SUICIDE IN A SHOP.

Evening Star, Issue 12763, 16 March 1906, Page 4

SUICIDE IN A SHOP.

Joseph Ernest Sargent, of 19 Cargill street, was found dead early this morning under circumstances that indicate suicide. He was the chief assistant to Mr J. C. Thomson, and kept the books in the managerial department of Thomson, Bridget, and Co.’s business. Yesterday he was about his duties as usual, and left home about 9 p.m. to do some work at the office. At that time he seemed to he in his usual health and spirits. Mrs Sargent expected him home about midnight, and as he did not return Mrs Sargent grew anxious, and at last set out in search, accompanied by her father, Mr Frederick Williams. They went to the shop, and saw a light inside, but conld not make anyone hear. In these circumstances they thought it advisable to mention the matter to Constable Head and go for Mr Melton to see if he had the keys. When the party entered at 0.50 a.m. they found Mr Sargent lying on the floor at the office door in the shop, shot through both temples, a five-chambered revolver (one chamber undischarged) by Lis side, as though it had dropped from his right hand. Dr Evans was called, and arrived at 4.5. All he could say was that the man had been dead for some time. The deceased had been for many years in the firm’s service. Prior to joining Thomson, Bridget and Co.’s employ he was with Guthrie arid Larnach. We understand that his books are all in excellent order, and that so far as the firm’s business is concerned there is nothing to account in any way for the suicide. The deceased was the father of two children. He was a quiet and steady man, much liked by his comrades. Ap, inquest was to be held at 3 p.m. THE INQUEST was held at the Morgue this afternoon, commencing at three o’clock, before Mr C. C. Graham, coroner, and a jury of six, Mr John M'Connell being chosen as foreman. Station-sergeant King conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Frederick Williams, retired news-agent, identified the body, and said that be last saw deceased about 8 p.rn. yesterday. Deceased was not in good health. He was suffering from nervousness, and had been in low' spirits for months. The only reason witness knew was that the man was overworked—too much worry, too many hours. He was ia Thomson, Bridgets employ as book-keeper. He was constantly employed from 9 a.m. up till eleven and twelve at night, often on Saturday nights too, and sometimes on Sundays. Witness had told him that, he was foolish to work those hours; but ho used to reply that the work was there, and had to be done. He had no other troubles. Dr Evans said that when he arrived deceased’s right hand was across his chest, and his left hand in his trousers’ pocket. There w r as a wound in each temple, penetrating the brain. He concluded that the bullet entered by the right temple, fired at a very close distance. The wound could have been, self-inflicted. Witness had only a casual knowledge of tire deceased. The’ revolver was five-chambered, loaded with two cartridges, “one of which had been recently discharged. Rigor mortis was well marked, and death had probably taken place some hour’s before. Dr Fulton deposed that deceased consulted him six weeks ago about his health. He found Sargent a physical wreck. His nervous system was shattered. He seemed in a constant state of worry about trifling matters, and there was evidence of organic disease of his nervous system having set in. He was in a oondition bordering on insanity, and witness tokl him ho should at onco apply for three months’ leave of absence and get right away. He seemed to be worried about his work. Witness did not know what his hours were, but know that the man was over-working and over-worrying. He did not seem inclined to follow witness's suggestion. Seeing' that ho did not apply for leave, witness was not surprised that ho shot himself. Tho inquest was proceeding at 4 p.m.