WORRIED TO DEATH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3916, 18 September 1891, Page 2

WORRIED TO DEATH.

A Sad Story-

At the inquest at Auokland last week on the body of the suicide R. Walsh, the jury were visibly affected by the pttiful story. Sergeant Bernard read a number ol letters found in the room where the man had shot himself. The first was to a Mrs Carr :—" Dear Mary,—l thought when last I wrote to you that all things were settled in connection with my family, but it seems I urn not to be out of trouble yet. My mother has issued a summons against me for maintenance, because I would not allow her or her daughter to come about my housj. (The letter here gave reasons for refusal, but they are of a painful character.) My mother has been offered a good home many a time. Poor Kate took her for four months to our own home to try to reform her, but her daughter would persist in bringing drink into the house, to which, of course, you know Kate would object, Seoner thnn support my mother, she being only a tool in the other's bands, T have come to the conclusion to end it all. My deir sister-in-law, you have beta the only friend to me since my wife died. Do not tell poor Lennie about his father's death. I have got all the children placed. You may think this is a coward's action. For the last month or two I have longed to die. I hope you will not think too harshly of me. —R. Walsh." Another letter for Mr A. Wilson contained the following :— '* Dear old friend, —I could not trust myself to say good-bye. Do not think ill of me. It is better to end all than to be placed in a mad house, which lam sure would be my destination before long.—-R. Walsh, 4th September, 1891."

A third letter was to Miss Annie Walsh, the young daughter to whom deceased was passionately attached : —" Auckland, September 4th. My dear daughter,—l am sorry to leave you, Willie, Jessie and baby. I

thought I could go and see you for a final good -bye, but I could not trust myself to do so. Dear Annie, you have got and to thank for your father's untimely death. In the future, whatever you do, on no account associ Ue or speak to them. Look after your poor little brother and sister. It is hard to leave you, but I must.—\our loving father, R. Walsh."

The following postscript was blotted by many tears:—" Annie dear, I would have liked to have lived (or your sake, but life is a trouble to me. In the future b9 guided by the advice of your Aunt Mary. The shell clock, and other things on the martlepiece, keep for your mother's sake. Do not tell your little Willie that his father took his own life. See that your father is buried alongside your mother. I am going to see her now. Goodbye."

A fourth to C. Gitnthorpe, the draughts player said : "Deer Charlie, lam going to solve ' the problem '— Eternity, the great unknowD, Goodbye.—R. Walsh."