The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1867-12-20 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SHOCKING SUICIDE AT TREFOREST.  On Saturday, at 11.15 a.m., the loud screams of a child were heard as it rushed out from one of a row of houses, called Wood Row, on the upper road running between Pontypridd and Treforest, near the English Baptist Chapel. On one or two neighbours going into the house whence the child came, a horrible spectacle presented itself. There was a man seated in the chair, with his head on one side, and the whole of the frontal bone blown away, bespattering a sheet hanging by him with blood, brains, and bone splinters. On each side of him was a pool of blood. From the inquiries we have made, it appeared that the unfortunate deceased was a tinman by trade, but owing to illness had not done anything in the way of continuous work for two years. He, his wife, and family of seven children, ware recipients of parish relief. During his illness he was attended by Mr. Morgan, Pontypridd. He had told his wife that he should not live till Christmas. On the day in question the wife had gone to the workhouse to get the usual week's money (108. we believe), and had left three of the children in the house. The man was in the habit of sitting in an elbow chair, in the front room—a door opens from this into a back room. Having ordered his children out of the house, he removed his chair from the front into the back room, his back being towards the window, while he faced the door between both rooms. An explosion was heard in the room below shortly after. One of the children, coming in, saw her father covered with blood, and rushing out screaming, told Mary Hungad what she had seen. The woman, with another, went into the house, and saw the deceased in the position we have described. He appeared to give one groan, and expired. Each eye was hanging on the cheek, and out of its socket. Mr. Morgan was at once sent for, but before the messenger could reach his residence, Mr. Cooke passed by and went in, but his services, and those of Mr. M. Edwards, who was speedily in attendance, were, of course, needless. A sheet, hanging by the man to his left, was covered with the sickening details of blood, bones, and brains; and it had also been penetrated with shot. The floor and wall were similarly bespattered. One arm was placed on the elbow of the chair. The pistol was on the leg with the right hand upon it. On being searched an empty purse, a knife, and two small keys were found. One of these opened a box in which were deposited a small quantity of gunpowder, four percussion caps, and two letters. These letters, as will be seen, are singular productions, and considerably above the intelligence and educational efforts of men in the deceased's position of life. We give them verbatim et literatim:— No date or address. Gone mad. My wife knew I was when I troubled those Religious Gentlemen, for I went back then to the days of my childhood. Oh, my Liz (his. wife), I am truly sorry to cause you so much pain. Then the finish. Post Mortem. Disturbance of the Head and some other defects. Coroner's Inquest. Good day, Gentleman. I hope you have made yourselves acquainted with the facts of this case, which you will understand is not murder, by madness. Igo I by return train, put your name to this here is 6,1 each ! for you good day. Waiter Brandy and water.