A DESPONDENT SHOWMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 22, 16 June 1914, Page 4

A DESPONDENT SHOWMAN.

COMMITS SUICIDE.

AT RED IIOUSK HOTEL.

Quite a sensation was caused in town yesterday when the rumor was passjed round that a man mmed William Clarke had commuted xn-k-idc at the Red House Hotel during the morning.

On investigation, the rumor Drove! to be correct. In conversation witli a News' representative, Mr E. Whittle, tile proprietor of the Hotel, stated that Clarke, who was a man of about fifty years of age, e*ime. to his -liotel on Tuesday last in company with a mt and Mai Lamptnn (also show people), with whom he had come from Auckland on the Rarawn. Clarke was introduced to him by ttile Hamptons, who 'had l frenuently stayed with him ibefore, and was at theiT request accommodated with- a "shake-down," and later on with a bedroom. He stayed there all through the Winter. Show week, spending each day at the show, where Ite was running a "hoop-la" stand. On Sunday night he complained of 'being unwell, »nit concluded that something he had eaten had disagreed with 'him. He went early to bed, asking to be called in time to catch the mail train for Palmerston in the morning. The porter called to him at about 6.30 a.m. yesterday, when Clarke replied that ho was not going away after all._ The housemaid, when she made •io rounds, found his door locked, but r. erely concluded tihat be was deeping in, &'s sne did riot know that he fiad iH'.viided to leave by the train. At ab'iut 11 a.mi., blood was noticed cornin? frim underneath tlie dfoor of bis mom. The door was opened, and CTa'ke was found lying in (bed with his throat cut The police were sent f<."\ end the body was conveyed' to the n:'' .sue.

Mr Whittle added tlhat the deceased mn 'i siring the whole of jliis stay was most quiet and sober in his habits, and seM-led Ws 'bill on Sunday night, preparatory to leaving for Palinerston. Clarke left a (letter ewbodjying bequests of certain personal property. THE INQUEST^ An inquest wag opened in the after--1:1 on before Mr A. Crooks, S.M., Coroi.ei. Samuel Wilson I&mpton, travelling sliov.man-, deposed that he had been a landing the Winter Show at New Plyino'itli, and knew the deceased as Wuhan: Vurke. He had known him very well far the lust two and a half years. vViwie/i* and deceased arrived in New Plviiiiii th or. Tuesday morning last hy f.no Tarawa Deceased had been running a 'hoop-la" show at the Winter Show. He had not seen deceased; draluk since October 'last, though Ihe had met him on several occasion#. He was a man of sober Witness-, his wife jnd deceased stay«d at tie Bed House Hotel during the show week. Deceased during that time had not Wen very well. He had complained of internal pains, and had been worried. On Sunday witness and deceased were walking in Pukckura Park when deceased suddenly remarked, "Do you know, Bill, L A J ' lrf £ oin S to peg oat." Witness thought deeeaseu was worrying ibecauw , ' "m not dono we "> said, "Don't im *i!ly. Just because you have a bad stand here, there's ho need to worry. lou'U do all right, in Palinerston." Deceased would be about 50 years of age. Witness had never hoard him mention any relations, but from outside sources he had reason to believe that he had a wife and daughter living in Sydney. Deceased told witness that he intended to go to Palmerston ycstcrda-v morning. He last saw deceased) at 8.30 p.ni. on Sunday. He knew that deceased had done bad (business in Hamilton, and was wdirying over his prospects at 1 amierston. He was usually of jir!» optimistic turn of mind. Witness saw deceaseds body in his bedroom at the 'Red House Hotel that day. Alice Lampton, wife of the previous witness, corroborated his evidence. She was m the Red House Hotel on Sunday night when deceased returned from a walk. Several of the sihowmen were Jh the commercial room when deceased returned, and sitting down in a chair smd, "Mrs Lampton, I do feci so ill." He complained of interna} pains. A lady who was in the Toom adyised him to take a little ibrandy and go to bed Deceased said that he had had some brandy, and would go to ;bed. He sat with his hand's covering his face for about five minutes, then, gcttinc un ire■narked, "I am feeling so ill. I will go to bed. Ho then went upstairs .to hed. Deceased ate a hearty luncheon on Minday, after returning from the park, and seemed in good spirits. She had seen nothing in his conduct to .lead her to .believe that be was likely to commit sucide. Some months ago deceased had complained of internal pains. rv»i . as e knew lie was a sol>°~ man. Ihe inquest was then adjourned until * p.m. to-day.