SHOCKING SUICIDE IX St. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8936, 19 November 1890, Page 3

SHOCKING SUICIDE IN St. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.

On Sunday morning', September 27th, shortly before noon, a tragic incident occurred in St. Paul's Cathedral, London. Daring Prebendary's Eyton's sermon the congregation was startled by hearing two shots fired in the building, the ono following close upon the other, and general consternation was caused when it became known that a man who had been occupying a seat in tha south aislo had shot himself dead, A six-chamber revolver was discovered by his side. The weapon is now in the possession of tho polico at Bridewell place, where the other chambers were withdrawn. The two bullets which had been discnarged were afterwards picked up in the Cathedral, one of them being almost completely flattened out. These are also at the Bridewell place station. Tho body was immediately conveyed by Police Constables Wellington and Bridle to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where it was found that both tho shots, one being slightly above the other, had been discharged through the left breast. On the body a piece of paper was found, on which were the following words, from which it would appear that the act had been premeditated: — "My name is Edward Easton, of 12, Favart Road, Fulham. If any further information is required it may be obtained of Mr Forder, 28, Stonecutter-street, Far-ringdon-street." At the inquest Henry Kemp gave evidence of accompanying the deceased to St. Paul's Cathedral ma cab, and by liis request leaving him on the steps outside. Mrs Harriet Easton said tho deceased was her son. He was thirty-eight years of age. Four years ago he had had an attack of paralysis, and had been in weak health, but his mind had always appeared very clear. A medical man had told her that he would commil suicide, and he was never allowed to be alone. Ho was at one time a strong Churchman, but lately changed his faith and became a Secularist. Some time ago he left her the following f letter: — "Dear Mother, — If I should die suddenly, I offer you this mem. to show jthat no individual, least of all yourself, is the cause of my death ; but false Christianity. ' — Your affectionate son, Edward." A • paper found on the body was as follows: — " My name is Edward Easton. Christianity has murdered me. The reason I try to commit suicide in a church is to try and help break up false Christianity." A verdict ] of " Suicide while temporarily insane' 1 was returned.