Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1884-10-31 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

WIFE MURDER AT CARDIFF.  Daniel Beddoes, a very notorious character, residing at 43, Helen-street, Roath, is in custody on a charge of the wilful murder of his wife Sarah. It appears that both parties had been drinking heavily. In the afternoon she was standing at the door of her house wrangling with her husband. She annoyed him by an offensive remark, when he took up a piece of iron used as a poker, but which had been burnt in the fire until It reached a sharp point. He threw it at her with great force, and the point entered her neck on the left side. penetrating a large vein. She fell on the floor, and he, being in an almost stupid state of intoxication, allowed her to remain on the floor for some time. The neighbours eventually went in and found the woman in a pool of blood and quite dead. Dr. Maurice Evans was sent for, and he stated that the woman had bled to death. liad medical aid been called in earlier her life would in all probability have been s tved. Both are bad characters, and Beddoes had been convicted many times for violent assaults. The woman had also beea frequently in prison. An Inquest was held on Tuesday on the body of Annie Beddoes, the wife of Daniel Beddoes, of 43, Helenstreet. who was charged with wilful murder. It appeared that the prisoner, his wife, and two women of bad character lived in the house. On Monday after. noon one of the women was reading a newspaper. Deceased said that—" Dan could read it better." Prisoner put on his spectacles and read about two lines, and stopped, saying he could not read any mere. Deceased said—" You can (making use of a very offensive epithet), but you won't," and snatched the spectacles from his face and threw them on the fire. Prisoner became very angry at this, and the deceased ran to the front parlour door. Prisoner took the poker from the front of the fire and threw it at her. At this time she was about six feet from him. The point of the poker struck her on the neck, and feil on the floor. Deceased called called out—" Alice, Alice, for God's sake take my part !" Then she fell on the floor. Prisoner went and knelt by her side, and had a pillow fetched and placed under her head. She bled a good deal, and after some time a policeman went there, and Dr. Evans was sent for. He found her dead. She had in his opinion bled to death. When apprehende I, the prisoner admitted that he threw the poker at her, but that he had no intention to kill her. It was, however, stated that when he threw the poker he said, "I'll give you something (using an oath) for burning my spectacles." He now appears very sorry for what he has done, and denies that he wilfully struck her, saying that he loved her too well for that, Beddoes and the deceased have led a strange life. He had been 29 times convicted for various offences, and among them are s veral convictions for beating and ill-treating the deceased. He has been known as one of the worst characters in Cardiff, and fir years has lived on the prcceeds of immorality. He was at the time of the murder keeping a house of ill fame, and the two women in tile hoist' are prostitute.. Tee jury returned a verdict of mandaughter against Dauiel Beddoes. He woe brought before the magistrates on Wednesday.