The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1879-11-07 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED SITIOIDE IN THE OGMORE VALLEY. Henry Short, Tynewydd, late a commercial traveller for a Bristol firm of drapers, was charged with attempting and threatening to commit suicide by cutting his throat, on the 30th of October.—Elizabeth Short, wife of William Short, Tynewydd, said the defendant was her son-in-law. He had formerly been engaged as traveller to the firm d Hibbard and Company, Bristol. He was at present out of employment, and had been for a long time. Be and his wife had been living with witness during the last three weeks. Witness had been baking for work for defendant. On Thursday last she was outside of her house, when her daughter (defendant's wife) came out and said, "Oh, mother, Henry is going to cut his throat." This happened at about three o'clock. Witness then went upstairs, and took the razor out of his hand. Defendant was standing in the room. Witness spoke to him, but could not remember what she said to him. He made no resistance when she took the razor from him. He had not done anything with the razor. Witness then went for a policeman. By the Bench Her daughter was very ill, and unable to attend. She was defendant's wife. Police-constable Williams, stationed at Tynewydd, stated that on Thursday last, at about 3.30 p.m., the previous witness came to him, and told him that Henry Short, her son-in-law, had attempted to commit suicide. Witness went with her to her house, where defendant was staying. He was then upstairs in the bedroom, sitting down beside the bed, and two women and one man there with him in the room. Witness asked defendant what was the matter, Defendant said he would not tell him what was the matter. Mrs. Short then gave witness the razor (produced) in defendant's presence, and said that he attempted to cut his throat, and that she took the razor from bhp. Witness asked him what he meant by attempting to cut his throat, when he replied that he would do it again. Mrs. Short then asked him if he would do it (Lo'uth if he were let loose, to which he replied that he would not do anything to himself there, but that he would go out of the way, and do it in some other manner. Witness then told him that he should take him into custody for attempting to commit suicide. He then took him into custody, and when bringing him to Bridgend be told witness that his mother-in-law had vexed him that ,norning by saying something to his wife, and he thought that she was alluding to him because he was out of work and living at their expense. Cross-examined by the defendant: Was in his senses, but was vexing very much. Defendant stated, for the defence, that he had been ill for a long time, and that he had been attending the Bristol Hospitals.. The doctors had told him that he had taken toii much work upon himself and had over-exerted his mind. He found that as his health suffered, so did his mind. Any excitement would throw him into an unconscious fit. Had been so twice befere that ee,casion. On Thursday a few words passed between his mother-in-law ad his wife which le took to heart greatly, and he at last decided to leave home, and was wishing his wife good-bye when she said that he had better stay, which defendant refused to do. His wife jumped up to call her mother, and in doing so pushed him against the table. The table drawer was open and a razor was in it. He put his hand into the drawer, but could not recollect anything more until Policeconstable Williams asked him to come with him to Bridgend. The Bench committed him for trial at the Quarter Sessions.