Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
2 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
LLANSADWRN TRAGEDY.
LLANSADWRN TRAGEDY. HARPUR FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER. SENTENCE OF DEATH PASSED. DRAMATIC SCENE. PRISONER A PITIABLE OBJECT. There was a crowded attendance outside the Guildhall, Carmarthen, on Monday last, where Harry Harpur was to be tried, before Lord Cole- ridge. at the Carmarthenshire Assizes for the mur- der of a Llansadwrn farmer. However, only those on business, and a few privileged persons were admitted, and the Crown Court-room thanks to this wise precaution, was just comfortably tilled. A dense crowd watched the arrival of the prisoner in a closed conveyance, but his pitiable appearance won for him the sympathy of all those who got a glance at him as he was practically carried out of the carriage through the corridor to the cells beneath the hall. Punctually at 10.30, the Judge, Lord Coleridge, took his seat on the bench, and the Clerk of the Assize (the Hon. Stephen Coleridge) called to the warders, "Put up Harry Harpur." A weak, miser- able, half-dead specimen of manhood then made its appearance in the dock, and a shudder passed through the Court as it beheld the wretched man who was still suffering from the shock of the terrible wounds he had infliced on himself. Harry Harpur (30), labourer, was charged that at Llansadwrn on the 2nd May, 1«13, felomously, wil- fully, and of his malice aforethought did kail and murder one James Isaac Thomas, Llwyntwyll, Llan- sadwrn. He was further charged with attempting to take his own life on tne same date by shooting him- Prisoner, who was assisted into the dock by two warders, looked very ill, and was in such a very weak condition that he seemed unable to bear up his own weight. He was supported by a burly warder, and in reply to the charge in almost inaudible tones, and With a shake of the head, pleaded "not guilty. Mr. Ivor Bowen, K.C., and Mr. Clem Edwards, (instructed by Mr. H. Alfred Thomas, solicitor, Llandovery), prosecuted, and Mr. Wilfred Lewis (instructed by Mr. John R. Williams, solicitor, Llan dilo), defended. OPENING SPEECH. ffi Afr. Ivor Bowen in opening his address for the prosecution to the jury said they had been sum- moned there, and they had taken their oaths as jurors of that county to try Harry Harpur who stood before them committed to take his trial upon t ic most serious kind of charge that any man in any county could be charged with. That was to say that having committed the crime of wilful murder, that is killing intentionally, according to the way m which it is put in law, with malice aforethought another human being, and it was not often, luckily and fortunately for that part of the world, that n the course of the duties which were imposed rightly upon jurors in that country, jurors of that Qounty are called to fulfil the serious and important duty which they had to perform that day. But he must point out to them on behalf of the prosecution, that it was necessary tnat they should listen to the evidence with the greatest care and with the greatest solemnity. He knew they would do that, and it was also necessary for them, in the interest of their own fellow beings in the discharge of their own duties and in the discharge of their duties to their country, to, say, if they thought that the prosecution had discharged the duty put upon them of proving the get of facts which point to this that the prisoner committed the crime for which he is charged, it follows that they must be courageous, firm and honest in the discharge of their duties, and having heard the whole case, after giving the prisoner the benefit of any doubt-any reasonable doubt to the man who is charged-it became their duty then to act, as he had said, courageously and honestly, and to say if they were so satisfied that prisoner is guilty of that crime. The value of human life, the value of public safety was so great that no other considera- tion-no consideration of pity should direct them from the right path, if they were satisfied that the case for the prosecution was made out. The prisoner was a young man somewhere about 29 years of age, and he appeared to have come to that country some a .r years ago, and worked in d-iffereiit farms as a tarm servant. He was charged with killing his master, named James Isaac Thomas, 61 years of age, who was living on the 1st May and had lived there for ?». long time before at the farm of Llwyntwyll, in the parish of Llansadwrn. Before the 1st May there had been some slight unpleasantness between the master and servant about money. Learned counsel then proceeded to review the evidence, and stated that he had just been told by Deputy-chief Constable Evans that one witness, Wm. James, was not forth- coming, and was not there at the moment. That was the man who went with prisoner to the Sexton Arm, but there was other evidence to show that the prisoner committed the crime with which he was charged, and which they would have to consider. At the request of his learned friend Mr. Lewis, in whose able hands he was glad to find the prisoner's interests placed, he would not open on the statements prisoner made to the police at the time he was taken into custody. There was not the slightest doubt in the world that James Isaac Thomas was killed by the shot from the gun which the prisoner used upon him on the 2nd May, and that he was killed by a man who apparently knew on the 1st of May perfectly well what he was talking about, and doing, who obtained a gun for purposes of his own, and bought a cartridge for a purpose of his own, and it was only the duty of the prosecution to set the facts before them, and was the duty of the jurors to determine whether prisoner was guilty or not. It was the duty of the defence to make out the charge anything less or other than murder., Everything that could be said to assist them would be said, and the prisoner would be assisted to make proper and lawful excuse for what he had done.. However, he had to say to them that on the evidence of the prosecution there was a clear case of the intentional taking away of the master's life on tho slightest pretext by a man who seemed to have some kind of grudge against him. It was for them to decide whether it was a case of murder after having heard the evidence for the prosecution and the defence, and in doing no they must remember that to allow a miserable dispute between master and servant to be put for- ward as a reasonable excuse for provocation suffi- cient to make a crime of that kind anything else but what it was, would be a very dangerous precedent to establish, and would render life unsafe and unpro tected in the country. A MISSING WITNESS. During the recital of the story of the crime prisoner trembled like an aspen leaf in the dock and frequently wiped tears from his eyes with a blue- bordered handkerchief. The Clerk of Arraigns then called up Wm. James, a witness in the case to surrender or forfeit h.;s recognisances.. The name was called three times inside and out- side the court,, but there was no response. The Judge considered whether he had the power to issue a bench warrant, but after consultation did not think he could do so. THE EVIDENCE. Esther Thomas, spinster, Llwyntwyll, Llansadwrn, said she was the sister of the late W. Isaac. Thomas, who was a farmer aged 61 years. On the morning of the 2nd May last about 6.30 d clock she was on the farm yard fetching the cows. Her late brother was there with a pony. While they were there, the prisoner came into the yard from his bedroom. Prisoner was a servant in her brother's employ. His bedroom was over the oowshed. Her brother asked prisoner what he wanted with a gun, and advised him to take it back to the room. In reply prisoner a-ked whether he was going to pay him the money due to him. Her brother answered, 41 Yes, as on as you bring the mole-traps back. Nothing further wa." sa.id, and prisoner then put up the gun, aimed at her brother, and shot at him. Prisoner was about ten yards away from her brother. After the shot her brother iell down and exclaimed, "Oh dear! dear! There was a pony between her brother, who was a tall man, and the prisoner. The prisoner then ran up the field behind the house, and she ran for help for her brother. Prisoner ran a few yards up the field and then he stopped. He then looked back. Witness ran to Brown's Hill and got assistance. On her return she went to her brother, and they car Tied him into the house. This was about 7 a.m. Her brother said nothing to her again. She re- mained with him until he died at 8.1b a.m. Prisoner had been in her brother's employment since October last. He was hired as a yearly servant, receiving :£12 10s. per annum with his board and lodgings. On the 2nd May there was JB1 6s. owing to prisoner. Prisoner had given notice to terminate the service on the 1st Mav. Prisoner wanted to settle on the night of the 1st May to stay on. Prisoner wanted to stay on. to the end of the year. Her brother said he would settle witn him in the morning. Cross-examined by Mr. Wilfred Lewis—About B12 £ 10s. a year was the general rate of wages to farm servants in the district. It did not strike her as a small wag-e, and prisoner himself asked for that, amount. After the death of her brother she employed another farm servant named Wm. Davies, aged about 28 years, and paid him the same amount. She never heard her brother accuse prisoner of steal- ing mole-traps. She had seen prisoner carrying a gun before, but never so early in the morning as on the 2nd May. It was the morning he was going away?—Yes. PRISONER'S PECULIARITIES. Prisoner was not well-behaved at times, and what did your brother do to him then?—Nothing. Do you suggest your brother did nothing when farm servants behaved .badly?—Nothing 1 know, only speak to them. Did prisoner have a character for throwing him- self down on the ground and bursting into tears?— Not that I know. Have you heard of him becoming depressed and not speaking to anybody for a long time?—Yes, sir. Used he to get drunk sometimes when he was with you -tie was going to Llansadwrn almost every night. Was that to get drink?—I can't say about that. Do you know he used to drink? Yes. Have you heard that one glass of beer will upset him, make him stupid and drunk?-No. Is it true you brother threatened to beat prisoner. -No. Is it true your brother used to watcn prisoner at work from behind the hedge?—No, air. Is it true that your brother used to blame him when he asked for his money for his insurance? No. He always gave him money to buy stamps. Did your brother threaten to give prisoner a thrashing because he could not manage to catch tne pony?—No, sir. Is it true that your brother, I am sorry to have to ask you this, question Miss Thomas, was a very hard master?-No, sir. There is no truth whatever in it?—No, nothing at all. Are you constantly changing your servants Miss Thomas?—No, sir. Some have been with me for seven years. Re-xamined-Sho had never seen prisoner drunk, and he appeared all right on the morning of the 2nd May. GUN TO SHOOT RABBITS. T1_1_ _1 John Morgan Thomas, spinner, juiaiisa,u>v m, wuu that on the 1st May prisoner came to his house about 9 p.m. and asked for the loan of his gun to shoot rabbits. He went and fetched the gun (pro- duced), and handed it to prisoner. Cross-examined—He was not a teetotaller, and he considered a man drunk when he had taken too much to drink. He did not think prisoner was drunk that night. He was in his usual state. He did not know whether prisoner was in Llansadwrn village every evening. He knew prisoner very well, but he was not a particular friend of his. He was no relation of the dead man. Thomas Rowland Rees Jones, Drefach, Llan- sadwrn, said that prisoner had been in his father's employ. He never asked prisoner to come up to Drefach, or jnvited him up to shoot rabbits on the 1st or 2nd of May. He did not ask him to bring up a gun there. Cros-examined-He cou!d not say the rate of wages paid to a good labourer in the district. It would be more than 5s. a week with board and lodgings. His father paid prisoner J39 a year. Mr. Lewis—Then he earned considerably less than the average farm labourer. Did you notice when ho was with you that he was strange as far as his temper was concerned No. Did you see him every day?—Yes W,ien he was working. He was perfectly rational—like any ordinary person?—Yes. Did he drink?—I never saw him drunk. Are you a teetotaller?—No, sir. I take a glass occasionally. PURCHASED ONE CARTRIDGE. Isaac Jones,, bootmaker, grocer, etc., Waterloo House, Llansadwrn, said that he held a licence for tne sale of explosives. About 10 p.m. on the let May prisoner came to his shop and bought one Ely cartride No. 4, exactly like the empty one produced. He tendered a threepenny bit, and re- ceived twopence change. He had sold cartridges to prisoner before. He had never noticed any- thing the matter with him at all. P.C. Evan J. Reynolds said that he found an Ely No. 4 cartridge case in the farm yard of Llwyn- twyll. Here Mr. Lewis raised the point as to whether certain statements made by the prisoner when the constable found him lying in the field, and at the Square and Compass, was admissible and his lord- ship ruled in his favour. The Constable said that at the Square and Com- pass the statements made by prisoner were volun- tarv. PRISONER IN GREAT PAIN. Mr. Lewis—At the time he made the statements was he in great pain?—Yes, but I could not say he was unconscious. Do you think the pain affected his consciousness? —Yes. Ho may not hawe known what he was say- ing. Have you made inquiries about prisoner?—Yes. And from an early ago has his conduct been strange?—I can't say. I have only been able to make inquiries jocally. I know him only since I have been stationed at Llansadwrn. Do you know that he has a violent temper?—No. And that he has fits of depression?— I have heard people say so. Have you heard that some people are afraid *of him, that he is queer?—Yes. Have you heard he is easily affected by drink, and that he is a person not like the ordinary man of the street; I don't mean an imbecile or lunatic, but that he is a person of weak intellect?—I have been told ro. A postcard which the prisoner had written, and of which a verbatim copy appeared in last week's CARMARTHEN JOURNAL was read to the jury by Mr. Wilfred Lewis. In this prisoner stated: "I have done it, and I am sorry. Good-bye to all, and I hope the Lord will forgive has done it.' P.C. Evans repeated the evidence he gave before the magistrates at Llandovery. and which was re ported in our last week's issue. He repeated the statement made by prisoner to him in which he said that he did not mean to shoot the deceased, but only frighten him, and that he deceased had called him a filthy rotten cockney, and that he had harshly treated him, and only gave him a penny to buy food when taking cattle to Llandovery. He would rather have killed himself than his master. Dr. Morgan, Llandovery, spoke to attending the prisoner at Llandovery, and he was quite sane then. Mr. Wilfred Lewis cross-examined to show that the prisoner was a man of weak brain, and that drink, hamh treatment, and a delusion that he was being constantly watched might bring on insanity. The doctor admitted that they might, and no doubt were contributory causes. He had read of cases where a sudden shock had restored a man's reason, but he could not say whether the shock prisoner received when he shot himself had anything to do with restoring his mind to its ordinary condition. Ho did not agree that one glass of beer might make a man of weak brain mad drunk. Ur. Hopkins, Llandovery, described he condition in which he found the prisoner at Llwyntwyll, and the wounds from which he suffered. His cross-examination was pointed in the same direction as the last witness. The fact that a man j told other people that he waa going to commit j suicide or murder might not be a sign of insanity. I THE DEFENCE. William Jones, farmer, Glangwydderig, Llan- dovery, said that the prisoner came to him in 1907, and stayed with him and came with him from Pembrokeshire to his present farm. He was with. him some eighteen months. He noticed that prisoner was very peculiar in his manner. He was childish, and given to fits of depression. Prisoner would throw himself on the ground and cry if he said anything to him, and then would not speak for some time. At times drink would make him ex. cited, and he would shout. He had not seen prisoner after drinking a lot. A glass of beer would make him half mad. He had seen defenant "looking black in his face." He never considered prisoner was in a right state of mind. He was always weak-minded. After taking drink he was half mad. or very funny for two or three days. The affect of two glasses of beer would show on him for, two or three days. Orosa-etfamijneld—He knew P.S. Deans, LJan- dovery. He had seen him drink a couple of glasses of beer on many occasions. He would stop on two, because he was told to. Priioner was a man of rather bad temper. A correct description of t'ne prisoner would be: "He was not a very good ser- vant, being very untruthful, 1Lnd bad tempered." When in a bad temper he would sulk for days. He had heard people shout when they had had drink, and they were quite sane as far as he knew. David Griffiths, London House, Llansadwrn. said that the prisoner had been in his employ for li ne months. He was very peculiar in nis nabits. He suffered from fits of depression, and was a person of weak will. A small amount of drink yvouil easily upset him. Cross-examined—He was a good man, and, under stood the orders given him. Prisoner said he was a very good shot with a gun. H.3 had had ot-i,.r servants who suffered from depression. Margaret Jones. Sexton's Arms, Llansadwrn, said that she had known the prisoner for some time. Prisoner came to her house sometim.-s, and on tne night of May 1st had a pint and a half of Ix-or In the afternoon he had a pint of boor ard some whiskey. When he came into the house in the evening he was pale and very cxc lr,d. Cross-examined—His master paid f, i- wt..it, he Lad in the afternoon. He was quite sober be "I came to the house, and qu to *,o'r>f>r wh-JU if e left. John Davies, Cwmbran, Llansadwrn, said he saw the prisoner on the night of May 1st rear a style leading to the farm. William James was with him. Prisoner had a gun in his hand, and, holding it out to James, said, "Have a pop at me now." Prisoner said, "1 am going to shoot myself to-mor- row morning." James refused, and told Harpur to go home. Prisoner then began to cry. Prisoner then offered witness tne gun, and asked him to have a pop at him. Witness told him not to talk so foolishly. Prisoner had a very violent temper. Cross-examined-He was with James and Harpur in the kitchen of the Sexton Arms, and they were all quiet and sober. PRISONER S SANITY. Dr. Evan Evans, Llanelly, said that he examined the prisoner on Friday last at H.M. Prison. He found him to be a man whose brain power was below normal. He asked defendant questions about his family history and personal history, but he failed to elicit any answers from him about a certain period of his life. Asked questions about the late master he got most excited, and said ho had been accused of stealing mole traps, and that he found fault with everything he did. He was always watching him. Drink and improper nourishment would be predisposing causes to insanity. Reading over the evidence of Miss Thomas and comparing them with prisoner's statements, it showed to him that the prisoner was suffering from hallucinations Prisoner's brain could easily be upset by harsn treatment and delusions. A sudden shock some- times restores sanity, and a man who did not know the difference between right and wrong might by a razor touching his neck, or by jumping into water, be restored to reason so as to know the difference between right and wrong. Re-examined—Every Jad who lost his parents at seven, was brought up by his grandmother, had to knefc-k about the world, get his own livelihood. and nobody to take any interest in him, was not insane. Mr. Bowen—No, I should think not, because if so every ninety-nine persons out of a thousand in this world would be insane. In answer to further questions, Dr. Evans said that prisoner had a good memory. He could ex- plain by words what he meant, and could follow a train of thought. He concluded he was insane be- fore the murder from the fact that ho attempted to commit suicide, and was suffering from delusions, and the shock had probably restored his mental balance. There was nothing indicative of insanity in aocepting a pint of beer from 'nis master, or borrowing a gun. PRISON DOCTOR CALLED. In answer to the Judge, the doctor said that when prisoner said he wanted the gun to go rabbit shooting he did know right from wrong, but later, on the impulse of the moment, he lost his reason. Dr. E. R. Williams, surgeon at H.M. Prison. Carmarthen, called by the prosecution, said' that he had had prisoner under observa- tion since ho was committed to gaol. He was of sound mind and quite sane. He knew the difference between right and wrong. He conversed well for a man of his education. Cross-examined—He bad not found out that a delusion that a man was being watched was one of the first and a common symptom of insanity. SPEECH FOR THE DEFENCE. Mr. Wilfred Lewis then addressed the jury for the defence, and said that the charge was the most terrible known to the law, and he felt the very great responsibility that had been laid on hit shoulders, because he stood between them and the prisoner to plead for his life. If they found prisoner guilty of murder, his lordship had only one duty to perform, and that was to pass upon him the sentence of death. The judge could not pass upon him any sentence he liked. His was a grave responsibility, but the jury's was graver still, because it was in their hands that the verdict rested. He asked them to be extremely careful in considering the case. Upon their judgment depended whether that unfortunate man was to be plunged into eternity. He was not so foolish as to tell them that in order to deter them from doing their duty. He knew they would do it. but he asked them to remember if their verdict was one of guilty which could never be effaced. The fact,R in the case so far as they related to the dat- cumstances under which the unfortunate man Thomas met his death were not in dispute. They knew that Thomas died as the result of a shot from a gun fired by prisoner. The Crown said that the prisoner had a grievance against his master, and that grievance because he had not had his wages paid, supplied the motive for the crime, and said the prisoner laid his plans carefully, and with premeditation. They had heard of the awful injuries which this wretched man inflicted upon himself, and how medical science nursed him back from death to life, for the purpose that he might go through the awful ordeal he was going through that day. in order that the law, if he was guilty, might wreak vengeance upon him by taking away that life which he very nearly took away by his own hand. Whatever the result of the case might be, surely it was far better that this man should have been left to die in an open field rather than he should have been saved in order to undergo an ordeal of this description. He asked them to take a merciful view, and a view which was more in accordance with the evidence, and that was that these acts were the acts of a madman. Was the man when he shot his master and himself responsible for his actions. He ventured to say that the whole circumstances point to the one fact that he was not. The sum of money due to him was very little, and would a man inflict the horrible injuries prisoner did upon himself for such a trivial amount, if he was in possession of his senses. He thought not. The lack of motive proved that the man killed his master and immediately after attempted suicide during a fit of temporary insanity. The medical evidence went to show that the prisoner suffered from delusions. These delusions and me insanity led to it, were brought on by drink, harsh treatment, and poor nourishment. Were it not for the fact that a human life depended on it. he would not have said a single word to touch the memory of the dead man Isaac Thomas, but they had heard what prisoner had said about Thomas. How he had to drive cattle Ion? distances without food. How- Isaac Thomas threatened him unless he came home from chapel early, how he never could do anything right, how he was always abusing him. and watching him from behind hedges. He thought they would agree, if they believed prisoner's statement, that Thomas was not a kind master, JJd they not think the hard life prisoner lia,. led had affected his natural weakness of mind. and led to insanity- Take what the prisoner aid when he came to the Square and Compass and in the morning cried to the constable, Oh. I have have a hard life. Ask them to put me under somebody* s care. PRISONER COLLAPSES. 'It At this juncture prisoner gave way to mucn weep- ing, and bent his head low. Wardens had to go to his assistance, take off his muffler, undo his gar- ments, give him water, and fan him. After a while calmness was restored, and he listened to the re- mainder of his counsel's speech for the defence, with his head loaning on a warder's breast. Continuing, Mr. W ilfrod Lewis made an elo- quent appeal to the jury to bring in a verdict of insanity, so that he might be put away under somebody's care where he might be brought back to a rational mind, and be prevented from doing any more harm. He asked them not to Bend the wretched man to the gallows, and to find a verdict tnat defendant when he committed this act was temporary insane. PROSECUTING COUNSEL S ADDRESS. P Mr. Ivor Bowen, in addressing the jury for the prosecution, aaid that he could not agree with his learned friend that the law nursed a man back to life to wreak vengeance. It was nothing of the kind, but it gave a man an opportunity, if he was not guilty, of being acquitted by the jury. The law was not based on such a wicked principle as vengeance, but purely justice. He only asked for justice that day. He asked the jury to give a just verdict on the evidence irrespective of the conse- quence that would follow. Then the defence had referred to Isaac Thomas as a hard master, and that was Mid in open court. The only evidence they had that that was 80 was the statement of tho man who shot him. Isaac Thomas had gone to his account with only that statement against him. He asked the jury to ask themselves whether the master who stood his servant a pint of beer was harsh and cruel. He asked them not to accept the view that Tnomas was an unkind master. This murder was deliberately planned. There was the conversation about shooting the farmer, the pur- chase of a single cartridge. People did not go out shooting rabbits with one cartridge, and ser- vants did not go out first thing in the morning shooting rabbits. Had he been insane he probably would have shot the pony, or. in his excitement, missed the man, but he was a good shot, he took deliberate aim, and put nearly the whole of the charge into his victim. In an able speech, put in absolute fairness, Mr. Bowen made out a strong case against: the prisoner, and conc'udod by saying that if they accepted the evidence of the prosecu- tion it would be their duty, painful as it would be, to bring in a verdict of guilty. The only question was his sanity, and that they must consider from the evidence before them. JUDGED SUMMING UP. The Judge, in summing *p, said that the prisoner on the 2nd May, at 6.30 a.m., shot at tho deceased, and killed him. The question they had to determine was, was the prisoner, or was he not, responsible for that act. If ho was responsible for that act morally and legally responsible, no was guilty of the crime of murder. If he was not responsible, neither legally nor morally, and never- theless his hand was the hand that shot the man and killed him, they were asked by the defence to say, although he was guilty of the act of which he was accused, he was not sane at the t.me he committed it. That he was guilty of the death of he deceased was not contested. WTiatever was the proper definition, or scientific definition of insanity, the law knew only one definition, and it was this, if a man when he was committing an act knew that the act was a wrongful act, he was responsible m the eyes of the law. But if the state of his mind was such that at the time he committed the act he did not know right from wrong, then ho was not responsible for that act in the eyes of the law. They could only determine that fact from the evi- dence and the circumstances surrounding the act. They would have to weigh all the evidence very carefully, and see whether it pointed to the fact that the man did or did not know the difference beween a rightful or a wrongful act. His lordship then reviewed the evidence, and pointed out that if prisoner had asked for a gun to shoot himself or his master he would not have been given the gun. If he did not know the difference between right and wrong why should he have asked for the gun to shoot rabbits. He must have known he would not be given the gun to shoot himself or his master. Many crimes were committed from most inade- quate motives,, and there was one here, but it is quite clear in his case hero was a difference. The prisoner wanted to stay on, and the deceased wanted him to go. Then there was a dispute about the wages and mole-traps. Then prisoner when in great pain made statements bearing upon the case and in accordance with the facts as they knjsv then. He said he did it in cold blood. He shot the man because he meant to, and shot him.v if afterwards. Did he say it because he thought his end was near? That was a question they must decide. Then they had the medical testimony to consider. An extraordinary feature in the casa was the evidence that prisoner would fall down and cry when fault was found with him, and ho a160 turned to the hedge and cried when two of li-S companions refused to have a pop at him with the gun. They had to decide whether at the Ùne he knew the difference between right and wrong. If he did, there was nothing in the evidence which could help him to escape tho consequences of that act. If they could conscientiously believe uncer the circumstances that he was not responsible tor his action they would acquit him. THE VERDICT. The Jury then retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of about half-an-hour re- turned to Court. The prisoner was now in a state of collapse and had to be held up between two warders. The Cierk of the Arraigns asked the jury whether they had agreed upon their verdict, and in a hushed Court the foreman announced "Guiltly of murder, and we strongly recommend him to mercy." THE DEATH SENTENCE. A dramatic scene followed. The Marshall placed the dread black cap on the Judge's head, whilst all in Court stood up. Addressing the prisoner, who looked a dreadful object supported between two warders, the Judge, slowly and in solemn tones, said: "Henry Harpur, you have been found guilty by a jury of your fellow- countrymen of tho wilful murder of the deceased. Tho jury have accompanied their verdict with a strong recommendation to mercy. The jury, in my view, have tempered justice with mercy. They have vindicated the law, they have done that which, if the authorities desire, may possibly prevent the natural and otherwise necessary consequences of their verdict. At present my duty is ministerial, and ministerial only. My duty consequent upon the Verdict which has been passed is to pass upon you the sentence which the law prescribes." His Lord- ship then passed sentence of death in the usual formula, after which the prisoner lying on the arms of two warders, was immediately removed to the cells below. The hearing lasted-nearly nine hours.
CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSIZES
CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSIZES HEAVY CALENDAR. LLANDILO FARMER ACQUITTED. MANORDEILO LABOURER SENT TO SEVEN YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE. The summer Assizes for the County of Carmar- then, and the County of the Borough of Carmar- then, were opened at the Guildhall, Carmartnen, on Friday last before the Right Hon. Lord Coleridge, one of His Majesty's Judges of the High Court of Justice. His Lordship arrived by the 6.30 p.m. train from Lampeter the previous evening, and was met at the station by the High Sheriff (Mr. Joseph Wil- liams, Llanelly), the under-sheriff (Mr. W. W. Brodie), the sheriff's chaplain (the Rev. Watcyn Morgan, vicar of Llanelly), and a posse of the county constabulary mounted, under the command of Sergeants Hodge Lewis and Davies. On Friday morning the Judge attended divine service at St. Peter's Church, accompanied by the High Sheriff, the under sheriff, the Mayor, and the Town Clerk (H. Brunei White) of Carmarthen, and the mounted police. The sheriff's chaplain preached. After- wards his Lordship proceeded to the Guildhall, where at 11.15 a.m. he took his seat, and the com- mission was read by the clerk of arraigns (the Hon. Stephen Coleridge). GRAND JURY. The grand jury were sworn in as follows:—Mr. F. Dudley Williams-Drummond, Hafodneddyn (fore man); Mr. J. W. Gwynne-Hughes, Trcgeyb; Capt. W. P. Jeffreys, Cynghordy; Col. Tudor Lloyd Harries, Llwyndewi; Mr. H. Wilkins, Llanelly; Mr. Thos. Jones, Brynmair, Llanelly; Mr. F. R. Neville Llanelly; Mr. Thos. Griffiths, Glanymor, Burry Port; Mr. Dl. Williams. Llanelly; Mr. Mervyn Peel, Danvrallt; Mr. W. N. Jones,, Tiry. dail; Mr. John Lloyd, Penybank; Mr. John Lewis, Meiros Hall; Mr. Dd. Evans, Manordaf; Mr. Alfred Stephens, Broomhiil, Kidwelly; Mr. J. B. Arthur (Mayor of Carmarthen); Mr. Joseph Roberts, Llan- elly; Mr. Herbert Eccles, Broadway, Laugliarne; Mr. Samuel Williams, Llanelly; Mr. D. W. Wil- iiams. Llanelly; Mr. H. E. Trubshaw, Llanelly, and Mr. Thos. Jones (Stepney Estate, Llanelly). THE CHARGE. His Lordship in charging the Grand Jury said that the calendar they had to inquire into presented no unusual feature, and nothing really need come from him to them, through their foreman, who, he knew had had such exceptional experience in matters criminal. But in order to facilitate their inquiries it might perhaps be helpful if he informed them that there were certain cases in the calendar in which there was evidence of confession on the part of the accused. The evidence of confession, apart from any other evidence, was sufficient to make out a prima facie case. There were one or two cases involving considerable conflicting evi- dence. There was a case of inciting to commit corrupt perjury. That was clearly a case which would probably be stoutly resisted, but without wishing in any way to dictate to them he might say he thought it wa.s a case for investigation in the court there. Then there was a charge against Thomas Thomas which ought to come before him and a jury. There was one very serious case of crime in which a man named Harpur was charged with murder. The evidence disclosed a prima facie case of murder without any possible doubt. Prob- ably during the investigation in this court the state of the man's mind will be raised, but that is a question for the petty jury. VWHITE GLOVES. Aid. L. D. Thomas, Sheriff of the Borough of Carmarthen, then presented the Judge with a pair of white gloves as there were no cases to be pre- sented. His lorship, in accepting the white gloves, con- gratulated the borough, and said that he was very pleased to find the borough wag immune from crime as in the past. THEFT OF CHEESE. James Rodda (42), of the tramping fraternity, was' charged with stealing a loaf of Cheddar cheese, value 8s.. from the premises of Messrs. Lip- ton, Ltd., at Llanelly on January 18th.—Mr. Mar- lay Sampson prosecuted. Prisoner, who pleaded guilty, said that on the occasion he was passing Lipton's shop, and seeing the cheese exposed, took it. He was committed too late to be tried at the last Assize, and had been in prison since the 10th January. His lordship bound prisoner over in the sum of £ 5 to come up for judgment jf called upon. WOULD NOT WORK. Alfred Howard (19). labourer, admitted a charge of breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Evan Brans. Pcncarreg, and stealing therefrom B4 15s. in money, a lady's silver watch value 22s. 6d., and a purse value Is. Prisoner pleaded ,guilty to a previous conviction at the Birmingham Assizes.—Mr. Griffith Jones prosecuted for the Crown. Inspector Whitehead, of the Birmingham Police Force, said that prisoner had a bad record since he left the Reformatory School. He was married but would not work, even when work was got for him. The Judge said that as prisoner would not work it seemed to him that he should be sent to a place where ho would be made to work. It was quite evident he had abandoned his wife and child, so it was useless his refering to any punishment given him would inflict punishment on them. He would have to go to prison for seven months with hard labour. THEFT OF CIGARS. Thomas Ashmead, a tramping labourer, aged 26 years, pleaded not guilty to indictments charging him with burglariously entering the dwelling house of Eliabeth Bing, Stag's Head Inn, Llanelly, on the 30th March last and stealing a quantity of cigars, 14 packets of cigarettes, and three ounces of tobacco, a bottle of rum, and a bottle of sherry, and with receiving the same well knowing them to have been stolen; also with stealing a watch value 5s., the property of Elizabeth Bing; also with stealing foreign coins. Mr. Wilfred Lewis prosecuted, and prisoner was not defended by counsel. P.S. Davies, Llanelly, gavo evidence that he arrested prisoner on suspicion, and found a number of the igoods in his possession. Prisoner handed in a written statement, in which he said ho was -guilty of receiving the goods, but not knowing they were stolen. A man named Nurse and another named Harries gave him the goods. He was sorry to say he was not out that night. He was sorry for what he did, and hoped the Lord would forgive him. The Judge-I hope he does not mean me (laugh- ter). The jury found the prisoner guilty. The Judge said that ho had letters from em- ployers to show that when he worked he was a good workman. As it was his first offence he would have to go to prison with hard labour for five months. Thomas Thomas (47), a farm servant, was charged with a serious offence against Edith Anne Llewellyn, farm servant of Eglwyscwmmin, on the 8th April last. Mr. T. Langman (instructed by Mr. H. Brunei White, solicitor, Carmarthen) prosecuted, and Mr. Harold Stowe held a dock brief for prisoner. Prisoner was found not guilty, and discharged. THEFT. A sentence of three months' imprisonment was passed on John Keefe (49), labourer, who pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a pair of boots, value 6s. lid., the property of Arthur Thomas, at Llan- elly. WISE MEN-EAST OR WEST? Gwilym John (19), described as a building society agent, surrendered to his bail on charges of obtain- ing by false pretences the sum of 14s. from John Owen Thomas, and the sum of £ 10 from William John Rowe, at Llanelly. Mrv Clarke Williams (prosecuting) said the accused had printed a circular stating that the International and Investment Aid Society of New York had opened a branch at Llanelly, and another circular set out the conditions of the Society in Tory glowing terms. When sending out the circu- lars accused enclosed a testimonial purporting to come from some other person, who wrote: "It is the finest, investment I have ever had, and I shall recommend jt to everyone." By means of the cir- culars he came into touch with several individuals at Llanelly, including Rowe, who arranged for a loan of jMOO on security, and on the strength of that prisoner obtained a deposit of £10 from Rowe. His Lordship-A cynical judge once said that the further he went west the more he was convinced that the wise men came from the east. Mr. David Rhys. on behalf of prisoner, who pleaded guilty, said he promised to make restitu- tion to these people as soon as possible. He was only a lad and had hitherto borne an excellent character. Prisoner was seized with the lust for gold, and found temptation extremely easy, incredi- bly easy, probably because of the extraordinary prosperity in Llanelly at the presenti time. His Lordship, addressing prisoner, said:—"It is only your youth that pleads for you, because what you have done shows .great craft and great dishon- esty, and iti was only because you have met with a number of fools you were able to purloin them of what I daresay they could very ill afford to lose." Prisoner was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. The Court was adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. HIGH SHERIFF S LUNCHEON. During the mid-day interval the High Sheriff (Mr. Joseph Williams) entertained the Grand Jurors, Members of the Bar, officials of the Court, some friends, and the Press to a champagne lunch at the hy Bush Royal Hotel, where the catering of Host D. E. Williams gave the higiiest satisfaction to the large company, oyer which the High Sheriff presided, supported by Mr. F. Dudley Williams- Drummond, Hafodneddyn, and the Sheriff's Chap- lain. The usual loyal toasts were submitted from the chair, and duly honoured. Mr. Dudley Drummond, who was received with appiause, said they were indebted to his Majesty's representative in the person of the High Sheriff for entertaining them to so generous a lunch. As they all knew the High Sheriff was a very success- ful business man, and they wished him all possible success on that the first day of his shrievalty (ap- plause). He deeply regretted he absence of his brother (Sir James Williams-Drummond, Bart., C.B.), owing to which the very pleasing and agree- able duty of proposing the health of the High Sheriff had fallen to him. He wished to express his brother's great regret at his inability to be there to support such an old and valued friend as he considered the High Sheriff (applause). Illness was the sole cause of his absence, and he was pleased and happy to say that his brother's health was improving—(cheers)—and he knew all his many- friends there would be glad to hear he was better, but still his medical advisor insisted on his enjoy- ing complete rest and plain food (laughter). The fact that Sir James was not with the cheerful company he saw around him tnat day, or enjoying tho luxuries of the hospitable table, was due to doctor's orders. He (the speaker) claimed to be an old friend of the High Sheriff—(applause)—and they had worked together on the County Council and the magisterial benctl (cheers). He regretted they lost him from the County Council last March, but he hoped to see him very shortly back amongst them (cheers). As an old and valued friend, he was one of those who admired a gentleman like the High Sheriff more than words could tell (ap- p.ause). People who came from Llanelly apprecia- ted him more than tfte people in the West, and they knew how much they owed to pioneers of in- dustry like their friend the High Sheriff (applause). Mr. Williams was one of the pioneers of industry in Llanelly, and had done a great deal of good not only for Llane.ly, but for the whole county at large (cheers). There were many people who had Successful businesses in that county, but there were few who invested their profits also in the businesses in the county, like their High Sheriff (hear, hear). He and a few others invested their money for the further development of the county (cheers). Those were the gentlemen tlloy alj ad- mired and wished to keep amongst them (applause). He was pleased to see the High Sheriff had re- covered from his recent indisposition, and he was sure he was expressing the feeling of them all when he said they honed he would live long to enjoy the high position he had arrived at that day —High Sheriff of his native county. They knew he would fill it with the greatest credit not only to himself but to the county—(cheers)—and he hoped he might be spared for many years to enjoy good health, and to please his many friends not only in Llanelly but throughout the whole county. He congratulated him most heartily on the high office to which he had succeeded, and he knew the dig- nity of the county was very safely placed in his hands (applause). He (Mr. Drummond) was also happy to see, as they all were. that he had been very wise in selection of thf' Under-Sheriff (ap- plause). Although he came f: 'Ill the sister town he had the very greatest reject for Mr. Brodie (hear. hear). Their thanks were due to the High Sheriff for the generous way he had entertained them, and to Mr. Brodie for carrying out the arrangements so very handsomely (cheers). The toast was accorded musical honours. The High Sheriff, who was receivecd with loud and continued applause, thanked Mr. Drummond for the kind words he had spoken about himself, nnd while regretting the unavoidable absence of Sir James Drummond, he feit they all rejoiced to hear the Lord Lieutenant of the County was im- proving in health (cheers). They hoped Sir James would soon be restored to perfect health again. He congratulated two eminent Weldimon—Mr. Ll. Williams and Mr. Ivor Bowen—on receiving the honourable appointments of King's Counsellors. He trusted that at the end of his year of office ho would hand the shrievalty of the county to his suc- cessor untarnished (cheers). The company then dispersed. SECOND DAY. Lord Coleridge took his seat at the Guildhall at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. ALLEGED ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE. Frank Holding (18), and Benjamin H. Jones (20), two colliers of the Amman Valley, pleaded not guilty to a charge of feloniously robbing Evan Arthur Morgan, and stealing from his person the sum of 4s. to 5s. in money, and immediately before and after the robbery did feloniously wound the said Evan Arthur Morgan, herbalist, 4 Water-st., Carmarthen. Mr. Villiers Meager (instructed by Messrs. Noyes and Noyes. solicitors, Ammanford) prose- cuted, and Mr. J. Bowen Davies held a dock brief for the defence. The prosecutor said that on Friday, 17th January last he went to Garnant. In the afternoon he was making his way for Glanamman with the intention of going to Glynmoch, oil the way to Ammanford. At the Farmers' Arms Inn, Glynmoch, he had a half bottle of beer. and then walked down the road with a collier to Glynmoch Farm. Witness then went on to Hcoldwr, and heard some steps coming behind him. Then suddenly he was struck on tho head. He looked round, and saw Jones with a, stick in his hand in the act of strikingjhim. Hol- den said, "Give the old another blow and let, 'd, us see how much money be has got. Holden shoved him into the hedge, and Jones jumped at him, and caught him by the throat. Holding said, -You won't get up, or you'll be killed," and with. that put his hand in his left-hand pocket, and took his purso out. They then left him. Witness went about two miles to the police-station, and gave in- formation to Inspector Davies. While inside t < men came for tickets for the lodging-house, and he recognised them as tho men who had assaulted and robbed him. The men denied it, but he was quite certain. His clashes were covered with blood and mud. Cross-examined-He could see very we 1. Iheio were no houses at the spot where he was attacked. The nearest house was about a quarter of a mile away. He was not stunned by the blows. W nca the prisoners left him, he ran away. \Uce Maud Evans, Ystrad Villa, Glanamman, a litMe sirl of eleven year. of age, ».d that on tho day i„ question, .he sa»v the prosecutor SO Passed her house, and afterwards the two was about 4.30 p.m. One of the prisoners nad a stick. She identified the two prisoners at the nol ice-station afterwards. Marv Hughes, Farmers' Arms, Glynmoch, said on the 7th January while she was standing i)iAsa,re she saw two y&WW men passing down. pHssd0c. » y,ouee but he left befQrc She saw prosecutor at «QU#e, w the two men went by. Ar-S, Jennie Hughes (11), Farmers' Arms, said that when returning from school she met the prosecutor on the road, and afterwards the two prisoners. lic- LZ jonc. Y sguborwen Villa, £ poied to meeting the prosecutor and the two nrisoners on the Glynmoch road. Dr. Ernest Iriman said that on the day in ques- tion he examined prosecutor, and found several wounds on tne neau.. Michael Murphy said that he was in the oe 1 < the Ammanford police-station jn January last. The two prisoners were with him. They spoke about the ault, and Jones said that they had hit the old man on the head with a sick. Cross-examined—When he told the police of the conversation he did not do so with the ob]<ct of wetting out of his own trouble lightly. Re-examined-He had been tried for the offences with which he was charged, and sentenced. Inspector Evan Davies said that when the prose- cutor came to the station his eyes werebkckaml h s clothes were covered with blood. He made a complaint to witness, and during that time the tw prisoners came into the charge-room foi the lodging-house. Then prosecutor sa^ >f There are the two young men who assaulted me- was quite positive about it, and iga^e them charge He then examined tho prisoners, found thev were very wet from the knees down- wards, as if they had been walking through wat He noticed fresh dirt on Jones' knees and elbow. Their hands were perfectly c:ean, and they ,aul they washed them at seven rfclock in tne morning He cautioned and charged tnem, and in replY Jones said "I never saw the old man before now. The heel marks he found on the spot where the assault took place corresponded with the heels t the prisoners' boots. He also found a stick near the hedge. At the police-station later Jones said, •I will not plead guilty. Let me and my ma to do a.s we please, for the old man is only one, and we will be two. I will not say I am guilty.. January 21st, about 8 a.m.. he heai^ •Frank! Frank!! (meaning Holding). There r something on the boards. I am not plead g truiltv Do as vou please." Cross-oxamined-On the day in question prisoner, were dressed as common road tramps. They said thev were looking for work. Cross-examined—He did not find the purse or any of the money on tho prisoners. The prisoner Jones said he lived at 19, Martin- terrace Blaenavon. On the day in question ho n'ever assaulted the prosecutor, and stole his purse and money. He never saw Morgan before they met at the police-station. It was not true tnat ho told Murphy in tho cell that he had assaulted an old man. The prisoner Holding made a similar state- ment. The jury found both guilty. Serjeant Joseph Jones (Blaenavon) said he had known prisoners for 15 years. They were the^ sons of respectable working-class parents, but had lately given way to drink, gambling and laziness. Jon.s in 1903 received six strokes with the birch for stta ing eggs, and both he and Holding had been con- victed for gambling. t. jfffs Lordship, addressing prisoners, said, Vou have done vour case no good in me eye of any reasonable man by saying that you are not guilty. You have been found guilty on absolute proof. I do not know whether you have ever reflected that such conduct as vours terrifies the whole countryside. It people cannot walk along our country roads without being robbed and knocked silly it will be a terrible thing." He would send them for detention under the Borstal system for a period of three years. NOT GUILTY. David Jenkins (50), a haulier, surrendered to his bail and pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing certain woodwork belonging to a stable, of the value of E4 4s., the property of Hugh Nevill, at Llanelly. Mr. Clarke Williams, who prosecuted, said the accused, who was the tenant of the stable, had stripped the building of the woodwork and had removed it to a quarry near by. His Lordship questioned whether it was a felony, as the accused had not attempted to dispose of tho timber. After some argument Mr. Clarke Williams asked permission to withdraw the charge. His Lordship directed the jury to return a verdict I of not guilty, and accused was discharged. LLANDEBIE QUARREL. Henry Harries (22) was indicted for wounding William Harries and Mary Harries with intent to do grievous bodiy harm at Llandebie. Mr. Villiers Meager (instructed by Mr. Noyes, Ammanford) prosecuted, and Mr. Clarke Williams (instructed ly Mr. W. L. Smith, Ammanford) defended. The case for the prosecution was that the accused, who had lodged with his brother, but left because of some disagreement, returned the following day to fetch his belongings, and when asked to pay for his lodgings he struck his brother a blow on the head and struck Mrs. Harries on the arm. Dr. Price (Ammanford) said he found William Harries suffering from a clean-cut wound on the left side of the scalp 2jin. in length and penetrating right down to the bone. Mrs. Harries also suffered from a wound on th forearm. These must have been caused by some pointed instrument. Cro.-vs-examined—He did not think they could have been caused by a comb (produced). The defence was that during a quarrel William Harries struck accused, who, with a comb in his hand at the time, retaliated. A general scufflo ensued, in which Mrs. Harries's arm was injured. Accused denied that he had a knife in his hand. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and accused was discharged. The Court adjourned until :Monday. THIRD DAY. On Monday his lordship tried Harry Harpur for the murder of a Llansadwrn farmer, a report of which appears in this page (Column 1). FOURTH DAY. Lord Coleridge took his seat punctually on the bench at 10.30 o'clock on Tuesday morning. CHARGE AGAINST LLANDILO FARMER FAILS. Wm. Thomas, a retired farmer, living at Carreg- cegjn, near Llandilo. surrenoered to his bail on two indictments charging him with soliciting and in- citing Jaitie, Davies, road labourer, Ponvgarn-issa, to commit unlawful acts by blowing up with dyna- mite Delfryn, the n-ultnce, of Esther Thomas, "and by cutting down trees at Delfryn. The case was fully reported in the JOUKNAI. when it became before the magistrates at Llandovery. Mr. Villiers Meager prosecuted, and Mr. Ivor Bowen, K.C., and Mea-er (instructed by Messrs. T. G. Williams and Hurley) prosecuted, and Mr. Ivor Bowen, K.C.. and Mr. Marlay Samson (instructed by Mr. J. W. Bishop, solicitor, Llanelly and Llandilo) defended.