Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William GAGEN and Theresa nee MANGAN, Dalby, Qld.

December, 1905  -MAN CUTS HIS THROAT IN THE STREET.
WORRIED BY MONEY MATTERS.
Ravenswood, Thursday.
Early this morning there was a sensation in Ravenswood. At about 1.30 this morning a young man named John Thomas Gagen, aged 25, who is a miner working at the Sunset, was proceeding to his residence, and when in Barton-street he took it into his head to cut his throat.
He inflicted a nasty gash, and was bleeding copiously and moaning piteously when he was found. Mr. Forsdike, of the Ambulance Brigade, was  summoned, and he rendered first aid. But the unfortunate man could not be brought on to Charters Towers to the hospital until the morning train.
From what can be gathered it appears that he owed same money to some one and had received , a letter demanding immediate payment of the  amount, otherwise a summons would be issued. That seems to have  preyed on his mind and he brooded over it. The worry culminated in the rash  act; Gagen is a native of Dalby, and he has a widowed mother there. The unfortunate fellow was brought on to the Charters Towers Hospital this morning,  and he appears to be in a very bad way. Gagen was in Charters Towers recently with tho Ravenswood Band.

February 1921 - ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
Very pathetic circumstances attended a case of attempted suicide on Saturday afternoon about four o'clock. John Thomas Gagen served some time at  the front and while fighting for King and Empire he received severe injuries, his ankle and leg being fractured. For some time past the pain from these  injuries has been almost unbearable. In addition Gagen has also been suffering from acute indigestion. It was little wonder that he became despondent  and that he lost his grip. To use his own words, he determined to make an end of it, and with that purpose in view he went under the Black Bridge on  Saturday afternoon and slashed his throat with a razor. He was seen by Ernest Ricks who made him throw the razor away and who acted promptly in getting the Ambulance  bearers. Gagen was first taken to the police station and then to the General Hospital. The wound is not a very serious one and it  is expected that Gagen will recover. Gagen followed mining and originally came from Dalby.