The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1891-05-23 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

CONFESSION. The husband was on Friday brought up at Bettws-y-000d on a charge of attempting to murder his wife, and was remanded. The condition of the injured lady was very serious, the doctors having but slight hopes of her recovery. Messages were • sent by wire to her mother, who resides at Abo, Finland, informing her of the terrible calamity at Dolwyddelsn, whers she is expected to arrive in four or five days. Although no motive for the terrible crime is even suggested, it was now freely stated by the police that a coulesaleja has been made by the husband. He volunteered to make • etatement to Sergeant Watkin Owen, stationed at Bettway-coed, but it is said that, upon being warned that any statement he made would be taken down, and be given against him at his trial, he withdrew his promise, and subsequently made his confession to Dr. Jones, of Festiniog. The prisoner is a slightly built man, of medium height. , Pn Being remanded he was handcuffed and taken by train to Carearvon. Since the occurrence he has appeared terribly altered, and has spoken little; merely inquiring in an anxious tone after his wife and about the attendance of her relations. The stone found near the prisoner, when discovered by Evans, is a huge wedge of slate, stained with blood, a few gslden.coloured hairs clinging to it In different places. Duncan is said to have admitted taking it from a wall near the spot, and to have stated that he intended to kill himself after committing the crime. Near the place is a deep natural fissure, in which a body might easpy have been concealed, and circumstances clearly point ,tq premeditation. Faces recently revealed etllfiurther tend to prove that Mrs. Duncan was the victim of a premeditated and cold-blooded attempt upon her life. The quarryman Evans, who only speaks Welsh, is understood to state that though his regular work lay in another direction, he was prompted to carra load of wood home by a secluded arid almos totally unfrequented peg.' tOrdpplisg his bundle of firing for a rest he raised his head, which had been bent down and found that he was standing close to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan. Mrs. Duncan' was lying on the ground at the feet of her husband, who held a handkerchief to her month as though to staunch the bleeding or to stop her breathing. A moment later Duncan caught sight of Evans, and, removing the handkerchief, shouted thist his wife had fallen down the rocks. After Mrs. Duncan had been taken to the Benar View Hotel Evans mays that Duncan gave him Rd, stating that this was for his services. The affair has caused a profound sensation in the neighbourhood, where Duman and his wife have been well known, end scores of tourists have visited the scene of the occurrence. A communication has been received from the Public Prosecutor intimating that it is his intention to take up the case when it comes before the justices, and the police have forwarded full details of the Grime to the Home Office. Mr. Crichton has giVen imititictions for photographs to be taken of the spot, and • civil engineer is at work ascertaining various measurements for the purposet of the magisterial investigation. In Germany the potato is often used as material for buttons, which look very much like horn or ivory buttons, but which are much cheaper. The potato is treated with certain acids, and is then compressed until it gets as hard as stone. Three thousand pounds has been voted by the Corporation of London to cover the expenses of the reception of the German Emperor on the 10th of July. An additional sum of £5OO was set aside for street decoration.  almost,'