Suicide at Awahuri

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 571, 1 November 1887, Page 2

Suicide at Awahuri

- — .» The gad intelligence reached Feilding yesterday that Arthur Marshall, who had been in the employ of Messrs Macmillan and Hunt for several months, had committed suicide by hanging himself. Deceased was well liked by those who knew him. He was a man of considerable education, having studied at Oxford, and also was a member of the Masonic body. He was about 24 years of age. The enquiry wag held this morning at Messrs Macmillan and Hunt's store, before Gh M. Snelson, Esq.,. Coroner. The jury, of which Mr A. McDonald was foreman, having been sworn, were taken to view the body. On their return Thomas Hunt, storekeeper, of Awahuri, deposed : Had known deceased 15 months ; had been in Jus employ for 14 months; was a steady, man to the best of his knowledge ; was not addicted to drink ; saw no sign of depression till last week ; he was always ready at his work, and was considerably in debt ; was last seen by witness on Suaday morning, but believed he committed suicide on Sunday evening; had his breakfeast as usual on Sunday morning at 9.30 ; he (deceased) then told Mrs Hunt he was going to Palmerston, and said he would not' be back till Monday morning; wi tness came to the store on Monday morning at 9; Eidoutt and Hadow were standing at the door; Eidoutt asked witness if he had seen Marshall; turned and asked Hadow if he knew where Marshall was; he said he would go upstairs and see ; came down and said Marshall had hung himself; witness then went for Dr Macintyre who was staying at Awahuri; then went up and cut the body dewn, which was quite stiff. Frederick Eidoutt deposed : He was clerk at Macmillan and Hunt's; saw Marshall at 6 on Sunday evening ; spoke to him about a horse at Munro's; saw him no more that night; saw him when he went up with Mr Hunt on Monday morning ; then went to Feildingfor the Constable; deceased was very low spirited during the week. John Henry Macintyre deposed : He was a doctor residing at Falmerston; last Monday was called on by Mr Hunt to go down to the store and see Marshall, who had hung himself ; found him hanging from the rafter of the roof quite dead; he had evidently been dead sometime ; they immediately cut him down. James Meehan, Constable at Feilding, deposed : Eeceived intelligence of the suicide on October 81, and proceeded to Awahuri; deceased was lying in the loft in Macmillan and Hunt's store ; searched deoeased, and found a watch and chain, a pocket book, and a letter addressed to T. Hunt, Esq., Awahuri, of which the following is a copy : — "Awahuri, Ootober 30th, 1887. " Dear Hunt, — Goodbye. Forgive me for the trouble I have caused you. I hope you will soon forget me. Wishing you future sucoess and prosperity. " Yours Affectionately, "Arthur Marshall." A verdict was brought in that the deceased, Arthur Marshall, committed suicide while in an unsouud state of mind. ,