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Mysterious Death at Iiaieston.…

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Mysterious Death at Iiaieston. Suspected Case of Poisoning. One of those extraordinary-and mysterious cases, which occasionally baffle human ingenuity to unravel, took place a few days since at Laleston, in this county, which ended, regret to say, in thfe death of two individuals, whether r°m poison, as very strong circumstantial evidence would ead one to suspect, or from the visitation of Gpd, a few days,: *"1 determine. The case is, at present, wrapt in mystery, but neither Expense, it is to" be hoped, nor the ablest pio-fessionalskill ^ill be spared to elicit'the-truth, and set at rest the extraor- dinary rumours and suspicions that are afloat on the subject, nd, which the following narrative of the facts strongly Justify Oa Friday last, 'it appeared, a respectable farmer, a achelor, of the name of Howell, residing, at Laleston, had W' Occasion to send for some, beer to a Mrs. Lewis, who resides short distance, from his house. The servant -girl, in the instance, was to have gone, but 'business detained her, *id a neighbouring lad was sent with a stone jar for the beer. On his way to Mrs. Lewis he called at a Mrs. Thomas, luster to :Mr. Howell who lives midway between the two houses. stayed there for a short time, and, according'to the evi- dence adduced at the inquest, was sent by that woman on a Message, which kept him away some short time, while she took possession of the jar till his return. He then went direct Mrs. Lewis for the beer, which she filled into the jar, returned to the house of Mr. Howell, but by a different rOut from that which he went, and so avoiding the residence Thomas. It may be proper here to state that the "ecea»ed Mr. Howell and Mrs. Lewis were affianced, and a •fiarriage was expected shortly to take place. To this union Mrs. Thomas was decidedly averse, as it might be the means of turning into another channel, considerable property (it is Illd, worth E200 a yeár), whik!h, in the event of his dying a bachelor, she, as next of kin, would be entitled. She Was "eard occasionally to express very strong objections to the ftlatch, and that she would do everything in her power to Prevent it. A few minutes before the arrival of the lad with the beer, which he gave into his master's hands, the servant lirl was taken seriously ill with vomitting and diarrhoea, t a quarter past 4 o'clock Mr. Howell, who had taken a •Wall mug of the beer, was also taken very ill with vomiting and diarrhoea. The illness increasing he was put to bed, and attended by the lad's mother. In the course of the was sent to Mrs. Thomas of her brother's ill- ness; she came directly, went up stairs, and expressed the utmost anxiety and uneasiness at his situation. The evidence t the inquest stated that-she was unremitting in her atten- "ons to her sick brother. As the symptoms of Mr. Howell Continued unabated, it was agreed to call in Mr. Prichard, a surgeon, who lodged at Mrs. Lewis's, and who, it may be observed, occasionally partook of Mrs. Lewis's beer and pro- nounced it excellent. On his arrival he treated the case as °fle of decided Asiatic cholera, and got hot things applied to the stomach and feet. The jar was emptied of its contents, filled with hot water, and so applied. Notwithstanding, however, the utmost attention and assiduity, Mr. Howel Uccumbed to the complaint,]and between 5 and 6 on Satur- day morning, died. A poor woman in the neighbourhood *vas called in to lay out and attend to the remains of the deceased. In the course of the night she partook of some of the beer, very soon after became ill with the same symptoms cholera as had proved fatal to Mr. Howel, and died, ^r. Pritchard treated the poor woman's case as one of cholera, had at the time no suspicion of poison, the remains of the parties showing none of the usual indications that death enaued in. consequence. The servant girl, however, re- covered and is now quite convalescent. Suspicions having Naturally attached to the beer, as the cause of the illness hild death of the parties, Mr. Pritchard took the precaution to have it secured in bottles, to which he affixed his own seal, with directions to Mrs. Thomas, with whom he left them, to have them forwarded by his messenger to his Residence. On the messenger calling, Mrs. Thomas said, she destroyed the bottles with the contents, fearing there Was poison in them. For a like reason she destroyed the j^ri which, it should be observed, was also sealed by Mr. Pritchard. These facts were deposed to at the inquest On the body of Mr. Howell. The evidence of the boy Was unsatisfactory. He at first stated that lie was not sent on any errand by Mrs. Thomas, nor did he part With the jar out of his possession. He subsequently said that he did. He denied having tasted the beer, and after- wards said that he took a little, which made him ill. The jury returned a verdict of—" Died by the visitation of God." At the conclusion the coroner took the opinion of the JUry as to the necessity of holding an inquest on the old lvllnltln, and urged on the occasion the inexpediency of doing So—first, as entailing additional expense on the county and secondly, as in her illness she manifested the same symptoms, a similar conclusion might be inferred without the form of an inquest. The jury acquiesced in these suggestions, and 110 inquest was held. The coroner left for Cardiff. In consequence of reports having been spread abroad that additional light had been thrown on the matter by the boy, and also strong suspicion attaching to Mrs. Thomas, he wrote to the surgeon on the subjeC{) who expressed himself quite satisfied that Asiatic cholera was the immediate cause of death. The coroner, Notwithstanding, went to Laleston on Wednesday, when the body of the old woman was exhumed. The stomach was body of the old woman was exhumed. The stomach was e*tt acted, and the orifice sealed up and given into the Cl>stody of Lewis Moore, one of the inspectors of the county c°nstabulary. ^ith a view of furthering the ends of justice, and at once Setting at rest the rumours of poison that are nowso rife in the neighbourhood of this melancholy occurrence, it is pro- Posed to submit the stomach, with its contents, to Mr. ^erepath, the eminent chemist of Bristol, whose celebrity in detecting the most subtle and latent poisons is notorious, Such a project is in contemplation, and only awaits the sanction of the proper authorities in the county to carry it iftto effect. Too-much praise cannot be given to Supeiin- tendent Rees, of the County Constabulary, for his tact and nnwearied industry in bringing up witnesses at the inquest, and in generally co-operating with the parties interested in Probing this affair to the bottom. The daughter of Mr. Rees stated in her examinaion at the inquest that the beer given to the boy was drawn from a Particular cask of excellent quality, and such as was occa- sionally supplied to Mr. Prichard at his meals. The inquest has been adjourned to the 28th inst., when it *s expected the contents of the stomach will have been tested, and every fdcility afforded to throw more light on a matter at present wrapt in mystery, and from its peculiarity, not more painful than perplexing. Since writing the above, we learn that a dog, belonging to the deceased Mr. Howell, died, after having licked up the matter discharged from his stomach during his very brief illness. NEATH. The Committee appointed at the Quarter Sessions, recent- y held at Cowbridge, had a conference with the '1 own Council of Neath, last week, and we are happy to learn, that arrangements were made for the immediate erection of Suitable premises for the accommodation of prisoners in that "Orough. We understand that the sum of £ 160, will be contributed by the county, towards the expences of the building, upon condition that one wing of the intended edifice be devoted to county purposes. SWANSEA. THE ROBBERY Of DOCTOR HEWSON'S PLATE, SWANSEA. "—•Theexamination of the prisoners was resumed on Monday, before the mayor and the borough magistrates. A few wit- Besses were examined, relative to some conversation ,which e prisoners had with several parties, subsequent to the r°bbery, but nothing material was elicited. After tfie pro- ceedings against the prisoners had closed, the mayor addres8ed Mr. Rees, the inspector of police, and said the Addressed Mr. Rees, the inspector of police, and said the Magistrates wished to express their satisfaction at the dili- fcence of the police, in detecting the perpetrators of this fobbery; and hoped that in future, pawnbrokers would J^ercise more caution in their transactions with the public. •t he prisoners were severally committed to take their trial at the ensuing July sessions, to be holden at Neath; and the Witnesses bound over to attend and give evidence. ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING AT SWANSEA.—A numerously ftttended meeting of persons friendly to the repeal of the ^orn Laws, was held on Monday night, at the Town-hall. The presence of Dr. Bowring brought together a great number of persons. Resolutions, declaratory of the objects the meeting, were spoken to by Dr. Bowring and Mr. flutter and a petition, thereon founded, was also agreed to. ^°me slight attempt at interruption was made by the jhartists, but for want of support, it quickly subsided, and the meeting separated. The Champion, Holt, master, arrived in Swansea on "ednesday last, from Valparaiso, having on board thirteen tons of bullion, in doubloons and silver. The rest of the Cargo consists of copper ore, flour, and wheat. MERTHYR. CEFN FAIR.—EASTER MONDAY.—Anticipating that this :t\nty fair would be productive of results highly detrimental ° good morals, the friends of Christianity in the village themselves to preserve those under their care from jts baneful influences. The Church people had a school in the morning, a service at Vaynor Church in the afternoon, and a meeting in the Chapel of Ease, at the Cefn, in the Meeting. The Baptists, in a body, went to a tea party at "owlais. The Wesleyans, Independents, and Calvinistic ^Jethodists, assembled in the latter denomination's chapel, ^oedycymmer, in the morning, at Cae Pantywyll, (mid- ay between Cefn and Merthyr), in the afternoon, and at Independent Chapel, at the Cefn, in the evening, where ft. dresses on the utility of Sunday Schools, temperance prin- • and deformity of drunkenness, were given with great a Messrs. Daniel Jones, Richard Evans, of Cefn, -E* Williams, of Trevecca College. Notwithstanding air was attended, as usual, by thousands from Merthyr, n surrounding districts. In the course of the after- th*00' Merthyr police paid a visit to the place, and made scamping gamblers to quit instantaneously. Towards j evening, and the following day, scores under the Y U.ence strong drink perambulated the streets, reeling, of ^ntuig, and quarrelling, in defiance of the distressed state ru times, the restraining of the law, and the precepts of Christianity. CO^APF VALE RAILWAY.—Upwards of 200 calves were jj^eJ'ed to this town on Thursday morning last, by the first THE CAEDRAW MURDER. Further particulars respecting the murder of Mary Thomas, at Merthyr, committed on the 12th instant, which was noticed in our paper of last week. An adjourned inquest' was held at the Angel Inn, on the 15th instant, ■when a verdict of manslaughter' Was returned against the prisoner, John Insell, who was committed under the coroner's warrant to take his trial at the -next assizes for this county. The prisoner was present, and appeared greatly distressed in spirits. Mr. Superintendent Davies, who was bound over to pro- secute, having obtained further evidence respecting the foul deed, deemed it proper to have another examination before the magistrates, G. R. Morgan and R. Fothergill, Esqrs., on the loth instant, when the following evidence was heard before them. Evan Jenkins, butcher, aged 16 years, deposed: I was going down through CaedraW between one and two o'clock on Wednesday last. I heard a noise in the yard by Samuel Morris's. I looked into the passage leading into the yard. I saw the prisoner and deceased scuffling the prisoner fell first, and the deceased lost her foot, and fell upon him. He turned her on her back. He got up and kicked her about her upper part. I saw him give two kicks. He then went into his house. He came out directly, and the women were all about her. He kissed her, taking hold of her round her waist, addressing her My dear love He again went into the house. I followed him. He began to cry. 1 then went away. The kicks were violent. Elizabeth Smith, widow: I live in Tom Morris's yard at Caedraw. On Wednesday last, I saw deceased running out of David Rees's house. Prisoner ran out after her I saw him strike her about the neck with his fist. She fell down. He kicked her on the head twice while on the ground, and o ice on her neck. I came to the door and shrieked out murder. The women came and lifted her up, and put her to sit on a chair. Prisoner immediately screamed out for somebody to go for a doctor to bleed her. When they put her to sit on the chair, her head went backward, and she opened her eyes and mouth. I saw them quarrelling once before, better than a week before that!; but I did not see him strike her upon that occasion. Prisoner appeared a little tipsy. Samuel Morris, collier: I live in my father's yard at Caedraw. About half-past two on Wednesday, I was in my father's house, when I saw prisoner had hold of the hair on deceased's head. They were both scuffling, she striking at him and he at her. He let go his hold and then sprang back, and she made an attempt to strike at him, and as she made the attempt, she fell on her left side as she was falling he hit her with his fist, and when she fell down, he kicked her two or three times from the chest upwards. He then ran into his house. I went after him, and he fell on his knees in the house, and cried out, clapping his hands, Oh dear, what shall I dol" He then came out, and went to the deceased. Lifted her up, and cried out Oil dear, what shall I do, will there anybody go for a doctor!" I ran up for a doctor. Prisoner and deceased had lived in the court for about a fortnight as man and wife. Hannah Morris, wife of last witness: I was sitting down in my .father-in-law's house. 1 heard a scream. I went out. I went straight to the deceased. She was lying on her left side. I put my head down to her. She appeared very quiet. Prisoner came and picked her up in his arms, and shouted out, Oh my dear Mary, what must I do," and he kissed her, and shouted out for somebody to go for a doctor. My husband went. They brought me some cold water, and I bathed her forehead, and sprinkled some on her face, and she sighed. I bathed her again, and she again sighed. I took hold of her hand., She was dying. Others said she was in a fit, and I then saw her die. I then carried her to my father-in-law's house. I stopped there until the police- men and the doctor came. Hannah Burk, the wife of William Burk, miner: On Wednesday last, from two to half-past two, I was sitting in the house. I heard a shriek. I opened the door, and ran out, and saw Mary Thomas (deceased) on the ground and John (the prisoner) kicking her. I then said, Oh John, what have you done 1" He then left her, and came back again. I told him the girl was killed. He then went on his knees, kissed her, and cried, saying in Welsh, My dear girl!" I then went for a chair, and I and another woman helped her up. -He then told us to get water, and I got some. He had on boots when he was kicking her, the same as he has now. William Parsons, P.C. 34: On Wednesday I went down to Caedraw and saw deceased there. I went immediately across the river TafF, over the tips, after the prisoner. As I was going the other side of the tips, I saw him lying down under the wall of Billy, Jenkins's Bridge. I told him to get up, that he had murdered his wife. He said, Oh God what shall I do, she is not dead 1", I said yes. I took him down towards the tram-road. He said afterwards, that it was not his fault; she had slapped him on the face, and also kicked him in his parts. He bad boots on then the same as he has now, but they were not laced. Mary Williams, wife of Henry Williams, tinman: Next Monday fortnight, the prisoner and deceased were at my house. She came in first, and in about half an hour he came in after her. He opened the door, and seeing her and me sitting by the fire, called out to Mary (the deceased), You bloody whore, do you recollect how I was served on Satur- day night ?" She said, Yes, I did see Mary (alluding to me) strike you, but I did not see the young man." He then said, "Do you remember Saturday?" and she said Yes and he then said in Welsh, I will kill you by the devil." She then said, What do you want with me, Shony, do you want to kill mel" She said as she was going out, I am afraid to go with him." Henry Reynolds, the young man who was with him, said to her, He sha'nt touch you," and she went with him. Mr. Job James, surgeon: I was called to Mary Thomas last Wednesday. I saw she was dead. I observed some discolouration about the iips, and behind and about her right ear. I examined the body the next morning. I observed an extensive discolouration about the right ear and round her neck. I removed the scull-cap and examined the brain there appeared to be more blood than usual in the vessels of the brain. After I took the brain out, I observed a small clot of blood at the entrance of the spine. After that I noticed that the bones of the base of the skull projected on the same side as the external injury. The fracture extended about an inch & a half. I think the fracture might have been produced by a violent kick or blow, and was sufficient to cause death. Thinking that quite enough to kill her, I made no further examination. The prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next Glamorganshire assizes, for Manslaughter," by the magistrates. The prisoner repeatedly said, during the examination of evidence, I never thought that such a thing could happen I had no intention of killing her." MERTHYR TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.—According to their annual custom, the members of this society celebrated Easter Monday by public meetings, processions, &c. At 10 o'clock, the members of the I. 0. R., met at their tent, and after arranging the necessary preliminaries walked in excel- lent order to Pontmorlais Chapel (the juveniles taking the lead). They were there joined by a large number of the Merthyr Teetotallers, and about 2 o'clock marched off from Pontmorlais to Pontstorehouse, &c. perambulating the prin- cipal streets of the town, and singing appropriate hymns during their route. On their return to the chapel Mr. W. Watkins was called to the chair, and ably adressed the meeting. Messrs. Sanderson, Thomas, Lewis, &c.; a re- claimed drunkard from Tredegar also spoke with good effect. At seven-o'clock a second meeting was held at the same place, when Mr. Shellard predsided. Messrs. Williams, Thomas, and Jones, delivered telling speeches-little brother Phillip Davies recited a humourous and interesting fable, and the chairman spoke several times during the evening, in his usual style. At the close 11 signatures were obtained, and there is every reason to believe that a powerful effect was produced by the able addresses delivered, and that the principles of total abstinence are rapidly gaining ground in this neighbourhood. A spirit of inquiry is abroad, and the host of living witnesses on Monday last, afforded strong proof of the excellence of the system. (From a correspon- dent,) HUMANE CONDUCT OF THE MERTIIYR MAGISTRATES.:— It is not less our duty than our pleasure in recording the foltowing fact:—A poor woman, the mother of six children, all alive, wife of a tailor who has not a "stitch of work," from near Dublin, was caught on Saturday morning last, in the act of taking two or three pounds of bacon from the shop of Mr. E. Williams of this town. She was of course taken instanter before their worships, (G. R. Morgan, and R. Fothergill, Esq.,) who, very humanely set her at liberty, upon her promising to leave the town and neighbourhood immediately. Had she been committed she would be near three months in prison before having her trial, and her children motherless about the streets, besides burdening the county with expence. Mr. Superintendent Davies gave a hint that he would remind her of her promise. HIGH STREET CHATEL TEA-PARTY was celebrated on Good Friday, as usual. The chapel was decorated most beautifully, the visiters amounted to upwards of 800. Every arrangement reflected great credit on the committee of man- agement, as well as on the minister, Mr. T. Davies. The soul-stirring addresses of Mr. W. R. Davies, Baptist minis- ter of Dowlais, Mr. Abel Jones, Baptist minister of Ebenezer chapel, Mr. W. Jones, Wesleyan, Mr. E. Griffith, English Independent minister, and the chairman, Mr. T. Davies, quite electrified the numerous and respectable au- dience present on the interesting occasion. DOWLAIS, EASTER MONDAY.—A similar meeting was held at Caersalem Baptist chapel, where the proceedings passed off with eclat. Surely our conservative government will not fail, by the bye. to grant a pension to the inventor of tea parties, as the revenue is considerably augmented by them at the present rate of duty oil teas. FACTORY BILL.—A deputation, consisting of the following. Dissenting ministers, viz., Messrs. Thos. Davies, E. Griffith, J. Thomas, W. R. Davies, and B. Owen, waited on Sir John Guest, at Dowlais, on Wednesday last. He received them graciously, listened to their objections against the Educa- tional Clauses of the above Bill, promised to present the petitions of the Dissenters of Merthyr, and to support the prayers of the same. COLLIER LAWS.—Not less than eight of the Aberdare colliers arrived here on Tuesday the 12th inst., at midnight, having been beaten severely by some of their brethren in Monmouthshire, Four, also, of the Dowlais colliers experi- euced similar Maltreatment. ,f TEA PARTY.The Wesleyans of Hirwain held their teaing on Good Friday, which was attended by about 500 persons, who seemed well pleased with the arrangements, and the good things provided. Very able addresses were delivered by the chairman, Mr. W. Evans, Mr. W. Williams, Independent minister, Mr. Evans, Baptist minister, Mr. R. Williams, and Mr. Robert Jones, the meeting separated at eight o'clock, highly pleased with the proceedings, CWMBACH COLLIERY, ■ ABERDARE.—Two only of the 70 colliers, who discontinued their work a few weeks ago, have been allowed to resume. Some of the other 68, perhaps, have been admitted privately to other works, but by far the greatest number is wandering about in extreme misery, as a warning to others who may be insane enough to think of treading in their footsteps, whilst others are breaking stones on the high roads, for a small pittance, instead of getting from 20s. to 23s. a week. NEWBRIDGE.—The monthly meeting of the Calvanistic Methodists for this county was held here on Thursday and Friday the 13th and 14th inst. On Thursday at one o'clock, all the local members were present when a most valuable paper was read by the secretary recommending attention and diligent reading of the holy scriptures, being the subject discussed in the previous monthly meeting. The duty and privilege of meditating on divine things were next discussed, and the remarks made will be read in the meeting held at Dowlais on the 26th and 27th inst. At three vital subjects to the connection in the county were discussed, as also at eight the following morning. The public sermons were de- livered by Messrs. E. Williams, Tai Bach; W. Evans, Ton- yr-evail; D. Roberts, Swansea; R. Thomas, Lisworney; D. Howell, Lantwit; E. Morgan, Cardiff; E. Harris, Merthyr; and J. Walters Ystradgynlais, to a large and at- tentive audience. (From a correspondent.)

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WRECK OF THE SOLWAY STEAMER.—DREADFUL…

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