A SAD SUICIDE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2368, 8 December 1908, Page 5

A SAD SUICIDE.

ENGINE-DRIV ER SHOOTS

HIMSELF

[Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, Dec. 7. A few minutes after the arrival at Mosgiel of the train which left Dunedin at 1.5 p.m. on Saturday, tfie engine-driver, John Major, walked into an outhouse and shot himself through tlie head. Death was instantaneous. Deceased was about 52 years of age. He had been in tlie railway service for 30 years. Insomnia had troubled him lately, and being unwell, he was relieved of liis usual express duty, and put to much easier work on short journeys. In one of deceased’s pockets there was a note containing this message: “Give'iriy watch to Tom McConnell, my old mate, who looked after me in my trouble.” A At the inquest on tlie .body, the evidence showed deceased suffered keenly from domestic troubles. On a piece of paper found in deceased’s pocket was written : "Good-bye Ellen ; I hope God will forgive you as I have forgiven you. I still love you with all your faults. I will end this life on arrival at Mosgiel to-day. lam quite sane.”. Letters setting forth deceased’s troubles were addressed to Mr. Widdowson, S.M. The jury returned a verdict that death was caused by a bullet wound while the man was temporarily insane.