The Aberystwith Observer

HORRIBLE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. The inhabitants in the vicinity of Northgate were thrown into a wild state of excitement on Friday Slight week, owing to a report that a murder of a de- termined character had been committed in Poplar- low. Reports of the discharge of firearms, accom- panied by terrific screams and loud cries of mur- der" were heard to emanate from one of the houses in this locality, and upon the neighbours rushing thither they found that a most foul deed had been committed, -a man named John Price having first shot and killed -his wife Mary Anne, and then deliberately shot him- self, and, but for the timely appearance of a young man named Jenkins, the murderer would doubtless liave succeeded in putting an end to his own existence. Very little is known of the history of Price for the last eight years he has periodically visited this town in order to undergo the month's training with the Artillery Militia, and his conduct during that time had been most exemplary, so that at last he had at- tained the rank of sergeant. He is said to have been a most quiet, inoffensive person, and, we have been assured, that only once during the eight trainings has he been known to have been under the influence of drink. At the close of each training he again dis- appeared, and was not seen for the next ensuing eleven months. But although not addicted to drink, his private character does not seem to have been the best, for it is now rumoured that, in addition to the poor woman who has become the victim of his vio- lence, he has a wife and several children; and it is also well known that at the close of one training he induced a young servant girl to leave the town with him, by whom he had one child, now living, and after- wards abandoned her, the unfortunate girl having been found by her mother in a state almost bordering upon starvation. Price is very reticent as to his antecedents, but it is believed that he is a native of either Swansea or Bristol. He was a smart- looking young fellow, and evidently made the best of himself. It would appear that it is about fourteen Months since he made the acquaintance of the young woman who has now suffered the full force of his vengeance, and he evidently succeeded in seducing her; for a few weeks before the recruits came up for drill she gave birth to a child, and upon his arrival in the town, about three or four months ago, they were married, and afterwards lived together with her mother in the first cottage after passing through -North-gate on the Penglais-road. From thence they appear to have removed to No. 4, Poplar-row, where they took apartments with an old woman named Mary Davies. Although their married life was brief, I it does not seem to have been a happy one, and fre- quent quarrels had taken place, and on several occa- I sionsPriceissaidtohavebeatenhiswife. As to I the origin of these quarrels it is not very clear, but the poor little babe evidently had something to do with them, and this was borne out by several of the witnesses on Saturday last in reply to questions put by one of the jurymen. The parties quarrelled several times on Friday, and the police had to be called in but on the occasion of each visit P.C. Lewis neither saw nor heard anything which would justify him in searching Price or taking him into custody. Indeed, the woman admitted that he had neither threatened or assaulted her on that day, although he had on previous occasions. P.C. Lewis remained with her and a young woman named Salis- bury while they packed her clothes, it being the in- tention of the parties to separate, and the officer also saw the box carried downstairs; but unfortunately the woman Price chose to remain in the kitchen be- low, and it was here that the fatal shots were fired. It was about half-past eleven o'clock at night that the whole neighbourhood were aroused and alarmed by the firing of four shots in rapid succession, and on hastening in the direction from whence they emanated the people were appalled to discover that the woman Price had been murdered in the presence of three other women, and also to find that the murderer had inflicted a wound upon himself. With commendable coolness and courage a man named Robert Land, servant to Major Bassett Lewis, having enquired of Price whether he had shot his wife, and receiving a reply in the affirmative, with the assistance of an- other man named Griffiths, at once conveyed him to the police station. In about ten minutes after the lamentable occurrences we were upon the spot, and the scene was one which we shall not easily forget. Price was being hurried off by the two men, Land and Griffiths, in the direction of the police-station but not one moment too soon, for if the infuriated crowd could only have laid hold of him, there is too much reason to fear that he would have at once been lynched or have suffered considerable violence. The poor woman lay on the floor of the kitchen a ghastly spectacle, her features being scarcely recognisable owing to the mass of blood and disfigurement which she presented, her clothes—particularly a white ( apron which she was wearing—were also covered with her life's blood. The little room was crowded with spectators, some of them deeply lamenting the untimely end of the young woman, and others being almost frenzied with excitement. It was some twenty minutes after the perpetration of the deed that a policeman arrived, and then the young man Jenkins handed over the pistol, which proved to be a six- chambered revolver, to P.C. Joshua Lewis. Dr Rees Davies arrived some time afterwards, and, having looked at the body, pronounced life to be extinct. Finding this to be the case, he sent for Dr Rice Williams, but before the latter's arrival Mr Davies made a further superficial examination, after which a policeman was put in charge of the house, and the crowd gradually dispersed, the small hours of the morning being now gradually approaching. There Were one or two heartrending features connected with the sad events. The innocent little child, only Borne four or five months old, was in the arms of a young woman named Salisbury outside the door of the house, while its mother was being murdered and its father, after attempting self-destruction, was being marched to afelon's cell, and possibly a felon's grave. The mother of the poor girl was also soon npon the spot, and the state of her mind can be more -easily imagined than described. She swooned several times, and during' her lucid intervals her s:roans were pitiable in the extreme to hear. Some neighbours gathered around her, and she was taken to her home in Penglais-road as speedily as possible, but altogether the scene was one which is not easily effaced from the mind and memory. The inquest on the body of Mary Ann Price was opened at the Town Hall, on Saturday morning, be- xore Dr Rowland, coroner, and the following, who were empanelled as jurymen Mr Thomas Hugh Jones, Great Darkgate-street (foreman); Messrs E. P. Wynne, chemist, Pier-street; JDavid Thomas, watchmaker, Great Darkgate-street; Jttichard Morgan, grocer, Great Darkgate-street Jenkin Rees, Bridge-street; Edward Price, Crystal Palace, Queen's-road; John Ellis, gunsmith, Great Darkgate-street; Thomas Jones, painter;' John Owen, Penglais-road and J. P. Lewis, Aberystivyth Observer. The enquiry was conducted by D.C.C. John Lloyd, and Chief Constable Major Bassett Lewis also watched the proceedings. The Coroner remarked that they were all aware of the terrible circumstances under which they were called together, and after asking the jury to select their foreman, he asked them to proceed to view the body of the deceased woman, which was found to be still lying on the floor of the kitchen where she was murdered. Upon returning to the Town Hall, the following evidence was given Mary Davies, an aged woman, in reply to D.C.C. John Lloyd, said I live at No. 4, Poplar-row, Aber- ystwyth. Some weeks ago I rented an upstairs room to John Price, Mary Ann Price, and their child. Do you remember last night ? Yes; between eleven and twelve last night I was in the kitchen, Sitting down on the right hand side of the fire. Who was with you ? Mrs Owens was with me: she had just come in and her daughter. Who else was there ? No one else was there ex- cept Mary Ann Price. What position were you in P Mrs Owen sat beside me, and Mary Ann Price was standing by a table. When Mary Ann Price heard John Price coming downstairs she moved from that table to the table by the window. Where was Miss Owen standing ? She was sitting on my left. After hearing him coming downstairs, I saw him coming on, and he "charged" in Mary Ann's face, and she fell down. _Was there a noise? I saw fire coming from the pistol. And hear the report ? Yes, I saw the blaze. Did deceased fall ? Yes, she fell down on the floor. Was it on her face or side that she fell ? On her side. c^(' yon thing? Price turned out Price passa"e' ancl burning round said, "I am John bf? Mrs Owen and her daugh- ter ran out ot the back. You don't know what became of him? No I heard another report of firearms as he was going out pf the passage or doorway. B s Did you do anything to Mary Ann Price ? Yes I took hold of deceased by the arms with the intention of helping her to follow us out through the back. Did she go? No; she was right dead tome. J went myself, and they dragged me over a wi,"i son e- where. She appeared to me dead. I saw a policeman there about two hours before the occurrence. She wished to have her box downstairs, and then another policeman came. What time was that ? About ten minutes after the first constable came. P.C. Lewis was the last who came there. Two shots you heard ? Yes. One in the house, and the other outside. By Mr E. P. Wynne; Did you see a pistol?--I could not say. I heard the firing clearly. could not say. I heard the firing cleai-ly. By Mr J. P. Lewis Did you hear any quarel- ling between the husband and wife before the event ? Yes, all the afternoon. Can the witness say what it was about? About the child that she had. She was not allowed to touch the baby unless he wished. Did he give any reason for that ?—If the child was crying she would have to leave it if he was near. Margaret Jenkins, sworn, saidj: I am the wife of Thomas Jenkins, pattern maker, living in Poplar- row. Sometime last night was your attention drawn to anything unusual? Yes,isir. What time was it ? Between eleven and twelve. What did you hear? I heard a great noise while I was in the house having my supper, in company with my son. After hearing this noise, what did you do? I ran out to the house where deceased lived. And after arriving there what did you hear and see? I saw a flash of fire coming towards some one, and John Price dropped down into the roadway by the door. My son said, "I have got the pistol," and I ran and called out "police" as loud as I could. Did you return to the house ? Yes, I returned. I ran into the house to see where Mary Ann, the deceased, was. She was lying in the kitchen, with her face downwards, and covered with blood. Was she alive or dead? She was alive then. A woman named Harriet Tisdale was in before me. Mrs Tisdale had hold of her, and she breathed, and then died. Did you see your son pick up anything- from the road P Yes, I saw him pick up a pistol in front of the house. I did not see Price throw it away. Did you hear a shot fired? Yes, sir; outside the house. Did you see Price outside then?—Yes, sir. He dropped down. I did not see the pistol in his hands. By Mr J. P. Lewis Can you say upon what terms the parties lived ? Were they happy, or frequently quarelling ?—I understood they were not happy they quarelled about his wife. They say lie had another wife. Harriet Tisdale, sworn, said I live in Northgate- street, and keep a shop there. Did you, last night, at some time or other, go to Mary Davies' house, where John Price lived ?—Yes I went there first about ten o'clock; and also be- tween eleven and twelve when I heard a report. In going there what did you do ? I ran up towards Pound-place, and saw some women coming from the opposite direction, and when I got up to Mary Davies' house I saw John Price between two men in the doorway. I went into the house, where I found Mary Ann Price in the kitchen. There was no one in the room then besides the deceased. She was ly- ing with her face downwards. I caught hold of her by the arm, and she sighed twice, and then fell back and died. When I first caught hold of her the blood ran out of her mouth, I think. John Jenkin Jones, sworn, said I am a jeweller, and live with my mother at the Coopers' Arms, North- gate-street. Was your attention called last night to anything unusual ? Yes, sir. I should say about 11.30. To What was it drawn ? To screams of murder. Where were you ? I was in the bar of my mother's house. What did you do ? I ran out to where the screams proceeded from—Poplar-row. What did you SEe and hear ? I saw John Price ly- ing flat on the ground, a little higher up than in front of the house where he lived. Did he say anything first, or did you ? He was groaning. What did you do ? I went to him and asked him What have you done ? And what did he say ? "I am done for," or I have done it," or something to that effect. Thomas Jenkins was then about two yards from him. Thomas Jenkins told me, in the presence of Price, that he had shot his wife, and I ran into the kit- chen. What did you there see ? The deceased lying down on her face. I picked her head up, and the blood was pouring from about the eye and mouth. Was she alive or dead ? She was alive then. I ask- ed her what was the matter. In Welsh or English ? In Welsh, and I under- stood her to say something about shot-" a, WMe wedz'n saethi i," but she spoke very incohe- rently, and I could scarcely understand her. She muttered something about shot—saethi." I laid her head back, and I did not hear a groan after that. I went out to try to get some one to go for a doctor, or go myself, and I met Margaret Jenkins or some other woman, who said that a doctor had been sent for. By Mr David Thomas I should say that John Price was quite sober at the time. When I came out there were three or four men with him. James Jenkins, sworn, said I am a painter, and live with my mother in Poplar-row. Did you hear anything last night ? Yes between half-past eleven and twelve o'clock I was at supper, when I heard three reports of firing, and one as I was going out of my mother's house. What did you do? I ran to Mary Davies's door, and John Price came out as soon as I got there. We were pretty close to one another, and he turned his back to the upper part of the street,turned the revol- ver towards his neck, said "dead," then fired, and dropped down. As he was falling he threw the re- volver on one side. I looked at him, and saw him turning on the ground, and I thought ho was looking for the revolver, so I picked it up and handed it to Police-constable Joshua Lewis. How many shots did you hear ? I am certain I heard four shots. The blaze of one came by my face. I was standing sideways to him. [The witness, with the assistance of Sergt. Morgan, then explained the position in which he and Price stood to each other]. John Price was with his back to the Cooper's Arms, and I was with my back towards the station. The re- volver produced is the one I picked up and handed to the constable. P.C. Joshua Lewis produced the pistol, which was apparently of French make. He said he had examined it, and found four chambers empty and two loaded. The cartridges found in the revolver were of the same make as two found on John Price. Jenkins, in reply to Mr E. P. Wynne, said I live about fifteen yards from Mary Davies's house. I heard three reports before I went out of the house. There was a row between the parties about an hour or about an hour and a half before that. Joshua Lewis, on oath, said: I am a constable, stationed at Aberystwyth. I received the revolver produced about 11.45 last night at Poplar-row from James Jenkins, Pound-place. I examined it, and found four chambers discharged, and two loaded. I drew the cartridges now produced, and they are similar to those found on the prisoner. The chambers appeared to have been recently discharged; I judge so from the smell of powder and the appearance of the barrels. Thomas Land, coachman in the employ of Major Bassett Lewis, and living in Northgate-street, said Last night I was attracted by something* unusual about 11.30. What did you hear ? -I heard a report of firearms and screams of murder. What did you do ? I could not say from where it came, but I ran out of the house to Poplar-row. Who did you see? I saw John Price. He was standing in the road. There was a lot of people about, but no one near him. Did he say anything ? A person told me in his presence that he had murdered his wife, and I caught hold of him and asked him if it was true. What did he say? He said "Yes." "Then," I said, you must come to the police station." When in North-parade we met constables Nos. 33 and 15, I and we delivered him over to them. There was another man with me named Griffiths. Did he say anything else? On the road to the police station the prisoner said, I am sorry I did not finish myself, and the man who assisted me said it was a pity he did not do it. By Mr Thomas Hugh Jones He seemed to be all right. He appeared to be a sober man. By Mr E. P. Wynne I heard four reports before I got there. By Mr J. P. Lewis I wont to Poplar-row because I heard the report coming from that direction. P.C. David Jones (33) said Last night I metThos. Land and Thomas Griffiths about ten minutes to twelve, in North-parade. They handed over John Price to my custody, charged with murdering his wife by shooting her. They did not say with what. I took him to the police station and searched him, and I found the two cartridges produced in his pos- session, J22 4s 10d in money, and a watch and chain. He told me he was ready to die just as we were tak- ing him to the cell. Ho was sober. By the Foreman I knew him in the militia, but I never saw him drunk. I don't know what were his habits. By Mr D. Thomas: The two cartridges found on him correspond with those found in the revolver. I P.S. Morgan deposed Last night, about twelve o'clock, I proc soded to the cell where the accused John Price was confined. I proceeded to examine him, and founl the handkerchief (a silk one) pro- duced over his shirh collar and a tie, and also found the marks of blood on the collar. I then examined his throat, and found a hole there exactly underneath the mark on his collar. I further examined him, but found no other mark. He was in such a state that I could not say whether he was drunk or sober. He was standing all right on his feet. By Mr John Owen, joiner He was in drink, I sup- pose, but I cannot say. He looked thoroughly ex- hausted. P.C. Lewis (20) said Last night, about 9.15, Mary Davies, living in Penglais-road, mother of the de- ceased, came to me saying that John Price was abus- ing her daughter at Pound-place, and she wanted me to go there with her, as he was refusing to give up the child to her (Mary Davies). I proceeded with her to Poplar-row, and went upstairs to John Price. Mary Ann Price followed me up, and said she would like to have the child away. He replied that he would not give it up just then, and that they would be all right in a minute, as it was merely a quarrel, and only between them two. I asked Mary Ann Price if anything had occurred that night more than usual, and she replied No, only that he had been call- ing her bad names. I then left. She said that he had not been beating her that day, but that he had done so on previous days. By the Foreman Was he sober ? He was in drink at the time, but he knew what he was about. By Mr Lloyd I passed there again a little after ten o'clock, but I noticed nothing then. There were a few women about, but there was no row. I was going that way in order to see if there was anything wrong. The next time did you see me? Yes, I saw you five or ten minutes past eleven in North-parade. Did we have a conversation then ? You had a con- versation with me, and you told me that Mary Davies had been with you, and you asked me to go to the house and see how things were. I told you that I had been there once, and passed there another time, but there was nothing particular, only a quarrel be- tween man and wife. You told me to go and see again, and I went straight. I went upstairs and saw John Price, the deceased Mary Ann Price, and Mr James Salisbury's daughter. They were packing the clothes up in a box, and the deceased said they were going to leave one another, and she asked me to remain there until she could have her things all downstairs. I remained there till she packed every- thing into the box. Her husband then told her that if there were any of her things there she Avas to take them in my presence, and he said, "Now. policeman, I am calling you as a witness that I am not sending her away, but that she is leaving me of her own wish. I could live with her only for her mother." Mary Ann Price and Miss Salisbury took the box down- stairs, saying that they had everything belonging to her. I remained with him then five or ten minutes trying' to learn what they were quarelling about. He said they were saying he was a tramp, but that he could give me the addresses of his brother and sister, to whom I could write and get his character, if I liked. That they were respectable people living in Staffordshire. Did you get the addresses? Yes; he wrote one himself, but as he was rather long I wrote the other myself, because I wanted to get away from there. Did he appear to be excited? No, he did not. I could not say from his appearance that there had been any row. He appeared quite sorry that she was going to leave him. By Mr J. P. Lewis: The woman was downstairs when I left. By Mr John Owen, joiner: Mrs Davies asked me to take him into custody the first time I was there, as she said she would not allow him to illuse her daughter. By Mr Lloyd The deceased did not ask me to take him into custody she had the appearance as if she would like to stop with him. She did not complain of any illusa,ge that day, but in the past she said she had taken a great deal from him. I saw nothing that would justify me in taking him into custody he was very civil and quiet on both occasions I was upstairs, and spoke in a very kind manner. Mr Daniel Rees Davies said: I am a medical practitioner, practising in this town. The Mayor came to me last night about ten minutes to twelve and wanted me to go and see a woman who had been shot. I went to Poplar-row, and found the woman lying on her back on the floor downstairs. I examined her and found life to be extinct; I examined her heart and found there were no signs of life. I then told them to send for another medical man, and they sent for Dr. Bice Williams. Before he came I made a closer examination of the face and breast, and I found a small wound on the right cheek bone, about three quarters of an inch below the eye and a quarter of an inch from the nose. That was the only wound I found; but when I turned her over blood flowed from the mouth. Having made that examination, I thought I had found sufficient to account for death. I should think there was about half a pint of blood on the floor. I found no wound in the breast. I did not examine the neck. The Coroner: From what I saw last night the wound in the face was quite sufficient to account for death. Dr Davies, to Mr Lloyd The wound was made by a bullet. By Mr J. P. Lewis No particular examination of the body has been made since. The Coroner enquired whether it was the wish of the jury to have a post mortem examination, and, after consultation, The Foreman said the jury thought they had heard quite sufficient to arrive at their verdict. The Coroner then briefly narrated the evidence, and The jury, having considered for a few minutes in private, returned the following verdict: "We are unanimously of opinion that Mary Ann Price came to her death by violence caused by wounds from a pistol, and that John Price wilfully and maliciously caused the said wounds." The prisoner John Price was brought up in custody on the afternoon of Saturday, at the police-station, charged with the wilful murder of his wife, Mary Ann Price, when the following magistrates were pre- sent—Mr John James, mayor, Mr Isaac Morgan, Mr E. J. Jones, Mr J. W. Szlumper, Dr Bice Williams, Mr Peter Jones, and Mr Richard James. The prisoner appeared before the bench in his shirt sleeves, and shoeless. He was accommodated with a seat, but did not appear greatly the worse for the wound which he had inflicted upon himself. Through- out the proceedings he bore himself with cool in- difference to what was going on around him, and de- clined to question the witnesses. The evidence offered was similar to that which has been already given, except thatDr Davies stated that he had since discovered another wound on the de- ceased woman's back, and in reply to Mr Szlumper, he said he could not positively say that the bullet wound in the face penetrated the brain and was the cause of death. The bench thought the evidence would be incom- plete unless the doctor could certify as to the cause of death, and Major Bassett Lewis apd Mr Lloyd asked for an order to make the post mortem examination. This was granted, and the prisoner was remanded till Monday morning at 10.30. MONDAY. The prisoner was again brought up on Monday morning, when all the before-named magistrates were present with the exception of Mr Isaac Morgan and Mr E. J. Jones. The Mayor (to Mr Lloyd) You have an applica- tion to make, I believe. Mr Lloyd The application that I have to make is that a post mortem examination of the body shall be made. The Mayor Why has it hot been made ? Mr Lloyd There has been some little informality; the coroner thought he had the power to issue a war- rant for a post mortem to be made, but found that he had not. The Mayor You mean that he did not know his I duties ? Mr Lloyd I do not but it seems that the moment his jury brings in their verdict his court ceases to exist. A conversation took place as to whether the exam- ination could not be made but Dr Rice Williams said the medical man must have an order, and he believed Major Bassett Lewis gave the order. Major Lewis said he applied to the bench for an order. The Mayor said it now remained for the prosecu- tion to make the application. Mr Lloyd said the medical evidence would be more satisfactory. They knew the bullet was in the brain, but they could not say where, and they knew that a bullet may be in the brain without killing a person. That was a fact. Ma Szlumper A man must have a very dull brain without a bullet in it killing him. Mr Lloyd But it is a fact. Dr Rice Williams (to Major Lewis) What book did you quote from on Saturday ? Major Lewis It was one giving instructions to police officers. Dr Williams I thought you had the power to give the necessary instructions. Major Lewis You were under a misapprehension, then. I only applied for your order. Mr Szlumper Mr Lloyd asks for an order for a post mortem examination. Will he show us under what Act he makes the application ? Mr Lloyd pointed out that the medical gentleman on Saturday gave evidence that he was not satisfied as to the cause of death, and he wanted to be fur- nished with an order. The Coroner thought that he had the power to issue a warrant, but found that he could not do so. The Clerk said that the Home Secretary was the only person who could now give the warrant. The Mayor: Suppose we get the consent of the mother, can the medical officer act then ? Dr Williams said the medical officer could not. Mr Szlumper Why not face the difficulty at once and apply to the Home Secretary for an order ? The Mayor thought they had better adjourn, and the Clerk could telegraph to the Home Secretary. Mr Peter Jones The question for our minds is whether the evidence is sufficient to commit. The Mayor said he was perfectly satisfied. Mr Lloyd said the prosecution was perfectly satis- fied as to the cause of death, and before the Coroner Mr Davies was perfectly satisfied. Mr Peter Jones: You have taken charge of the prosecution, and we have nothing whatever to do in arranging the evidence. It is a question for you whether you have closed your case with the evidence before us. Mr Szlumper: Is there anything to prevent the prosecution getting an order ? The Clerk No, I think not. It was then decided to further remand the prisoner in order that the Magistrate's Clerk should communi- cate with the Home Secretary. A telegram was sent off without delay, and a reply, authorising the post mortem examination, received, and the examination was made the same evening. TUESDAY. The prisoner was again brought up at the police station on Tuesday afternoon, before Mr Isaac Mor- gan 'in the chair), Mr E. J. Jones, Dr Bice Williams, Sir Peter Jones, and Mr Richard James. He seemed to wear a very downcast appearance, and evidently the close confinement, together with the mental strain under which he is suffering-, were beginning to be felt by him. Dr Rowland was the first witness called, and in reply to Mr Lloyd, he said I am a medical practi- tioner, living in this town. On Friday night last, about 11.30, my attention was called to a woman who had been shot in Poplar-row. I went there, and saw Mary Ann Price, the deceased, lying on her face in the kitchen. I looked at the face, and could see that she was suffering from a bullet hole, as the edges were inverted. She was then quite dead. Since then I have made a post mortem examination of the body, and I found the external appearance of the body was that of a woman well nourished; the body generally was pale in colour. A thin sanguinuous fluid es- caped from the nose and mouth. When the body was turned over for examination I found some amount of mobility in the joints of the upper extremities but a sign of rigour mortis in the smaller articulations, also in all the joints of the lower extremities. A round hole was found about two inches behind the lower angle of the right blade bone. A probe was passed 2| inches in a backward direction, skin deep, and impinged upon a hard substance, which upon being cut down to proved to be the bullet produced, which I handed to the Deputy Chief Constable. Another roundish hole with black margin was found under the right eye, and a flexible cathetar was care- fully passed backwards and inwards to the middle line to the extent of five inches. Internal examination was proceeded with, and on reflecting the scalp a small bruise was found about an inch in diameter, the bone underneath not being injured. Upon taking out the brain, I found the bullet now produced in the left cerrebellu-m fossa, a large quantity of blood clotted about the base of the brain, and on examination I found the pons vwrclii and medulla oblongata lacerated and infiltrated with blood. On section of the skull I found the bullet had passed through the superior maxillary bone of the face and spinoid en- tering the eranial cavity through the spinater vasil process of the spinoid bone. The other organs of the body were healthy. I consider the cause of death to be the bullet having passed through the vital part of the brain, and I have no doubt she could not have drawn another breath, but that her death must have been instantaneous. Deputy Chief Constable John Lloyd said On Fri- day night last, about 12.30, I was on duty at the police-station, when John Price was brought before me in the charge room. I charged him with having feloniously killed one Mary Ann Price that night by shooting her with a pistol produced at the time, cautioning him that anything he might say may here- after be used in evidence against him. He replied, "Yes, that belongs to me." He was thereupon taken back to the cell. Having injured himself, he was attended by Dr Davies. Yesterday, June 1st, in the afternoon, I was present at the post mortem exa- mination of the body of Mary Ann Price, and received the two bullets now produced. I have compared these bullets with those found in the revolver, and they are similar. The Chief Constable said that was the case for the prosecution, and he had to ask for another remand till the following morning, when the witnesses would be present to sign their depositions. The prisoner, who had no questions to ask either of the witnesses, was accordingly remanded till Wed- nesday morning at 11.30. The funeral of the deceased woman took place on Tuesday afternoon, when the obsequies were very largely attended. A movement was set on foot a day or two previously to provide funds to purchase a coffin, &e., for the remains, and the required sum was soon obtained, and a substantial and ornamental coffin was procured. The Rev T. E. Williams, Bap- tist minister, conducted the service at the house (the residence of deceased's mother in Penglais-road, where the remains had been removed) and at the grave, and the large company listened with respectful and subdued attention. STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER. The prisoner John Price was brought up for final examination at the police station shortly after noon on Wednesday, when the following magistrates were present—Mr John James (mayor), Mr Isaac Morgan, Mr E. J. Jones, Alderman Peter Jones, and Mr Richard James. The prisoner appeared to take more interest in what was going on around him than he did on any pre- vious occasion. He had an exceedingly careworn look upon his face, and evidently now acutely feels his awful position. The depositions of the witnesses were read over and found to be correct. The Mayor said that he had seen the collar worn by the prisoner, through which the bullet passed I into his neck, produced by Sergeant Morgan, and he wished to know if the clothes worn by the deceased would be produced, so that they might see where she was shot in the back or anywhere. The Chief Constable They can be produced, if you like. The Mayor It is for you to do as you like. The clothes were not produced. The Mayor said he wished to make a few remarks, in justice to Dr Davies. It had boon reported abroad that he had refused to make a post mortem examina- tion of the body, but that was not so. He was re- quested to go and see the woman by him (the Mayor) to simply examine her, and when asked at the coron- er's inquest if the bullet was the cause of death he said he thought it was, and the corner then directed the jury to return a verdict of wilful murder. Be- fore'the magistrates he was asked if the bullet was the cause of death, but he said that unless a post mortem examination was made he could not possibly say. The coroner was the only person responsible for the post mortem examination having not been made. He should have had the inquest adjourned, but instead of that he directed the jury to bring in a verdict of wilful murder without proof of the cause of death. Mr Davies's conduct was consistent and he acted in accordance with law in declining to make a post mortem examination without a warrant. The coroner then said that he would grant the neces- sary warrant, but it was found that it was not in his power to do so, and they had to communicate with the Home Secretary to obtain that power. Since then he found that Dr Rowland had made the post mortem himself, so that he appeared in the case as a medical practitioner and as coroner, which was most unusual The Coroner My court was closed. The Mayor I quite understand that. The Coroner I asked Mr Davies to go. The Mayor said it was most unusual instead of adjourning the case for the purpose of making the post mortem he did not do so, and then made the post mortem himself, and thus appeared as coroner and medical practitioner. He thought it would have been far more consistent if he had instructed some one else. Mr Isaac Morgan I never heard anyone say that Dr Davies refused. (To tne Clerk) Has Dr Rowland done anything illegal ;J The Clerk No, I think not. The Mayor I don't say he has. Far from that, and I don't impute any wrong motive to Dr Rowland in the matter but no aouot he was ignorant of the law at the time. The Clerk then read the charge over to the prisoner, and in reply to the question "Do you wish to call any witnesses ?" he answered feeoly, "No, sir." Coming to the phrase "and malice aforethought," The Prisoner said Aforethought r I don't quite understand that, sir. The Clerk read the charge again. Prisoner Aforethought? The Mayor That means premeditated—you had made up your mind before, .or :planned it in your mind. Prisoner I deny that, sir. I never forethought about it. In reply to the question as to whether he had any- thing to say, Prisoner said I say that we had a few words in the evening. She (meaning deceased) wanted to take her things away, and I would not let her, and she fetched a policeman—at least, he came there. She wanted all her thing's and the child the child was in bed, and I took the child and gave it to her. Because I would not let her have the things, and as there were a tremendous lot of people outside there—women and children—in the road, and in the passage, and up on the stairs, she was trying to excite the people to get me downstairs, and then she fetched the woman of whom I rented the house—that Mrs Davies. She (deceased) told me she was bound to have her box that (Friday) night but I said "No," she should have it in the morning, iffshe wanted it. So I went downstairs, and they all went running away—women and children-from the door. Then I turned back up the stairs, and toofc^a piece of cord and fastened the door, as there was no lock on it. Then the crowd was backed against the door, shouting, and hammering against the door. I went down and unfastened the door, and deceased flung gravel or small stones at me, and I asked Mary Anne to come up to the room and not make a row. She would not come,and kept calling me different names—" Oh, you scamp," Oh, you old blackguard," and she said, "Your mother and sisters are old Paddies on the road," and that Mrs Owen had seen them in Aberaeron. I don't recollect anything after that. That is all I wish to say. I wish to call the policeman who came to the house. P.C. James Lewis was then called, and examined by prisoner. Prisoner What time did you come first to the house ? I came the first time about quarter past nine on the evening of Friday last. Was Mary Anne in the room then ? No she was on the stairs but she came up after me. Then was she calling me old scamp ? Yes she was calling you some names, but I am not sure that she used the word scamp. She wanted to have the child away. The prisoner I told her she should not have it that I would keep it till the morning. Witness Yes, you said she should not have it at that time, and turning to me, you said, Everything will be all right just now it is merely a family quarrel." Then you went away ? Witness I did. Prisoner When the policeman had gone down- stairs I took the child down,and gave it to the deceased. Then she said she wanted her box and clothes, and I said she should not have them, and then she said I'll fetch a policeman again." She went away a bit, and she came back, and the policeman was at the bottom of the stairs. Were you not ? Witness Yes. Prisoner I told her then to come up and fetch her box. She came up, and another young girl with her—Martha Salisbury. She went to take hold of the box, and I put my arm around her, and put her to sit on the bed, and asked her not to make a row, but to make it up. I believe when the policeman came up I had hold of her. Witness No, you had not hold of her, but you were standing by the bed. Prisoner Did not I ask her to stay ? Witness I heard the prisoner ask the deceased to stop with him as soon as I got upstairs the second time. She said she would not stay, and she wanted to have her clothes away. Prisoner She tosk her box down then ? Witness: Yes, she did. You said to me, "Now, policeman, I am calling you a3 witness that I am not sending her away, but that it is of her own wish." She and Martha. Salisbury took the box down. Prisoner And the policeman went away then. Witness I left imfive or ten minutes afterwards. Prisoner Then she came back in a few minutes. I could not sayhow long—perhaps ten minutes—with a crowd around the door, and again shouting and call- ing me "old scamp and blackguard," as I said before, and that my sisters and mother were old Paddies on the road. And I don't recollect any more until Land and Thomas Griffiths came to me. I did not know Land, but I knew The mas Griffiths, because the. belonged to the Militia. Griffiths said, "What have you done, Price P" and I said "I do not know, i take me to the police-station," but I don't know ex- actly what remark I made. They took hold of me. and brought ma to the police-station. There is nothing elselwish^to say. I wish to call Martha Salisbury, and I wish to have her bound over to appear as a witness. The prisoner was then fully committed to take his trial on a charge of "Wilful Murder" at the next gaol delivery for this county. The Chief Constable, on the part of the police, asked that the watch and chain found on the pri. soner should be handed back to him, and also so much of the morey (21. 43 lOd) as was not required to piy his travelling expanses to gaol. The application was granted, and the proceedings terminated. A large concourse of people had congregated in the neighbourhood, expecting that the prisoner would be taken to Carmarthen by the afternoon train but in this they were disappointed. On leaving the jus- tices' room for his cell, the prisoner appeared thoroughly exhausted, and would have fallen but that the police were near to support him, and re- storatives ha.d to be applied.