A STRANGE SUICIDE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 91, 24 April 1913, Page 5

A STRANGE SUICIDE.

POISON AND THEN FIRE. ! i

RELIGIOUS -ANIAC’S end

An oxtraordi '.ary case of suicide occurred at Greta, in the Wangaratta () u ‘ :) district , during the early hours of Saturday morning, 12th inst. Eliza Ann Carlyon, the wife of Joseph CarJ.von, farmer, took her life by taking poison and burning herself to death.’ Mrs Carlyon had suffered from religious mania at different intervals, and at times her delusions wore stronger than at others. During Friday night she arose, and, proceeding to the kitchen, procured a quantity of deal boards and lit a lire.

I* ioin observations that have been made by Constable Roach, of Gwenrowan, it is believed that Mrs Carlyon poured a quantity of kerosene over hei self, and also drank half a teacup of phenyl. She then tied her feet together with a strong piece of flannelette, and, getting into the fireplace, which is about sft. wide, lay down on top of the fire and allowed herself to be slowly roasted to death. All this was done without the ether inmates of the house being disturbed, and the discovery of Mrs Carlyon’s remains was not made until 7.30 a.m. on Saturday, The appearance of the surroundings in the fireplace indicate that the woman died without a struggle. It is believed that she was npt long over' the fire before the phenyl took effect.

Joseph Carlyon, the woman’s husband, was absent from homo. Mrs Carlyin was 45 years of age, and was a native of Tooborac.

The Coroner returned a verdict of death from burning by deceased’s own act, while temporarily of unsound mind. In a letter addressed to Miss Carlyon was 45 years of age, and was Greta, April 10, thq deceased woman said:— Dear Aggie,—l write with my heart full of remorse and regret for past sins. Mine has been a wasted, mis-spent life. I have discouraged both ray husband and children because of an unlovable, discontented heart. I havs been a hypocrite. It is all awful. Wo are brought low. Poor dad has been so kind, and worked ‘hard, and I have been so worthless. Annie and Sam both would have been good workers, but are now disheartened with many things. Lack of faith in God and self-love have been my ruin. I have ruined my husband and children. There is all unrest and confusion, and I am to blame most of all, for I have said “I want” ,so ! often, and it has brought'me !wbe. Dear dad has worked hard, and has always tried to look on the bright side.”