SUICIDE.
This morning a rumor, which was soon verified, obtained currency through the town to the effect that Mr Jules Lanseigne, woolsorter, had been missing from his residence since the previous day. It appears that yesterday, at about 10 a. m., that gentleman left his house when only partly dressed and having a dressing gown on. He had of late sustained heavy losses in the course of his business, and, it being discovered that on Thursday be purchased strychnine from a chemist in town, his friends became alarmed at his absence. A party started this morning in search, Sergeant Anderson also being sent out. by the police authorities, and discovered the body of Mr Lanseigne in the bush at the back of his house at Caversham, which is that formerly occupied by the late Mr Cantrell. He is supposed to have poisoned himself with the strychnine he purchased on Thursday. Mr Lanseigne, who was French Consul at this spot, leaves a widow and three young children. -Evening Star, 1/5/1875.
MR LANSEIGNE'S DEATH.
Mr T. M. Hocken, District Coroner, held an inquest on the body of the late Mr Lanseigne, at the deceased gentleman’s house, some distance above Caversham, to-day. The following evidence was given: —
Adele Lanseigne: I am the wife of the deceased — Jules Eugene Lanseigne. He was fortyone years of age at the time, and a Roman Catholic by religious persuasion. On Friday morning my husband came to me at a quarter to ten, and asked me to have dinner ready at twelve o'clock sharp, so that he might go to town soon after. He then appeared to be in ordinary health. A quarter of an hour afterwards I saw him in the coach-house. About 1 went to tell him to dress for dinner, but could not find him. In a moment I thought he had gone mad and run away, as some weeks ago he appeared to be half paralysed, and his head wandered. He frequently complained of his head being too heavy for his body. The greater part of last week he was very bad and would say to me, “Don’t let them take me away. Keep me here.” He would speak as though there was some one in the room. We were very much troubled with rats, but my husband never told me that he had bought strychnine to kill them last week. That he should do away with his with was the last thing that I should have thought. Being unable to find him on Friday, although assisted by the household in the search I sent for the police and a search party also went to look for him next day. He was found about twelve o clock next day, and was then dressed precisely as when I last saw him. I had wanted to have a doctor for him, but he refused to have midecal advise, saying "No doctor can do any good for my head."
George K Dermer, chemist and druggist Dunedin, deposed that on Thursday eveninSg deceased purchased some strychnine from him, saying that he wanted it for the rats which were destroying his apples. He gave him fifteen grains, a receipt for which is signed in poison book now produced. Witness appeared to be very agreeable and pleasant. On Thursday deceased seemed to be more gay and lively than usual.
Robert B. Wilson, baker, Caversham, deposed that on Saturday morning last a search party was formed to look for Mr Lanseigne, who, it was reported, was missing. Witness, after searching for a few minutes, found him lying at the outskirts of the bush near his garden. The body was lying quite exposed. He was then quite dead. A cup with half a teaspoonful of transparent liquid, and also an empty bottle, were lying by his side. [The cup and bottle were here produced.] I did not taste the liquid. By his side was also found a piece of paper marked “Strychine — poison.” [Mr Dernier identified the label as that which he gave to deceased on Thursday night.]
Constable Carter, who saw deceased immediately after his body was found, also gave evidence as to the finding of the things enumerated by last witness. On searching the body he found the three letters now produced in his left-hand coat pocket. One was addressed to Madame Lanseigne, one to his brother, Emile, and one to Mr W. B. Davis. (The two first were translated by Mr L. Court, who appeared very much affected in reading them.) That addressed to his wife ran thus: “My dear Adele, I am mad. When you receive this letter I believe I shall be out of this world. I had hoped to have had time to see to everything before my position would be opened to the public, but I cannot bear the idea of being brought before a court of justice. Please God to pardon me, but I kill myself to try to save you from misery. Go back to France with the dear children.” In the letter addressed to Mr Davis, he said: “I leave everything to your hands, and what you may get from my life insurance, or in future, I leave to my children.”
W. B. Davis, commercial traveller, had known the deceased for about twelve years. Witness last saw him on Thursday. He was then very excited, in consequence, as he told witness, of being unable to meet certain bills which were due. Although troubled in business for the past twelve months, he was one of the last men who witness would have thought would have committed suicide.
Louis Court gave similar evidence. In talking to deceased at witness’s hotel last Thursday evening, they referred to the proposed Masonic Ball to be given to the Governor, and witness remarked that deceased had had too much drink. Deceased replied that his head was affected, but not by drink.
The jury, in accordance with the Coroner’s instructions, returned a verdict that deceased died from strychine, taken while in a state of temporary insanity.
We understand that the deceased gentleman’s life was insured for L1,000. His funeral, which will take place to-morrow, will be attended by the Masons, who will appear in full regalia. The funeral service will be read by the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards, in accordance with Mrs Lanseigne’s wish, and the body will be interred in the Church of England cemetery. It is proposed that the cortege shall leave the Masonic Hall, and a meeting of Masons will be held at Court’s Hotel to-night, to finally arrange for the burial. The Masonic services will also be performed at the grave, and four Masons will act as chief mourners. -Evening Star, 3/5/1875.
Burial in the Church of England Cemetery was presumably due to the Catholic tradition of refusing burial in consecrated ground to suicides.
FUNERAL OF M. LANSEIGNE.
The remains of M. Lansiegne were borne from the Masonic Hall to their final resting place in the Church of England cemetery this afternoon, the Masons attending in full regalia. The procession, which extended from Jetty to Rattray streets, was formed as follows; Masons — Celtic Lodge, 16; Port Chalmers Marine 8; Saint Andrew’s, 14; Lodge Otago 11; Royal Archmen, 11; Lodge Kilwinning (to which the deceased gentleman belonged), 30; hearse and eight pall bearers, also masons; mourning coach with Master Lanseigne and Messrs W. B. Davis, Maish, and Park as chief mourners, general public, vehicles, etc. At the grave the funeral service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Martin and the Masonic service by Mr. V. Pyke,. P.W.G.M,. (Scottish Const.) who stated that the service was performed in conformity with the established rule, and at the request of the deceased. The masons were there to prove their inviolable attachment to him. -Evening Star, 4/5/1875.
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