DISTRESSING SUICIDE IN SYDNEY OF -THE SON OF A SCTOCH MERCHANT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 45, 7 January 1862, Page 1 (Supplement)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE IN SYDNEY OF -THE SON OF A SCTOCH MERCHANT.

From the Empire. Another c;ise of self destruction by taking strychnin oceured on Tuesday eveningl last, iincl ■was tlie subject of a Coroner's. enquiry on the following clay. The evidence of two witnesses only was taken on Wednesday, and the inquest was then adjourned to Thursday, when it wasre- • sumed and concluded. The facts of the case as they came out in evidence, were of a, very painful nature, revealing as they did the life history of a career which, at its opening, bid fair to bo long, honourable, and prosperous, but which—the reins being given to the passions—became all chequered by vice and consequent misery, ending in selfdestruction in a house of ill-fame. It appears that the deceased, who was named James Kirkwood Thorn, and about thirty-six years of age was the son of a wealthy merchant of Leith, named David Thorn. He left Scotland about nine years ago for America. Some time subsequently, about two years ago, he found his ■way to this colony, and thence to Queensland, where he was employed as an overseer on a station. Early in August last he came to Sydney, and went, in the first instance, to reside at Ihe Koyal I-loiel. A few days after his arrival here, j he went to the ollice of Mr. Ityan Brenan, to get a bill of exehauge on his father lor £252 10s. cashed and which, on Mr. Du. ham (of Durham and Irwin), who knew the deceased before leaving home, entering into a bill of indemnity, he succeeded in getting cashed. During the necessary negotiations, Mr. Durham dined with Mr. Thorn at the Royal Hotel, and was told by him that his father had written for him to go home to assist him in his business, as his brother had died about a year ago. He said, moreover, that he intended going home by the ship Marquis of Argyle. Soon after this he made the acquaintance of a woman named Garrett, and went to live with her in Iloskinsplace, off Pitt-street. Since leaving Scotland he had indulged freely in intoxicating liquor, brandy being the particular kind for which he craved. Prom the evidence of tlie girl, it would appear that lie was scarcely ever sober, being very irritable and violent when drunk, but quiet and weak in body when sober. He told the girl that he had accidentally killed a dear friend of his in Scotland, when fencing, and «this preyed much upon his mind. He also said he had killed some blacks up the country. He gave the girl a gold watch, a gold brooch, and two gold rings, and spent bis money in a free or rather reckless manner. He followed up this course till all his money was expended, when he borrowed from a Mr. Stratford, whom he met in Mr. Brenan's office, and also applied, by letter, to Mr. Durham for funds wherewith to pay his passage to Queensland. Mr. Durham, on receiving the letter, was much surprised to find that he was still in Sydney, as he had assured him that he intended taking passage for London in the Marquis of Argyle, and •when Mr. Durham called at the Koyal Hotel after the-above-named ship had sailed, he was informed that he (Mr. Thorn) had taken his luggage down to a Melbourne boat for the purpose of returning to England, via Melbourne. And here it may be remarked that he did take what luggage he had down to the steamer, but being persuaded to remain in Sydney, he returned ashore, and so forfeited his passage money to Melbourne, as he had previously forfeited his passage to England, by deferring to go on board. As the applicant had spent £250 in live or six weeks, Mr. Durham declined to advance any more, and so did not hear any more of him till he heard he had committed suicide. About a fortnight ago lie went, in company with a gentleman, to the shop of Mr. liorner, chemist, of William-street, and asked to be shown a sample of strychnia. A sample was shown him, and aftor enquiring what quantity would be sufficient to destroy a native dog, purchased twenty grains, saying he was going to send it up to Queensland as a sample. This poison he took to the girl Garrett's place, in Palmer-street (she having removed there), and, fearing he intended to poison himself, she, with the assistance of another girl named Clara Seawright, who was liviug with her, got it from him and hid it. Subsequently, however, he found it, and kept it in his possession. At this time (Ms money being all spent) he was not living permanently at Garrett's, but at the Royal Hotel, where he was allowed to remain free of charge for one week; but he still continued to visit the girl Garrett, though against her will, as when he was under-the. influence of liquor he was jealous of her, tore her dress, beat her violently, and prevented her from obtaining a livelihood. He had also threatened to kill her, and had frequently to commit suicide, remarking, especially when he first went to reside with her, that he had but four months to live. Pieincntly, the knives, razors, &r..,in the house, were removed, in order to prevent him from carrying out his threats. On last Monday night, the deceased, in company with a Mr. Stewart—who, it appears, had been very much in his company—-went to Annie Garrett's house, and called for brandy, which was brought him. He got. drunk, and being very irritable, the girl Garrett, fearing his violence, left the house, and slept at the residence of a woman, who was nursing her child. On Tuesday morning she sent a child to see if the deceased was still in the house and finding that he was, and lying quietly in bed she returned and had so,ne words with him about a brooch which he had given her, but which she could not now find, and accused him of having taken. Moreover, she complained of not having any money to pay her rent, and when he saw her sitting on the "bed crying he gave her lialf-a-sovereign—the last money lie had, and which had been given him by Mr. Hudson, of the Royal Hotel, in change for a cheque, which he (Mr. II.) took as remuneration for board and lodging. though hefeltcertain that the cheque on presentation would be dishonored, which subsequently proved correct. The deceased asked the girl for some brandy, nud she went for a small quantity. When brought he refused to drink it, but desired that it might be left in a tumbler by his side, which was accordingly done. The girl Garrett then left; and went to the house of a neighbour, and after a while sent .up a little girl to fee if the deceased was still in tlie house, as in obedience to his requc.-t, she hail given him a clean shirt, and a woman who occasionally worked in the house cleaned his boots in the morning as if lie intended to go out. It is worthy of remark that when she gave him the shirts he observed, " That this is the last shirt I shall put on." The iittfe girl returned, saying that he was sitting ou the bod reading one of Wavcrley Novels. About half-p:ist four o'clock the child went, again, and on going into the bedroom found him lying on the floor, and apparently in .great agony, kicking his heels against tlie floor, and crying out " Anne, Anno," and asking for water. The child, though frightened, took him a glass of water, and then ran for the girl Garrett, whom she met coining up the street, somewhat alarmed at the child's long absence. On learning the state of the ccceased she she sent for Dr. Milford. who, on arriving, found the body of the deceased, with life extinct, lying on the floor behind the door, with his feet under the bed. Mr. Horncr waa also called in, and found ou the drawers some white powder, which on tasting he found to be strychnine. In the deceased's "pocket was found a letter addressed to his lather, written some days before his death, and in t!:c room a note apparently written on the same day. A copy of this note is appended : "Wednesday, 27th Nov., 1801 II anything happens to me I exonerate Sirs. Garrett. (or Mre. Thorn) from all blame as well as any other person. Suffering* from much pain, I am about to take a strong narcotic, the result of which will be cither kill or cure. Jamks K. Tnoir. P.S,—ln the event, of anything happening please to apply to Charles Durham, fe-q., Messrs. Durham and Irwin, Circular Quay. James -K. Tiiom. The evidence taken was very voluminous, and quite satisfied the minds of $ie jury that the fatal drug which caused his death was administered by himself, his mind being at the time impaired by excessive indulgence in liquor. They accordingly returned the following verdict: —" We find that the deceased, while labouring under temporary insanity, caused his death by taking strychnine, and there is no blame to be attached to any one."