STRYCHNINE AND PAINKILLER. A WAIKATO PENSIONER'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Auckland, September 1 TIRED OF LIFE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 296, 5 September 1888, Page 5

STRYCH NIN E AND PAINKILLER. A WAIKATO PENSIONER'S ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Auckland, September 1

TIRED OF LIFE.

Tm police were informed shortly aiter 8 o'clock last evening that a man named O'Cal laghan had taken a dose of strychnine at Biown's Tempei'ance Boaiding House, in Victoria-street West. Sergeant McMahon and Constable Russell hastened thither, and on arrival they found O'Callaghan in an upstaii.- bedroom lying on his bed, fully dressed, with the exception ot his coat. O'Callaghan was asked whether he had taken strychnine, and replied that he had. In answer to further questions he stated that he took a do«e of strychnine because he was suffering pain. Dr. Hooper, who had been called in previously, had been using the stomach pump, and the matter ejected was taken charge of by Mr Brown. O'Callaghan, who is an old man, about 64 years of age, was in a ciittcal condition, and by Dr. Hooper's directions he was removed to the Hospital by Sergeant McMahon. Fiom a statement; made by Mr Brown, keeper of the boarding-house, it appears that O'Callaghan had lodged on his premises for about a fortnight, and that he had been drinking hea\ily during the whole of that time. At 5.30 yesterday evening he obtained some hot water from MiBrown, stating that he intended to have a dose of painkiller, and went upstairs to his bedroom. Shortly afterwards O'Callaghan came downstaiis, and asked Mr Brown to accompany him to his bedroom. Mr Brown contented, and when they reached the bedioom O'Callaghan .said, " You had butter send me to the Hospital, as 1 do not want to die in the house, and throw responsibility on you." He then explained that he had taken strychnine with painkiller, a little while pre\iously. Mr Brown took possession of the painkiller bottle and a cup, and O'Callaghan said, "My Cod ' don't you drink that ! ' In answer to enquiries O'Callaghan said that he got the strychnine at a chemist's shop down the street, and Mr Brown at once proceeded to Hudson's chemist shop to make inquiries. Failing to obtain any information there, he called at Mr Clarks chemist shop, and learned that strychnine had been sold there to an old man anbwering to the description ot the wouldbe suicide. The old man referred to, obtained ten grains of strychnine from Walter Lonnergan, Mr Clarks assistant, between 8 and 9 a.m. yosterday, stating that he was a gardener, that he lived at Waikato, and wanted the poison to kill vermin. Dr. Hooper was fortunately called in to .see O'Callaghan early, and by the prompt measures he adopted the man's life was probably saved. Dr. Hooper is of opinion that O'Callaghan did not take the poison into his stomach, as the greater part of it seemed to have remained in the bottom of the bottle, not having been allowed sufficient time to dissolve in the painkiller. Dr. Hooper took charge of the painkiller bottle and cup, with their contents for analysis, and he subsequently ascertained that they contained strychnine. We learn on inquiry at the Hospital this afternoon that O'Callaghan is suffering from exhaustion caused by the use of the stomach pump, but that he is in a fair way towards recovery. O'Callaghan gave himself out to be a gardener, and that he was in receipt of a pension in recognition of his services in the army. He had also informed Mr Brown that he owned land at Waikato, and mining shares at Coromandel, worth about £1.000 altogether. O'Callaghan arrived at the Temperance Boarding-house with about £40 and went through the whole of it. During yesterday he appeared out of sorts, and complained of having done something wrong. He also stated that he had lost £8, but did not explain in what way. Mr Brown had an interview with the would - be suicide at the Hospital this afternoon. O'Callagan said he felt very bad and suffered great pain ; but he' made no further explanation «s to the cause of his rash act. Dr. Lindsay informed Mr Brown that O'Callaghan would remain at the Hospital till Monday, when he would probably be well enough to be released.