Glasgow Courier. — 1857-03-17 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

DISTRESSING CASE OF SUICIDE.  On Saturday last, about six o'clock in the evening, information was lodged in the Maryhill Police Office by three young lads from Glasgow, who were taking a walk along Kelvinside Wood, on the estate of Matthew Montgomerie, Esq., that they had observed a young man lying on the ground,apparently dead. Two police officers were immediately despatched to inquire into the matter, and on ai rising at the place they found a respectable-looking young man lying on the ground quite dead. A pistol was firmly clenched in his right hand, and the greater part of the right side of his head was shot clean away. The body was then brought to the Police Office in Maryhill, where it was examined by Dr. Young, police surgeon, as also Dr. Stewart. They report that death must have been instantaneous, as the greater part of the right side of the head was shot off. On the body being searched by Mr. Abdomen, Superintendent of Police, several scraps of paper were found, such as bills for shipping, a character of discharge from a trading ship, and an envelope bearing the deceased's address, as also a bullet mould, a large quantity of powder and percussion caps, and a pencilled letter, dated the 14th March. 1867. The deceased seems to have been so determined to make sure work of himself, that he overloaded the pistol to such an extent that the nipple was cleanly blown off by the discharge of the shot. The bullet mould does not appear to have been previously used; and it is Mr. Anderson's opinion that he had loaded the pistol with percussion caps, as a few caps were found in the head. Upon farther inquiry being made, it was learned that the deceased had lodged for the last three months in Eglinton Lane, Glasgow, and during that time he was employed in a warehouse. Some time ago, after leaving the trading ship from which begot his discharge, he had enlisted in the royal navy, but soon thereafter having deserted from that service, some person informed on hint being a deserter. On Thursday evening last he was apprehended by a recruiting serjeant of the army in Glasgow. He made an agreement with the serjeant, however, by paying him the sum of lOs for his liberty till Saturday morning, and then he was to give himself up to the military authorities. On that morning he left his lodgings about seven o'clock to meet the serjeant, but it seems then that he went and bought the pistol and ammunition, and went direct out to Kelvinside Wood, about a mile from Glasgow.  The following is a copy of the pencilled letter mitten by deceased before he put an end to his existence :  'Near Glasgow, 14th March, 1857. I, the bearer, Archibald M'Bean, late of H M. ship Leander, 64 gun frigate, hereby certify, that owing to some evil disposed person or persons informing on me being a deserter, was taken p. isoner last night at 20 minutes past 5 o'clock, and since then made my escape; but rather than be sent back a prisoner of war, I take the liberty of putting an end to myself. lam sorry for it, but better than bring myself to shame and disgrace, I hereby certify that no one has had any hand in it but myself. I can neither eat, sleep, nor rest in my mind. lam at present sitting at the back of a stone Anil, near by some river unknown to me, about 2i miles from Glasgow, near by the Drymen Road. I hope the Almighty will reward the party who was so kind as to inform on me. Thank God, I have no mother to lament for me, but my poor father, who is now getting up in years; however, I hope he will get over it. I must now conclude, with my respects to those who respected me, and can say that I leave this word a just and honest man. :Hoping this will be a warning to all young men, and may the Almighty have mercy on my soul, (Signed) A. M'BrAn.' The deceased was a youag man about 23 years of age, and belonged to Aberdeen.