EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2239, 13 November 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE.

Dr Wynn Westoott h-'ld in inquest at tho Royal Free Hospital recently on the body of Frederick Goodman, aged 73 yeais, a pin plat o. worker, of 8 Red Lionpassage; 'Theob,ilds v -ro<id ) 'who expired in the Cilthorpo ward ar. th it institution from burns. Shortly before six on Monday morning ho left his room and descended to a vMbh-houne built over the rear of the yard. At that time ho w.is wearing* a shift, trousers and shoes. Having over night obtained a tin of benzjline oil, he poured a quantity o£ it over his h.iir, f.ice, neclf, etc., mid saturated tho whole of th 3 clothing 1 he had on. He then obtaiued a box of mitches, also a rope, tying hU legs together. He then placed himself in a kneeling position, filled hi.s moutl: with oil, and tried to light one of tho luoifers. Hh hands being wetted, he did not succeed in getting a light until he tried the fourth match. With this it is believed he set the oil ,-ilight, and was soon nil ablaze. He was t-iken to a surgery, where it was found th it his injuries were j very extensive, tho inside of his mouth [ being burnt quite white. Subsequently ho was removed to the hospital, wbero he : expired at mid-day fiom the effect* of the injuries. Tho jury gave a verdbt of I •' Suicide whilst of unbound mind."