THE SUICIDE OF AN ACTOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2629, 24 August 1881, Page 2

THE SUICIDE OF AN ACTOR.

[By Telegraph.] Dunedin. Aug. 24. The suicide of J. A. Hooper, comedian has caused some sensation here, where he was well known as he was indeed all over the colony. The affair was re ported to the police about 0 p.m. on Saturday last by J. C. Farquharson, who was living ■with the deceased in Regent Terrace, off Filleul street. Faiquharson had been out and on his return found a note in Hooper’s handwriting addressed to himself, which said “You will find me in the coal house.” Farquharson lost no time in proceeding to the place indicated and there found deceased hanging by a stout piece, of rope placed round his neck and attached to the beam. His legs were tied with the same rope <«mi hjs hands with a necktie, his feet just touching the ground. The body was immediately cut down by a constable, and Dr Martin was quickly in attendance, but life had been extinct for several boms. Several motives are assigned for tlie act. Hooper’s last appearance on 1 lie boards was as “Horatio” in “ Hamlet” with Mr W. 11. Leake’s company. Domestic troubles are suggested as having tended to lead the unfortunate man to takeaway his life. His wife (Miss Bessie Vivian) left here about a week ago, having secured an engagement with Leake’s company. Several letters passed between them, and on the morning of the sad event one was received by the deceased, which is supposed to have added considerably to his despondency. Mrs Wall, a neighbor, states that Hooper called in to see her about 1 p.m. on Saturday. He seemed excited and agitated, and read several extracts from a letter he had received from bis wife. One passage referred to deceased’s “ cruel letter,” and another one intimated that the writer would not be returning to Dunedin. Deceased begged Mrs Wall not to mention the letter to anyone. He refused to take any food. He thou left, and probably went home and made away wilii himself immediately. The door of the coal-house or shed in which deceased was found, is open at the top, and he was observed during the morning to be nailing a piece of sacking over it. At the inquest yesterday afternoon, the jury brought iu a verdict of temporary insanity. The funeral was attended by the leading members of Cary’s Company, Mr Cary generously defraying the expenses.