The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1886-08-14 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

LLANELLY.  TIIE SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A LLANELLY TRADES..  MAN.  On Saturday morning the rumour that • man had shot himself in a shop in one of the principal sunets of Llanelly, and that the body had been undiscovered for over a week in the buiy thrroughfare of Stepney-street, could not be credited, but such we regret to say proved to be the case. Mr. John Thomas Jones, a young man of 31 years of age, took a lock up shop adjoining Mr. J. Wesley Jones, chemist, Stepney. street, on the Ist June, and opened in the outfitting burinesa. Mr. Jones was no stranger to Llanelly, having being for some years with Mr. David Evans, Bradford House, Stepney-street, but was afterwards in business near Dowlaie, in partnership with a relative. It is said they got into difficulties, and divided the stock between them, Mr. Jones bringing his stock to Llanelly, I and opening at Stepney-street. The front door cf deceased's shop adjoins Mr. Jones's shop, but, although deceased was missed, and the blinds of t the shop were not drawn down even on Sunday, no suspicion was created. It being holiday time, it was thought the tenant had gone home to spend a few days, as he had told his landlord, IMr. Williams, of the Royal Exchange, that he intended doing so. A noise resembling a pistol shot was heard by Mr. Jones's assistant on Friday week, about 6 o'clock, while at tea, but it was thought that a bottle of soda had burst. A search was made , but they failed to find anything, and thc matter I passed off until Saturday morning, when 131 r. Jones became uneasy, as the shop was still shut. He tried the door and found he could not open it, and no sooner did so than he emelt the odour of a dead body. He proceeded to the inner room, and there saw the body, and at once went for P.S. Evans and Griffiths. They entered the place, but the stench was so horrible that before the sergeants could proceed with the examination disinfectants had to be used. A letter found on the counter of the shop ran as follows :  July IS, ifslit. This is my last will and testament. I, the John Thomas JOnes whole going to sign this testament, hereby declare that these are my wishes. Whatever propertymay belongto me I wish to be utilised for the benefit of my creditors, of whatever sort they may be. I do not want any of my Mends or relations to put in an appearance at my funeral ; but take rue to the deadhouse, and from there give me a pauper's funeral without troubling anybody else about it Take every possible means of realising my little belongings, and pay everybody what is owing them. Please send these boxes that have just come in back to J. 8., of Briatol, as they are. I wish to exonerate Mr. and Mm. Williams, The Exchange, from any blame attached to this escapade. They havey done all in their power to prevent it. I have had disappointments, both in health and circumstances, .vhie I cannot survive. Ido not die for want of money but I have had 90 many dbiappointments that it has d.troyed my confidence , In the future. Proceeding to the inner room the surgeon found the body lying on the floor. Deceased was fully dressed and under his hcs d and shoulders was a quantity of paper, as if placed there to raise the head, or as a kind of bed between the right side. On the floor the officer found a six chambered revolver, one chamber of which had been discharged, the shot entering the mouth. The body was frightfully decomposed. In the room there was a botfle of whiskey not opened, and a bottle of beer half full. In the waisteirit pocket a watch was found, stopped at 5-6. A bible lay on the mantlepieee with the inscription : "Born 8 April, 1856, John Thomas Jones. Dowlas." The police sergeant had known deceased for along period as a man of intemperate habits, leaving the shop for days at la time. He had no assistant.  The medical man state that the right jawbone ia broken, and that the decesaers eyes were open. Dr. Buokley was ofopinMn that he had shot himeelf. He lodged at the Royal Exchange Inn, and ths landlord had endeavoured to get him to drink less. The servant at the hotel also had seen him half tipsy on two occasions. He had complained of his health on several 00011! and the previous Wednesday had told Mies Sarah Walters, barmaid at the Heath Gate Hotel. where he generally visited daily, to take a bottle of stout, and thathe Mid a mind to go down the dook and drown myself. This was after partaking of two or three bottles of Mont. He was asked the reason for saying so, and he replied he could not say, only he felt rather funny. He did not seem excited. He always paid for what he had. On Saturday afternoon, an inquest was held at the Royal Exchange, before Mr. Rowlands, junr., coroner, and the above facts were confirmed. The jury was composed :of tradesmen, Messrs. Gwilym Evans, Thos. Jones (Stepneystreet), 1). Evans (Bradford), D. R. Morgan T. Anthony (draper), D. Richards (inspector), Thomas Jeffreys, Henry Davies (painters), W. Knoyle, John Harris, William Sutherland, N. Tellll, and two representatives of the preen. The witneeses were questioned as to deceased being in pecuniary difficulties, but such was proved not to be the case, in fact, a person present in the inquest-room, said deceased appeared quite cheerful when last seen. A verdict that the deemused committed suicide during temporary ihanity was returned. The revolver which was produced was discoloured by dampness and bleed. Outside the shop, the scene of the suicide, the thoroughfare is crowded by people anxious to see the premises. The deceased was buried on Saturday night.