The Herald of Wales. — 1887-08-27 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SWANSEA WEEKIX !SUPPOSED SUICIDE AT TRADE REPORT. THE 311ThiBLES. Rarely—if indeed ever—have the peaceful inhabitants of the picturesque village of Oystermouth been painfully astounded by the onurn nee of anything in the nature of an act of self destruction in their midet. In fact a casualty of any description is a very rare occurrence in the Mumbles. On Sunday morning, however, the village wee thrown into • state of the greatest consternation by the rumour that one of the oldest inhabitants had been found dead on the sea shore opposite her home, and that she had been the PAW of her owe death. The rep irt at first, however, was treated with in. eredulity, but upon subsequent enquiries being instituted, it was found that the rumour was not without foundation, for it was ascertained that a woman named Mrs Elisabeth Howells, aged 62 years, and at resiient of 2, South End, had been found dead about a quarter past eight that morning, at a spot but a few yards distant from her house. From what can be gathered it appears that for many yeere the deceased, who was universally known in the neighbourhood, kept a lodging house at the addrees shone mentioned, whilst her husband. David Howells, tollowed the avocation of a dredger. Mrs. Howells, to all appearance, did not live what might be termed a happy life, she, unfortunately, being given te intemperate habits. Happily, under such tucuonil annex, she had no children, and, consequently, her hu-band was the only person whose misfortune it was to contend with the effects of her itstemperance. If the rumour be correct, it would appear that on the previous day (Saturday) she had been drinking somewu at heavily. Be , this as it may, however, she retired as usual to Aet and in her wonted health and spirits. On the following morning she re, ratter early, and left the house between seven and eight o'clock, without leaving any word as to where she was going. Where she did go is not de. finitely known, but about eight o'cloek a man named William John Richards met her near her owe house. She wait thou (trendies still, and lookieg towards the sea. A brief conversation took place between her and the man, who then left her anal resumed hie walk in the direction of the lighthouse. When be left her elie was standing in close proximity to the comieeneem..nt of the path which leads round to Lioacela.hi By, and which at present is undergoing re-o nqrsetion. A few minutes later, at a quarter pest eight, the unfortunate woman's body was felled by Mr Augustus Westrup, lying on tke shore, a few yards from the epot where the had last been seen alive by the man Richards. Mr. Westrup, upon tee dixedsery of the body, at once drew the attention of a man named John Hullen, who happened to be sitting in a boat at the water's edge. The tide at the time was just about full in, and all along that portion of the shore comes right to the footpath. Meanwhile the mast Richards had returned from his walk sad saw Hellen kneeling by Mrs tic wells b sly. Rushing down to the spot heat:dated in arrying deceased into the house. Her clothes were quite wet, she being properly dreased,, with the exception of her hat, which was subsequently picked up about ten yards from the place where she was found. Upon deceased being taken home, a messenger was immediately despatched for a medical anao, and shortly site war a Dr. Bevan arrived. A brief examination, however, showed that life was extinct. Police-Serireant Howells was promptly on the scene, and toek the depositions of one or two witureees. There were us merles of violence on the body, or anything calculated to annum suspicion of foul play on the part of anyone, though it cannot but be admitted that a certain amount of mystery , shrouds the affair. The appearance of the body was consistent with death from drowning. It is generally surmised that the case is one of (suicide, the police authorities entertaining that idea, though no motive can be assigned for the ouppotted act of self-destruction. However, it is certain that whether deceased's death had been premeditated by her, or was accidental, it was witnessed by no one. It is just possible, should it lies case a suicide, that deceased got into a boat, and after rowing out a abort distance, threw herself into the water, or on the other hand, she usieht have jumped into the water from the footpath which runs along the waten's edge.  (BY 0171 C