SCHOOLBOYS' SUICIDE CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 271, 13 November 1909, Page 17

SCHOOLBOYS' SUICIDE CLUB.

Astounding revelations have just' bee* made concerning the suicide at ClermontFerrand of Blaise Pascal' Xeny, a flfteen.-year-old boy. The lad blew his brains out before bis schoolfellows assembled in ctias«." It appears that three *boys cast lots t« determine which was to kill himself fiist. and young Neny drew, the fatal number.' His. two accomplices' at ouce set to worfc to drive him to carry out his pledge by accusing him of cowardice. The day before his death they made him rehearse all the details of the tragedy, and then marked with chalk the spot where he was to blow his brains out. While this grim rehaarsal was taking place in the empty classroom a junior boyput his head inside the door and saw what: was going on. The others drove him away* saying, "You know too much; you will have to be put out of the way." It appears that there was a list in existence of boys who were to be "suppressed." Ten minutes before the final scene in class Neny's neighbour borrowed a watch, and said to him: "You know you have to kill yourself at 20 minutes past 3. You have only ten minutes to live." When five minutes had elapsed lie reminded him again, and again when only two minutes remained. Punctually to the minute the wretched boy rose, walked to the spot where th» chalf mark was, drew the revolver and shot llmself Iα the right tempi*. . : .