CLERGYMAN'S DESPAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15664, 18 July 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

CLERGYMAN'S DESPAIR.

FATAL SLEEP DRUG. The tragic death of tho Rev. Louis Butler, ased forty, vicar of St. James's, Clac-ton-on-Sea, was the subject of a recent inquest. Tho \icar's health broke down, it was stated, as a result of his exertions to get funds to build tho church of which he was the first incumbent. Four or five months ago he was treated in a London nursing home, and returned to Clacton apparently much better. Ho had left home to walk to Frinton, about six miles along the front. About three o'clock in the afternoon he was found unconscious on a seat at Frinton Greensward. He died before a doctor arrived. Beside him were a bottle and a glass. Superintendent Mules stated that the bottle had contained four or five doses of a special drug prescribed by a London doctor to induce sleep. In a pocket-book found on tho vicar was the following letter: — '.' I fear I am never likely to be well again, and my poor brain is at times distracted ; and 1 cannot think nor talk sensibly, nor do any good for myself or others. I cannot allow myself to become a burden to my darling wife and my dearest children, as 1 am convinced 1 should be if I lived. May God bless them and kind friends comfort them in their sorrow. I beg that my body may never be taken back to Clacton-on-Sea. "Louis Butler." There was no date or address on the letter, and it was suggested that it was written some time ago. A verdict was returned that death was due to cardiac failure* brought about by exhaustion and doses of the sedative mixture he had been advised to take-