The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1882-03-10 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SAD DEATH AT COWBRIDGE.  THE INQUEST.  An inquest was held on Tuesday last at the Cowbridge police station before Mr E. B. Reece, coroner, touching the death of Morgan Lloyd, postman, who was found with his throat cut in his lodgings on Sunday morning last. Elizabeth Davies said that she lived at The Limes, Cowbridge. She was a single woman. The deceased lodged at her house. He was a postman, and sixtysix years of age. At a quarter past twelve on Sunday morning last he asked witness to get a young woman who lived next door, and who used to come and help the deceased. The deceased was then sitting in the corner of the room, by the fire. He wanted her to help him to take off his coat. Witness was not strong enough to do it herself. Went to Margaret Williams' house and stayed there a little while talking, and the deceased followed her. He was surprised at her stopping so long. Margaret Williams went back with the deceased and came back to witness' house, and witness remained at the house talking. She went back to her own house about a quarter to one o'clock. Margaret Williams went first. Found the deceased leaning forward in his chair with his hands on his knees. She went and spoke to him, but received no answer. Margaret Williams' father and Dr. Edwards was fetched by deceased's brother. The doctor came back and said that he was dead. Saw the razor that he did it with. That was one of his razors. He had been very ill ever since Christmas. No doctor had seen him. He had a fit a fortnight last Saturday. He could not use his left hand, and his left leg was dragging. He had been very low spirited and quite childish. Had never heard him threaten to kill himself. He did not think that he would do anything of the sort. Margaret Williams said that she lived at the Limes, Cowbridge, next door to Mrs Davies' house. Was a single woman. Had been in the habit of going in every day to help Mrs Davies and the deceased. He was very ill. Remembered Mrs Davies coming to her house on Sunday morning last, some time before one o'clock. She asked witness to come and assist her in taking off his coat. He came following her into her house. Witness went back with him leaving Mrs Davies in the house. She took off the coat from him and he then sat down. He then asked witness to tie a handkerchief round his head and let him go to bed. The bed was in a room upstairs. She did so. She then left him sitting near the table by the fire. Did not see any razor then. She then went back to her own house. Soon afterwards she returned in company with Mrs Davies. He was then sitting in the same place as she had left him. She then went up and looked at him and she saw blood on his neck. She then ran out and called her father. She returned with him and found the deceased's throat was cut. She then saw the razor on the table, and the razor had blood on it. Dr. Edwards came soon alter and said that he was dead. Had never heard the deceased threaten to kill himself. He was very depressed and had been so for the last fortnight. Daniel Ithel Edwards, surgeon, Cowbridge, stated that he had known the deceased for many years. Had been attending him for some time past. He had a malignant ulcer inside the left cheek. He was very ill and very weak also. He had also had a slight paralytic seizure. He was very much depressed. Early on Sunday witness was sent for. He arrived there a few minutes before one o'clock. He found him sitting in a chair by the fireside as described. Found that his throat was cut. It was cut from ear to ear and down to the vertebrai. All the nerves and blood vessels were severed. That would require a determined strong stroke. Saw the razor in the policeman's hands. From the position of the wounds witness was perfectly satisfied that deceased did it himself. Believed that he was of unsound mind when he did it. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased had committed suicide by cutting his throat while in a state of unsound mind.