SHOCKING SUICIDE. Napier, Jan. 13

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 343, 16 February 1889, Page 3

SHOCKING SUICIDE. Napier, Jan. 13

Ax old man about 60 years of age, named Theodore McPona Kennedy, who for some time past has been keeping a book-sfcall ab Napier Railway-station, committed suicide either at an early hour yesterday morning or late on Sunday night. He had been staying at the Terminus Hotelyand was seen j alive in the hotel at halt-past 10 o'clock on Sunday night. He did not put in an appear ance this morning, and at noon the servant went to deceased's room to see if anything was the matter. The servant, on entering the bedroom, discovered him lying on the bed covered with blood, with a revolver in his hand. He was quite dead. The police were immediately communicated with. The bullet from the revolver entered the temple, coming out at the other side of deceased's head. The wall was bespattered with blood. On a chair by the bedside was found a letter addressed to Mr Roulston. It was as follows : "Dear Mr Roulston, — By the time you read this I will have passed to another planet. The laudanum and strychnine having failed the three times I got suddenly ill lately, I shall now see what a revolver will do for me. James Ross kindly lent it me, as I wanted to shoot my dog. Many will say it is a terrible acb to take your own life. I consider it more honourable than going through tho Bankruptcy Court, and my debts are now nearly £10, without means to pay them at the present time. Anyway, it is the first time in my life I have been unable to pay my debts, and I am sure it will be the last. Not being a member of any benefit society, and having no means to consult a doctor, I had to seek by gin the last few months' relief from my sufferings from the ailment I am affected with, I can stand ifc no longer. All who hold that hell and heaven yawn will say I am gone to that hot region ruled by his sable majesty, the treasurer to the clerical fraternity, for if they allowed the devil nonexisting they would get little for God's sake. " P.S. --Nnpier not being ad \ an ced enough to have cremation, I expect I will have to be placed in a wooden suit. You will please take possession of my effects and meet the costs of the case. Hoping speedy recovery and that you will be spared to watch over your family. My watch will be found under my pillow on my bed. I would ask one more request — that my little dog be buried with me. A bottle in the old portmanteau contains strychnine that would poison him. Please see Mr Ross gets his revolver. I will not start on my journey before daybreak, not to disturb anyone by the report of the pistol. There will be time during the day for the Coroner to go through the farce of an inquest. The keys of the bookstall are left in the box. Ido not dread to meet the Ruler of the World, as I never willingly injured mortal. Farewell. — T. McD. Kennedy."