SUICIDE AT MERTON.

Evening Star, Issue 7405, 28 December 1887, Page 2

SUICIDE AT MERTON.

An inquest on the body of the man found hanging to a tree at Morton on Saturday was held on Monday before Mr Coroner Carew at the Golden Fleece Hotel. Hawksbury. Evidence was given by Valentine Baird, Constable Bird, and Henry Scott. It appeared that while Baird with some other boys were bird-nesting at Scott Creek he observed the body of a man hanging to a tree, and immediately informed Henry Scott, a farmer, who proceeded to the spot indicated by Baird. Mr Scott's son shortly afterwards cut down the body, which had been hanging by a leather strap that had boen passed twice round the tree and fastened round the neck of tha deceased. Judging from the position of the body, it was possible for the deceased to have saved himself at any time if ho had liked, unless his neck had been dislocated. Sundry receipted accounts in favor of James Cobban was found on the body. There was also an envelope (containing a few postage stamps) addressed to Mr Cobban, England. The deceased appeared to have been a working man, was about forty years of age, and about sft 11 in in height. The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by hanging.