A SAD OCCURRENCE.
An event of a very painful nature occurred in the town, or rather on the outskirts of the town, last Tuesday afternoon. As several young lads were on their way to set their rabbit traps at about 6 p.m. on the day mentioned, one of their number, a boy named Mulholland, came across a young woman lying on the ground outside the fence which bounds the upper portion of Arbor Day plantation. After trying to waken the person (who was unknown to them) without success the boys thought she was dead and immediately informed the police. Sergt. Fleming and a number of townspeople proceeded to the spot and discovered that the body was that of Miss Fanny Edgar, daughter of Mr J. Edgar. There was no sign of life therein, death having having apparently taken place some little time previously. Upon further investigation a pea rifle was espied inside the fence immediately opposite where deceased lay, or about six feet away. The rifle had an empty cartridge in it. When found, deceased's blouse was partly open. The circumstances seemed to point to a determined act of self-destruction on the part of the deceased and when the body was brought home and examined a bullet wound was discovered on the left breast, such as would be caused by a pea rifle. A similar wound was also located below the right shoulder blade on the back of the body, where the bullet had made its exit. These facts left no doubt in the minds of those present that the unfortunate girl had taken her life by discharging the contents of the gun into her body. It appears from the particulars given at the inquest that after the deceased had given her father his dinner, which was at 12 noon, she went out of the house telling her mother that she intended going to a neighbour's to help her to do some sewing. However, deceased must have changed her mind, and evidently proceeded up the hill, taking away with her the gun. Nothing further was known of her doings or whereabouts beyond what she herself stated to her mother before going out until the news came of the finding of her body. Deceased, it may be stated, showed signs of mental aberration about 12 months ago, and her mind ultimately became so deranged as to necessitate her being confined in an asylum. She was discharged from the latter place about two months ago, and up to the time of her sad end she gave no indication of any further derangement. In fact, her father stated at the inquest that when he last saw his daughter she was better physically and mentally than he had known her to be since she left the asylum. She was also apparently in good spirits. At the inquest on the body before Coroner Hotop and a jury of six the evidence pointed strongly to the fact that the wound was self-inflicted and a verdict given was that the deceased, Fanny Edgar, took her life whilst temporarily insane. The melancholy occurrence caused quite a shock to her relatives and the townspeople generally. The deceased was a robust young woman, 25 years of age, and much respected by those who knew her. Widespread sympathy is felt for the family in their heavy trial. The funeral took place yesterday, when the remains were interred in the local cemetery. The Rev. J. Wilson officiated at the grave. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 13/4/1904.
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