ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT STAFFORD TOWN.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 764, 17 January 1871, Page 2

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT STAFFORD TOWN.

The inhabitants of Stafford Town were startled out of their usual quiescent state by the news being spread, on Friday afternoon, that a man had attempted suicide by cutting bis throat. It was soon ascertained that the unfortunate individual was Thomas Betts, formerly a butcher in Hokitika, and latterly employed at his trade at Piper's Flat. It appears that shortly before Christmas his employment at that place ceased, and on being paid the balance due to him, about £2O, he proceeded to Hokitika, and got immediately on the "spree." After spending his money, he returned to Stafford Town, where he paid everyone he knew a visit, and took a drink as often as ho could get one, with the usual result, for " every inordinate cup being unblest, and the ingredient a devil," he soon was in a state of "horrors." On Thursday night he slept in an empty building near the Court House, and about midday on Friday, according to his own account, he felt in a despondent state, and felt as if impelled to cut his throat. To

accomplish this he took from his pocket a razor, wrapped his handkerchief well round the handle, so as to have a good hold, and then drew the blade with considerable force across his throat, inflicting a gash which roaches from ear to ear. Upon seeing the flow of blood he became frightened, and probably the relief to his brain from the depletion brought him to his right senses, as he walked to the front door, opened it, and gave the alarm to a boy who was at that moment passing, and of course a crowd soon gathered round. Fortunately, Dr Matthews was close at hand, and having had the man carried to the Road Board Office, he immediately attended to the case, and sewed up the incision. Had the doctor been attending another case at thejtime, far from home, Betts must have bled to death before surgical aid could have been obtained. The man's throat presented a most sickening sight, as the windpipe was quite bare. Several veins were severed, and the sheath of the carotid artery was just touched, the mucous membrane having no doubt to a great extent prevented further injury from being inflicted. The loss of blood was considerable, as there was a pool at the side of the stretcher where Betts had been lying, and a large quantity of blood in the front room, where he waited after opening the door until assistance arrived. Our correspondent saw the unfortunate man t esterday, and reports him as progressing very favorably, as the cut is closed up, and there is very slight suppuration. "W. 0. Times."