Love, Drink, and Suicide.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5477, 7 February 1885, Page 3

Love, Drink, and Suicide.

A man was found on January 2nd, at the corner of Wallace and Nelson streets, Woollahra, with portions of his head literally blown away. Threo boys saw the man stop, deliberately place a pistol to his head, and discharge the contents right against his forehead. The unfortunate man presented a fearful sight. When he was picked up by the police he was conscious, and attempted to still further injure himself. The poor follow was at once taken to the Sydney Hospital by the police, where he was attended to by Dr. Westrum ; but no hope 3of his recovery were entertained from the first, and at 9 p.m. he died. It is reported that the unfortunate man had been paying his addresses to a servant in Judge Cowling's residence, Wcollahra ; but she had refused to speak to him on account of his intemperate habits. This seems to havo prsyed upon his mind and induced him to commit the rash act. In the man's pocket was found an envelope ad-dressed-to "Miss E. Wright, care Judge Dowling, Wallis-street, Woollahra," and on another part of it " Let me like a soldier fall." In the envelope was discovered a letter written as follows:—"Sydney, Jan. 2, 18S5. Dear Elizabeth, —When this meets your eye 1 will be no more. Then there will be no drunken dirty beasts to trouble you. Good-bye, and God bless you. From your too fond love, 'Wai. Bell. P.S.— Thanksforallyourpastkindness. Aslamnot fit to live, then I will die." The envelope was enclosed in another, on which the following was written:—"Mr Wm. Bell ; next birthday, aged 33 year 3 ; birthplace, York j" and bolow—"At Mr Fred. Lawoon, i Pitt aud Park streets, Good-bye, friend."