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.
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