The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-06-17 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SOUTHWARK MYSTERY.  SUPPOSED FATAL OUTRAGE.  On Friday evening Mr. G. P. Wyatt, coroner, held an inquiry at the Grove Mission Hall, Southwark, into the mysterious circumstances attending the death of Johanna Donoghue, aged 48 years, a widow, lately living at 98, Stanhope-buildings, Red Cross-street, Borough, who was discovered in an unconscious state in a back yard not far from the spot where Dr. Kerwan was fatally assaulted a few months back.—Mary Donoghue, a daughter, said that deceased had been wandering in her mind a little of late. She retired to bed abodt half That 10 o'clock at night, as usual, and about 1 o'clock the following morning witness woke aod found her mother gone. She went into theostreet to look after her, and after searching some time she returned. As she stood thinking what to do next at the Isomer of the buildings, she heard someone groaning, and then found her mother lyiug insensible in the yard. She assisted her up, and with great difficulty carried her indoors and placed her on the bed. She then called in a neighbour, who sent for a doctor. There was no back entrance to the buildings from the yard; consequently she had to carry deceased about 10111 yards through the streets. She met no one on the way. The bedroom overlooked the yard, but witness did not notice the window open.—The Coroner: When the doctor arrived you led him to suppose that deceased was merely suffering from a fit. Why did you not tell him the fao's of the case ?—Witness : It was very foolish I know, but I was so excited. —The Coroner: And when my officer called he was also told nothing as to the discovery. How was that ? I don't know. Ellen Smith, of 97, Stanhope-buildings, stated that she was called in by last witness, and did not node(' that the window was open. Witness heard no noise previous to being called.—Dr. G. A. Paton, of 10, Marshalsea-road, stated that he was called to see deceased, who was in a dying state, and suffering from a so3lp wound at the lack of the hgad. She expired about eight hourirofterwards. He made inquiries as to the injury, 'but could glean no intormation. There were a number of women in the room, but they were all dumb. He had made a pgst mortem examination of the body and found an extensive fracture at the base of the skull, the spinal column and breast bone were broken, as well as 10 ribs (six on the right side and four on the left). —The Coroner : I am told that the window is about lift, or 121 t. from the ground. Would a fall from that height cause the injuries ?—Witness : Scarcely, I should think.—A Juryman: If she had been assaulted would that account for the iujuries ?—lt would have to be a terrible assault.—The Coroner (addressing the police sergeant who watched the case) : Is it a quiet neighbourhood ?—The Police-sergeant: There are frequent quarrels, but the locality is not so bad as it used to be.—A Juryman: No [lighting and screams of murder all night?—At the bottom of the yard where deceased was found are sheds in which costermongers place their barrows.-1 he Coroner: Are they well-conducted I—A Juryman: " Little better than savages.'—After a long deliberation, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from the injuries, but how caused there was no evidence to show, and left the matter in the hands of the police.