Robert Samson, (1861-11/10/1990). "this should keep down expenses"

FOUND DEAD.

The inquest on Robert Samson, who was found dead in the Northern Cemetery, disclosed a very sad state of affairs. The body was found at about a quarter to six on Saturday morning by a young man named William Cummock who was passing at the time. Seeing the man in a sleeping position on one of the seats he jumped the fence, and on finding life was extinct informed the police. Sergeant O'Neill, upon arrival at the cemetery, identified the body as that of Robert Samson, a single man, who had been in the employment of Mr D. D. Macdonald for some twenty months as copying clerk. The deceased was a native of Irvine, in Ayrshire, was twenty-nine years of age, and had been about two years in the colony. He was of intemperate habits, and this led to his being discharged from his situation several times by Mr Macdonald, who, however, gave him several chances to recover himself by re-engaging him. He lived at the house of his cousin, John Samson, in Castle street, and was last seen alive by Mrs Samson about six o'clock on Friday evening, when he was under the influence of drink. Mrs Samson remonstrated with him about his condition, and told him either to go to bed or to go out. Without replying deceased, who had been finally discharged by Mr Macdonald about three weeks since, took up his hat and went along Castle street in a northerly direction, and was not again seen until his body was discovered the next morning. 

AN INQUEST 

was held on the body of deceased on Saturday afternoon at the Scotia Hotel, before Mr E. H. Carew, district coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr J. Mathews was chosen foreman, when the following evidence was given. 

John Samson deposed that deceased was a cousin of his, and was twenty-nine years of age. He was a great reader and of a melancholy and morose disposition. When he took any drink it seemed to unhinge him altogether. The letter produced was in the handwriting of deceased. This letter, which was addressed to Mr and Mrs Samson, was found on the body of deceased, and in it he complained of having had accusations made against him. The letter went on to say: — "In the present disturbed state of the colony it is hopeless for me to look for employment. Besides I cannot dig, and to beg I am ashamed. . . . I hope, when the recording angel finds time to make up my book, he will take into account the many weary nights from insomnia and somnambulism, and the many weary days from short-sightedness and all its concomitant disadvantages, that I have experienced. Concluding with many thanks for the many kindnesses you both have shown me, and with many regrets for the children; au revoir. Robert Samson. — P.S.: If all goes well according to my present arrangements they will get me in the Northern Cemetery. This should keep down expenses, which seems to be a prominent feature of Dunedin. R.S. — P.S. No. 2.: I have written out a true statement of the case. R.S."

Ann Samson gave evidence as to noticing that deceased had some drink when he came to the house at six o'clock the previous night. She told him either to go to bed or to go away, and he took his hat and went along Castle street. They had had a great deal of trouble with him getting drunk. Witness had known him to take chlorodyne, and had heard him threaten to commit suicide, but not lately. 

Dr Davies stated that he had outwardly examined the body shown to the jury. He saw no marks of violence, but the rigidity of the limbs, the enlargement of the pupils of the eyes, the blue color of the nails, and the smell in the room where the body lay all pointed to death from poisoning by prussic acid. A small bottle, containing about thirty drops of prussic acid, was given to witness by Sergeant o'Neill. It was the diluted, not the strong, prussic acid, and about thirty drops of that strength would destroy life in an adult. Witness had read the letter produced, which had been found on the deceased, and would say there were in it very decided indications of insanity of a melancholy type. 

Sergeant O'Neill was also examined, and stated that on searching the body he found the documents produced. He found no money or valuables of any kind. The bottle which witness subsequently handed to Dr Davies was in the deceased's pocket, and a razor was also in his pocket. 

William Cummock gave evidence as to finding the body. 

Mr D. D. Macdonald, solicitor, gave evidence as to deceased having been in his employment off and on for about twenty months. He had been discharged several times for intemperance, but taken on again to enable him to recover himself. The last time he was taken on on his promising to sign the pledge; and if he kept sober for a month he was to receive L2 a week, and to be further advanced. During the conversation he said if witness did not take him on he would do away with himself; but witness did not think there was anything in his saying that. He was very easily upset by drink, and had caused witness considerable annoyance by following him about and begging to be taken on again time after time. He was finally discharged about three weeks ago, as it was found hopeless to do anything with him. The jury found that the deceased poisoned himself with prussic acid while temporarily insane.  -Evening Star, 13/10/1890.

Robert Samson lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Eliza Jerram, (1854-27/10/1887). "acute hysteria"

Strange Suicide.

Dunedin, October 28. 

Eliza Jerram, who resided with her husband at North East Valley, committed suicide by shooting herself with a revolver at 5 o'clock yesterday evening. Just before that time there was a little girl in the house with her, and she sent the girl out to call on a neighbour, telling her not to come back to the house. When Jerram, who is a retired clerk, reached home he found his wife lying dead in the bedroom.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 28/10/1887.

SUICIDE IN THE VALLEY.

What appears to have been a determined suicide was committed in the North-east Valley late yesterday atternoon. Elizabeth Jerram, wife of Charles Jerram, residing in a cottage in Buccleugh street, Duddingstone, sent out her only daughter, Elizabeth, at about half-past three, telling her to go and find her father and ask him to come home at once. Elizabeth was also instructed to ask her father to bring one of the neighbors home with him, but she was told that she need not come back with her father. Mr Jerram was found in town, and having received the message he immediately hurried home. On entering the house he found his wife lying on the floor in one of the back bedrooms. She was, Mr Jerram thought, in a fainting fit, and he hurriedly despatched a messenger for Dr Ogston; but it was discovered on looking at the face that the left eye was wounded, and on the medical man arriving he announced that life had fled; Mrs Jerram had doubtless shot herself while no one else was in the house. No report of a pistol was heard by the nearest neighbor (Mrs Lomax) whose house is about fifteen yards away from Mr Jerram's; but this is easily accounted for, as the revolver with which the deed was committed is a very small one, the cartridge being no larger than the top of an ordinary-sized lead pencil, and consequently the report would not be very loud. As the bullet passed through the eye, death was probably instantaneous. Mrs Jerram was about thirty years of age, and with her husband had lived in their present house for the past twelve or thirteen years. She was a woman of a peculiarly quiet and retiring disposition, and was not often seen out excepting for a walk with her daughter or husband. The girl, an only child, is about nine years of age. It is difficult to assign a reason for the committal of the act; it was certainly not pecuniary difficulties, for Mr Jerram, who is a retired insurance clerk, is tolerably well to do. We understand, however, that Mrs Jerram had been in low spirits for some time past, and had been attended professionally by Dr Ogston. 

THE INQUEST 

was held this afternoon at Mr Jerram's residencc bieore Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr W. J. Prictor was chosen foreman. The following evidence was given: 

Charles Jerram: I identify the body as that of my late wife, Elizabeth Jerram. She was a native of Worcestor, England; and had been in New Zealand about twenty-one years. We should have been married eleven years next December. Dr Ogston had attended my wife lately. He was here several times — the last time about the 21st of last month. I had noticed that she was depressed in spirits— sometimes more than at others. The depression of spirits continued after Dr last visit, but it was not so bad. I left my home yesterday about half-past eleven or twelve to go to town. Had been in the house all the morning previous to going to town. My wife got up yesterday morning at the usual time — between eight and nine. She seemed much better in spirits than usual. She knew that I was going to town. She wished me to go when it was spoken about, and I was to bring an umbrella back for her. She either said that she would meet me as I came back or that we would go for a walk, afterwards — I forget which. I left town to return at a little before half-past two, coming by the tram-car which stopped at the Gardens. My daughter was with me; I had met her in the Octagon. She said on meeting me that her mother had sent her up for me, and I was to go back with Mr Schlotel. She also told me that her mother said that she was not to come into the house with me. I forget the words, but they were to that effect. The tram was just passing, and we came away at once. On getting out of the tram I came straight home; I did not go to see Mr Schlotel. It was about three o'clock when I got home. I ran round to the back door, thinking that it might be open, but it was not; so I went to the front door and opened it with my own key. Going into one of the spare bedrooms I saw Mrs Jerram lying on the floor. I called to the child to run over for Mr Schlotel, and to telephone for the doctor. Mr Schlotel was a friend of ours. I thought at that time Mrs Jerram had fallen in a fit and struck herself, for a piece of the top bar of the fireplace was broken. I saw that something was wrong with the left eye. Mr Schlotel came shortly after the message was sent to him. He was the first person to come in. Dr Ogston was the next. I had noticed just before Mr Schlotel came in that a revolver was lying by my wife's side; it was close to her right hand. It is my revolver. It was kept in a drawer in my bedroom. I have had it for years. It was not kept loaded; the cartridges for it were kept locked up in a tin box of which I had the key. [Witness explained that there was another key in the house that would open the box, but he was not sure that it was one belonging to his wife's bunch of keys.] I identify the keys produced as those kept by my wife. During her periods of depression she would worry about little things —such as the child being away at school, but she did not suffer from delusions. Dr Ogston did not say that a nurse was necessary. The room in which she was lying when I came home was not disturbed, and both of the outer doors of the house were locked. I think the front bedroom window was open, but am not sure. 

By Constable Walker: There was nothing disturbed in any part house. 

By the Coroner: My wife and I lived on the very best terms; and never had any differences. I should like to add that my daughter told me her mother said that I was to come into the house with Mr Schlotel; that I was not to come in by myself. My daughter did not come into the house with me. 

Dr Ogston deposed that he professionally attended Mrs Jerram from the 18th to the 21st of September. He attended her for acute hysteria — a form of insanity. He attended her for about four days. She suffered from intense depression and sleeplessness, and refused her food. Believed the danger had passed when he left her. When he saw the body yesterday it was still warm. Death had taken place less than an hour previously. He found a wound on the inner side of the left eye, not touching the eye-ball. It extended straight backwards, horizontally, with the body in a standing position. He passed the tube in about four inches; the hole extended as far as the brain. A Tranter revolver was lying by deceased's side; it was unloaded, but one of the chambers had been recently fired. Witness searched and found other bullets corresponding with the chambers of the revolver. One of these bullets would make such a wound as he had described. From the position and direction of the wound it was quite possible that deceased might have fired the shot herself. When attending her witness did not notice anything to indicate that deceased had suicidal tendencies, but that form of insanity is specially dangerous. He had cautioned the husband that Mrs Jerram wanted watching. About a month ago the attack seemed to pass away, and he had no further apprehension. He thought that she was cured of the first attack, but there must have been a recurrence of it. — By the Jury,: Mr Jerram seemed to be very careful and attentive, and I do not think he neglected his duty in not watching her. Ladies suffering from hysteria often say more than they mean. 

Elizabeth Jerram, daughter of the deceased, stated that her mother complained yesterday of a pain in her head. She did not take any luncheon, and said that she did not want to talk. She appeared to be restless. 

E. J. Schlotel said that the deceased twice remarked to him that she feared she was going mad. That was the night Dr Ogston came to attend her.

Constable Walker also gave evidence and the jury returned a verdict that deceased shot herself while in a state of temporary insanity.  -Evening Star, 28/10/1887.

Elizabeth Jerram lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Edward Royston Bradshaw, (1851-1887). "I must tear myself away from you"

Suicide

DUNEDIN, Dec. 24 

Edward Royston Bradshaw, rabbit skin merchant, Jetty Street, this morning blew out his brains in the store. Deceased was seen at a quarter to seven, and he then appeared in his usual condition. Two hours later his corpse was discovered with the top of the head blown off, and a magazine rifle beside him. On the body was a letter to his wife, and a note, the latter bidding good-bye to all. Deceased was 36 years of age. He had been five years in the 6th dragoons as a private, and two years in the police force. An inquest will be held to-day.  -South Canterbury Times, 24/12/1887.

A STRANGE-CASE OF SUICIDE.

Edward Royston Bradshaw, a rabbitskin merchant, who carried on business in Jetty street, committed suicide on Saturday morning by shooting himself. At about a half past 6'oclock the deceased called at the Pier Hotel for the keys of his premises. This was his custom. At this time he seemed to be in his usual health, and nothing remarkable was observed in his appearance or demeanour. At 9 o'clock the office boy, Roger Lee, arrived to look after his ordinary duties, but on going to the door found it locked on the inside. This led to the police being communicated with, and Constable Cruickshank, on peering under the door of the stores — there being an opening of about an inch between the bottom of the door and the step, — saw a body on the floor. The constable at once forced an entrance, and found deceased lying face downward on a pile of rabbitskins, with the top of the skull blown away and an Austrian magazine rifle by his side. The bullet had entered by the right eye and came out at the top of the head. Death must have been instantaneous; as the brains were strewn about the floor. On searching the body the police found a letter addressed to Mrs Bradshaw (who was at Moeraki for a holiday), and also a note in deceased's handwriting, but without signature, stating that "these wretched things" had caused him to do this, and bidding good-bye to all. Deceased was 36 years of age, an Englishman, and had served six years as a private in the Sixth Dragoons, from which he was discharged with the highest credit. He had also been in the Otago police force for about a year, during part of which time he was stationed at Palmerston. He leaves a widow and three children,

THE INQUEST.

The inquest was held at the Pier Hotel in the afternoon before Coronor Carew and a jury of six. 

Constable Cruickshank stated that he identified the body as that of Edward Royston Bradshaw. He was a native of England, and was rabbitskin merchant by occupation. His office was in Jetty street. By papers found on the premises, it appeared that he was 36 years of age, and that he had at one time been in the Sixth Dragoon Guards, and later on in the Otago police force. He was a married man. At 9.20 that morning, from something witness heard, he went to deceased's store and found the door locked on the inside. Witness looked under one of the door and saw a body lying inside. He burst open the door and found deceased's body lying at full length, face downward. There was a large wound on the top of the head, part of the skull being blown away and the brains partly protruding and partly scattered about the floor and wall. A sporting rifle lay close by the body, with the muzzle under it and the deceased's hands holding the muzzle. The body, which was fully dressed, was still warm. The rifle had been recently discharged, and there was an empty cartridge case in the breech. There was a mark on the wall where the bullet had struck after going through deceased's head, and on the floor below were two pieces of skull. The bullet had gone in at the right eye and out all the top of the head. The wounds could have been caused by a shot from the rifle produced. On searching the office witness found on the writing desk an unsigned note, written by deceased in pencil, as follows: — "These are the wretched things that killed me; I must say good-bye to all." There was in a pocket book in a coat hanging up in the office a letter written by him, as follows: — "My darling wife, — I must tear myself away from you and the poor darlings. God will never forgive me for deceiving you and my very best friends. I have had chances to do well, but not enough will to withstand temptation. Please give Morris the picture of Lake Wakatipu in exchange for the two likenesses he did. God bless you, darling. Oh, how happy you would have made a good man with your industry, love, and happy disposition, good-bye, darling, for ever. I have had a devil within me prompting me to suicide for along time, and I shall go mad if I live. Bring the children up to forgive me if they can. I cannot hope, even on the verge of death, for you, darling, to forgive me; having given you no pleasure, and been very unkind to you." There was no date to the letter, which was written in ink, and it was not signed. There was the sum of L3 9s l0d in one of of deceased's pockets. 

Colin Macandrew stated that he had known deceased intimately. The two notes produced appeared to be in his handwriting. Witness last saw him alive at about 11 o'clock. He went home with witness at 6.30 p.m. in a tram, and spent the evening there. There was nothing unusual in his manner or conversation. Witness at times was despondent on account of business not being very flourishing, but he was often cheerful enough. He was a very temperate man. Witness had never heard him say that he contemplated suicide; in fact he used to say it was a cowardly thing to do. Witness had heard a few months ago that deceased had attempted suicide, but did not know that it was a fact. At that time witness knew that deceased was suffering from inflammation of the lungs and was delirious. He leaves a wife and three children, who are at present staying at Moeraki, to which place they went on Thursday. He told witness last week that had intended going up to Moeraki that afternoon. Deceased had no special care taken of him after the rumoured attempt on his life some months ago. He was at times excitable, but witness never noticed eccentricities about his behaviour. He had never suffered from sunstroke in India and he had never, to witness' knowledge, been in India. Witness knew that deceased kept a rifle at his office. He had made all arrangements for going to Moeraki, including packing up some of his things.

Inspector Weldon stated that deceased was enlisted as a police-constable in October 1873. He was a specially smart and intelligent officer. On September 1, 1876, he left the force, saying that he had been left a few hundred pounds, and went into business. Witness often saw and conversed with him since then. In consequence of a suspicion that he had attempted his life a few months ago, witness got his revolver taken possession of Witness was not surprised to hear of his death that morning, for he had strange ways with him; he seemed flighty and absent-minded at times.

The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from the effects of a gunshot wound, self-inflicted while in a state of temporary insanity.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/12/1887.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin. Photo from "Findagrave."