Bridgend & Neath Chronicle, and County of Glamorgan Advertiser. — 1893-09-08 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SHOCKING DISCOVERY AT  ABERAVON.  SUICIDE OF A MASON.  About eight o'clock on Tuesday morning as two men named Jones and Griffiths were proceeding to. the sand banks et Aberavon for the purpose ot loading sand, they came across a m•in apparently asleep, lying in a recumbent position about 200 yards from Jubilee-road, but on approaching hira they were horrified to find that the man was dead. A terrrifie gash in the throat extending from ear to ear, and a razar covered with blood lying close to his right band, which was clenched, revealed the fact that the case was one of the most determined suicide. The body was recognised as that of David Morgan, foreman mason, in the employ of Mr T Roberts, builder, Pontycymmer, Garw Valley, who is erecting a villa residence at Aberavon. The deceased, who also hailed from Pontycymmer, was about 40 years of age. He was married, but had no family.  The inquest on the body was held at the policestation on Tuesday afternoon, before the deputy coroner, Mr E Powell, of Neath. William Dodd, labourer, Newcastle, Bridgeud, said he saw deceased the previous day. They had been working together as labourers near Baglan, at a cottage built for Mr Lewis Lewis. On Monday evening they were down in the Fair field, when deceased left him, and witness never saw him any' more. He complained of heat and giddiness. The razor produced was his and was on the mantlepiece the previous day. He knew the man for over five years.  - Annie Maidment, wife of Charles Maidment, said_ she was Morgan's landlady. He walked over the mountain to the 'Cape,' and he came down by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway. He complained of the heat, saying he had never felt it so oppressive before. ‘Vm Arthur Jones, labourer, Water-street, said he went to Vivian sand siding. He saw a man lying on his left side with the razor a foot away. There was a quantity of blood about. Police-constable Sparks said he was called by the last witness and found the deceased as stated by the last witness.. The razor was covered with blood; his ,coat was off and folded by his side, aud his collar was in his pocket. He had 1.4 in his pocket and some boxes. The razor was a little distance away. There were several letters in his possession, which did not refer to anything of importance. Margaret Morgan, wife of deceased, said her husband was 53 years of age. She was his second wife. He had been working at Aberavon since March, when they were married He had two children. There had been no dispute over the marriage. He was annoyed because he could not get hair off his hands, and he procured boxes of medicine. Deceased said once that he had a good mind' to drown himself on account of the hair he had on his hands. They were not a penny in debt.  Dr Arnallt Jones said he examined the body of deceased before ten that morning. The wound extended across the throat between the hyoid bone and larynx, and severed the carotid arteries on both sides. In the centre the wound went through the gullet on to the spinal column. The wound in his. opinion was self inflicted by the right hand of the deceased, and death must have taken place very soon after infliction from profuse hoemorrhaire. Charles Maidment, engine driver, said he knew deceased for six yetzs. Some time ago he fell on_ his head, and witness felt sure it affected him. Men assisted him home after the accident.  A. verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned.