Sad Death of a Young Lady

Thames Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 7441, 9 June 1893, Page 2

Sad Death of a Young Lady

Suicide of Hiss X- Sakwell.

" ROUGH ON RATS."

Auckland, This day. Yesterday morning Miss Katherine Bakewell, the youngest daughter of Dr. R. H. Bakewell, the well-known Auckland physician, took a quantity of the poison known as "Rough on Rats," and died shortly-afterwards. Miss Bakewell, who was about 23 years of age, was a bright, cheerful, girl. Til} about twelve months 3go she enjoyed perfect health, and would never have been suspected of attempting to take her own life. In January last year she decided to take up the teaching profession, and entered on a course of study for the E. certificate. The close work necessary had the effect of impairing her health, so much so that at the time of the examination, in January last, her father implored her to give up her books, advising her that the study undertaken just at that time and under such circumstances would not be of much use. She persisted, however, until at length her health did give way, and she was unable to attend on the final day of the examination. This, of course, involved her failure to gain a complete pass; but Miss Bakewell, hoping that she would at least secure a partial pass, and be able to enter upon the work of a pupil teacher, anxiously awaited the announcement of the results. When the lists were published, and she found that her name was not included in them, the disappointment to her, at the end of a period of suspense, was so grievous that she fell into a state of complete melancholy, She lost,

her merry, buoyant spirit, refused to eat any but the smallect quantity of food, and became utterly dejected. At length to relieve her overtaxed mind, and divert her thoughts, Dr, Bakewell took her to his surgery to assis' him in his work, but while there she obtained possession of some laudanum, and took a small dose, though without any permanent ill-effects. Her father proposed that she should be examined by two medical men as to the state of her mind, with the view of having her placed under control, but Mrs Bakewell and the rest of the family shrank from the course ; and Dr. Haines, who was consulted, recommended a change of scene, saying that Miss Bakewell was J suffering from exaggerated hysteria. Miss Bakewel) was then sent to stay for 0 few weeks at the house of a friend in Ponsonby, and as she returned in better health, it was hoped that improvement had begun. Yes-1 terday morning, however, she found in the house a box of Bough on Rats, one of two boxes which had been picked up in the I street, and had not been destroyed, though instructions had been given that they should be. The contents of this box she swallowed. When her act was discovered, Dr Bakewelt, who was at his consultingrooms in Karangahape Road, was sent for, and Dr Lewis, who lives near by, was also called. When Dr Bakewell arrived at the house, which is in Liverpool street, Dr Lewi3 had used the stomach pump with good effect, and a cab having been brought, the patient was removed to the Hospital.' On the way she was partly conscious, and recognised her father, but she quickly relapsed, and though remedies were applied, died soon after being admitted to the Hospital. Later. THE INQUEST. At the inquest on Miss Bakewel], who died from the effects of " Rough on Rats," the jury's verdict was, ft Suicide while suffering from severe mental depression, caused by over study."