SUICIDE AT OAMARU.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2496, 21 March 1881, Page 3

SUICIDE AT OAMARU.

Mr W. Spain, commission agent, of Oamaru, committed suicide yesterday morning by banging himself. It appears that a boy named Samuel Harrison, in the employ of Mr Paterson, had gone out to milk his cows on Sunday morning at about 7 o’clock. He mused the leg-rope from its usual place r.nd went in search of it to the stable. On entering he saw the body of deceased, dressed in a shirt, trousers, and slippers, hanging from a peg in the wall. The peg was only about 6 feet from the ground and deceased was hanging with his knees bent and his feet dragging on the i ground. Harrison ran and told deceased’s son, who was outside, and they both ran in and told Mrs Spain, who was in the house, and who was be- - coming somewhat uneasy at the unaccountable disappearance of her husband. He had risen from bed and gone out at about 4 o’clock in the morning, but she knew he could not be far away, as he was only partially dressed. When cut down the body was warm, but on the arrival of Dr Fleming, who had been hastily summoned, life was found to be SLiiite extinct. Mrs Spain states that or some little time past her husband has been restless and uneasy, sleeping very little at night and altogether showing signs of a despondent state of mind. It is believed that pecuniary difficulties were the cause of the act. An inquest will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock.—" N.O. Times.” *