UNREQUITED LOVE.
A TRAGIC SUICIDE.
Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 13. "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Hugh Stewart, a young Scotchman, who shot himself dead this morning at the Prince of Wales Hotel, wrote the above quotation on the back of a novel, and added these words: "Written by me in full control of my mind." The man was found dead in a chair in his bedroom about 8 a.m. He was shot through the head, and on the floor lay a revolver with one chamber empty. The circumstances showed that suicide had been premeditated. Stewart arrived in New Zealand from Scotland a year ago and had been employed as a barman. It is stated that the deceased was fond of a girl at another hotel, but that his love was unrequited. Deceased left another quotation: "I have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." -Sun, 13/5/1914.
The Coroner (Mr O. C. Graham) remarked at the conclusion of the evidence at the inquest on Hugh Stewart yesterday that no doubt the young lady who had refused to marry Stewart had, in the religious circumstances, taken a proper view of the matter. On the outside of the envelope containing a letter addressed “to the general public” deceased had written a request that a gold cross, which would be found round his neck, should be buried with him. The Coroner gave authority for this to be done, and also for the three unopened letters to be forwarded to their respective addresses. The contents of the letter addressed to the public was as follows; — “I am not insane. I have found that I am no longer necessary in this world, so I decided to get out. I want no blame attached to anyone. Please notify my people in Scotland, and if there is anything left let them have it all but letters and silk. Good-bye to everyone. I will pray to meet my father. May God have mercy on my soul, and forgive me for what I have done. — (Signed) ‘Hughie,’ 4th May, 1914.” -Evening Star, 14/5/1914.
LOVE-SICK SWAIN'S SUICIDE.
Dunedin, May 13. At the inquest on the body of Hugh Stewart; found dead in the Prince af Wales Hotel this morning, the evidence showed that deceased appeared to be in good spirits yesterday. He bought a revolver at a pawn shop, and informed a friend he wanted it “for a bit of sport.” Constable Sorrell said he had interviewed the young lady with whom the deceased was supposed to be in love, and she said she had informed Stewart some time ago that she could never marry him, on account of the difference in their religious beliefs. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from the effects of a gunshot wound, self-inflicted while in a state of temporary insanity. -Stratford Evening Post, 14/5/1914.
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