ECCENTRIC MANS SUICIDE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1908, Page 10

ECCENTRIC MANS SUICIDE.

HE LEAVES BEHIND THE CORONER'S 4 VERDICT. ' fcOME PHILOSOPHIC MUSINGS. A .remarkable letter, was lead at the inquest at Sydney the other day '' conce'CHing- 1 '. 11 * the "J" J 'di-cumstances suurounding the death of Captain Joseph Vos, who was found' dead in bed ' on dth January. ' The letter was addressed to the coToner and read as -folloAvs : — January Bth, 1808.— Mr. Coroner : Dear sir,— Seated comfortably , and <juite easy in mind, time 4.15 p.m.., uijf'only object in penning these few lines is to save your young men and yourself ' valuable time, ' and also the risk, of-bringing in a verdict" as to" the- cause of death which, might be an erroneous one, as is often the case. The verdict should be: "We find that the deceased Captain , Joseph V^oa came by his death by me ins of an overdose of . laudanum self-administered. The laudanum* was taken on account of domestic and financial troubles of which he has had more than a fair share during the past five - months. There is no evidence to show - that deceased was insane, nor was any evidence adduced wilier- tended to show where or when the laudanum was obtained."—Yours faithfully, Joseph Vos P.S.— I would feel obliged if you will allow, a medical man to. make certain of' actua] death, as I have always dreaded - premature burial. The deceased.- captain also left a state- ' ment describing ' his feelings- as death _ap- • proached, and some philosophic musings concerning the "great secret." The ' • document was headed 1 ! "Just a few lines 1 with some of ;my final meditations. What makes many Jieople fear deatk? •Religion and' fear of 'the unknown. Why ,/do I not fear" death? Because I know that e.v.eryoue has to die sooner or later, and ' if' they can -stand it so can I. Have I • ever been face to face< with death? Yes, ' several times. Had I any fear of it? No. ".L»o I believe-in an hereafter? Honestly speaking, no. I believe death is the - end of' all men." Now, suppose there is art hereafter. Well, no matter what it's like I'll have' to get ( accustomed to whatever it is, as many others have had to ■ do, and surely I can do likewise. No ; I " laVe "absolutely no ' fear of it. Bd. I "•regret leaving this -world"? JNo^not-v'ery much. I* have had too many uns and ' downs in it ; *• too many worries and, 'struggle's 'to 'suit my* temperament. 'I liave suffered a, great deal o* hardship and l t physical pain through my operatipn, and •the balance is'too much in iavour of the • downs. How do I expect relief from . death V • Eternal sleep^or, in other words, 'unconsciousness, oblivion. What do my 'last thoughts dwell upon most? My four children. lying, asleep upstairs. WilL_ they have an easier time than I have had? I hope and trust !>o. Do I believe ■ iv a supreme being? No, but I don't deny the existence, o£ one. My reason forbids me to believe in &uch a. being as depicted to us because I see .so much misery and pain around me which such •a being could so easily obviate. Do I ' believe in spirits,? Yes, iv bottles, and_ then only in the medicinal properties in" them. I have chosen midnight as the hour to put myself to T«st. Why? Because I want to feel that I am already sleeping to assist the opiate in its rapid effect. When I take it I shall compose - lnyscll exactly the same as on ordinary occasions when very tired out. "I look at my watch. It's only 11.20 p.m., and the 40 minutes to \yait; how long the time seems in passing. I feel anxious to go to sleep. Why did' I choose this method? Because it seems to me the easiest and most 'natural. "Is there anything insane about me? No', I 'don't think so, only that I am .thoroughly sick of it all. Does it worry me what-becomes of my body? No, not in the least. Bury, it, put it overboard at sea, it's all one to me. The only thing that troubles me in the least is that I may not be really dead, but this I have provided for as far as possible by requesting the coroner to let a medical man make certain of my death. I have taken many risks during my lifetime, and one more or less AvWt make much diffeieuce. 11.30 p.m.— Soon it will be time, thank goodness, to make a start for bed, sleep/ and rest, and as someone has said before — I can't recall his name — now for thegrand secret? As 1 am going to have a look at my children again, so gprvj

night to all whom I leave behind. Blessing, it smell things exist, on some ; curses on others, whom I need not mention. Joseph Vos, Btb January, 1908." In her evidence, Rose Ferguson said she had lived with deceased as his wife for fifteen years. Witness left him a month ago owing to his fiequently asking her to commit suicide, with the four children. He suffered from cancer, and wds very worried by it. Tho night before his death he asked, his.- daughter to send for the j>olice if he were found dead.