THE LATE ROMATIC SUICIDE AT WELLINGTON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 23 August 1880, Page 2

THE LATE ROMATIC SUICIDE AT WELLINGTON.

(BY TELEGRAPH JETROM CHEISTCHUBCS.) An inquest was held on the body of Matthew Hendersoil, of Chridtchurch, who committed suicide at Wellington on Wednesday, on Friday. DrSi Diver, Collins, and Harding gave -evidence to the effect that death was caused by asphyxia, the result of strychnine poisoning.

Detective Brown deposed to finding two letters on the table in deceased's bedroom. One was addressed to " The person calling herself Mrs. Henderson, Peterborough-street, Christchureh —my dying request is that it may be made public." The other was addressed to Mrs. Blyth, Chester-street East, Christchurch. In the former, the deceased asserts that Mrs. Henderson knew he was going away, and had no legal claim on him as she was not his wife. He says, she enticed him into marrying hep in England, knowing well at the time that he was already married. After marrying her he had to leave England to avoid the consequences of this act of bigamy. He says the so-called Mrs. Henderson is 20. years his senior, and had led hi«t a. terrible life, professing outwardly all that was good and but, tormenting him in a most fearful manner at home, making life a b.urthen to, him. He had sinned' in England,' but long ago repented, and struggled hard to keep this so-called Mrs. Henderson and two children comfortable ;' but she had driven him to desperation. She had devoted her life to ruin him, and she was really his murderer. He left he? to, th.e. remorse of conscience, and hoped Qod would forgive her and protect his'two children. In the letter, to Mrs, Blyth deceased asked forgiveness fay what lie had done. He said he loved Miss Blyth and she loved him. He had suffered torture from the treatment of the woman who called herself Mrs. Henderson, and he knew what pure love was for the firgt time when he met Miss Blyth, lie, said Mrs. Blyth knew of his love for. her daughter, and he staked why. she had interfered to stop them when going away. He concluded by saying fte and Miss Blyth had pasolved to die together. There was also a letter from Mis 3 Blyth, saying she might not have loved wisely but too well, and asking for forgiveness. Detective Brown, in his evidence* said Miss Blyth told him it h.3,d taken Henderson two hours tp. persuade her to take the poison.

' The jury returned a verdict "That the deceased committed suicide by taking strychnine, and he is felo-de-se."