Evans, William

Death Details
1869/636, William Evans, Aged: NR

Evening Post 30 March 1869
News was received in town last night that a man, named William Evans, a painter, who had been working at the Taita for some time, committed suicide yesterday afternoon, by shooting himself through the chest with a rifle, at the Travellers'' Rest. We understand that an inquest will be held to-day.

Wellington Independence 30 March 1869
SUICIDE AT THE TAITA.- We learn that a determined case of suicide occurred yesterday afternoon at the Taita, at Mr Buck''s "Traveller''s Rest." It appears that the unfortunate man is one William Evans, a painter, well-known in Wellington, and had been lately working in the locality, and residing at Mr Buck''s. He had retired to an upper room during the day without occasioning any surprise. When discovered, he was lying on his back, shot through the centre of the chest, with an empty regulation rifle lying beside him. Singularly enough, no report was heard. It is conjectured that he discharged the piece with his toe. No reason is assigned as the cause of the rash act. Fortunately he was a single man.

Wellington Independent 1 April 1869
Coroner''s Inquest. — An inquest was held on Tuesday last, the 30th March, at Mr G. Buck''s, Traveller''s Rest, by Dr Wilford, coroner, and a respectable jury, on view of the body of William Evans, who was found dead in an upper room of the hotel the previous day. Several witnesses were examined, who proved that the deceased had come by his death through a gunshot wound, inflicted by his own hand, whilst laboring under a fit of temporary insanity, and a verdict in accordance was recorded. The deceased was buried in the afternoon of the same day in Christchurch (sic) Cemetery, Taita, and the funeral was respectably attended.