ACCIDENTS & FATA LUTES

Southland Times, Issue 18970, 18 June 1923, Page 5

ACCIDENTS & FATA LUTES

SENILE DECAY. (Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 17. Mrs Jane Smith, a widow about 80 years, living alone, was found dead on the floor of her cottage on Saturday afternoon. At the inquest on Sunday afternoon, Mrs Agnes Gooseman, sister of the deceased, stated that deceased always had good health and had never been heard complaining. She was very deaf. She had never had medical advice. Medical evidence showed that the body was well nourished and there were no marks of violence or signs of injury. The body presented well marked signs of senile decay. Death was due to heart failure, following on senile decay. Probably the deceased died on Friday night. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony. A SUICIDE’S LETTER. CHRISTCHURCH, June 15.’ A remarkable letter was found alongside the body of Alexander George Stratton, aged 36, who apparently died from poison self-administered at a boarding-house in Gloucester Street. The letter was addressed to a woman whose name the police would not divulge and reads:— • “You made me what I am to-day. I hope you are satisfied. You dragged me down until my soul died. You shattered each and every hope.” Stratton left a postscript to a letter asking the police to take care of his children. Stratton was employed as a labourer at the Addington workshops up till a month ago, when he resigned.