COURTENAY STREET SUICIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 April 1907, Page 2

COURTENAY STREET SUICIDE.

THE IXQUEST. An inquest concerning the death of Herman Obec, who committed suicide at a boarding house, in Courtonay street on AV'edncsday night, was held in the Courthouse on Friday morning before the Coroner, Air. AV. (I. Kiddell and a jury of which Mr. 11. AY. Kirkwood was foreman. . Isabella Obeo, wife- of deceased, said deceased's age was about 07 years. (She did not know of any reason why her husband should have taken his life. He had once attempted his life before his marriage to witness. ltalpii Farmilo, staying at the same boarding-house as deceased, said his room was next to Oboe's. On Wednesday night ho was wakened about half-, past eleven by a noise apparently proceeding from Obeo's room. Two minutes after lu was aroused again. Hearing groans he woke .Mrs. Batten, and said he thought Oboe was in a lit. They went to Oboe's door. The door was locked. Obec said, "Who's there';" On wit-, ness replying, Oliee said, "Come in, I'm dying.'' He unlocked the door and admitted witness. AVitnoss saw a gash on the throat and the bed was smothered in blood. lie had never noticed anything peculiar about deceased's conduct. AYilliain Batten gave similar evidence. As witness entered the room, he saw that Obeo was holding a revolver with the barrel in his month. Obec fired the weapon and dropped back, apparently dead.

Dr. Fcokes said that when lie arrived life was extinct. Obee had the revolver (produced) in liis hand. There was a bullet wound in the roof of the mouth, in addition to a gash in the neck. The latter wound was very dee]). It had touch the windpipe, but had not cut through it. William Siucoek," a fellow-employee of Obce's at Jlr. Heldt's shop, said Obee always spoke of his hard luck and illsuccess, in life. He appeared to be sorrowing over having to.work for a wage after having had good opportunities. The verdict of the jury was that Obee took his own life while temporarily insane.