James McNaughton

Notes:

Died:
Star , Issue 7187, 27 August 1901, Page 3
St Albans Tragedy - a man found death with his throat cut
Constable Surmer of St Albans, at 8.20 am today, was informed that a man named James M'Naughton, a shepherd, 53 years of age, living in Caledonian Road, St Albans, had been found death with his throat cut.
It is surmised that he died about 4 am doay. When constable Sturmer and doctor Stuart went to the house, at the request of John Pearson, the occupier, they found the deceased lying on the floor of one of the rooms in a pool of blood.
The deceased was not married and he had been lodging with Mr Pearson for the past three weeks. Pearson found him on the floor of his room with his throat cut at 7.30 am and immediately informed the police. An inquest will be held.
M'Naughton was well known in New Zealand where he resided for a number of years. He was somewhat peculiar in his ideas. He hasd independent means and his great hobby was to write lengthy letter to newspapers, and also pamplets on theological and political subjects. Physically he was a splendid specimen of a highlander, his sturdy limbs upright, upright carriage and independent gait giving him a conspicious personality in the street. He was a member of one of the oldest families in Scotland and one wich figured prominently in Scottish history. He was proud of the tartan which he loved to display in some portion of his attire and he seldom appeared without a tartan tie or tartan stockings to his knickerbockers. In many of the innumerable letters he wrote to the newspapers he signed himself "The Ettrick shepherd" and he was well acquainted with Hoggs poems especially The Queens Wake. Latterly he had been indisposed but a few days before his death he seemed to be in his usual good spirits. Though he had his peculiarities he was an intelligent man and, on the whole, was well read. The razor with which the deed was committed was found beside the deceased closed.
The inquest will be held at 5.30 this afternoon.