A BOY SUICIDE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1837, 5 January 1889, Page 3

A BOY SUICIDE.

On the 21st inst. the 6.5 p.m. train from Maryborough to Avoca ran over and decapitated a boy named Thomas Beveridge, about twelve years of age. The incident happened between Maryborough and Adelaide Lead. The lad, who was the son of W. Beveridge, a railway engine driver, was observed by Driver Kinsella as he was taking his train down an incline. He reversed the engine, and the fireman, Eyan, applied the brakes, but it was too close to pull up in time. The boy was lying with his head across the rail. One wheel passed over his neck, completely severing his head from his body and throwing it some 15yds away, whilst the body was thrown several feet in the air. The remains were picked up and brought to Avoca, where the lad was not known. They were then taken to Maryborough by the next train, when his identity was discovered. The head was taken off cleanly, without a scratch on the face, which bore , a placid look. The left arm was broken, but no other injury was inflicted on the body. At the inquest the evidence revealed a singular and deliberate case of suicide. William Beveridge, railway engine driver, stated that deceased was his son, and was twelve years of age. He last saw him alive about five o’clock on Friday evening at his residence, when he was in perfect health and cheerful in manner. He left home for a shop in the town at which he he was in the habit of putting up the shutters every evening. He was not subject to fits or anything of the kind, and he could not account for his son being in the place where the accident occurred. The bov played truant from school on Monday and Tuesday and his mother threatened to tell witness about it with a view of getting him punished. Witness was not told that the boy had played truant until after he heard of his death, The father added Deceased was very sensitive and if threatened would think a week over it. The jury returned a verdict that deceased had deliberately placed himself on the line with a view of thus procuring his own death,