Determined Attempt at Suicide.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 6 August 1875, Page 2

Determined Attempt at Suicide.

A most determined attempt to commit l suicide was made by Mr John McNaugh-) ton, timber merchant, this morning, at his residence in Williamson street, Grahamstown. About a quarter-past eight o'clock McNaughton called his eldest son about ten years of age, and told him to go for Mrs Davy, who is a neigh-, bor. The lad went, and at that time his father was bleeding. Mra Davy was at once on the spot, when sho found McNaughton in a bad slate, bleeding from the wounds in the neck and other parts of his body. McNaughton was able to speak, and s?id " Send for the police." Mrs Davy said she would go for Mr Denby. She ran at once to Mr Denby, and the latter immediately proceeded to McNaugaton's residence. . Mrs Davy after calling upon Mr Denby, 'continued along the street and met Sergeant Elliott in Albert street, who, being informed of what had happened, hurried at once to .McNaughton's residence, where he found Mr Denby binding up the wounds which McNaughton had inflicted on himself. Tlio poor fallow was in a very weak state from loss of blood, but he was sensible, and on being interrogated as to why he had done what lie had, said he didn't know, but there was something the matter, with his head. Sergeant Elliott procured a cab and con-, veyed McNaughton to the Hospital, where he was attended to by Dr Fox and his wounds dressed. It would seem that : McNaughton first attempted -to cut his throat with a razor, but the blade parted from the shaft and he threw that away. He then took a carpenter's chisel and stabbed himself in the neck in two places, the wounds being severe; then he inflicted a bad cut on the left arm, and finally stabbed himself in the breast. The latter thrusts would probably have pierced the heart but that the blows were turned aside by the ribs, and the would be suicide was becoming weak from loss of blood. Sergeant Elliott found the blade of the razor in the room off the one. in which he found McNaughton, and near a pool of blood he picked up a small carpenter's chisel. McNaughton is well known as a quiet, unobtrusive man and industrious, but occasionally addicted to excessive use of spirituous liquors. He h?s been very sober and steady for a long time, until yesterday, when he took several glasses of brandy; also taking two glasses this morning; and there is tod much reason to fear.that it was under the influence of drink that he attempted the rash act which has nearly proved fatal. Some time ago McNaughton was treated at the Hospital for delirium tremens, from which severe attack it is doubtful if his brain had fully recovered. It is very uncertain what the result may be; the poor fellow is in a very precarious state.-