The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1892-07-29 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

ABERAVON TRAGEDY.  A BROKEN-HEARTED WIFE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.  A TOUCHING "LAST" LETTER.  At a quarter-past seven o'clock on Monday evening a respectably-dressed woman, about 35 years of age, knocked at the door of No. 35, Broadway, Cardiff, and asked for a drink of water, The occupier of the house, a Mrs Pearson, replied "Certainly," and, having invited the woman to take a seat in a front room, went to the hackkitchen to procure the beverage. Returning, Mrs Pearson was surprise to find the stranger gasping, for breath, and, becoming alarmed at her condition called in Acting-sergeant Aplin, who elicited from the unfortunate woman that her name was Catherine Leahy, and that she was married, and resided with her husband at Grugos-terrace, Aberavon. Interrogated as to her business in Cardiff, Mrs Leahy stated that she had left home that morning with the intention of committing suicide, her mind being unhinged by trouble occasioned by some family disagreement. She arrived in Cardiff shortly after eleven o'clock, and, after wandering aimlessly about the streets until the afternoon, determined to end her troubles. She accordingly went into a chemist's shop in Cowbridge-road, Canton, Cardiff, and purchased some mice poison, and afterwards bought a cup in Bridge-street. She then returned to the Sophia Gardens and wrote a letter to her husband, and afterwards procured some water, and having mixed the poiaon drank it. She then wandered in the direction of Roath, and while in Broadway became so thirsty that she was compelled to knock at the door of the house she was in and ask for a cup of water. While the poor woman was telling her story Acting-sergeant Aplin promptly ordered an emetic to be prepared, and administered it, with satisfactory results. Another constable in the meantime having procured the services of Dr. Treharne, the latter gentleman ordered Mrs Leahy's removal to the Cardiff Infirmary, where she was attended to by the house-surgeon. The following is a copy of the letter which the unfortunate woman had written to her husband, and which she subsequently handed over to the custody of Actingsergeant Aplin : "Dear John,—When you will receive this all will be over. Ever since that woman—sister I cannot call her—stood on poor Mary's grave and told such dreadful lies about me, I have suffered with dreadful pains in my head, but I hope she is satisfied now. I never injured her in any way, and I don't know why she should persecute me as she has done. Many times, when you thought I slept, I have lain awake RIO cried as if my heart would burst. I long and wish for the quietness of the grave. I have had a deal of trouble with my own family, and I cannot wonder at your being cool to me after what she said to you. Perhaps, now she can compose a better ballad about me and you than she did before. Ido feel friendless indeed. I have been walking about Cardiff for nearly three hours and have not met one I could tell my trouble to, but it will soon be at an end. Now, my dear John, don't fret about me, as my taking this step will he better for you. It will relieve you, so that you can be the same as before. Clod bless and prosper you as you desire to do. I have been cross many times, but forgive me. I have a few requests to ask, which don't refuse. Keep away from the public-house, and, if you can, bury me with poor little Mary. I also wish you to Five Mrs Callaghan the five small pictures that are banging in the front room, and also my set of tea things, as she was a friend to you when I was in trouble. They were given to me by poor Mary, so she will keep them for your sake. Good-bye and God bless you.—Your broken hearted wife,