The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-06-03 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE RAMSGATE MYSTERY.  Dr. Hardman, coroner, resimed the inquest on the body of Mrs. Noel, who was murdered in her house on Sunday, May 14th, under very mysterious i circumstances.—William Noel, tife husband, who I was cautioned, said that on May 14th, on returning from Sunday sohool, he believed he said to his , wife "You've got home, then ?" They had the usual family prayers after dinner, and a few minutes afterwards he got his books and looked up his lessons for Sunday-school. His wife came into the room and counted the collection which he had left on the table, and said, "Just ten shillings.' She put the money in a bowl, and placsd it in a front sitting-room. His wife then left the room and after that he did not see her alive. That would be about 10 minutes past 2. When he left the house it would be between a quarter and 20 minutes peat 2. He did not speak to his wife when he went out. He usually got to school at 25 minutes past 2, and was there abort that time on this occasion. He left school about 3.40, • little earlier than usual, and before all the children were dismissed. He overtook three of his morning scholars, one of whom nearly went home with him. He went into the passage and tried to open the side door, but not being able to open it rang the bell. He tried all the doors. Thinking something was wrong he looked into the kitchen window, which was not fastened. The dog barked when he pushed the window down. He could not push the window down without getting on the steps. He found his wife lying on her beak with her bead towards the door, as if someone had shot her. He then thought she had gone into a MOOD, OA she WWI subj.!ct to them. He then went for Mr. Harman, a neighbour, and said, " Will you come and look at my wife? I think she is in a swoon." He believed Mr. Thornyoroft was out.—By • Juror : He thought his wife had gone into a swoon and died. After the witness had looked into the window with Mr. Harman the latter said he believed Mrs. Noel was dead, and went to look for a policeman. By • Juror: He went in by the window in the presence of a Mr. Sanders and Mr. Harman, and went straight to the scullery door and unbolted it. When Mr. Fox and Mr. Harman came back he went into the office with Mr. Sanders. He found the desk open and said, " Look here I" His wife kept the books, and he did not know what was in the desk. We then piked up his wife's spectacles from the floor and he said,"l believe there has been a struggle here." He said, "Sanders, come with me upstairs." He found the rooms upstairs disordered.—The inquest was adjourned. On the next day Sarah Dyer, wife of a chemist residing in Grange-road, stated that she had known the Noels as business people all the time that she had tived in that road. On Sunday, May 14th, she heard Mrs. Noel's dog b irking, and she also heard • loud report, which she thought was a gun. Noel's dog ceased barking when the shot was fired. The case was again adjourned. More evidence was heard on Monday. Dr. C. N. Fox expressed the opinion that the murder took place between 2 and 2.30, but Dr. Charles Co.ton was not so certain in regard to the time. A domestic servant living next door to Mr. Noel spoke to having heard • " bang " at about a quarter past two. The inquest was further adjourned. On Tuesday evidence was given to prove that the husband of the deceased did not arrive at the Sunday school where he taught before 20 minutes or half-past two. One witness swore to having seen him leave his house a' the former hour. It was further shown that while Mr. Noel complained of the loss of mcney from desks and cash-boxes in the house, the jawellery in an open cabinet was left intact.