The South Wales Star

SAD DEATH FROM MISADVEN- TURE AT THE BRIDGEND ASYLUM. A FATAL MISTAKE. THE PRESCRIPTION OF DRUGS AT THE INSTITUTION. THE JURY CONDEMNS THE LAXITY. THE MATTER TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS. The district around Bridgend County Asylum was thrown into a state of great consternation on Sunday morning last through the news that the genial wife of the lodge-keeper, Mr. Dinah Jenkins, had taken a dose of carbolic acid. served her in mistake for black draught." This excitement naturally shocked all who knew the circumstances when it was reported a short time afterwards that the poor woman had passed away through the in- fluence of that deadly poison. The connections up to the time of death will be found in the evidence detailed below at the inquest held on Tuesday, before County Coroner H. Cuthbertson and a respectable jury, of which Mr. John Cooke was selected foreman. All those within the in- stitution, besides those without, who came in con- tact with the deceased woman, will regret the sad incident which caused her death, and sympatheti- cally join in the trouble of the husband and children and relatives. Her geniality and kind disposition are topics ever of remark from the whole of those within her circle. THE INQUEST. The first witness called was the husband of the deceased, David Jenkins, who deposed that she was 36 years of age last July. The previous week his wife complained of having a cold, and on Saturday night last retired to rest as usual Mrs. Potter, an attendant in one of the detached wards, sent for Dr. Marshall (one of the doctors of the institution) about nine o'clock that evening, and witness pro- cured a battle of medicine from him. He (witness) was also told to go to the stores and get a 2oz. black draught" in the bottle produced, to give his wife about 6.30 the next (Sunday) morning. Witness went to the stores about 10.10 p.m. that night, and gave the bottle to John Da vies with the directions of Dr. Marshall. The former filled the bottle with a dark liquid. It was he (JohnDavies) who usually attended to the stores, and had been doing it for the past six or eight years to witness' knowledge. There was a cupboard in the stores where the medicines are generally kept. There was another man. named William Davies, a night attendant, standing in the passage near the door of the stores, and witness remained with him out- side, therefore he did not see where John Davies got the black draught from. The following morning, about 6.30, witness poured the contents of the bottle into a glass, and handing it to his wife, who was in bed, said "Dinah, you had better take this now." She did not, however, feel in- clined to drink it then, and witness went down- stairs to light the fire before going on duty. Returning again in about two or three minutes, he fou. d that his wife had not drank the draught. He told her "You had better drink it before I go." and she caught hold of the glass and drank its contents at once. After drinking it she exclaimed Oh, dear, there is carbolic in it." Witness caught in the glass immediately, and smelt it as being carbolic. His wife tried to vomit, but failed. Witness then ran out and met an attendant named John David, and asked him, showing the glass, Is that black draught ? to which he replied There is carbolic in it. You had better run for the doctor." .Witness went to the stores and there saw John Davies (who served him, witness). Witness asked him. John, isjthere anything wrong about that black draught," and he replied "No," but immediately looked round at the cupboard, and exclaimed, "Yes," I am afraid I have you had better run for the doctor at once." An attendant standing near ran for the doctor, and witness returned to the house to find his wife un- conscious. Dr. Marshall arrived shortly after- wards. Deceased complained to him of a burning heat in her throat after the draught. When he emptied the contents of the bottle he did not smell anything. Witness had previously received black draught from John Davies. The Coroner, after asking for the hand-bottle and the two jars labelled" Carbolie Acid and •'Black Draught." and examining the former, said this bottle is not labelled Poison." It had no right to be kept in any stores without the usual big label Poison on it. Witness further stated in answer to questions that there was a gas light in the stores about three or four ya.rds distant from the cupboard. Witness had no paper authorising him to obtain the draught, the verbal authority of the doctor was sufficient. Witness knew that John Davies was a total abstainer many years. John Davies, next sworn, said he was deputy- head attendant and assistant at the Asylum, and had been engaged in the institution for 20 years on the last occasion, but he had also spent three years there prior to this time. The Coroner here cautioned witness that he need not answer any questions which he thought would incriminate himself in any way. Witness I wish to withhold nothing, sir. Continuing, witness said he had been attending at the stores for the past seven or eight years. He gave out medicines that were under the care of the head attendant in such quantities as prescribed by any of the medical gentlemen. He was not acting as a dispenser. On the Saturday night in question, about 10.30, David Jenkins came to witness and asked him for a black draught for his wife. He handed a 2oz. bottle for witness to put it in, and stated that the doctor had ordered it. Witness filled it with what he conscientiously believed to be a black draught, and would not as much as hesitated to take it himself as such as give it for another person. He gave it to David Jenkins. Witness, in serving it out, found there was none in the hand-bottle in the upper compartment of the cupboard, and proceeded to replenish it from the stock jar kept in a lower compartment, amongst other jars containing carbolic and turpentine. There was nothing kept there besides of a poisllpous nature that he was aware of. Witness did not look at the label, but took the one nearest his hand, which should have been the one containing the '■ black draught," according to the position he had previously 0 placed them. They had been changed (witness said) this unhappy night by someone. At the time he took it and emptied it he fully believed it to be the jar containing the black draught." Witness believed they might have been misplaced in cleaning the room that was the only way he could account for the mis- placement. A boy named Rishard Lewis usually cleaned the room, but a patient assisted him occa- sionally. A portion of each of the liquids were then poured into a glass, and there was hardly any difference whatever in their colour, but the car- bolic caused a stronger smell. By the Coroner: Had this jar been labelled Poison" witness thought he would have easily seen it. By the Jury Mr. Davidson, the head attendant, and himself were the only ones who possessed keys to the stores, except the medical men. The upper compartment was generally kept locked. Witness could not smell the carbolic, because he was not possessed of the sense of smell. He had given thousands of drafts before, and had not on any one occasion made a mistake. Dr. Pringle, medical superintendent of the in- stitution, said he was summoned about 7.30 on the previous Sunday morning, to the lodge, but was told at the door that Mrs. Jenkins had died. He went in and found she began to breathe one or two gasps. He at once applied whisky to the rectrum, which revived her somewhat. About ten minutes afterwards witness gave her another mixture in the same way. She revived again somewhat, and the pulse came back to the wrist. After a little time, however, the pulse again failed, and she gradually sank. Dr. Marshall, who was there before witness, had ordered the application of mustard and water. He then read a certificate of ihcp't-S-miirt'iii examination held on Mondaymorn- ing. which stated that besides finding several dark portions of blood about parts of the head and body, the stomach contained a large quantity of the poisonous liquid she had drunk. The cause of death it was certified was" poisoning by carbolic acid." Witness further deposed that he did not know that the carbolic acid was kept in the same compartment as the black draught." He did not know it was in the head attendant's store at all. Some years ago he (Dr. Pringle) had a special place made for it in the engineer's yard, to which him- self only had the key. He did not know that turpentine was also kept in the same cupboard. That was also, he considered, poisonous if taken in any considerale quantity. He did not know who cleaned the cupboard out. There was a patient employed to do it up to some weeks ago. when he was discharged recovered. Witness did not know whether he cleaned the cupboards out. John Davies was an absolutely steady man, and he (Dr. Pringle) did not think he had tasted drink for 14 or 15 years. By the Jury The jar should not have been left without the label Poison." He did not know what were in his officers' cupboards; he never pried into those of responsible officers. By a Juryman Do yon think he is a responsible officer to look after these things 1 Dr. Pringle Well, he has been an officer of the Asylum for over 20 years, and I don't think any mistake of this kind has ever been made by him before, although he has given out thousands of bottles of medicines. A Juryman here remarked that it would be more expedient that two jars of such striking similarity should not be kept in such close proximity to each other. Richard Lewis, the boy referred to, was also examined, and said he had not cleaned out the stores for the past three weeks, but it was cleaned out by someone else. The jars were side by side, and witness had seen them there, but did not know what was in them. The Coroner, in summing up, said the first thing they need trouble about was, no doubt, as to whether the woman was poisoned with carbolic acid. The question was whether anyone was responsible. They had evidence that the doctor had ordered this woman to have a black draught," and John Davies served her husband with what he supposed to be a black draught," but which turned out to be carbolic acid. Then the question was whether he was responsible. It appeared to be done indifferently, and also there was a lax system going on altogether. They ought to have a proper dispenser to do the work. instead of putting attendants to do it. He did not care at all, or think it right or proper, for carbolic acid, turpentine, and other poisons should be kept with medicines, or that boys should be allowed to clean out the place or interfere. Also, he did not think jars containing poison should be allowed to be in that condition, with simply Carbolic Acid or Turpentine on them. In the night like that, they could imagine John Davies picking out one jar instead of another, but if there was a large red label on it, he would have seen it,and would not have given it. It certainly ought not to have been there at all unless so labelled. If that was done, it would not have occurred. Dr. Pringle said he did not know whether it was kept there or not, neither dil he know turpentine was kept there, and he had already told them that any considerable quantity of that would kill a person. This was a very lax way of doing things. All those things, he said, if the jury agreed, would be inquired into by the Com- missioners. A verdict was returned of Death through mis- adventure," with the recommendation added that carbolic acid and other poisons should not be kept in the same place as other drugs; that a proper dispenser to dispense medicines should be kep t and not allow attendants to do the work, and that all jars and bottles containing poison should be labelled as such. and that these recommendations be forwarded to the Lunacy Commissioners.

EXTENSIVE POSTAL ROBBERIES IN THE RHONDDA GOLD AND VALUABLES FOUND ON THE PRISONER. COMMITTED TO THE ASSIZES. At the Pontypridd petty-sessions on Friday last —before Messrs. T. P. Jenkins (chairman). Dr. H. N. Davies, and D. W. Davies—a youno- man. named Evan Betridge, 22 years of age. was brought up in custody charged with stealing a postal order, value 7s. 6d.. four teeth, and a pair of aprons, the property of the Postmaster-General.— Mr. Llewellyn, of Messrs. Llewellyn and Moore. Newport, prosecuted; whilst Mr. Alderman W. H. Morgan, of Messrs. Morgan and Rhys, Ponty- pridd, defended. THE FIRST CHARGE. Mr Llewellyn, in opening the case for the pro- secution, said that at present it was their intention to proceed with but three charges against the prisoner, the first of which was that of stealing the postal order for 7s. 6d. Mr. Thomas Davies. Swansea, said that he, on the 11th of July last. sent a letter containing a postal order for 7s. 6d. and six stamps to Mr. Floyd, of Trealaw. The number of the order was k-12 618,958, and he did not authorise anyone to cash the order. Alfred Thomas Floyd, 46, Miskin-road. Trealaw, said he was a collier, and knew the witness, Thomas Davies. He did not receive a letter con- taining a postal order from him on the 18th July, neither did he receive it on a future date. The signature on the order handed to him was not in his handwriting. Neither did he authorise anyone to cash the order for him. Alfred James McMurray, postmaster, Ponty- pridd, said that the Dinas sub-office was within his district, and a letter posted at Swansea between two and three o'clock on the 18th would reach Dinas about six o'clock on the 19th July. Trealaw letters were delivered from the Dinas Post-office. The prisoner was a postman at the Dinas sub- office, and had been in the service since August, 1889. He was on duty on the 19th of July, 1891, and he (the witness) produced the attendance book, which had been initiated by the prisoner as having been on duty on that day. He was also on duty when the mail arrived, and would have access to the letters. George Jones said he was a postman at Dinas. and accompanied the prisoner to Ilfracombe on the 7th of August by the boat from Porthcawl about half-past eight. He went with the prisoner to dinner, and parted company between one and two o'clock. He met him again on the steamer about a quarter to five. The signature, George Jones," on the postal order (produced) was not in his handwriting, nor was it similar. He first saw the order on Friday night last when it was shown him by Mr. Doubleday. He did not authorise anyone to write his name on the postal order. William Clark said he was a clerk at the Ilfra- combe post-ofnee for four months in the year, from June 15th until October 15th. He was on duty on the 7th of August, and paid the postal order (produced), but could not remember to whom he paid it. The number on the order was k-12 618,968, THE SECOND CHARGE. The second charge preferred against the prisoner was of stealing four teeth which had been addressed to a young lady at Williamstown. Charles William Harwood said he was in the employ of Messrs. Goodman and Co., Cardiff. About the 14th of May he made up a packet of teeth for post. He addressed the packet himself to Miss J. Morgan, 32, Alma-terrace, Lower Williamstown, Penygra.ig, and posted the packet at the Queen-street office, Cardiff. The teeth pro- duced were. he believed, those which he nosted, but he was certain that they were made by the Messrs. Goodman and Co. Jane Morgan, Williamstown, deposed that in May last she expected some teeth from Messrs. Goodman and Co., of Cardiff. She, however, never received them. She had seen the teeth lately and they fitted her. Mr. A. J. McMurray again gave evidence to prove that the defendant must have been on duty at the time they should be delivered. THE THIRD CHARGE. Mrs. Charlotte Webb. Stokegifford, Bristol, said that on the 28th of May last she sent a parcel containing two aprons by post, addressed to Mr. George Winter, Upper Williamstown, Penygraig. She identified the two aprons which she had made herself, and told a woman named Jane Nitress, to post them. She heard afterwards that thev were not delivered, and made inquiries at the Post- office. Jane Nippress gave evidence as to having posted the parcel in May last. She knew what the parcel contained. George Winter, to whom the parcel had been addressed, said that he did not receive it. Mr. A.J. M'Murray said that the prisoner did not deliver in Upper Williamstown, but he would have access to the letters and parce's at the post- office. John Doubleday, a clerk in the secretary's office at the General Post-office, London, said that on the 11th of September he saw the prisoner at the Dinas Post-office, 'in the presence of the Post- master of Pontypridd and Detective Lord, of London. He (witness) told the prisoner. •' I belong to the secretary's office at the General Post- office, and have come down here to investigate numerous losses of letters which have lately taken place. I have received information that you were at Ilfracombe (n the 7th of August." The prisoner said, Yes, I was." Witness then produced the post*tl order.and told him that it had been enclosed in a letter to Mr. Floyd, at Trealaw, but the letter did not reach him. and the Order was cashed at Ilfracombe on the 7th of August. On being asked whether he knew anything about it, the prisoner said. -'No, I never saw it." He then told him that his house would be searched, and requested Detective Lord to make the search. On his return the detective produced, in the prisoner's presence. the teeth, the two aprons, and a number of other articles. On being asked where he obtained the teeth, the prisoner replied that he did not know, but he said that he found the aprons on the road about six months ago. The witness then gave the prisoner into the custody of Police-constable Weeks. On the following day. at his own desire, the witness saw him again, and said, "I had the aprons out of a packet." and with regard to the teeth he said." I did not take them from the post." William Lord, a detective offider attached to the General Post-office, said he was present at the interview between the last witness and the prisoner at the Dinas Post-office. He also searched the prisoner and found upon him a watch and chain, four stamps, and 2s. 6d. in money on his person. He also went into the prisoner's house. where he lived with his parents, and searched his bedroom, there he found in a Gladstone bag the four teeth and the two aprons (which had been produced), also £ 17 in gold, three brooches, two rings, a scarf pin, a silk cushion cover. an electro- pathic belt, three pairs of white socks, a pair of lady's gloves, and in a tin box a silver watch and chain, half a pound of tobacco, a pair of girl's stockings, two pinafores, two books, The Wide, Wide World and Released," a piece of silk, and pair of men's stockings. Police-constable Weeks gave evidence as to the arrest, and the Bench committed the prisoner to the assizes. Failing to obtain the necessary bail he was remand to the cells.

A SAVAGE ASSAULT IN THE RHONDDA. SERIOUS CONDITION OF THE VICTIM. HIS DEPOSITIONS TAKEN. Soon after closing time on Monday night week some men had congregated near the Red CoW Inn, Treorky, where one man was challenging another to a race. After the race was run some words arose between the parties, which eventually ended in blows. It appears that two brothers, named Thomas and Treharne John, struck a man named John Barson, and a fight followed. In the meantime some of the spectators rushed off to the house of David Barson (brother to John Barson), who resided at Tynvbedw-street, and told him to come down the street, for his brother was being killed. Barson, who was in bed at the time, im- mediately dressed and went towards the spot where the fight was taking place. On arriving there, and evidently under the impression that his brother was being ill-treated, he struck Thomas John in the face, and caused him to fall heavily on the pavement, h's head coming in contact with the kerbstone. The fall" rendered him unconscious, and blood flowed freely from a large wound in the head. Treharne John, a brother of the injured man, stated also that Barson kicked his victim in the bowels, but it is doubtful whether this state- ment is true or not. Drs. Wright and Birchill were soon on the spot. and attended to the poor man's injuries. On Thursday evening his condi- tion became so precarious that it was thought advisable to take his depositions. Sergeant Brown, of Treorky, and Alderman W. Jenkins. J.P., Ystradfechan. together with Superintendent Jones and Mr. H. Porcher, magistrates' clerk, took the depositions in the presence of the prisoner. THE PRISONER BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. On Monday last the man Barson was brought forward before the magistrates—Messrs. T. P- Jenkins (chairman), Dr. Parry, and D. W. Davies— at Ystrad.—Sergeant Brown said he saw the injured man that morning, and the doctor toldhin* that he was unable to attend.—Dr. Wright said he had seen the wounded man, and thought he was slightly better. He did not, however,, consider the man out of danger.—The Bench thereupon re- manded the prisoner for a week.

A GANG OF THIEVES AT LARGE. TWO HOTELS BROKEN INTO AT YNYSYBWL. A LARGE SUM OF MOSEY STOLEN. In the small hours of Sunday morning last » daring robbery was perpetrated at the Windsor Hotel, Ynysybwl. From inquiries which our representative made it appears that an entry was made through the commercial-room window. Mr. Beith and the family retired as usual on Saturday night, but the landlord was awakened about six o'clock in the morning by the creaking of a door- On rising and examining the premises he fonctt the marks of stockinged feet leading to the ward- robe, where a cash-box, containing £120. was kept. On reaching the wardrobe it was found that the box had been taken away. as well as a coat belong- ing to Mr. Beith and containing two five-pound notes. A large quantity of grease on the floor- proved that a lighted candle had been used by the thieves, and on further examination both the coat and the cash-box were found in a room downstairs. All the cash had been taken away, but the discreet robbers had left behind the bank-notes.—The same night an entry was effected to the Robertstown Hotel, but the landlady, Mrs. Evans, was kept awake during the greater part of the night in con- sequence of the illness of her little child, and the robbers evidently hearing her walking about the bedroom decamped. The robbers are still at large, and during the week the police have been caution- ing shopkeepers and others to take care of their money and valuables.

YSTRAD POLICE COURT. MONDAY.—Before Messrs. T. P. Jenkins (chair- man), Dr. W. Parry, and D. W. Davies. ASSAULT. — Jane Evans was charged with assaulting Ann Roberts, Clydach Vale" on rhe previous Saturday week. Mr. James Phillips defended. It appears that a quarrel had arisen between the complainant's child and defendant's grandchild, and the defendant then pushed Mrs- Roberts against the window and caused her side to bleed. Defendant, it seems, had only just come free from sureties to keep the peace. Margaret Thomas, a dressmaker, said that Mrs- Roberts' back was towards her when the quarrel took place, and it was quite possible that she might have spat in defendant's face without the witness seeing her. The complainant was in a bad temper at the time, but she distinctly saw the defendant push Mrs. Roberts through the window. —Eleanor Jones also gave evidence for the prose- cution.—Sarah Ann Evans came forward to give evidence for the defence, but she fainted in the witness-box, and was taken out of court. When she returned, however, she said the complainant put her fist in Mrs. Evans' face and spat on her. ASSAULTIXG THE POLICE.—Edward Griffiths, Henry Griffiths, and David Griffiths were brought forward in custody charged with assaulting1 Police-constable Hopkins (104) at Pentyrch OIl Saturday last.—Mr. D. Rhys ùefûndeå. The constable said that he served a summons on the first defendant early in the day, and subsequently met him. Words pissed between them, and most obscene language was used. The first defendant afterwards struck the constable, and the second struck him with a hlrg-e stone on the shoulder. The officer then took out his staff, but before he could use it he was prevented by one of the prisoners, and the policeman and another man had to run away for safety. About two o'clock 011 Sunday morning four constables arrested the prisoners and locked them up.—George Morgan, gamekeeper, said that he met the policeman on the night in question. Edward Griffiths came up and asked for a rabbit. The witness refused, and the defendant struck him in the face. The other defendants then came forward and a scuffle ensued. He saw Henry Griffiths throw a stone which struck the constable. They then ran away,and had keep the crowd away by threatening to shoot them. Witness fired a pistol into the air and the crowd then dispersed.—Isaac Gay gave evidence to prove that the defendants threatened the policeman.—The Bench thought that the police- man had shown an excess of zeal, and the crowd seemed to have taken the part of the defendants- That was another point against the policeman, for surely there must have been some right-minded men amongst them who would have assisted the police if asked to do so. They would, therefore, dismiss the case.

ALLEGED SHOCKING CASE OF IMMORALITY IN THE RHONDDA, At the Ystrad Police-court, on Monday last, Henry Griffiths, of Penrhiwfer, a collier, WfS charged with attempting to criminally assault his daughter, Mary Jane Griffiths, on the 11th of September last. Mr. Rhys, solicitor, Pontypridd, defended.—From the evidence of the daughter it transpired that the father came home about mid- night on the day in question rather the worse for drink, and the witness was sitting up waiting for her father to come home. When^ he arrivecT she lit a candle for him to go to bed, but he put it out and went up stairs. In a few minutes after the daughter went to her room, the father followed- and offered her a sovereign's worth of what she might require. In a struggle which ensued the father fell heavily to the floor, and the son came into the room and took the father away. The following morning she left the house, and went to a neighbour's house.—At this juncture the Bench rose, and the case was adjourned for a week. the prisoner released on bail. himself in £50 and two others in :1.:25 each.

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