The Herald of Wales. — 1890-09-27 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SWANSEA CAP-1,  TAIN'S SUICIDE, hlung in his Cabin itt Lianelly. Deceased Writes ;1, Pathetic Letter to HA. Wife,  (his Lianally correwiondent telegraghs : Captain Storm!, of tb's Linan, of Swansea, was found on Tuesday morning by John James in his cabin, hungcty the nook and quite dead. lle had paid hisew off last night, and was abne on the mhgp. Fie leaves a wife and family at Swausrs. lo reason can be asaigned forth. rash act, as he had been in Swamies all day on Mondhy on buaineas.  The deputy-coroner, Dr. D. J. Rowland, bald an ',squeak at the Dock Hotel, LianaSy, on Wednesday, concerning the circumstances attending the death of Captain Win. Stephens, who committed snieide by hanging hinesoli early on Tuesday morning, on board the Swansea barquentine, Lim. The deceased was master of the vessel, which is now lying at the New Deck, Lienslly, with a cargo of deal timber for Meiers. Howell and Co., timber merchants, Llanelly. The vessel is owned by Mr. William Rieharde, Prime Edward's Island, the I agents at Swansea being Messrs. T. P. Richards and Co. Deceased was a native of St. Doginall's, Cardiganshire, and was about 60 years of age, and leaves a wile and children, living at I elle Vuo.stroet, Swansea. At the inquest a pathetic letter, found in the log-book, from deceased to his wife, was produced. In it he mid chat 'his mind Mad very heavy--The first witness celled was John Jamee, In, Stanley-road, who said that on Saturday last he was engaged by the deemed as watchman on board the Line. lie identified the body as being that of the cap. lain, whom he left on board about nine o'clock on Monday night. At that hour deceased spoke to witness, saying, "You can go borne to-night, sal am going to remain on board." Deceased had been on beard since about Igil I o'clock, and did not appear to be depressed in spirits or unwell. Ile was quite sober. When witness left the vessel the captain was seated in the cabin, writing letters to Messrs. T. P. Richarde and Company. of Swansea, and wished him a cordial " Good night." Witness was to take the letters to the post, but they were not ! completed. He returned to the ship next (Tuesday) morning about half-past ex, and, after lighting a fire in the itt galley," he went down to the cabin with the object of waking the captain, who, to his horror, he found him hanging from the roof of the cabin. Around his neck was a woollen scarf, which was fastened to a couple of nails. *Mess ran on deck for aseistanoe, and upon returning, in company with the witness Phillipe, he cut the searf, and found the body quite cold. When the captain was writing the letter lie looked towards witness and said, "Never mind, I won't finish it to-night. I will remain here." —Wm. John Phillips, clerk in the employ of Means. T. P. Richards and Co., Swansea, mid that the vessel had been in dock since last Saturday week, and he was superinteuding the measuring of the cargo, which was being unloaded at the New Dock. Deceased had always been a cheerlul, quiet person, but whilst at Llanelly he &wowed to be very strange in his demeanour and very dem...od in spirits. Deceased tried to avoid all conversation with him, and gave abrupt answers to questions. There wee nothing wrong to witnesses belief, with regard to has duties. Witness saw him in the cabin on Monday night writings letter to the owners. Witness then left, deceived promieing to send the letter. Early I next morning be went to the cabin, and noticed deceased sitting as if asleep on the beam which creased the cabin to the state-room, about a foot and • half from the floor. A candle was lit in the state-room, but not wishing to wake him he returned on deck. Subsequently he sent James to the cabin, and be immediately afterwards returned and both again went to the cabin, where they found the captain as described by the first witness. The scarf was not very tight, and the height of the cabin roof from the floor was only about six feet. Next morning witness found the following letter t —"My dear beloved Margaret,—With great premiere of mind I am taking this precious gift of the Almighty. I have done nothing wrong, so I hope I will be forgiven for all my sins. My love to you, my loving Margaret, and to all ray door chi`dren. My mind is heavy. God be our guidance, and the Lord will bring my dear children up in the path of rightmusreas. Uoc3. lirs, and with kind love, WiLLIAX &mires." Everything was all right with deceased's amounts and with the ship papers, as far as witness understood. Dammed sii very sober man—The verdict was to the effect " That deceased committed suicide during temporary I insanity." [The death of Captain Stephens is most pathetic, but what clouded hie mind in the lest days of his existence will, probably, never be known. It is noteworthy, however, that the last ten days have brought to light an unusual number of suicides—especially in Germany and Austria; suggesting the idea that atmospheric conditions mart have muich to do with what Is a real epidemic of suicide.]