Thomas John Aldridge Rumney

MEAT INSPECTOR'S SUICIDE.

The sound of revolver shots in the Botanic Gardens'at about 12.30 p.m. yesterday attracted the attention of Constable Hadland, who was standing near the gates leading to Albert street. The Ambulance Brigade bearers started to take him to the General Hospital, but had only proceeded as far as the Exhibition when the man died. They therefore took the body to the morgue where it was subsequently identified by the man's wife as that of Thomas John Aldridge Rumney, who had resided at Wynnum with his wife and three children the eldest 13 years of age. Dr. Dods held a post-mortem examination land certified that death was due, to a bullet wound in the skull, and hemorrhage. Deceased was a native of Tasmania, 52 years of age, a mining expert by profession, but latterly had been employed as a meat inspector. He had been in Queensland 13 years.

Suicide's Last Message. A PATHETIC LETTER. "NOW FOR THE GRAND SECRET." Sad circumstances were disclosed at an inquiry held this morning, (says yesterday's "Telegraph") by Mr. R. D. Neilson, J.P., into the death of Thomas John Aldridge Rumney, who, subsequent to being found in the Botanical Gardens on Sunday, 29th December. suffering from bullet wounds in the head, died on his way to the General Hospital. Sergeant Bell ex amined the witnesses. Ambulance-bearer Dampsey stated that he received the call at 12.35 p.m. On proceeding to the Gardens he found the deceased on the ground, bleeding from the mouth, and in an unconscious state. There was no out ward sign of injury, and witness concluded that he had shot himself through the roof of the mouth. Rum ney died when being conveyed to the hospital. Const. Hodland stated that he was in the Botanical Gardens when he heard two shots fired in quick succession. He went in the direction of the spot whence the reports came, and found a man lying on the ground with blood flowing from his mouth. A six chambered revolver was in the right Land of the man, who was unconscious. There were four cartridges, and two discharged shells. Witness subsequently took possession of the body, which was taken to the morgue. He made a search of the body, and amongst other things he found a note book, a box of cartridges, and a Queensland National Bank cheque book. Witness produced a copy of the certificate of death signed by Dr. Dods. The notebook, which was produced, contained the following mes sage : "To the police, "My wife and children are at Mrs. Rickwoods, Wynum. Let her know at once. Send her this book." Sunday. 'To Mrs. Rumney, Wynnum. My dear love, it has come to this; my last day on earth is here, and I am in the gardens, where we used to sit together and make plans for the future 14 years ago. Alas, how things have changed. I have no luck in Queensland in any way; quite the re verse. I am so troubled at having to leave you, and my dear little ones to the cruel world, but what am I to do ? I cannot get any work that will enable me to keep you in any way fitting to your life ; so I am no good to myself or to you. If ever a man was in a torment, I am. I am think ing of the dread you must have of hearing any moment that I have done it. I know you have been expecting me to end up matters for some time, I hope I will not miss the mark, and give more trouble. What you will do I do not know : perhaps the people may do something towards subscribing enough to get you to England, where your people are. I am in terror lest the revolver I bought might refuse to do its duty—a mistake again would be awful. It is awfully hot, and nearly 12 o'clock the people will soon be leaving here for dinner. Then it must be done. I posted a letter to you this morning, telling you some things you ought to know. I had breakfast at Mrs. Nugent's. She is a good soul. I felt like crying when I think of poor little Tom, Mabel, and Winnie. Whatever will become of them ? However get to Tasmania soon. Do the best you can to my people, and go to England. Don't lose time. Dear love. This is all I can write. Good-bye. Then followed in a firmer hand. "Yours has indeed been a wasted life, your talents should have placed you in a very different position, but it is my fault." An interval evidently elapsed, for the following was written in a small cramped style: "A few words more. There are too many people about, and I do not want to shock too many. It is such a shame that I should have to leave such a wife. I would have liked to have lived for ever with you, but it could not be. So now for the grand secret." The hand which concluded the punctuation of the pathetic letter apparently then raised the revolver and made the final period on the life page of the man.

1913 'Suicide's Last Message.', Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), 8 January, p. 6. (DAILY), viewed 20 Jul 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113094649