The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1886-04-17 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY.  The Earl of Shaftesbury. committed suicide in London on Tuesday afternoon by shooting himself with a revolver whilst riding in a cab in Regentstreet. It appears that his lordship engaged a cab in the upper part of Regent-street shortly after four o'clock and directed the cabman to drive down the street. The driver did so, ,and on reaching the lower end of the street was told by the noble earl to return. This the man did, and when the upper end of the street was reached his lordship again directed the cab. to be turned round. This was done several times, and when the hansom was near Oxford-street, about half-past four o'clock, the driver heard a shot: He jumped down, and the earl who was unknown to him, said. "Its all right, cabman; drive on." The man replied, "Yes, I know it's all right; but what is this ? " pointing to a bullet-. hole in the front part of the cab, near the glass panel of the door-ledge on the left side, and adding, But I vain() my life too much to drive on." He was, however, about to mount the box again, when a second report was heard, and this time the unfortunate nobleman shot himself in the left temple. At this moment a policeman, who had heard the first report, came up and told the cabman to drive to the Middlesex Hospital. A crowd .gathered round the vehicle, but the earl was not recognised by anyone until the hospital was reached, a few minutes afterwards. Then the policeman and the driver of the cab carried his lordship, who was still alive, into the in-patients' ward and summoned the assistance of the house-surgeon, Dr. Bartlett, but Lord Shaftesbury was lust breathing his last, and was beyond all surgical aid when the doctor reached him, the bullet having penetrated the brain. Meanwhile an intimation of the sad occurrence had been sent to the friends of the earl, and in a short time the Countess of Shaftesbury arrived, followed by his lordship's brother, but only to learn that the worst had happened. The weapon used by the hapless nobleman was a six-barrelled revolver, and it was evident from the position of the first shot that it had been fired accidentally, but the situation of the fatal wound showed that the second shot was fired with only too deliberate an aim. After examination and identification, the body was removed to the mortuary of the hospital, where it will await the inquest, unless in the meantime the coroner should issue a warrant authorising the removal of the remains to his lordship's late residence. The news of the tragedy soon spread, and caused a painful impression throughout the Westend. The deceased earl, who succeeded to the title last year, was born in 1831, and sat as member (LiberalConservative) for Hull, 1857 to 1859, and for Cricklade, 1859 to 1865. He leaves an only son (Lord Ashley) and five daughters. It is stated that he had for some time been unwell, and had complained of mental depression. His lordship took an active interest in the Naval Volunteer movement, and was for several years connected with the London Brigade of that force as Honorary Lieutenant Commanding, and he was most popular among the members of the brigade, frequently accompanying them in their cruises.