The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1882-10-14 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SUICIDE OF A CHINAMAN.  On Monday the coroner for Central Middlesex, Dr. Danford Thomas, was engaged with a jury for a considerable time in prosecuting an exceedingly novel and interesting inquiry at the Oporto Stores, Broad-street, Bloomsbury, London, as to the death of a Chinaman, who had committed suicide by administering to himself overdoses of opium. The subject of investigation was one Key Yeow Chaw, aged 32, a native of Canton, China, a cook in the service of Leui Shin Ting, a tea merchant connected with the Souchong Tea Company in the city of London, and whose residence is No. 6a, Bedfordsquare.  Much interest was manifested by the residents of the vicinity, who had obtained a knowledge of what had happened, and the court raom was fiiled in the expectation of witnessing the peculiar ceremony of Chinese witnesses taking the oath by breaking a saucer, several having been supplied with that object by the summoning officer, as it was understood nearly the whole of the domestics, all males, would be examined. Upon the arrival of the coroner the necessity of this proceeding was obviated by Dr. Thomas swearing in the usual way a gentleman named Ho Wyson who, although a Chinese by birth, does not follow their religious belief, as interpreter, and through him the witnesses were permitted to affirm.  The first witness was the head of the establishment, Leui Shin Ting, who stated that the deceased was a married man, but had left his wife and family at Canton. He was a very impetuous man towards the other servants, and even at times towards him showed his bad temper. Some time ago he attempted to cut his throat with a pair of scissors, and was then taken to University College Hospital, where he remained about a fortnight. On coming out he expressed great contrition, but became very depressed on hearing that it was his master's intention to send him back to China, as he feared the disgrace it would bring upon him.  Ho A Sut, hall porter, said on Wednesday night in last week the deceased went out, as he understood, to go to the theatre, and on his return he admitted him. He did not then notice anything peculiar in his manner. On the following morning when going into the kitchen he found the deceased lying on the floor in an insensible condition. Medical aid was procured, but he died soon after.  Tong Mum, another domestic, said that every kind ness had invariatbly been shown to the deceased, mot only by the master but by every one of them. He came over with him from Chineand on the voyage he to4witness he could never go back alive. Dr. John Henry Badcock deposed that he was called in to the deceased on Thursday morning, about 10.30. He found the deceased in a semi-unconscious state. He inquired of the servants whether he had been taking anything, as his appearance indicated opium, but none of them knew, and he elicited that opium was strictly prohibited in the house. On looking about he found secreted in the kitchen a small phial about three parts full of pills, which he at once pronounced as .opium. The deceased expired soon after' exhibiting all the symptoms of opium poisoning. He had since made a po.srmorteni examination, and found the whole of the internal organs congested, showing clearly that death had resulted from poisoning by opium. In answer to questions through the interpreter the master and other witntsses declared that the deceased must have obtained the pills himself, as the presence of opium in any form was not allowed.  After some comments by the Coroner and Jury upon the peculiarity of the inquiry, a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mid" was recorded.  The body of the deceased, when viewed by the jury, was fully dressed, holding his handkerchief in his left hand, a fan in his right, and at his feet nine coins.