"MY HEART IS BROKEN."

Mataura Ensign, 25 January 1912, Page 5

"MY HEART IS BROKEN."

A pathetic story of a friendless man's plunge into the river from the Embankment was told at Bow Street Police Court last month, when James Ferguson, 40, a well-dressed man, described as a clerk, of Bessborough street, S.W., was charged with attempting to commit suicide. Sergeant Woodland, of the Thames Police, stated that on Monday afternoon, while on duty in a boat near Waterloo Bridge, he saw the accused jump into the river from the Embankment parapet. He swam for a short distance and then floated on his back. The witness pulled him into his boat, and as lie did so the accussed said, "Let me die; my heart is broken." In reply to the magistrate, the defendant said that he had a great shock on Monday, and while walking along the Embankment he was seized with a sudden impulse to throw himself into the water, but he had regretted it ever since. He was in business in London for some years, but had no friends here.

"vVhen you lose your money," he added, "you lose your friends. At least that has been my experience," A remand was ordered.