The Sun -Kalgoorlie – 3 April 1904, page 6
ALLEN Frederick ‘Fred’ Howard- of Tampa, who, some weeks ago, committed suicide by hanging. This verse was written by his mate at the Champion Mine, Kookynie and submitted to ‘The Sun’.
THE SUICIDE
Before shuffling off this mortal coil.
Before being covered with the soil,
Just let me here state my case;
So that at my death I’ll leave the trace
Of how a man is buffeted about
In this hard world when his luck is out.
Now fate to me has been unkind,
As by examining my effects, you will find
That they are not of the best —
You’ll not be rewarded for your quest.
I fancy I have been cursed.
Ever since the day my mother nursed
Me on her knee, I do not know
Why misfortune has dogged me so.
And what misfortune missed in me
The drink has finished completely.
The world looks on, and says, “What
A drunkard he is— quite a sot.”
But what care I for their frown,
T’woud take more to break me down.
But what’s the use of living on,
My friends’ good-nature trespassing upon?
Far better, though a coward’s deed,
For me to die, than sow the seed
Of crime, and thereby fall.
Far better, then to say, “Good-bye to all.”
by B.E. at the Champion Mine near Kookynie.
ALLEN Fredrick ‘Fred’ Howard – d 27 Jan 1904, 24 years, at Tampa WA, Cause: Suicide by Hanging, Verdict of the Coroner, Father: George Kentish ALLEN , Mother: Rhoda MARTIN, Born: Geelong VIC, one of 13 children, Reg: North Coolgardie 10/1904, Buried Kookynie Cemetery.
Fred Allen – Kookynie Cemetery – Plaque by outbackgraves.org
Moya Sharp
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The poem was so beautifully written of such a sad lifetime and event.
Kindly expressed …