Dunedin, This day. James Young, a watchmaker, committed suicide at South Dunedin on Saturday. The deceased arrived in the colony four months ago from Great Britain by the British King. On his arrival he went to live with his uncle, Mr Cunningham, at South Dunedin, and became attached to one of Cunningham's daughters, but his suit was discouraged by his uncle. A short time since deceased went to Outram, and there opened a small shop as a watchmakcr and working jeweller. On Thursday he came to town, and met Miss Cunningham, who declined to have anything to say to him. After this he loafed about town drinking, once or twice spoke of committing suicide. On Saturday, about two hours before he shot himself, he told a young woman at Kensington that he had been badly treated, and that he would do so owing to Cunningham. At 10 o'clock Cunningham was told what the deceased had said, and sent for the police, who were in the house, and were making inquiries at the time that Young fired the first shot. The first shot seemed to be fired into the throat. The deceased ran from the building, and fired again, the second shot penetrating his right breast. -Daily Telegraph, 3/12/1883.
INQUEST.
An inquest was held at South Dunedin this afternoon on the body of James Young, who shot himself on Saturday night last; Mr Coroner Hocken presiding.
Peter Cunningham, living in Melburn Btreet, South Dunedin, deposed that the deceased — who was a nephew — was twentysix years of age, a native of Glasgow, and a watchmaker. He was unmarried, and had been in the Colony four months. Last Saturday night, about half-past nine o'clock, witness was sitting in the kitchen with his family and Police-sergeant Macdonnell, when he heard the clicking of a revolver. All ran into the passage, and a shot was heard immediately afterwards. A second shot was fired, and Sergeant Macdonnell went out and discovered that the deceased had shot himself through the chest. Deceased died in about a quarter of an hour before the services of a doctor could be obtained. For some time past deceased had been very troublesome to witness's family. He was desirous of paying his addresses to witness's daughter, but was discouraged in his idea. Witness would not countenance him. On the day of the cattle show he asked witness whether any proposal from him would be received in twelve months, but witness said he would not countenance him if he waited twenty years. There was no insanity in the family, but deceased was rather weakminded.
Susan McLachlan, living in Grosvenor street, Kensington, gave evidence as to being at Mr Cunningham's on Saturday night and hearing the two shots. In the morning deceased had been to her father's house, and she noticed that he was very excited. He wanted to have a rest, and, pulling a revolver out of his pocket, told witness to begone, and that if she allowed anyone to enter it would be death to him. He said that he had tried to take his life that morning, but his watch had saved him, and also that he intended to kill himself that night. Witness tried to calm him, and while she was talking to him he fell down and went into a fit, foaming at the mouth. Witness went into town with him and asked him to promise that he would not carry out his threat. He replied "I don't know my own mind five minutes, so there's no use of making a promise." In the evening he came to witness's house and said he was going to fight a battle in Melburn street. Witness tried to get him to stop at the house, but he refused, and asked for some paper to write down what he wanted done with his possessions. Witness refused to give him any paper, and he pulled some paper out of his pocket on which he began to write. He wanted witness to take L7 with which to pay for his funeral, but witness refused. He was under the influence of drink, and when he left witness immediately went to the Cunninghams to warn the family, and Sergeant Macdonnell was sent for.
The Coroner: I am sure I must say you have acted in this matter with great judgment and presence of mind. You have been placed in trying circumstances and you have done very well. Perhaps it is a pity information was not given to the police earlier.
Witness said that the deceased in the morning had promised to go to Outram where he lived, and as he appeared to have calmed down she thought there was no danger. He had frequently told her that life was not worth living.
The Coroner: I am sure you have had a very anxious time, and you have done what a brave woman should do.
Samuel Cameron, of Outram, said he had known the deceased from his boyhood, and he never knew him to indulge in liquor. When leaving Outram he promised to be back on Saturday night or Monday morning.
The Coroner got the permission of the witness to read the following letter, which was found on the deceased: Mr Cameron, — I wish to give all people their due. You will find all the customers' watches in my chest below my clothes. Charge them, and keep it for your kindness to me. You will find two jobs in my pocket. The brooch belongs to McBride, and the ring to Palmer. Give them to them with my good wishes; and the Devil bless you, or God bless you, as you please. — Yours fraternally, J. Young.
P.S. — Realise my estate, and send it to mother,
Sergeant Macdonnell deposed that in response to a request by Mr Cunningham he went to his house on Saturday night. Witness was not there five minutes when a noise was heard outside, and two shots were fired. Witness went out and discovered that the deceased had shot himself. The following letter, Addressed to "the Reporter of the 'Otago Daily Times,'" witness found on the deceased: —
I have done the deed myself; it is all through love. Blame my friends for this deed; it is all their fault. They promised me their daughter's hand and then withdrew their consent. I therefore cannot live without her. Let all people who value true love shun them. They have been my curse through this life. Shun them; shun them is my last words. — Yours, eternally, James Young.
The jury brought in a verdict that the "deceased committed suicide while insane," and intimated that in their opinion Mr Cunningham was not to blame in the matter. -Evening Star, 3/12/1883.
James Young lies in a pauper's grave in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.
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