James Murphy, (1844-23/4/1894). "of eccentric habits"

The police have been informed that a labourer named James Murphy has been missing since Monday last from a two-roomed cottage in Walker street, in which he lived by himself. On the night of the previous day, Murphy, in company with a man named John Galbraith, also a resident of Walker street, purchased 1oz of laudanum from a chemist in Princes street. The missing man, who is described as being of eccentric habits, left the door of his cottage locked and his belongings are all inside the house. He is an Irishman, about 50 years of age, about 5ft 5in in height, and dark complexion and with dark hair, and a full black beard and moustache.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/4/1894.

The body of James Murphy, aged fifty, was found in the harbor yesterday. Deceased, who had been residing in a email cottage oft Walker street, by himself, had been missing since April 23. The day before he had purchased a small quantity of laudanum. The case is evidently one of suicide. He had been under medical treatment for six months.   -Ashburton Guardian, 7/5/1894.

INQUEST.

At the inquest held yesterday afternoon on the body of James Murphy, whose body was found on Sunday near high-water mark at Anderson Hay, the evidence of George Elson went to show that deceased was an Irishman, and lived in one of witness's cottages in Walker street for about twelve months. He was a single man, a laborer, and was missed from his house on the 23rd ult. On the Saturday week after deceased was missed a letter addressed to the inspector of police was found in his cottage. The letter was dated on the 24th ult., and the writer charged four persons with being responsible for his death, and expressed a hope that God would have mercy on their souls. — John Rentoul, assistant to Mr Loasby, chemist, said that deceased went twice to the shop on Sunday, the 22nd of last month, and asked for 1s worth of laudanum. Witness told him he could not supply him unless he had witnesses, and he then went away and came back in the evening with two men, and again asked him for laudanum. On being asked what he wanted the laudanum for deceased replied that he wanted it to make him sleep. He was then supplied with the laudanum, and told not to take more than fifteen drops. Murphy and one of the witnesses signed the poison book. — John Galbraith, who accompanied deceased to the chemist's, said that he (deceased) seemed quite sensible. — Dr Martin deposed that he attended deceased eight or ten months ago, and last saw him about the 23rd of August. He was a hypochondriac, and fancied he had a great many complaints, but they were imaginary. That was often the first indication of insanity. If deceased did write the document produced he (Dr Martin) would think he was of unsound mind at the time when he wrote it. The body must have been in the water over a week. Witness could not say whether the body was alive or dead when it went into the water. — The jury returned an open verdict.  -Evening Star, 8/5/1894.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.