The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-07-22 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

DETERMINED MURDER OF A  WIFE AT CYMMER.  About three miles and three quarters from Pontypridd, either by rail or road, is situate the flourishing and busy town of Forth. From the new bridge at that place runs a steep road through tbe village of Cymmer for a mile or so to Tiebanog. It is an arduous task to travel this read both from the heat in summer and from the snows and frost of winter. Just before the top of tee hill is reached Is a ouster of oottages, whose iesidents contribete towards the support of the Rickard Arms, which has been rebuilt of late years• The cottages are dependent upon the mining industry, the men finding employment in the neighbouring collieries of the Glyn, Tonyrefsil, and others. In One of these cottages. near the Rickards Arms, dwelt a greet. stolid, hard wotking collier, Edward Davies by name, but as is the custom among miners, known to his acquaintanoes by the nickname of ' Ned Hezeciah.".Phe family of Davies consisted of himself, his wife, four sons, and two daughters, the youngest being a boy six years of age. Davies is tbe father of ten children, oue being married and living at Tylorstown. The mother, it appears, was devoted to the Salvation Army at Perth, and spent most of her time attending its meetings, thus neglecting her own dotnestio duties. Some rumours were in circulation as to the familiar relations between her and the late Captain of the Army in Forth, which went so far as to assume that she was enceinte by Um. This reached Vie husband's ears, and his peaoe of mind was further disturbed by the indiscreet smog of his fellow-workmen about his wife. On Thursday evening it is mid that he attended a weer log of the Army, and went up to the penitent form. His wife was also there, but took no. part in the proceediege.. From some cause not yet explaiqed she bad been struck eff the list of mttubershi i, but still attended from time to time the Army services. It is not stated that the husband saw or spoke to his wife on this °cession. On Thursday night the wife went to bed, but her husband seems to have brooded downstairs, or stayed in a pigstye. From this place some time in the early morning, about 3 o'clock, he went to Ty'ayberllan, the house of one Oourtney. Saw the son, who had just come home from work, and told him a man was after him endeavouring im shoot him. The lad was frightened at his strange appearance. Davies proceeded to hang his cap on • nail, anti eat before the fire, which al usual in miners' houses was kept alight all night. lie then took off his boots, loaded his pipe, and soon filled the room with smoke. He afterwards took some food and tea that were tn the table. About half past five be asked the lad to go and cell his eons up to go to their work, and not to say that he was there. About 7 o'clock be went home, and there he saw tiir daughter, Elizabeth Jane, wort ing at her household duties. The wife was upstairs. Davies went upstairs. The next thing beard was I a struggle and screams. The girl met her mother I coming downstdirs with her husband close behind her. He was hacking at her throat from which blood was issuing. The poor woman ran to the house of Mrs Flowers close by, stiil pursued by Davies He chased her round the table, and at last waning her by the hair of the head succeeded in cutting her throat so effectually that ie a few minutes she WAR dead. She was covered with blood, Burl the floor was deluged. The murderer went out of the cottage when led by Mrs Flowers, but expressed a v.ih to go back to see if uis wife were dead. She however objected, and he forthwith proceeded to Pooh, where he surieudered to the police, stating that he bsel out his wife's throat. Dr Ivor Leah was the first medical gentleman in attendance, followed by Dr Poole, assistant of Dr H. N. Davies, Forth, but the victim by that time was beyond all human aid. It is said that there was a quarrel between the couple on the Thursday night. Ptisoner, who came from Llantrisant, where he was well-known, wishing to return thither, but his wife refused. This, with the pondering over the rumours about his wife, may have destroyed his mental balance. Some time ago he met with an accident at the works which necessitated the insertion of a plate of silver in his skull.