BIOGRAPHY
Thomas Henry Redpath was the youngest son of Thomas and Ann Redpath, born in Waitahuna, Otago on 22 May 1873. Thomas attended school at Waitahuna and Mount Stuart, then assisted his mother run the family farm at Mount Stuart after his father died in 1889. Thomas committed suicide on 22 February 1903 aged 29. The following accounts of his death were published in Otago newspapers.
WAITAHUNA.
February 24. - A painful tragedy occurred here on Sunday afternoon, perhaps the most distressing of any incident that has ever happened in Waitahuna. A young man named Thomas Redpath, without any apparent cause, shot himself dead in his mother's house at Mount Stuart. Mr Redpath had been run down in health a short time ago, and was said to be suffering from insomnia, which would account for the temporary aberration that must have been accountable for the act. The tragedy has cast a gloom over the district, and great sympathy is felt for the distressed and bereaved family, especially for the widowed mother. Mr Redpath was a young man of bright promise - an upright, well-principled man, whose opinions were held in great respect in the Farmers' Club, of which he had been a member for some years, and in which at various times he held office. He was also a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Christian Endeavour Society. Feeling reference was made to his death on Sunday evening, regret being intensified by the recollection that he had been present in apparently good health and spirits at the morning service.
Farmers' Club. - At the meeting of the Farmers' Club last night feeling reference was made to the death of Mr T. Redpath, and the secretary was instructed to prepare a copy of the minute and forward it to his mother and family.
Source: Otago Witness, 4 March 1903, Page 31.
SUICIDE AT MT. STEWART.
Our Waitahuna correspondent writes: - I deeply regret to record the death of Mr Thomas Redpath, which took place at his home, Mount Stuart, under distressing circumstances. He had been suffering from acute pains in the head for the past six months, which at times were so severe that his mind was affected. He lost his appetite and spent many a restless and sleepless night, and on several occasions was in rather a despondent state of mind, and no doubt that when seized with one of those paroxysms of pain and despondency, in a moment when he was not responsible for his actions, he shot himself with a pea rifle. The deceased, who was 29 years of age, was a most intelligent and exemplary young man, of unimpeachable character, and was very highly thought of by all with whom he came in contact. This sad affair has cast quite a gloom over the entire district, and much heartfelt sympathy is felt for the sorrowing friends, especially for the poor stricken mother to whom he was a most dutiful son. The funeral, which took place on Monday, was attended by a large number of sincere mourning friends. The remains were interred in the Waitahuna Cemetery, the funeral service, which was very impressive, being conducted by the Rev. J. S. Reid.
Source: Tuapeka Times, 25 February 1903, Page 3 .
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1873 - 1903 (29 years)
Has 23 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
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