Bridgend & Neath Chronicle, and County of Glamorgan Advertiser. — 1893-05-12 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT MAESTEG.  AN EX-POLICEMAN TIRED OF LIFE.  At the Bridgend Petty Sessions on Saturday, William Price, yaesteg, an ex-officer of the Glamorgan County Constabulary stationed a short  time since at Aberkenfig, was brought up in cus tody on remand .charged with attempting to commit suicide by means of laudanum at Maesteg on May 3rd. It appears that while on service at Aberkenfig the defendant fell a willing victim to the charms of a young maiden whom a few weeks since he led to the altar; since then routine of a quiet life has, according to all accounts, been very considerably varied, which cause is supposed to have led to the rash act. _ _ _ _  Wm Lewis, overman, stated that on Wednesday afternoon he was in the Victoria Inn, and saw the accused take a bottle out of his pocket, pour a portion of the contents into his glass of beer, throw the rest awl the bottle into a spittoon. Witness saw that the bottle was labelled • Poison' and directions written on the label. Witness raised an alarm, Dr Lewis was sent for, and the police came and took him into custody. The chemist's name Was on the bottle—' R. D. Jorgan, chemist, Commercial-street, Maesteg.' Witness handed the bottle to the landlord, who handed it to Doctor Lewis.  _ Dr Wm Hopkiu Thomas said that defendant was first seen by his, assistant, who was nnt fully qUalified, not having yet passed his final examination. Witness saw the accused at the Police-station, Maesteg, on Wednesday evening, between seven and eight o'clock-. Witness examined him and saw that he was suffering from the effects of opium. Witness at once removed the contents of the stomach, administered stimulants and electricity, and had him walked round the yard till five o'clock in the morning. Witness was to and fro till morning. At the time mentioned defendant was sufficiently recovered to be allowed to sleep. Could not form any opinion as to the quantity defendant had taken. as the whole of the beer was not drunk. His assistant brought him the bottle, -which was a plain white phial bottle, labelled • Poison in red letters, with the word  'Laudanum' in large letters. It had contained laudanum. The bottle contained a few drops. Two drachms would be sufficient to cause death. Rh, s D. Morgan said be was a chemist and druggist at Commercial-street, Maosteg. Saw defendant on Wednesday between two and three. He called at the shop and asked witness for laudanum. Witness asked for wii.atpture ear,pose, and and he replied to relieve neuralgia behind h •obtain sleep. Witness pointed out that the procedure was wrong. and the man said lie was in the habit of taki_g it., whidt witness judged to be true from his appea.runee. He was clearly under the influence ot it narcotic; witness asked when he had taken the last. and defendant replied on the previous night. Witness did his best to persuade him from having it, but he insisted, and spoke strongly as to the use of the drug. He asked what the dose was. Witness. told him it must be a very small one, as be was evidently suffering from the last dose. Sold hint' four drachms in . a 'clear ounce bottle; and labelled it ' Poison' and • Laudanum.' The cost was 3d. In answer to the Bench witness said be judged that defendant was suffering front the effects of a narcotic by the contraction of the pupils of the eyes and general :pallid appearance ; alcohol would (Hate the pupils. He considered .himself justified in supplying defendant. The.Chairtnan : That may be your opinion ; it is not mine. . Police'-constable William Jones, 3faesten-', said about six o'cloek on Wednesday afterooonhe was called to the Victoria 'heerbouse There saw the. defendant Price in -a helpless condition. He was 'being escorted round the yard by Police-constable Thompson and another person. :lir Lewis had been called in and ordered him to be walked round. He could not walk, and was beitig drag ed .round. Witness was told defendant had taken poison, and the landlord handed him a bottle. Afterwards witnek; asked him what he had been trying to do with himself, and defendant replied that it was a pity they had stopped hint this time, but be would do it again when be got out. On searching defendant he found the note produced on him', some keys, and a pocket-book with a leaf torn out. The servant at the public-home saw him write the note. The mAte commenced •My darling ! ' and was of a very incoherent character. The defendant .was committed for trial.  TOWLE'S PEN NYROY A L and