DUNEDIN STATION MASTER SHOOTS HIMSELF.
Dunedin, This day.
George Henry Ashcroft, stationmaster at Dunedin, shot himself this morning with a pistol. Deceased, who was one of the most popular men in the service, leaves a wife and three children. It is believed that losses in mining speculations was the cause of the act. -Daily Telegraph, 20/12/1889.
SHOCKING SUICIDE.
MR G. H. ASHCROFT SHOOTS HIMSELF.
Quite a gloom was cast over the City this forenoon when it became known that Mr George H. Ashcroft, the popular railway station master at Dunedin, had shot himself. From the meagre particulars at present at our disposal it seems that Mr Ashcroft was seen to go into St. Paul’s Church at an early hour this morning, and that when the caretaker entered some time afterwards he found him shot under the arm. On being questioned, Mr Ashcroft said that he had shot himself, and that money matters — speculation in mining shares, it is understood — had been the cause of the act. A five chambered revolver was at his side, with only one barrel discharged. He was removed to the hospital, but died shortly afterwards.
The deceased was a nephew of Mr James Ashcroft, Official Assignee, and his brother Edgar, an electrician, is now in this City. He was about thirty years of age, and leaves a widow and three children. The deceased was a fine young man, of splendid physique, a thorough sport, and an enthusiastic volunteer, having for some years been connected with the B Battery. He was one of the most popular hands in the railway employ, and was ever courteous to the travelling public. The suicide was the all absorbing theme of conversation in the City today.
THE INQUEST
was held at the hospital at 3 p.m. before Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr A. Sligo was chosen foreman.
The following evidence was given:-
Edgar Arthur Ashcroft, electrical engineer, residing in Dunedin: I identify the body shown to the jury as that of my late brother, George Henry Ashcroft, He was born at Aberdare, Wales, and had been about twelve years in the colony. Deceased was married, and had three children alive. He was station-master at the Dunedin railway station, and had held that position for about nine years. I last saw him alive yesterday morning, about nine o’clock. I was in his house with him for about half an hour, and we subsequently had some little conversation at the gate.
The Coroner: Would anything that took place throw any light on this, or tend to show the state of his mind?
Witness: He was suffering from a very severe cold; that was all I could say. I can trace no connection between what was then said and what has occurred since. There was nothing unusual in his spirits calling for remark. Nothing whatever was said as to his being in monetary difficulties. I do not know much of his affairs, but have reason to suspect that he was a little pressed for money. He was thirty-one years of age last January.
George Davie, verger at St. Paul’s Church, Dunedin, and caretaker of the South Sea Islands Court at the New Zealand Exhibition, deposed: It has been my practice lately to go to the church early, so as to get to the Exhibition in time. This morning I got there at half-past five o’clock. I went in through the front gate near the parsonage and to the vestry door, in which the keys were. That is usual, and I went in by that door. I took my broom and went into the chancel, where I was surprised to see a man lying down on the carpet, apparently asleep. My belief was that he had been indulging and was sleeping it off. I shook him, and when he woke up — I still think he was asleep — I asked him what he was doing there. He replied “I’m Ashcroft; get me a drink of water,” This I brought him. He raised himself, took the drink, and lay down again. He then said: "Don’t tell anybody about this,” At that time I did not notice that he was injured in any way. He asked me to got him a hassock or cushion for his bead, and to leave him. I went on with my sweeping, and in about half an hour I heard him moaning and vomiting. I went to him and asked him if I had not better get a cab to take him home, as he seemed to be in great pain. He said “No; go and fetch Dr Brown, and tell him to bring something with him that will kill the pain.” I hurried away for Dr Brown, who was roused by the servant. I told him that Mr Ashcroft was lying ill in the chancel of St, Paul’s Church and in great pain, and asked him to bring something to deaden the pain. I hurried back to the church, and told Mr Ashcroft the doctor would be there directly, and that I would keep a look-out for him at the gate. Mr Ashcroft seemed in great pain, and when I wanted to raise him ho said “Don’t touch me,” indicating that the pain was in his left side. The doctor was a long time coming, and on my going back and remarking this to Mr Ashcroft he said “Then go and fetch Roberts. Any doctor under the circumstances.” I went over to Dr Roberts’s house, and found that he was out of town, getting back to the church just after Dr Brown had arrived. When I went into the church the doctor was feeling his pulse and injecting morphia into the arm. I had a suspicion that something was the matter, and, looking round, noticed that the end of the cushion in front of the communion rail was raised as though something were under it. I lifted up the cushion and saw a revolver in a leather case. I put it back again, I think the doctor noticed it. He asked me to stand by the patient while he went to the hospital for the ambulance waggon. After Dr Brown had left I said to Mr Ashcroft “Have you shot yourself?" He replied “Yes; just under the heart,” I said “My God, what made you do such a rash act as that. Was it trouble or money matters that caused you to do it?” He said “Yes; I came in here at one o’clock, and I shot myself at five,” I asked whether I had not better go and fetch Archdeacon Edwards, and also let Mrs Ashcroft know. He replied “No; don’t tell anybody.” The doctor now returned with the ambulance. We got him in, and I came down to the hospital with the doctor in the ambulance. Dr Brown told me that I had better give the pistol up to the police. While the doctor was gone for the ambulance I removed the pistol from under the cushion, and the deceased remarked to me; “Davey, take charge of that.”
To a juror: I first saw the deceased at halfpast five, and the doctor arrived about eight. The deceased, being treasurer of the church, might have had occasion to go there at any time for his book. There were no marks of blood in the chancel or any other part of the building, nor did I detect any on his clothes.
Patrick Nash, porter at the Dunedin railway station: I was on duty from eleven o’clock last night till eight this morning. I saw Mr Ashcroft at 1 a.m. on the railway platform. He had left the station about 11.30 and returned about one o’clock. He asked me for the key of his office, which I gave him. I did not notice any light in the office. When I returned to the office about 1.30 I noticed that the office was locked, and so removed the key from the door. It was very unusual for Mr Ashcroft to come to the station at that hour. He did not seem to be as cheerful as usual. About 11.30 p m., shortly after his return to the station, I heard him telephoning for a doctor, but cannot recall who it was, nor do I know whether he spoke with the doctor, as I left the office then.
George Anderson Copland, house surgeon at the hospital, stated that Mr Ashcroft was brought into the institution shortly after nine o’clock this morning. Dr Brown was with him. He was stripped and wounds found in front of the abdomen just below the ribs on the left side. His shirt was slightly stained with blood. We opened the abdomen, searched for the injuries, and found that the bullet had passed backwards and to the right, wounding the intestines in four or five places and tearing the blood vessels. It had struck the rib at the back and travelled upwards. We did not find the bullet. The patient was too weak for the search to be continued. The whole of the abdomen cavity was filled with blood. He had evidently been bleeding for some time. He died shortly after ten o’clock from hemorrhage, caused by the wounds as described. From the appearance of the wound it must have been caused by a small bullet fired at close quarters. Mr Ashcroft was conscious when admitted. We asked him in what position he held the weapon. He said that he held it in his right hand. In a notecase he had in his pocket witness found a slip of paper, on which was written the following:
1 a.m. — Prayed for my wife and children.
1.30. — Still do.
2 a.m. — Very cold; in great distress.
3.30. — Must have slept.
4. — Very cold and hopeless.
4.15. — Daylight. Oh, the agony of this night.
4.30. — (Blank).
Alexander Grant, district traffic manager, said that he last saw the deceased alive about 5 p.m. yesterday, but had no particular conversation with him. On Tuesday last witness wished to see him in connection with a special that was leaving the next morning for a trip up the Otago Central, but could not find him. This was very unusual. Witness went to the station again in the evening, and asked Mr Ashcroft where he had been. He said that he had been unexpectedly taken away on private business. Witness saw him again early next morning, but noticed nothing unusual then. This morning when witness’s chief clerk informed him what had happened he went over to his office, and got this letter on his desk. It was in the deceased’s handwriting
Dunedin, December 19,1889.
Memo. for District Traffic Manager.
Dear Sir, — I hereby tender my resignation as a servant of the Railway Commissioners. I shall be glad also if you will kindly advise the Commissioners that I claim compensation from 22nd January, 1877, to February of the present year.
— I have, etc., Geo. H. Ashcroft, S.M.
The date last referred to in the letter was when the Railway Commissioners took office. From a cursory examination of his books witness was afraid there were some discrepancies, but he was not sure until they had been properly examined. He told witness on Tuesday night that some man had dragged him into some mining speculations, and he had been up town getting it put right. He said he had got the matter all put right.
George Esther stated that he knew the deceased intimately. Witness met him by appointment at the Grand Hotel at six o’clock last evening. Deceased said that he was in serious financial trouble, and wanted to ask witness how to get out of it. He owed witness a large sum of money, and asked if he was prepared to wait. Witness replied that be was. Mr Ashcroft then said that for several days he had been suffering most, excruciating pain in his head, and if the pain continued he felt that he should almost go mad. He then put his hand np to his brow and said; “My God, Esther, if this continues I feel certain I shall go mad.” Witness wanted to know if he was in any immediate trouble, and he replied: “I scarcely know how I stand. It is not my own business. I have been drawn into it with others in mining matters, but if we get time I have no doubt we shall pull through.” He was very much agitated. Witness saw him during the day and could see that he was depressed, but was endeavoring to keep up.
James Ashcroft, Official Assignee, deposed that the deceased, to whom he had a strong personal attachment, was his nephew. He was of a reticent disposition and very sensitive about any interference with his private affairs. He did, however, mention to witness some two or three months ago that he had made two or three successful specs in mining affairs, and witness uttered a few words of caution. Deceased replied that he was very careful to make himself safe as he went along. Within the past fortnight once or twice witness thought he was looking depressed, and hearing a rumor that he was mixed up with some other gentlemen in mining losses, spoke to him concerning it about a week ago. He said that he had got into some trouble through a partnership in some shares, mentioning about L400 as the amount, but he added that with a little time the shares would be worth the money, and that they (probably meaning the parties to whom the money was due) must wait. He also added “It will be a lesson to me not to mix myself up with other people.” Witness went away reassured. Deceased had not mentioned the subject to him since. Had witness known of deceased’s troubles he would have endeavored to have found some means of relieving him. There was a heavy look about the eyes of late, and witness guessed from it that he was in trouble. He had a good deal of external cheerfulness, and could pass over trouble if he had any. He had a great dislike to persons seeing his real feelings if he was in trouble.
The jury found the following verdict: — “That the deceased met his death by a pistol shot, fired by his own hand; and the jury find, from various circumstances, that the deceased’s mind was at the time off its balance." -Evening Star, 20/12/1899.
George Ashcroft lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.
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