SUICIDE AT GREEN ISLAND.
An inquest was held at Green Island on Tuesday touching the death of John Watson, aged 50, who was found dead in a well on his own property early on the preceding morning. The evidence elicited the fact that deceased, who was a highly respected resident of the neighbourhood, had met with an accident in the Walton Park mine six months ago, which presented him from following his occupation as a coal miner. He was very much depressed at not being able to work, and the depression seemed to be considerably increased of late, so much so that he was unable to sleep. On Monday night his wife awoke and found him partly dressed. He said he could not sleep. Shortly after 1 o'clock he said he would go outside for a short while, but as in about half an hour he did not return Mrs Watson got up and looked for him. She could not find him, and, becoming alarmed, called out to him. but got no answer. She passed by the well, and saw indications that her husband was in the water. Greatly distressed, she ran into the house and aroused her sons, who succeeded in getting their father out of the well. Restorative measures were immediately commenced and the doctor sent for, but all efforts were unavailing. Life was evidently extinct when the body was taken out of the well. The jury found a verdict that deceased had drowned himself whilst temporarily insane. Much sympathy is manifested in the district towards Mrs Watson and her family in their bereavement. -Otago Witness, 27/4/1899.
A Green Island correspondent writes to state with reference to the death of John Watson that Mrs Watson did not wait for half an hour after her husband had gone out of the house before going after him. Only some eight minutes had passed, and from the time of leaving his bed until deceased was taken out of the well there was only a lapse of some 12 to 15 minutes. -Otago Daily Times, 29/4/1899.
No comments:
Post a Comment