Biography

The verdict of the Coroner's jury at the inquest held at Niagara on 14 July 1899 was: "The deceased died from a wound by a revolver shot, self-inflicted, while temporarily insane." The informant of the death was A. W. Nickolls, friend, of Niagara. Ffrench was part-owner of the Diamante Lease at Niagara. He was a member of an Eastern family of high social standing His earlier life was spent in pastoral regions in the remote portion of Queensland. His gold-mine near Niagara he named after the Diamantina district. Two years back Mr. Ffrench was injured in the collapse of a stand at the Menzies racecourse. The accident invalided him for some six months, and left him permanently crippled. It was stated that Ffrench, who met with an accident earlier in the day, shot himself in a fit of despondency. Lucius was a twin to Mary adn the great grandson of Sir Lucius O'Brien, of Ireland, 3rd Baronet and politician for 34 years. He had five brothers and sisters.