DEATH.
SOPER — At Woodlands, on Tuesday, May 8, 1928, May Bell, beloved daughter of Mrs T. W. Soper; aged 16 years. Private interment. — Macdonald & Weston, Undertakers. -Southland Times, 10/5/1928.
GIRL POISONED
WOODLANDS TRAGEDY
STRYCHNINE SMEARED ON BREAD
“SUICIDE WHILE UNDER MENTAL STRAIN”
Two days ago life had become so worthless to May Bell Soper, aged only 16 years, that she decided to end it. The full story was told at a coronial inquest held yesterday before Mr. James Ward and a jury at Woodlands.
Miss Soper was living with her widowed mother, Janet Bell Soper, and her married brother and sister-in-law in the district of Flemington, Woodlands about a mile past Woodlands township. She is described as an exceptionally healthy looking girl, well developed for her age. The tragedy began over a month ago when the girl commenced to look worried. A little while later, the mother learnt that she was in trouble. Her daughter had shown no sign of her intention to commit suicide and the mother suspected nothing when she left her to go into the township on Tuesday afternoon. However, when she returned and sent her daughter-in-law to call the unfortunate girl to tea, she received no reply from the room in which May Soper had shut herself. Opening the door she found her lying across the bed, in great pain. Beside her bed, on a table, was a bottle of strychnine and a piece of bread. It appears that the poor girl had smeared the strychnine over the slice of bread. Out of one corner of the slice, a small bite had been taken but even on that morsel, it was calculated there was enough poison to kill several human beings.
Medical aid was instantly summoned and what steps they could do themselves were done by the distracted family, but it was useless. When the doctor arrived not much more than 20 minutes later, the girl had succumbed.
THE INQUEST.
Mr James Ward J.P., Acting-Coroner, and a jury of four, of which Mr A. E. Wesney was chosen foreman, conducted an inquest at the house yesterday. Constable Matthews watched the proceedings on behalf of the police.
Mrs J. B. Soper, mother of deceased, said her daughter was 16 years of age last October. She last saw her alive on Tuesday evening when she sent her daughter-in-law to call deceased to tea. Deceased was then in her bedroom. When found she was in a state of collapse, and they called her son who was just coming in to tea. He promptly administered an emetic of salt and water. When she went to the bedroom her daughter was lying on her stomach and twitching. Medical aid was promptly sought, but the girl passed away before the doctor arrived. She thought at times the daughter looked worried and she had asked her if she were sick, but had received a negative reply. She knew about a month ago that her daughter was in trouble and had asked her about it. She admitted it, but never indicated her intention to commit suicide nor had she said who was the cause of her trouble.
Mrs Muriel Soper, wife of Mr R. E. Soper said that when she went to call May she found her lying across the bed apparently in great pain and asked her what was wrong but received no answer. She gave the alarm and immediately called medical aid. Deceased had been ironing during the afternoon and appeared in good health. She had occasion to leave her and go to the township in the afternoon and would be away from the house for about an hour. Witness did not see May go to the cupboard where the strychnine was kept. While the doctor was present the piece of bread (produced) was found on the dressing table. It had been buttered and smeared with strychnine and one bite had been taken out of it.
Robert Edward Soper, the brother of deceased, who is a labourer in the district, stated that just as he was coming into the kitchen he heard his wife and mother call. He rushed to the bedroom and found his sister as described by the other witnesses, and also noticed the bottle of strychnine on the table. He concluded that his sister had taken some. He got a salt and water emetic and administered it, but it did not cause sickness. Deceased appeared quieter than usual of late, but gave no indication that she intended suicide. His mother had told deceased that she would make arrangements for her to go into a home till she was over her trouble. He had been using strychnine for rabbit poisoning and kept it in the cupboard in the kitchen. Deceased knew where it was and could see it every time the cupboard was opened. The bottle (produced) was nearly full, and he could see that a good deal had been taken out of it. /He identified the note found as the hand writing of his sister. The note was as follows: “My bike and other useful things I leave with Edie (an elder sister), anything else can be divided among the others.” The note was found by Constable Matthews and himself as though it had just fallen from her hand.
Constable Matthews detailed the circumstances leading to his visit and his inquiry into the death of Miss Soper. All the indications pointed to suicide by strychnine poisoning. The piece of bread with the bite taken out of it was well smeared with strychnine and there was sufficient on the bread to kill a number of people. The note found indicated her intention to commit suicide.
The acting coroner reviewed the evidence, and after consideration a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide by taking strychnine while suffering from severe mental strain. On behalf of those present the coroner expressed their deepest sympathy with the bereaved mother and the family on the sudden and tragic termination of a bright young life. -Southland Times, 10/5/1928.
THANKS.
Mrs T. W. Soper and family, Woodlands, sincerely thank all friends and relatives for letters, telegrams and personal expressions of sympathy, also floral tributes received in recent sad bereavements of son (Richard Thomas) and daughter (May Bell). -Southland Times, 2/6/1928.
IN MEMORIAM.
SOPER — In loving memory of May Bell Soper, who died, May 8, 1928. “Never Forgotten.” —Inserted by Mother. -Southland Times, 6/5/1930.
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