THE INQUEST.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 266, 6 July 1906, Page 2

THE INQUEST.

A PATHETIC LETTER. On Thursday morning the inquest was held, Mr W. A. Mason, J.P., acting as coroner. The following jury were sworn in—Messrs A. E. Langley (foreman), G. G. Jonathan, H. H. Pettit, A. L. Turrell, F. Hosking and J. Hinton.

Dr C. Campbell Jenkins deposed : On J uly 4th I was called by Constable M‘Carthy to examine the body of de ceased and found life extinct, death having taken place some hours previously. In my opinion death was due to shock due to immersion in tho Kawbia Harbour. I have known deceased for more than two years. Last December, January and February she was a p> tient of mine, being serirasly ill Fol'owing my advice she proceeded to Auckland to obtain other medical ad vice and remained there about six we< ka under treatment, I saw her 10 days after her return to Kawhia when she informed me that she was no bet ter, and that it was no good my seeing her again as the doctors in Auckland and myself also could give her no bop? of permanent relief. She was des pondent on the matter and cried both to Mrs F Nowton (who was present) and myself, I have not seen her since,

as she a wish on that occasion not to see dec'ors as they were of no avail. The wish was ex cressed very strongly. I made a subsequent examination of the body which confirmed my opinion previously expressed. The complaint was bodily, but the fact preying upon her mind might cause her to destroy herself. I did not think her condition serious enough the last time I saw her to place her under restraint. I have reason to belieye that, the process of tbe mental diseare was so gradual that friends who were in close contact would not notice the change. I identify the body as that of Jessie Pearson.

The letter left by deceased was put in as evidence. After the first page had been read, i;he pa hetio tone of the farewell note so overcame some of those present that the jury decided to accept it as read. Following are some extracts:—

My Poor Dirling,—When you read this I shall have passed beyond the roach of earthly trials and pain to meet I know not what- Igo out into the darkness of death, ft is a cruel fate, but there is no escape Do you remember before I went south 1 often sa d if I did not get away from here I should go mad ; it was not ma Ineos but this, It ha< bien coining on for a long time, not so much bodily illness but the mind diseased—hardly any sleep for months and such horr re. Ling months ago I have scon mvself in drrams, floating in the harbour. You know what a horror 1 have always had of the water, terrified to look into it. Now I know why. Do you remember that my eldest brother was drown id when I was only a fortnight old? I think now that this dreadful fate hag been nursad into me, the child of one of the best women that ever lived. How can God let such things be.. Whit have we done to deceive it ? Think wha titisto mo co leave you all—my darling gr»od kind husband, and children dear, and home, all to pass from me like this. There is no escape from fate. 1 have known for a long time that I cannot get better. I don't know how I have lived from day to day. You don’t know the awful nights I have Kd-I do not want you to knew—in and ou* of bel, trying to escape my doom. I think no mother ever loved cbi dren more or was more careful for their every comfort, aii you too, dear, and yet thiis hag. come to me. How cruel! How cruel! What will you do, my dear one, aad the children. They must not go to strangers, Agk Mrs Hamilton an 1 Ruby to help look after my gnls and be good to th<*m. Think how 1 wo:shipp?d Glory. Keep them near each other if you can but awav from this dreadful place It i? hard on a’l. Poor dear mater, how she will grieve. You m ast all have seen in Auckland even that this was a most unnatural illness that no doctor c mid get at. I thought then that it was madness coming; now 1 know. I hope no one will ever know what I have suffered mentally ; no one can.

. . . . Be brave, my dear husband, ba a true man as ever. I did not create myself or would not choose this doom. Take the children to Mrs Newton until you can get them away. She would go with them to Auckland; they will need a* woman’s care. Let no mourning be worn for me. My love to all. You know I loved y?u all, poor unfortunate me. Sen! for Mi’s Turnbull and Mrs Symons. Send for my brother Jack, 1 think whatever is wrong internally has developed this mind disease. The .ductor knew what a dreadful state I was in when he attended mi» after Christmas. I believe he thought then I was going out of my mind. Eend for Mrs Newton. My dying love to her, my true friend, I knew my fate when I came home. Think how I have fought against it, all in vain. If there is a spirit world I sihall know what you are doing ; don’t make it hard for me. . . . 1 have been in to kiss the children a last good-bye. My little darling moved and said “ Don't,” as I kissed her passionately. Oh God, how orucl, that I must leave them.

G6od-bye my loved ones, my loyed one?. How dreadful for you all. No one must blame you. You have done all that conld be done and have ever been kind aud good. - When I said good night to you littU you would think it was for the last time, and the last kiss. My darling, how cruel it is. If it were only a dream. Good night, Good-!t)ye.

Constable M'Carthy gave formal evidence. Fredrick Alexander Pearson stated that he identified tbe body as that of his wife, whom he last saw alive at 4 a.m. on July 4th. He had no idea that she would destroy herself. She suffered from sleeplessness. She oecupied the front room, as it was her wish to do bo on account of the fireplace. There was no other motive why she should sleep in a room by herself. She said that she would never recover from her illness and that it was no good seeing doctors. Witness siw bis wife at 11.30 p.m. when she seemed in her usual spirits and seneoi. He beard a noise on the verandah at 4 a.m., and went in to a«<k his wife if bhe had henrd it and she was awake then He returned to bed and missed Mrs Pearson when be got up at 8 o’clock.

Tbe following verdict was returned*. —“ That tbe deceased, Jessie Pearson, met her death by shock caused by immersion in the Kawhia Harbour, self inflicted whilst in a mentally uuound state.