the court whereby he was to pay 6s a week towards the support of the illegitimate child of May Anderson, of which he was the putative father, the sum of L6 l2s being in arrears. — Mr D. D. Macdonald appeared for the complainant, and Mr A. C. Hanlon for the defendant; — Mr Macdonald said that efforts had been made to arrive at a settlement in this case, but these had proved unavailing. The defendant was asked to go on contributing 5s a week to the support of the child, and leave the arrears over in the meanwhile, but he would not even agree to this; consequently the matter had to be brought before the court. — The clerk of the court, Mr Ralfe, gave evidence that the defendant had not paid anything since 2!) th October last — Mr Macdonald observed that the defendant was the father of two children by the complainant but the court had only made an order in respect of one of them. — Defendant gave evidence that he was a married man, and had a wife and one child to support. He only earned on an average during the last six months some 25s per week When the order was made against him he was earning 35s a week, but since then his wages had been reduced and work had become irregular. — The Magistrate said that the conduct of the defendant had no doubt been disgraceful and apparently the only thing he could do was to send him to gaol. — Mr Macdonald said he would rather the case be adjourned, in order that defendant might have an opportunity of complying with the order. — The case was accordingly adjourned for a week. -Otago Daily Times, 19/3/1892.
A GUN ACCIDENT.
About one o'clock yesterday afternoon a serious misadventure occurred at South Dunedin. In Sydney street there are two cottages, separated only a few paces, one of which is tenanted by Mr Edward Keating, stoker at the gasworks, and his family, and the other by Mr Hagen. The neighbors are and always have been most friendly terms. Shortly after dinner yesterday Robert Hagen, a young man, by occupation a bootmaker, went to the back of the house to clean a double-barrelled gun that had been in use the day previous, and while doing so he conversed across the fence with Miss Mary Cecilia Keating, one of Mr Keating's daughters, eighteen years of age, and hitherto employed as a tailoress at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. The girl was standing in the scullery washing up the dinner-ware. Hagen and Miss Keating were chaffing and laughing, and Mr Keating was standing by, when suddenly the gun went off and the shot from the left barrel entered the open doorway of the scullery. Some of the shot went through the dishes and pierced the boards of the scullery, and some unfortunately struck the girl, penetrating her eyes and neck. She cried out "Father, father, what is it? am I shot?" and Mr Keating ran up the steps and caught her in his arms. A messenger was at once despatched to the Caledonian Hotel, from whence Mr John Blaney telephoned for Dr Coughtrey The doctor drove out immediately, and ordered Miss Keating's removal to the hospital. Arrived there, it was found that the right eye was so badly torn and shattered as to make an operation for its removal indispensable. Dr Stenhouse, the ophthalmic Burgeon at the hospital, performed the operation, The unfortunate girl was conscious when driven to the hospital.
Mr Hagan makes the following statement regarding the affair:—"I was out rabbit shooting on Saturday near Cargill's. Another young fellow named William Dunn, who lives at Mornington, was with me. It is his gun that we used. Young Tom Keating, about fourteen years old, was with us. We all used the gun. I fired the two barrels, and then handed the gun to Dunn. He loaded the right-hand barrel with the last charge of shot we had and gave the gun to Keating, who fired the right-band barrel. That was the last time the gun was fired before we came home. Dunn told me to take the gun home and clean it. Yesterday, after dinner, I took the gun out to do so, believing it was empty. I put on two caps to clear the nipples first. I did not raise the gun to my shoulder. The girl was just opposite me, and her father standing near by. I was talking to the girl, and I put out the gun in front of me and pulled the right trigger. The cap exploded, I then pulled the left trigger, and the barrel discharged. The left barrel must have missed fire when I thought I fired it on Saturday. That is the only way I can account for what happened."
The above statement seems to fairly describe the occurrence, and we may add that Mr Keating's family express the opinion that the affair was purely accidental. Hagen, who is very much cut up, says that he is fairly well accustomed to the use of firearms, and it appears from all that can be made out that he was not larking with the gun in the way of pretending to shoot at the girl. The gun was, of course, pointed her way at the time it went off, but it was apparently an accident that it was so. Inquiring from Dr Coughtrey this morning we learn that the case will be a critical one for two or three days, and that if Miss Keating does recover there is very little hope of her ever regaining the sight of her left eye, which was also torn by the shot. Mr Keating himself, who was at the hospital when our reporter called at his residence to-day, had a narrow escape. He was standing on the lower level of the yard when the shot was fired, and the pellets went over his head. -Evening Star, 19/12/1892.
Telegrams
DUNEDIN, January 28. The experiment of giving an open air performance of the Messiah was tried to-day on the Caledonian ground, and proved successful. The weather was dull, but fine, and not a breath of wind waa stirring. The chorus and orchestra, numbering about 300, were in the Grand Stand, and most of the audience, numbering over 3000, and including the Governor and Lady Glasgow, were on the ground below. Only choruses were given. At the conclusion, Signor Squarise was presented and congratulated by his Excellency. The performance was in aid of Miss Keating, who has lost both her eyes by being accidentally shot just before Christmas. After the Messiah performance, the Governor inspected the local Volunteers, who mustered well. -Colonist, 30/1/1893.
Subscribers to the Keating fund and the public generally will be interested on learning that a report has been received by Mr J. B. Ferguson from the principal of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, at Auckland, stating that Miss Keating has mastered the Braille and Moor types, the theory of music, and the type-writer; also learned to wash, mangle, and iron; will shortly be taught to cook; and is at present studying the violin, organ, and piano. The inmate herself adds that she is very well and happy, and thinks she is getting on very nicely. -Evening Star, 22/8/1894.
DUNEDIN S.M. COURT. (excerpt)
Tuesday, January 31. (Before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M.)
Judgment was given for plaintiffs by default in the following cases: Johnston, Sons, and Co. v. Richard Mortinson (Waihi) £2 12s 6d, books; same v. Harry Stanley (Hastings), £2 8s 6d; same v. Clement Lodge (Manunui), £1 5s; W Errington v. Richard Sheath, £2 16s, board and lodging, Joseph Eli White v. David Adderdey Reid, £5, money lent; Hondai Lanka Tea Company v. Robert Hagen, 5s 6d, goods; -Otago Witness, 22/2/1911.
Robert Hagen, a shoemaker in Cumberland street, was arrested this morning by Detective-sergeant Kemp and Detective Hall on a charge of "receiving" (from a man named Frank William Jones, charged with theft yesterday) stolen property, the proceeds of alleged thefts from the Imperial, Criterion, and Prince of Wales Hotels, and other places. -Evening Star, 14/8/1917.
City Police Court
A Couple of Sneak Thieves.—William Frank Jones and Frank Rowlingson ware jointly charged with stealing from the dwelling of James Murphy one coat and one leather wallet, to the total value of £4; with stealing from the dwelling of Wm. Patrick three hats, value £2, the property of Wm. Patrick and another; and with stealing from the dwelling of Harry Andrews a kit bag containing a pair of boots, razor, strop, and other articles, also an overcoat, a suit of clothes, and a handbag, the property of John Paulin and another. — Detectives Hammerley and Hall read statements by each of the accused, in which they admitted participation in these thefts, also in others which formed the subject of charges afterwards preferred. From these statements it appeared that the accused men, either singly or together, made a practice of going into dwellings (generally hotels), and taking from bedrooms, hatracks, and other places articles of clothing, handbags, etc. These were used or disposed of, some being taken to a man named Hagen, in Cumberland street. Rowlingson admitted stealing £4 from a man who slept in the same room at the Leviathan Hotel, and obtaining certain money and goods by means of valueless cheques. — The accused, who were not represented by counsel, pleaded guilty to the joint charges, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. -Evening Star, 3/9/1917.
Robert Hagen, on two charges of receiving stolen property, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment.
For Influenza take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. Never fails, 1/6, 2/6. -Taranaki Herald, 7/9/1917.
CITY POLICE COURT
(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, SM)
Procuring liquor. John Morgan Pauley was charged with procuring liquor from Robert Hagen during the currency of a Prohibition order. Hagen was also charged with procuring liquor for Pauley, knowing him to be prohibited. - Constable Harvey said he went to Pauley's shop and questioned him about having beer on the premises. The witness handed over a bottle three parts full. Witness further ascertained that Hagen, who was then standing in the door of the shop, had bought the beer at the Oriental Hotel. The defendant Pauley said that Hagen wanted the beer kept kept for him and had left it at witness's shop. He had not tasted it. Pauley was fined 10s and costs (7s). Hagen, who did not appear, was fined £5 and costs (15s), in default one month's imprisonment. -Otago Daily Times, 21/6/1919.
POLICE COURT
Tuesday, June 26 (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)
SLEPT ON THE COALS,
A middle-aged man, who had not recently shaved, and who was enveloped in a military overcoat, pleaded not guilty to a charge of being found on the premises of the Milburn Lime and Cement Company at night without lawful excuse. His name was Robert Hagen, and two witnesses (employers of the company) said that he had been several times on the company’s premises, standing by the fire and sleeping on the coal. He had been warned to leave. There was nothing missing from the works that might be attributed to theft by accused.
Constables Watt and Parkhill also gave evidence, the former stating that when arrested accused was in a dirty and verminous condition, and his clothes were in rags.
Accused said he had got back to town last night after ten weeks in the country, and had gone to the works to warm himself and get out of the rain.
His Worship said that the evidence did not support the present charge, no criminal intent being disclosed. He should, however, be charged with being an idle and disorderly person.
The Senior-sergeant asked that the charge be amended accordingly, and after the clerk of the court and the court orderly had given evidence the magistrate said the only thing to do was to send accused to gaol for a term to get cleaned up. He would be sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. -Evening Star, 26/6/1923.
A human derelict, broken by the years, appeared in the Police Court this morning when Robert Hagen, 63 years of age, was called upon to answer a charge of being idle and disorderly and of having insufficient means of support. His hair was long and matted and his clothes torn and soiled. He entered the dock with an air of abject misery, and in wavering tones pleaded not guilty. Sub-inspector Fahey stated at the outset that there was no suggestion of punishment in this case. Hagen had been found at Brighton yesterday morning, and according to his own statement had been wandering about in the bush for two days without food or a place to sleep. He had no money and no employment, and when he was taken in charge did not have a shirt to his back. Under the circumstances gaol would afford him shelter, and it was better to have him there than wandering round in such a condition. On the recommendation of the sub-inspector the magistrate (Mr J. R. Bartholomew) decided to remand Hagen until Saturday to enable the police to ascertain if he could he committed to some institution. -Evening Star, 20/10/1927.
Deaths
HAGEN.—On July 3, 1945, at Dunedin, Robert Hagen, in his eighty-first year. — Private interment. —R. McLean and Son, funeral directors. -Otago Daily Times, 5/7/1945.
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