Obituaries Australia

Mr W. J. Chapman, Coroner, held an inquest on Tuesday last concerning the death of Walter Harding Hogan, who died the previous day under somewhat suspicious circumstances. For some years deceased carried on business in Sydney as a chemist, but owing to chronic illness he was compelled to abandon his profession, and at the time of his death resided at Carrington, Narara. Latterly he had been very despondent. About 4 a.m. 0n Monday last he left his room and shortly after returned, saying to his wife "I've done it, but God told me to do it.'' His wife inquired what he had done, and he replied that he had taken a dose of strychnine. Mrs Hogan, who was suffering from a bad leg, was unable to summon assistance before her husband expired. From evidence adduced it appears deceased had threatened to do away with himself. Dr Fielder made a post mortem examination, and a verdict was returned that death was caused by strychnine poisoning, self-administered. Deceased leaves a widow but no family.