The Empire, Wednesday 4 May 1870
(Sydney, New South Wales)

CORONER’S INQUESTS
An inquest was held yesterday at the Benevolent Asylum, touching the death of James Robert Channon, who shot himself on Monday afternoon.—Sylvester M. Symons deposed: He identified the body of deceased as that of James Robert Channon. Deceased was a native of Cornwall, and was about forty years of age. He was married. He was a civil engineer by profession, and has left a widow and seven children. He had been engaged in mining pursuits, and had been sixteen or seventeen years in Australia, both at Adelong and at Mitchell’s Creek. Witness had frequent opportunities of seeing him lately. The last time he saw him alive was on Monday morning at his (deceased’s) residence, on the Newtown-road. He was then with his wife. Channon always bore the character of being a steady and sober man. There was nothing unusual in the appearance of the deceased to excite suspicion. He was always cheerful and pleasant. Witness never heard him say that he contemplated committing suicide. Deceased was of very studious habits. He was a great musician. Is aware that he was not in needy circumstance. Witness knew the family in England. He never heard that there was any madness in the family. Witness had read in a letter from home that deceased’s father also committed suicide. Witness does not know that deceased has suffered any losses.—By a juror: There were no domestic dissensions in his family. He was on amicable terms with his wife and children. Witness visited the deceased’s house, and deceased also visited his (witness’s) house. Senior-sergeant Rawlinson, in charge of No. 3 division, deposed: Shortly before four o’clock on Monday, he was passing by the Hyde Park Barracks, when he received information that a man had shot himself in the Domain. He proceeded there at once. About 250 yards from the gates leading from St. Mary’s to the right of the pathway, he saw the body of a man. He was lying on his left side, his arm across the centre of his body, the right hand slightly above the left. There was a quantity of blood oozing from the mouth and head. Just above his two hands witness found the revolver produced lying resting against his body, with muzzle downwards. One chamber had the appearance of being recently discharged. There were two chambers discharged, and the other four chambers were loaded to the muzzle. The revolver is also capped. The brown wrapper paper produced was found in deceased’s left-hand pocket, and it was in the shape of a revolver case, and presented the form as if the revolver had been rolled in it. He (witness) produces two leaden bullets, and a powder horn, almost full of powder, and a box containing caps, a pocket knife, some matches, and a receipt for a registered letter, and also three mining shares. He produced a purse containing £12 13s 3d, and a letter addressed "Mrs. James R. Channon, Kent Terrace, Newtown Road," dated Adelong, 20th April, to his mother regarding the health of his father, speaking of reefing matters. The revolver is a Smithers’ patent improved repeater. Witness went for a doctor and found Dr. Bedford, who immediately went to render assistance. There was a number of persons around the body when witness went there they were principally boys and women. There were no marks on the ground to indicate a struggle having taken place.—Dr. Bedford deposed: On Monday afternoon he was called by one of the police to see a man in the Domain who had shot himself. Witness saw the body of a man, dead from a pistol wound in the head. There is a gunshot wound in the right temple. Round the wound is a dark circle as if caused by powder, the right eye protruding from the sockets. The wound penetrated the skull. On the opposite side of the head was a smaller wound, and on feeling found the bones fractured. The wounds might have been produced by the pistol before the court; and the witness believed the immediate cause of death might have been done by deceased himself.—Elizabeth Channon, wife of the deceased, stated that her husband was forty years of age on the 4th of March; and he has left a family of seven children. She has a son named James, who had lived at Adelong. The letter marked A was in her son’s handwriting. She replied to her son on the 22nd of April, informing him that his father was again unwell, since the death of three of his children a short time ago. For the last two months he had not been in good spirits. She observed that he was suffering from depression of the mind. She last saw him at about eleven o’clock on Monday morning. She heard him say that it would be better for her if he was out of the way. He never said anything to her to lead her to believe that he contemplated suicide. About a fortnight ago he said to her, "Mother, I am only fit to go to Gladesville." Dr. Muller saw her husband about last Christmas. Deceased was then suffering from nervous debility, and the doctor said if his instructions were faithfully attended to deceased would be restored in a few months. He previously saw Dr. Fortescue, who recommended him to give up smoking. Witness never saw a revolver in his possession; it was probable it was only bought on Monday. She had been married to deceased twenty-one years. Deceased attempted his life once before, some years ago. She heard that from himself. He was then in the navy. He was invalided from the navy in South America to the lunatic portion of the Hospital, Portsmouth. Deceased had transactions with the Joint Stock Bank in Sydney, and she understood that he was going for a walk when he left home at 11.30 o’clock in the forenoon of Monday. He declined to take his daughter with him, mentioning that he was going to the School of Arts to have a read. His rest lately has not been good. He always lived on the most amicable terms with his family circle. In the morning, after a bad night’s rest, he seemed more depressed in spirits.—By the foreman: He had no losses in betting.—Deceased was at home during the three race days.—W. J. K. Piddington deposed he is a minister of the Wesleyan Church. He knew deceased since Thursday last. Witness was sent for to see him at his residence. He found him in a very despondent state of mind. Deceased thought there was no salvation for him. Witness called and saw him again on Saturday afternoon. He was then more cheerful and hopeful, but still deploring his neglect of religion in his earlier years. Witness tried to encourage him, and left under the impression that deceased was taking hope and ridding himself of the tendency to despair. He had the appearance of a "broken-hearted man." Verdict—"Deceased committed suicide by shooting himself whilst labouring under a fit of temporary insanity."

Contributed by Bob Bolitho