The Poole Telegram. — 1884-10-31 (Poole, 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 wEloti 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 whi h had been burnt in the tire until it reached a sharp point. He threw it at her with great force, and the point entered her neck on the left side, penetratink a large vein. She fell on the floor, and he, being in an almost stupid state of Intoxication, allowed hr to remain on the floor for some time. The neighbours eventually went in and found the woman in a pool of blo d and quite deal. Dr. Maurice Evans was sent for, and he stated that the woman had bled to death. Had medical aid been called in earlier her life would in all probability have been s ved. Both are bad characters, and Beddoes had been convicted many times for violent assaults. The woman had also been frequently in prison. An inquest was held on Tuesday on the b3dy of Annie Beddoes, the wife of Daniel Beddoes, of 43, Helen. street. 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 reed about two lines, and stopped, saving he could not read any mire. 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 fl ion 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 policemen 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 tie has done, and denies that h-‘ wilfully struck her, saying th t 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 fa. years has lived on the proceeds of immorality. He was at the time of the murder keeping a house of ill fame, and the two women in the hoese are prostitutes. Tile jury returned a verdict of manslaughter a4ainst Daniel Beddoes. He was brought before the magistrates on Wednesday.