DEATH PROM A GUNSHOT WOUND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12564, 19 January 1903, Page 10 (Supplement)

DEATH PROM A GUNSHOT WOUND.

ACCIDENT Oil DESIGN 1 A man, quite unknown, was found dead in his bedroom at the Sussex Hots! about 5 o'clock on Wednesday, the 7th inst. Ho went to the hotel on the sth, and engaged a bed, but- did not stoop ill it. and, on turning up next morning, said he had stayed with some friends for the night. He had a drink in the bar, and told (he barmaid he belonged to Clinton. He slept in the place that night, and had his meals. He was last se-211 alive on the 7th. about 10 minutes to 2 o'clock, upstairs, and when the girl went to clean his rcom about half-post 3 he was inside-she thought, sleeping. She called the boots about 5 o'clock, and with him went to the man's room to see if ho was still sleeping, when he was discovered on his knees, with his head bent down on the washstand, and a pea rifle underneath him. The man was then quite dead and cold, and had evidently expired some time ■before. The lieonseo of the hotel informed the police of the affair, who made inquiries for several days before discovering the identity of the stranger. Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., held an inquest on tho body on the afternoon of the Bth inst. Mr H. Spiers act-sd as foreman of the jury. John George Green, licensee of the Sussex Hot-el, deposed that the deceased came to tho house on Monday, the 12th, at 7.30 p.m. He engaged it bedroom for the night, and left liis overcoat in the room, but went out shortly attar. He did not return till Tuesday night, when ho came into the bar and naked for a. drink. Witness recognised him, and said, " You're the man who asked for a room last night?" He snid, " Oh. yes; but I met some friends, mid didn't conic back."- Deceased then asked if he could have some lea, and witness showed him into the dining-room, where ho got something to cat. Wilncs3 saw him again i.ext day. He was perfectly solwr any time witness saw him, and only had two drinks in (he house—one on Monday and one on Tu<* day. He did not look like a man who drank. Ho seemed quite sane and sensible. Witness Hid not ask ltis name or whore he camp from. A little after 5 on Wednesday fternoon witness first hoard of the affair, and found tho billiard-marker in tlio room, who told him the man was dead. The body was in a stooping position, with the barrel of a- pea rifle projecting from undo; tho bed,, between deceased's legs. Nobody in the house appeared to have heard the report of the rifle. Witness never saw him bring the rids in. A flask of whisky was found on him, but he did not procure it in tho house; they did n»i kacp that brand. Catherine. Adelaide M'Bridc, barmaid at the Sussex Hotel, gave evidence that she saw deceased come into the hptel on Tuesday morning. He told her that lie came from Clinton. She thought he was a.little, peculiar ill his manner. Jn-iues Pollande, boots, gave evidence as to finding deceased in his room, and thought he was asleep. As he slcoped down to rouse him he saw the gun and some blood. Witness got excited when lie saw the blood, and came down for Mr Green. David Fornie, salesman for Laidlaw and firay, said he iscoguised the rifle produced, having sold it to deceased on Tuesday night. He came in between 5 and G o'clock, and after locking at the rifle bought it, along with a box of cartridges. It did not strike witness that there was anything peculiar about the man. He smc-lt of drink when he came in, but wae perfectly sobei.. He did not state what he wanted the rifle for. Dciretive Livingstone described the position in which ho. found the body. He examined it, and found no other marks on it besides the gunshot wound in his forehead. Tie-foiled to find anything to indicate the identity of the- man. The box of cartridges produced was in his coat pocket. The other things found on him were a flask of whisky, 9s Gd in- cash, and a pair of glasses. . . Sergeant Higgins stated that a Berwick resident named Slionnan had identified the man as George M'ludoe, a farmer at Wairunn. "The Jury brought in a verdict of death from a gunshot wound, self-inflicted, but that there, was not sufficient evidence to show whether it was intentional or accidental. Further inquiries confirmed the fact (hat deceased wan M'lndoe, who had been working as a farm Itbouror near Clinton. His parents reside at Berwick.