Edward MARTIN

SUICIDE OF A TROOPER.

Yesterday afternoon, Mounted constable Edward Martin committed suicide at the police barracks, St Kilda road, by shooting himself.

The deceased was a single man, a native of the colony, and had been about two years in the force.

He had been stationed during the greater portion of that period at Swan-hill, and some time ago he received a sunstroke.

On the 16th of last month he was forwarded from Swan-hill to Melbourne, and reported as insane.

On his arrival he was sent to the police hospital, where under treatment his general health was greatly improved, and he was discharged from the hospital on the 3rd inst.

Since that time he has been doing duty about the depot until Saturday last, when he was despatched for temporary duty to Ringwood.

He returned to the barracks at a quarter to 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and reported himself to Sergeant Fagin, and appeared to be all right.

He was ordered by the sergeant to go to the barracks, get his dinner, and then to clean his horse and accoutrements.

Martin left Sergeant Fagin and went to his room, and in less than five minutes afterwards he shot himself through the head with his revolver.

A little boy nine years of age, son of Quarter-master Fahey, was passing through the passage when be heard the report of a revolver. He looked into the room and saw Martin standing in the centre of the room, with one side of his helmet all blackened.

He said to Martin, “One side of your helmet’s all black,” where upon Martin took it off and laid it down.

Young Fahey then went outside, and on looking through the window he saw Martin loading his revolver, which he did very quickly, placed it to his head, fired, and fell down.

The boy instantly gave the alarm, and Sergeant Fagin at once proceeded to the room, where he found Martin lying on his back in a pool of blood.

The bullet had entered on the right side of the head passed through and out on the left side, and stuck in a corner of the room.

Dr Webb, who was quickly in attendance, pronounced the case hopeless. Martin was at once removed to another room, and every attention shown to him, but be never rallied, and died shortly before 8pm.

The deceased has a brother living at Castlemaine and a sister at Swan-hill.

SUICIDE OF A TROOPER.

An inquest was held on the remains at the police hospital on Tuesday.

The unfortunate young fellow had been sent down from his station, at Swan-hill for medical treatment, as he exhibited signs of insanity. He progressed so favourably that he was sent on special duty to Ringwood on Saturday.

On Monday afternoon Sergeant Fagan’s attention was drawn to the fact that Martin had shot himself, and upon examination he found Martin had shot himself through the head. Two bullets were found embedded in a beam in the room.

Dr. Ford said the deceased was quiet but stupid when under treatment in the hospital, and to all appearance was perfectly sane when he returned to duty.

On examining him, after being shot, he found the brain protruding from both sides of the head.

The deceased’s brother gave evidence, that he suffered from a sunstroke some years before he joined the force.

A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned.