DEATH OF OWEN PIERCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1132, 11 January 1884, Page 3

DEATH OF OWEN PIERCE.

<,* l -9% wrii- --.q • RefettKig.,- >tri : dektn * eg Tierce. ;kte well- 12 * known /’at '( St. th ei''Groiutoell I jLrgtu 'rpDeiVefl '6n ; * S'rid ay tlHt'-MriGweri Pierce had committed suicide by‘ihpfiwhag''himself the' previous -day created considerable pain and astonishment among nis wide, circle of acquaintances in this - district. He had , been in •Cromwell-during the holidays, and left his home on Wednesday morning to resume •work on his contract at Wakatipu without the slightest indication that life had become a burden to him, and the news of 'his unhappy end came as a great shock to. his wife and family. It is •saiit that he had been drinking more or less heavily for some time back, aud it is probanle that the depression incidental to “suffering a recovery ” temporarily unhinged his reason. Particulars of the rash act art given by onr Wakatipu correspondents. A good deal of sympathy is felt for Mrs Pierce and her young famdyof nine children thus suddenly bereft of their protector and bread-winner. Mr Pierce was an old resi•dent of Cromwell, and for a number of years carried ou a thriving butchery business. It is a somewhat singular thing that ho ®nd the late.Mr James Taylor came to this town together, both well off in purse and with the brightest prospects of flourishing in business. Both men nnfortnnateiy de- i velopod a weakness for drink, which led to death by their own hands—one by catting his throat, the other as above indicated Mr Pierce was buried here' on Sunday afternoon, many of his old friends following hi* remains to the grave, y(here the Rev. B. Drake conducted tW service. It is said that the life of deceased was insured for a «am sufficient to keep his family - from immediate want.