A SAD ENDING.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 107, 15 May 1901, Page 2

A SAD ENDING.

‘ A YOUNG MAN TAKES . STRYCHNINE. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon concerning the death of the young man * Frederick Kempthorne. Mr Stubbs, J.P., was the Acting-Coroner, the jury being Messrs James McCutchan (foreman), J. . R. Hodge, H. J. Wyard, Geo. Watson, A. ( McAlwee, and S. C. Mayson. . Sergeant Siddells conducted the proceedings for the police. Evidence was given by Messrs C. H. McCutelian and Geo. I. Falkner, and Dr Craig. The evidence was to the effect that on Tuesday morning the young man Frederick Kempthorne was apparently in liis usual health. He had slept as usual in the same room as Mr C. H. McCutchan. Shortly after having breakfast he went to ofctch a horse. Soon afterwards he showed signs of dizziness, and returned to the whare, where he laid down. Convulsions ensued, and Mr McCutchan, seeing tuat the young man's condition was serious, ran over to Mr Mayson’s house, about a quarter of a mile distant, and that gentleman’s assistance was- quickly obtained. Having had some experience of poisons, Mr Mayson was soon convinced that the sufferer had taken poison. An effort was made to give tho dying man emetics, such as mustard and water, but the convulsions became very bad. At first, Kempthorne denied having taken anything that disagreed with him, but, on being asked if be had taken strychuine, said that he had. He died soon afterwards, Mr Mayson being present at the time, while Mr MeCutcliean had started off to summon medical aid. The evidence left no doubt that death had resulted from strychnine poisoning. In his evidence Dr Craig stated that the young man had consulted him about six months ago. He was suffering from melancholia, and the Doctor advised him to give up the lonely station life, and take up an active town life. Nothing was found among deceased’s effects to show that ho had contemplated taking his life,'nor did he appear to have made any remarks to that effect. Ho - had recently lost the companionship of some of his friends, who had gone else-

whore. The jury brought in the following verdict : “ From the evidence given we arc unanimously of the opinion that deceased died from the effects of poison taken by his own hand. Wo believe the poison taken to be strychnine. The poison appeal’s to have been taken during a fit of depression.” A bottle of strychnine had been standing on a shelf in the whore within view of the young man, and the probability is that it had a fascinating effect on him in his morbid moments, until at last in a fit of melancholia ho could no longer resist the tempation to partake of the deadly stuff. He was about 24 years of age. The funeral takes place this afternoon, the body being brought in to the Makaraka cemetery. Mr McCutchan did all in his power to help the young man, and to assist in other ways. Sergeant Siddells and Dr Craig arrived in town late last night. The Sergeant arrived at the scene at 9 yesterday morning, but it was 2 p.m. before he could get a jury together.