SUICIDE BY HANGING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

SUICIDE BY HANGING.

A case of suicide occurred at Green Island early on January 21. A. dairy farmer named Hector M'Caughan, living in Brighton road, near Abbotsford, an old and well-known resident in the district, was found hanging by a rope from the roof of hi: cow byre early on Monday M'Caughan, living in Brighton road, near Abbotsford; an old and well-known resident in tlio district, was found hanging by a rope from the roof of his cow byre early on Monday morning. About 3.30 a.m. his wife missed him, and, "being apprehensive on account of his recent demeanour, she went out to look for him. She noticed him hanging by the neck in the byre, and immediately gave the alarm. No time was lost in getting the man down, and Dr Will, who was sent for, immediately applied icmcdies. The patient was unconscious throughout the whole of the day, and died three days later. At the inquest the facts were related by deceased's wife in her evidence as follows: — Margaret Julia M'Caughan, wife of deceased, stated that her late husband was 59 years of age, On Monday morning between arid t o'clock she heard him walking through the passage'. She thought it was unusually early for him to be about, and it made her anxious, as he had said previously that he had been up early as he could not sleep. Witness.heard the tinkling of a can in the byre, and she awoke her eldest son, who said it was all right. Witness said, "If you aro not going to look after him, I am." Sho went to the door and called deceased by name, but got no reply. Sho then went to a small door leading into the byro, and saw something hanging inside. Witness returned to the • house, and- told her eldest son that deceased was hanging in the byre. Witness's nephew,' James Black, ran to the byre, and called, " Come quick." Witness ran to the byre, and saw Black holding deceased up. She placed the tin under deceased's feet. Black told her to run quickly and get a knife to cut deceased down. Witness did so, and she cut deceased down, while Black was holding him up. The eldest son then came up. Thoy were then trying to rovivo deceased by giving him a drink and putting water on his hands. Deceased was able to take a little of the water, Some neighbours came over, and some whisky and water was got and administered to deceased, and the eldest boy sent for the doctor. Tho deceased was unconscious all this time. Ho was brought into the bouse and laid on tho couch. Dr Will camo shortly afterwards, and did what he could for deceased, who still remained unconscious. Ho continued in this state up to the time of his death, which took place about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning. The doctor visited him about five times altogether. Deceased was in a very weak stato of health before this, and complained a great deal. On the Sunday witness advised him to see a doctor, and he said a doctor could do him no good. He said, " What's wrong with me is temporary insnnity. I don't like to fret you. It's the God's truth I am tolling you." He used to say that he had had thoughts in his mind, and must bo a coward, and would make gestures across bis throat with his hand. He used to drink to excess long ago, but not lately. There was nothing, as far as witness knew, to worry him. He thought that lie could not do as much work as he used to do. and that caused him to fret. He came froi» County Antrim- Ireland

A verdict that deceased committed suicide by hanging himself while in a 3 ' a ' :e °* temporary insanity was returned.