INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, 10 September 1903, Page 3

INQUEST.

SAD DISCLOSURES. The inquest on the body of William Loveday was held at the Courthouse, Foxton, on Tuesday last, at 10 a.m., befece Mr Alf Fraser, act-Ihg-Coroner. The following jury were empanelled ; —G. H Stiles (foreman), M. H. Walker, R. Noonon, C. Spring and F. Martin. The following evidence was taken:— , T Clara Loveday deposed—i am the wife of the deceased; I saw my husband last alive about half-past ten on Saturday night, the sth instant; he had been strange in his manner all day; he was worried about hia business; he wished me good-bye during the afternoon, but I took of it, as he had times previously; I left him lying on the sofa in the front room; I sent the little girl in between six and seven on Sunday morning to see if her father was awake; she said he was not there ;J then sent to see if the horses paddock, a$ I

thought he might have gone to the mill; found ths horses there, a*d t hsn I got frightened and got up and went up the paddock and called Mr Cameron, being the nearest neighbour, and asked him to go and look for him; and I did not See him ■ again alive; for Some days past he had not slept; he had suffered very taiuch with his head; he had not been well for a fortnight. Dr T. Bennett deposed —I am a medieal practioner residing in Foxton; on Sunday at akeui a past twelve I was asked by Constable Forster to see the deceased in one ef the rooms at his house; I found there was a circular slit in waistcoat; there was some blood above the left pocket corresponding to this tear; there was a circular wound just below the ribs in a line with the heart; the wound was large and blackened round the edges, and extended up toward* the heart, and might have been caused by a bullet similar to the one produced fired at a close distance, in fact presing against the body; this wound was sufficient to cause death almost immediately; I noticed the fingers of both hands were blackened as if the pistol had been held with the hands and pressed towards the body. By the Police —He had been dead eight to twelve hours; he was quite stiff.

R. T. Betty deposed,—l am a bootmaker.; I was in partnership with deceased in a flaxmilling business ; I last saw him alive on Saturday, 6th inst., about one o’clock; be seemed peculiar in his .manner, and when asked questions seemed to wander; I have noticed he seemed to be worried about his business lately; he did not at any time make any remark about doing away with himself.

William J. Edwards deposed,—l am a draper’s assistant in the employ of the late Mr Wm. Loveday; Hast saw. deceased alive between two and three o’clock on Saturday afternoon; T noticed that he seemed queer in his manner the last two or three weeks since his illness; I think ho was in bed a couple of days very bad, and in my opinion should have stayed in bed a week, John Forster deposed—l am a constable stationed at Foxton; I knew deceased; at 10.30 am. on the 6th instant Mr 'Betty reported that the deceased was missing ; I proceeded to make enquiries, and search at 11.30 a.m.; I found deceased lying in Victoria Park about twenty yards from Park street gate ; he was lying partly on bis right side; the right arm across the heart; I examined him, and found a bullet wound through the left bottom pocket of the vest; I looked round and found the revolver (produced) six feet from the body on the left side; five chambers were loaded, and one recently discharged; I had deceased conveyed home, and sent for Dr Bennett; I searched the deceased!, and found the articles producM'in his pockets, also the notebodS (produced) containing the following statement:—

Saturday afternoon, 3.40 p.m.

My clear darling Clara, —When I wished you good-bye this afternoon I you little thought the deed I contemplated doing in your absence, and I trust that you will do your beat for our dear little girls; You will receive my insurance money from the A.M.P. Society for £250 and bonuses about £BO, leas the loan with interest added that I had from the company some time ago, and with your share you will receive out of the shop for the £2OO which Fred and Alfred gave you, and your furniture, less the piano which I intended making you'a present of later on, which I have not been in a position to do, and in justice to my creditors, and as I am so upset over many things, I have taken the sad course to end my days, and protect you and our little darlings, and I trust, dear Clara, you will not be. upset aa I consider it best, and as I have mortgaged the equity of this house and my Government Life Policy to Mr Betty, and I feel sure what he may get over he will give same to you, as he is an honest and straight maa, and it grieves me to think that I am so upset to do this rash and unmanly deed, but it will end my days, and I trust you will write to my dear old mother and father, and pray forgivenness, and bless the dear little ones, and thank your poor mother for the many kindnesses she has done for us, and so I now end my days. From your affectionate husband, Wm. L. (

Dear Clara,; —Do not mourn for me, I know that I have not been so good as I wished to be, but the worry I have had to contend with has made me cross at times, but my love for you, darling, has been great, and you know how I have always loved and honoured you, and this endeth ray parting words in the world, and it is my earnest prayer that you will do your beat for the little ones—thus endeth the day of your loving husband.

Wm. Loveday

My watch I trust you will never part with, and I have left it on the dressing-table at 3.40. F. Loveday, The Don, Wanganui.

Dear Fred, —Before you receive this intimation you will have heard of my end, and as I am so much upset I have, I hope, ended my days. It is with a long and earnest consideration I have attempted this sad end. I trust you will not grieve over me as I have done my best, and not been successful. I cannot ask of you to do what you are not in a position to do, and all I can say to you is that having to contend with that man ( ), and I have taken this course to protect yourself, Dear Clara, and my honest friend, R. T. Betty, and as I have mortgaged my Government Life Policy, and my equity in the house lam living in will more than cover him, which I know he will hand the balance to my dear Clara, and which I know you will see that Clara receives her dividend in the £2OO she lent me in the business which you and Alf. kindly gave her when I went to Taihape. I know you will see that she is not robbed; that I am not certain if ( ), but you will see in the pad of my cheque-book that I gave him a cheque for £4 5s 9d to do same with in April 27th or 29th, but don’t let him bluff you, as he is a bad egg, and carries this game on with others. So good-bye, Fred, for ever, and do your best for your Loving and affectionate brother, William, And do justice to poor Clara in her trouble and grief, which you know is a sad ending for one who has been so shamefully robbed, by that unscrupulous thief, ( ), who should do his best to repay ray wife and children, whom I have left behind, and also those who sat on my jury and did not give me fair play, so I will conclude with my dying words, protect my dear wife Clara and my little girls, is my earnest prayer. Poor Willie, W. L. The jury almost immediately brought in the following verdict “ The jury are unanimous in this decision that the deceased inflicted the wound which caused his death while in a state of temporary insanity, caused by excessive business worry and want of proper rest." MiiiiiHiwirTiMiMi in in wmmmmamummammtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmrnmm