The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1892-10-01 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SENSATIONAL SUICIDE OF A DOCTOR.  The mysterious death of Marian Fanny Sharps, professionally known as Miss Ruby Russell, has been followed by a startling sequel in the suicide, on Sunday, of Mr. Alexander Woodburn Heron, with whom Miss Sharpe had for some time past been living. A considerable element of suspicion attaehed to the evidence given at the inquest on Saturday by Mr. Heron, and overcome by this he seems to have deliberately resolved on self-destruction. He left the Fulham-road Mortuary after the inquest on "Ruby Russell" about a quarterpast 3 o'clock. Late nn Saturday night he presented himself at the Craven Hotel, Craven-street, Strand, and engaged a third floor back bedroom. Be gave his name and immediately retired. Circumstances seem to indicate that he slept little during the night. He was heard moving about in the morning, but he did not come down to breakfast. Then all became quiet, and no movetnent being heard in the room, and the day wearing on, a servant knocked at his door. No answer was given. The matter was reported downstairs to the manager, and after amse further vain attempts to arouse him it was decided to force his locked ttoor. A terrible spectacle met the eyes of the hotel people. The room bore evidence of the cool, ineti.odical manner in which the unfortunate man had taken steps to end his life. He was lying on some sheets which were saturated with the blood that hail flowed from a wound in the left side of the throat. The razor with which he had effected his purpose was lying by his side. An empty bottle, which on examine. tion was found to have contaiued morphine, was in the room, and near it was a saucer, with the dregs of the fluid in it. A considerable time must have elapsed between the execution of the deed and the discovery of the body. On searching the clothes of the deceased the police found in one of the pockets a number of visiting cards, which left no room for doubt as to his identity. They bore the inscription, "A. Woodbtan Heron, H. M. Colonial Medlcal Service." It seems probable that Mr. Heron took a considerable quantity of morphine with the intention of killing himself, and did not sever the jugular vein until some hours afterwards. On the margin of a newspaper which was found by him were written in pencil some words addressed toe person who at present is not known in connection with this sensational case. This writing commences, "Dear Dilly," and proceeds, it is stated as follows: "Impress on all our friends how strictly I avoid all spirituous liquors. Good-bye. Good-bye, Dolly. Ruby and I will soon meet now, Dolly, if people do meet there." Then there is the date, "September 25th, 1892." In another place on the page there is the following : "It seems very slow. Why it is actually 2.15 a.m." Then again he writes: "Fancy, fancy, actually half-past, 2.30 a.m. Goodbye, 1 feel comfortable; good-bye." Then in another place there is the time, "2.3 S a m." and the words "It seems very slow. However, there is some more left, for I bought thirty grains. I have now fully taken eighteen grains now. I feel perfectly healthy and well. I have felt, as you know, most beautifully warm and comfortable, as people always do after morphia."