The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1883-06-09 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

INQUEST ON THE BOEY. Mr. Edward Strick, coroner, heffi an inquest at the Gliunorgen Arms, High-street, on Saturday afteinoan, concerning the deadi of Wm. Griffiths, 32 years of age, who conimitnid suicide by hanging in a cell at the High. street Policestation, Mr. Haynes, clerk to the grxerdians, and Mr. Hewson, master of the workhouse, were  present. Mr.Hewson was the first witness sworn. He identified the body as that of Wm. Griffiths, who Was a grocer's assistant. Witne.s had known him about eight years. In 1875 the deceased was brought from London to Swansea and admitted into the workhouse. He had been an inmate in the Union ever since that time. During the whole of the time he WM in the Workhouse he was an invalid and received medical treatment. He was a very intelligent and well-behaved man, and his mind was not at all affected. He had never been out of the Workhouse until last week, when be went to see his sister who was about to go to America. His friends frequently saw him at the house and were very kind to him. Deceased was at times very depressed, owing, he thought, to the fact of knowing that his case was hopeless. He had generally shed tears and regretted his past conduct an& the excellent chances in life he had missed. He hul once held a situation with £3OO a year. Ile had done nothing wrong in the house. On Friday morning he left the house vritheat leave, and was missed about 11 o'clock. Witness was told at five o'clock in the evening by a policeman that the deceased was in tha police cells in High street. Witness occasionally indulged in laudanum, though not to his knowledge, and he thought that the fact of his having been arrested on a charge of theft would have a depressing effect upon him. Everything that was considered necessary was supplied to the deceased in the way of medical treatment. Had never heard of any chars* having been previously made against deceased. Police-sergeant David Davies deposed that deceased was brought to the High street police station on Friday, and was charged with stealing a box of ointment from the shop of Mr. Moses Jones, High street. He was searched and lid. was found upon him. When placed in the cell he asked witness if his (deceased's) relations would know anything about it. Told him he did not know, and on enquiring as to his relations deceased said they lived at Heath. He added that he had taken the box of ointment, but why he committed the theft be did not know. The last time witness saw deceased was about 7.30, when he was reading the newspaper which was allowed him. Did not think that deceased seemed depressed in mind. At five minutes past eight o'clock he happened to I look through the trap door of the cell and found deceased hanging from the heating apparatus pipe in the cell. He was quite dead. He hal tied round his neck a handkerchief to whirl was attached a pie. e of his shirt. P-C. Thomas Watts said he took deceased his tea and bread and butter at ten minutes to eight o'clock. at which time he was sitting on the bench reading a newspaper. He did not say anything to .witness. Had never seen the man before to his knowledge. When deceased was cut down Dr. Black was sent for. Dr. Black said, he had known the deceased for seven months, and, as assistant to Dr. Howell Thomas, attended Griffiths. What had been stated by Mr. Hewson as to the state of the deceased was quite correct. Deceased's mind was I at times depressed at the thought of his ease being perfectly hopele-s. On going to the High Street Police-station he saw the deceased whose death had been caused by suffocation from hanging. The Coroner said there seemed to be no doubt as to the cause of the deceased's death, judging from the evidence before them. The informatton given by Mr. Hewson led to the conclusion that the deceased was of a sensitive mind, haying had his prospects in life bligtted by his past conduct. This, combined with the fact of his having committed the theft, had no doubt the effect of causing temporary insanity. In reply to a juror the Coroner said the authorities' attention should be called to the state of the pipes, with a view to casing them, so AR to prevent a recurrence of such an event. l'he jury at once found a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide whilst in a depressed state of mind.  On Tuesday form-twat the Watch Committee of the Swansea Town Council held their monthly meeting. Present: Alderman Daniel (the mayor), Councillor I). Jones, H. A. Chapman, E. H. Bath, James Jones.