Determined attempt to Commit Suicide.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3196, 17 May 1879, Page 2

Determined attempt to Commit Suicide.

Mr John Leydon, auctioneer, who returned, from a business trip to Coromandel - late last evening, brings information: of what was very near a tragedy there yesterday. From Mr Leydon's statement to our reporter, it

would appear that the man Patrick Hoy from Mercury Bay purchased some goods off' Mr Leydon, arid, in part payment thereof, gave him a cheque for £2, with a promise to pay the]balance on the following day. '■ Yesterday morning, on Mr Leydon going to cash the cheque, it was returned to him marked ".. signature irregular," and it subsequently transpired that Hoy had a considerable sum of money in the bank, but in another name. Mr Leydon at once suspected that there wag something crooked somewhere, and,' after .searching the whole township, the: man was non est. Hearing, however, that he had been seen on the Tiki road, he procured a horse and traced the man for about four miles, and presently saw him lying in the bush. 'Mr Leydon called but to him, asking why did he not settle for the goods. With this he rose to his feet and replied, ;" I "will neyer-kee Odromandel agaih.?' In( 'one 5 hkhd lie had aa.cp.en knife, and in the other a paper packet: Mr Leydon rode towards him and, as he came close, saw the words " Arsenic, Poisbn" on,|he paper. Hoy called,.ou|, .'' I have takeoj half of this alreadyj" ianH then poured the remainder of the poison into ;his mouth. Mr Leydon dismounted and,!after wrenching the knife put of his hand, called for assistance. Mr Lynch came up, and, with his assistance, the man was brought into the Police-station, where various emetics were applied, and a- great quantity of the poison was thrown up. Mr Clayton informed the police that Hoy; had bought arsenic and oxalic acid at his shop. By this time—about 1.30 in the afternoon—the would-be suicide appeared somewhat better, and Mr Leydon, .having important business here to-day, left without informing the police of his intended departure.