SUICIDE.

Evening Star, Issue 2974, 30 August 1872, Page 2

SUICIDE.

A man named Wildara Charles Roberts, for some time iu the employ of Mr Strachan, of the Victoria Brewery, as a maltster, but better known from his having been a moneytaker at the Princes Theatre, committed suicide by hanging himself on Wednesday. A Coroner’s inquiry was held at the Queen’s Arms Hotel yesterday afternoon, bemre Dr Hocken The principal evidence given was as follows :

Emma Roberts, wife of the deceased, said he was forty-three years of age, a native of Loudon, and a seaman originally. He came home at noon on Wedn-sday, having gone out to see if he could get any work, but had not been able to got any. After conversing a little he sat moodily by the table, and complained of being ill, whi hj he had been for some time. Witness said she would try herself to do something when she got stronger; and thinking he was ill, recommended him to take forae medicine He replied that he had “those had thoughts in his mind again.” He bad before spoken of doing away with himself, as he had a strong impression on his mind that everyone was against him and that nobody would give him employment, which caused him great unrest. After detailing tho action of deceased prior to his going into his bedroom, witness said while she was sweeping another room deceased asked her if she %vould close the bedroom door, as if to keep the dust out, and she replied in the affirmative, A few minutes afterwards, she went to call him for his dinner, and found him hanging. The door was then wi’e open He was hanging from a rope thrown over the door, and was partlyresting on a box, which was placed against the door. Witness screamed, but was so unnerved that it never entered her cut him down. She felt convinced at the time that he was dead; and thought she must have disturbed him in passing through the passage before, and that he must have had everything planned. She thought he had been hanging for about a quarter of an hour. He had been out of employment for four months, having been malster for Mr Strachau for some time. She thought that employment and drinking beer heavily as he did while there had affected his mind. After being out of employment be became ill, and very low spirited. He frequently spoke of doing away with himself, and often told her in the morning that he had been unable to sleep, saying, “if you knew what bad thoughts I have had you would not wonder at it.” She did not believe, though it occasioned her anxiety, that he meant what he said, and often said to him that people w! o talked of such things did not do She believed his mother had committed suicide, although he never acknowledged it. He had been able to save some money.

Severn,! letters written in June by deceased were produced. Witness said they excited her suspicion at the time ; but when she talked to him he got more cheerful, and did not think he meant it. She mentioned it to four different people, her acquaintances, and they agreed that it was nonsence. Two were addressed to the M anager of the Bank of Australasia, and directed him that the L 305 deposited in his name for twelve months should be paid over to his wife, adding “ I am going to off my ‘ chump ’ (in sailor’s language, that he had gone out of his mind). Do not rob the widow and fatherless, but let her have the money. You will think it strange of me writing in this style ; but there is something that keeps urging me on to destruction. It is always iu my mind.” Another was in the form of a will, leaving his money and all his effects to his wife. To his wife he wrote on •June 18

“Dear Emma, —I have left a note to the manager of the Bank to give you the money. I hope you will be able to do something for your and the children’s benefit. I feel as if I am not long for this world. lam so miserable and ill. I keep seeing awful things always, and it is best to go at once out of this work I, and see the other oue. Good bye. God bless you. W. C. Roberts.

“ Do not go to any expense in burying me ; it is all nonsense. Do not have Geddes or Murray.” The Coroner: With these letters, and the knowledge that he had frequently expressed a determination to commit suicide, I cannot help thinking you should have taken some steps other than you did. Witness replied that when her husband spoke of destroying himself, she would talk to him, and lie would get cheerful again. So that she did not think he really thought of it. She, and those to whom she had mentioned the matter, including her sister, were of opinion that if he really intended suicide he would nob talk of it.

Peter Power, artist, said he was called in by Mrs Roberts. Deceased could easily have taken his neck out of the noose. Witness did not think of cutting him down ; but went for assistance.

F. J. Carr, said ho had known the deceased for the last ten years, but he never heard him express an intention of doing away with himself. He had lately been very low spirited, through not being able to get work ; and one day told witness ho would soon bo toiiig to the Lunatic Asylum Witness answered his complaint of being unable to get work by saying, “ Oh, you have no causa to grumble : you can stand it a few weeks longer.” The jury returned a verdict of “ Suicide under temporary insanity.”