Suicide of Earl Shaftesbury.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1705, 11 May 1886, Page 2

Suicide of Earl Shaftesbury.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

(Per Mail Steamer.)

The Earl of Shaftesbury killed himself m a cab while driving: through Regent-street, London, on April 13th, discharging the contents of a revolver into his person. He fired the first shot at his right temple, but missed his aim. The cabman then descended from bis seat, and refused to proceed further, as he feared he would be shot. Lord Shaftesbury tried to persuade him to continue to drive, and offered him j£s, but the man was immovable. ,By this time a. policeman, who bad heard the shot fired, approached the cab, and at this moment the Earl fired again, the ball taking effect m his temple. The policeman tried to seize his arm to prevent him firing but failed. Death ensued m ten minutes after the second shot. Lord Shaftesbury was 54 years of age. He succeeded, on October Ist, 1885, to the title, on the death of bis father, the eminent philanthropist. He leaves a widow, Harriett daughter of the third Marquis of Donegal, a son and five daughters. The Earl has latterly been unwell, and complained of mental depression.