Suicide and Attempted Murder.
A SENSATIONAL AFFAIR
At Boulder this morning, Alexander Solomon, aged 40 years, a notorious character and well known to the police, was arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a young fellow named Thomas Frank Rassmussen, who was the proprietor of a gold treatment works in Boulder. While being searched in the lockup at the police station, he managed to swallow a quantity of potassium cyanide that he had secured in his clothing. Three doctors were immediately in attendance, but all help was unavailing, and death occurred soon afterwards.
Solomon and Rasmussen were considered to be great friends. It appears that on the previous night, Solomon called upon Rassmussen at his brother’s house in Forrest Street, Boulder, with a bottle of English ale and some scones, which he asked him to help himself to. Rasmussen accepted the invitation, but the scone tasted so bitter he refused to finish it. Solomon pressed him to eat. Then Solomon placed the uneaten portion in his pocket and was on the point of leaving when Rassmussen was taken ill and asked Solomon for a glass of water. This being obtained, but the pains greatly increasing, Rasmussen asked Solomon to go immediately for a doctor. Solomon then left but didn’t return. At midnight, neighbours, Mr and Mrs Hird, who lived next door, heard Rasmussen calling for help and, on reaching him, found him in terrible agony.
Medical attention was quickly in hand, and it was found that he was suffering from strychnine poisoning, which was relieved by the application of a stomach pump. The doctor ordered an immediate removal to the hospital, where he was as quickly as possible brought out of immediate danger.
Geraldton Advertiser Friday, 26 February 1904, page 3
About a week before this incident, Solomon had given Rassmussen a bottle of beer, which had also made him very sick, but he thought nothing of it at the time. Solomon was quickly arrested on a charge of attempted murder. Solomon has caused the police a considerable amount of trouble recently in connection with the receipt of stolen gold. For this crime, he was convicted twice the previous year and jailed. He also made serious allegations about a senior police officer, Detective Eggleston, who he said had taken bribes. The officer was suspended, but after an inquiry, the allegations were found to be without foundation; however,
Evening Star Boulder 23 April 1903, page 3
DETECTIVE EGGLESTONE CASE – THE OFFICIAL FINDING.
The official result of the investigation into the charges against Detective Egglestone has now been made available. The detective has not, as stated, been dismissed as a result of the inquiry. On the charge of bribery, the detective was found not guilty. It was considered that there had been a misapplication of gold ore in charge of the police in the handing to Solomon of a sample of the stuff seized and held under an appeal to the Supreme Court. For this, Detective Egglestone was fined £3. In consideration of the circumstances of the case and the evidence given, the department decided that the services of Defective Egglestone would be of minor value in the future, and he will leave the service with a full discharge. Mr Ewing has now taken in hand the question of damages for the injuries received by Detective Egglestone in the discharge of his duties, and other matters in connection with the case.
No motive for the attempted murder of Rassmussen has yet been disclosed, but it is believed it may have been robbery. Rassmussen had £40 in his possession. Alexander Solomon lies in an unmarked grave in the General section of the Old Boulder Cemetery. Thomas Rassmussen made a full recovery.
Detective Eggleston moved to Perth and set up a private detective agency in Hay Street:
Personals and Matrimonial – PRIVATE Enquiry Agency, No. 12 Freedman’s Buildings, Hay Street, Perth. With agencies in the Commonwealth, Ñ.Z., and the UK. Detective Eggleston, late of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Perth, 22 years’ experience, Inter-State and N.Z. Every description of a private enquiry instituted. Absolute Secrecy – Guaranteed. Absconding debtors watched. Office Hours. 10 to 12 a.m., 2 to 4 and 7 to 3 p.m. Tel. No. 698.
Moya Sharp
Fascinating story. Thank you Moya. 💖