A TRAGIC AFFAIR

INQUEST: A DISSENTIENT JURYMAN

On Tuesday an inquest was held at Halesowen concerning the death of Harry Curtois (32), engineer, who had committed suicide under most tragic circumstances. Deceased was said to be a native of Boston, Lincolnshire, and for four-and-a-half-years he was employed by an English firm at Johannesburg. He returned to England a short time ago, and obtained an appointment at the tube works of Messrs. Lloyd and Lloyd, near Blackheath. After working a few days he expressed himself as being disappointed, and said he could not stand being confined within four walls. He left his situation, and was at times very depressed. On Sunday, he was in good spirits. Mr Rowney, hairdresser, with whom he lodged, expressed the hope that on the following day "they would have a jolly time of it" in going to London. At a quarter to one on Monday morning shots were heard fired in deceased's bedroom, and upon Mr Romney entering the room he found deceased lying face downward on the floor. Near to his right hand was found a five-chambered revolver, three shots being discharged. On the dressing table was found a letter in the deceased's handwriting, in which he wrote: "I am a disgrace to my friends; may they forgive me for bringing this trouble upon them, and forget me as I deserve to be forgotten." James Martin Curtois, a brother of deceased, said that he had plenty of money. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane." Mr H. Hingley, one of the jurymen, dissented from the verdict, as he contended no evidence had been given to show that deceased was insane.