To a gap in the razor used is attributed the fact that such a determined attempt to commit suicide proved futile. Acorss this gap presumably with a view to making the razor more effective for shaving purposes Hamilton had placed a small piece of cloth or linen, and the assumption is that meeting with this obstruction as it was drawn across the throat the razor failed to cut through.  Had the edge of the razor beeen intact it is doubtful if Hamilton would be alive today.

Hamilton who is a married man has been strange in his manner for the past couple of weeks, and was not living with his wife.  It is stated that he had been out of employment for a considerable period and that he had not been resident in the city for some years past, only returning to Waterford about a week ago.  At the infirmary it was learned that the wounds inflicted consisted of five small gashes none of which was considered serious.

Richard Hamlton is said to belong to the family of Hamilton two members of which Otho and John, were musical professors here about a century ago.  Wallace the famous composer of "Maritana" recevied lessons in violin playing from Otho Hamilton between the years 1825 and 1827.