April 9^th

On Monday last, an inquest was held at the Old Stores Goytrey by Mr E. D. Batt, coroner, respecting the deaths of David and Elizabeth, the infant children of Thomas Morgan, roadsman of Goytrey. The children were twins and died suddenly on the 4^th inst., one having lived 28 and the other 49 hours. A verdict of “prematurely born” was returned by the jury.

April 25th

INQUEST ON THE LATE MR. J. G. H. OWEN

An inquiry touching the death of this gentleman was instituted at Goytre Cottage, the residence of the deceased, on the morning of Friday 18th, before E. D. Batt, Esq., coroner, and the following gentlemen: – Messrs. Thos. James (foreman,) Thos. James, jun., J.. Walters, Wm. Walters, Wm. Price, John Daniel, George Coles, John Williams, Wm. Lewis, J. Marshall, John Jenkins, and Walter Davies. Mr James Weare deposed – I was standing outside the Town Hall, Pontypool, about 11 o’clock in the morning of Tuesday the 14^th inst., talking to Mr Conway and other gentlemen, when Mr Owen came up and shook hands with several persons present. I shortly afterwards saw him seize hold of the iron gate at the entrance, and perceiving that he was sinking, I caught him in my arms and prevented him from falling. He spoke a few words in a faint voice relative to someone going for a doctor, adding “But it’s too late now.” He was carried into a room at the Town Hall, and died in about quarter of an hour after he was first attacked. I remained with him until he died. ….Mr Supt. M’Intosh informed the coroner that Mr Weare was the only witness he thought it necessary to produce, and added that as he himself was present when deceased was attacked, he could if required corroborate the evidence given …. The coroner said he did not think any additional evidence necessary, and as the deceased had been well known to the jury for some time, they would have little difficulty in arriving at a proper verdict….The jury expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with the evidence produced, and returned a verdict that deceased died from natural causes. – On Monday the remains of the lamented gentleman were interred at Llantillio Pertholey, near Abergavenny, to which place they were followed by a numerous body of friends and relatives.

April 7th – Octogenarian’s Fall
Goytrey Woman who complained of Giddiness.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was recorded at the inquest at Pontypool on Friday on Mrs Mary Jane Morgan, aged 88, of Pwllmerric, Goytrey, who died as a result of shock caused by bumping her head when she fell down at her home on March 19th.
Thomas Morgan, the 85 year old widower, said he thought his wife fell from giddiness. She had enjoyed wonderful health until a few years ago, when she started complaining about giddiness and pains near her heart.
Dr J F Blaine, Pontypool, said that when he examined Mrs Morgan she had a large bruise over her temple.
Death was due to shock following fall, which aggravated the condition of her heart.
Mr D J Treasure, the South Monmouthshire Coroner, who conducted the inquest said that with an old lady of that age shock was always fatal.

April 3rd – Mr L D Whitehead

Tragic Death, Collapsed at Car Wheel.
The news of the tragic death of Mr L D Whitehead of Goytrey Hall came as a great shock to the district, his friends, business associates and employees. While returning alone in his car from his estate in St David’s Pembrokeshire on Sunday evening and when some three miles from Sennybridge side of Brecon, he was discovered unconscious in his car by a passing motorist and died soon afterwards.
Mr Whitehead’s car was on the side of the road with it’s lights on and he had apparently collapsed at the wheel. (A great deal more about his life in the Free Press)

The Inquest
A verdict of “Death from natural causes, due to a ruptured aorta,” was recorded at the inquest, conducted at Brecon on Tuesday by Mr M F Thomas.
Mr George Whitehead “Mallwyd” Abergavenny, engineer, said he last saw his father on Friday morning when he appeared to be in excellent health.
His father told him he was going later in the afternoon to St. David’s Pembrokeshire for the weekend. He always motored alone.
Miss Elizabeth Cottle, waitress at the Ivy Bush Hotel, Carmarthen, said Mr Whitehead called at the hotel on Sunday at 8.45pm and asked for a meal to be served quickly as he wanted to be on his way.
He had some soup and cold tongue but nothing to drink and left at 9.30. He appeared to be in his usual health.
Frank Davies, electrician, Sennybridge, said he was travelling in a car to Sennybridge and when about three miles from Brecon he saw a car across the road facing Brecon, with it’s lights on.
He found the driver lying on the front seat with his head nearest the left hand door of the car. He appeared to be dead.
Police Sergeant Bannister and other police moved the body from the car and tried in vain to revive life. There were no external marks on the body. Mr Whitehead’s pipe was lying alongside him almost full of fresh tobacco.
Police Sergeant Martin said the brakes and steering of the car were perfect.
Dr C L Davies, Brecon, said he examined Mr Whitehead and found him extinct. On Monday he communicated with the Coroner and with Dr Humphrey’s, Abergavenny and Dr Morrell Thomas, Newport.
They could not suggest any cause of sudden death, with the result that the Coroner requested him to carry out a post mortem examination, the result being as stated.

April 19^{th –} Goytrey Man’s Suicide

A verdict of “Suicide whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed,” was recorded by the coroner Mr D. J. Treasurer, at the Pontypool inquest on Alfred Gordon Williams, aged 56, single, a retired farmer of Highfields, Goytrey, whose sister found him hanging from a beam in an outbuilding on Sunday morning.
The sister, Miss Mahala Williams, said that while her brother had been very depressed he had never threatened to take his life.
Sergt. John Williams, Little Mill, said the rope was fastened to a beam in the roof which could be reached from the floor of a loft extending half way across the barn
Dr. Parry, Abergavenny, said deceased had suffered from neurasthenia for some years and as the result of an attack of ‘flu some months ago his condition became worse.
He was also worried about his brother with whom he resided.

August 5th – Samuel Deverall ex mayor and tradesman of Abergavenny found hanging in the rear of his branch shop at Pengroesoped.

Incredulity, succeeded by consternation, was occasioned in Abergavenny and the neighbouring villages of Llanover and Pengroesoped on Wednesday afternoon when it was reported that Mr Samuel Deverall, an ex-mayor of Abergavenny, and one of the most prominent tradesmen in the town, carrying on a grocery business in Frogmore street, had been found hanging a barn at the rear of his branch shop at Pengroesoped.
The deceased gentleman cycled out from Abergavenny in the morning and arrived in Pengroesoped shortly after 9 o’clock. He was engaged in the shop and taking orders outside during the forenoon, and then appeared to be in his usual good spirits. About two o’clock, however, he could not be found, and soon afterwards his lifeless body was discovered by a pensioner named Aaron Prosser hanging by the neck from a beam in the French barn at the back of the shop. Prosser informed the manager Mr Wallace Woodward, who, hurrying to the rear, found Prosser’s information to be true.
He at once cut the body down, and sent word to Police-constable Power of Llanover. From investigations made by the officer it seems that Mr Deverall must have climbed to the top of the hayrick and divested himself of his coat, which was found lying with his hat on top of the rick. It is believed that the deceased must have been hanging for about half-an-hour. The body was taken to the shop. So far as can be ascertained there could have been no motive For the rash act, as Mr Deverall was always a most businesslike man, and as recently as last Tuesday week presided at a meeting of Abergavenny grocers and urged the formation of a local trade association. The news of his death was a great shock to his wife and family, and deceased’s two brothers in Penarth were also acquainted of what had happened.
Mr Samuel Deverall occupied the position of mayor of Abergavenny in 1907-08, being the ninth mayor. He has been chairman of the Abergavenny Liberal Association, and has also taken great interest in the Congregational Church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School, and also the presiding deacon. While Mayo he was president of the Abergavenny Eisteddfod. He was born near Gosport, Portsmouth, on 3rd October 1864, his parents being master and mistress of the Naval School.
Since his year of office Mr Deverall had been defeated at the poll in a contest for a seat on the Abergavenny Town Council, But as far as can be ascertained he had no serious trouble at the present time to prey on his mind. Only as recently as last week he was one of the most prominent speakers at a meeting which was held at Abergavenny for the purpose of forming a local Grocers Association, and as a matter of fact it was he who proposed that the association should be formed.
He was a member of the North Monmouth Liberal Executive, and was a regular attendant at meetings of this body. He was universally respected and admired throughout the whole district on account of his keen and businesslike manner, combined with a genial and generous spirit. He leaves a widow and two sons.

The Inquest.

The inquest was held by Mr J. R. Walford at the Pengroesoped Coffee Tavern on Thursday morning.

Margaret Bowen, who Lives at Oak Cottage, Goytrey, stated that she had had business transactions with the deceased for the last 20 years. Witness last saw him alive about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, when he called at her house for an order. He had cycled from Abergavenny, and on arrival at witness’s house, he remarked that it was very close. Usually when Mr Deverall called at her house he shook hands with her when he arrived and departed, but he did not do so when he called on Wednesday. In the course of conversation he remarked, at the same time drawing his hand across his forehead, “I have a dreadful pain this way.” Mr Deverell appeared to be in a hurry and to be excited. After taking witness’s order, he said “Good-bye,” and then left. That was a last time witness saw him alive.

Aaron Prosser, who resides at Boat House, Llanover, an aged pensioner, stated that he discovered the body of the deceased in the old Dutch barn. Witness had known Mr Deverall for many years, and as he was proceeding to Mr Deverall’s shop on Wednesday afternoon he noticed that a man with hanging by a rope in the barn. He at once proceeded in the direction of the barn, and on seeing that it was Mr Deverall suspended from the rope he immediately ran to the shop for assistance. He was quite dead.
Wallace Edward Woodward was has acted as manager of Mr Deverall’s shop at Pengroesoped for the last four years, deposed that Mr Deverall often visited Pengroesoped in connection with his business. Only on Monday last Mr Deverall arrived at Pengroesoped and personally superintended the harvesting of his hay .On Monday Mr Deverall appeared to be in good health and spirits, but he was somewhat disappointed with regard to the quality of the hay. Witness did not see Mr Deverall alive on Wednesday, but early in the afternoon he received a communication from Aaron Prosser, in consequence of which he immediately proceeded to Mr Deverall’s barn. There he saw him hanging by a rope from a beam, and witness noticed that his feet were on the ground and that his knees were bent. Witness lost no time in cutting him down and in releasing the rope from his neck, but he was then quite dead.

The Coroner (to witness): In your constant contact with Mr Deverall have you ever noticed anything depressed or peculiar about him?–He hascomplained of pains in the head. He was subject to them.

Dr Lloyd, Abergavenny had known the deceased for some years. He had enjoyed fairly good health, but he had suffered from epilepsy, and persons who were so affected often complained of severe headaches. Persons who suffered that way sometimes had their minds unhinged and they sometimes developed suicidal or even homicidal, tendencies in an exceptional degree. Witness had made an examination of the body, and he came to the conclusion that after fastening the rope around his nech, he had thrown himself off the hayrick. His neck was fractured, and one of the strands in the rope which was found around his neck had been broken. Mr Deverall had suffered from post-epileptic mania, and witness was of the opinion that at the time he died his mind was unhinged.

Percy Charles Deverall, brother of the deceased, who resides at Penarth, stated that the deceased was 44 years of age. His family were aware that he was suffering from epilepsy.

The Coroner: Do you know if his financial position was such as to trouble him?–He had no financial troubles, none at all.

Has he left any writing you can in any way connect with his death?–We have not come across anything so far.

The Coroner, in summing up said it was exceedingly sad that Mr Deverall’s life should have terminated in the way it had done. There was no doubt that his life-long complaint of epilepsy had affected his head, and it seemed that while suffering from temporary insanity he took his life. He (the Cooroner) was certain that the jury would join in expressing sympathy with the widow and relatives of the deceased.
The foreman of the jury: Certainly.
The jury returned a verdict of ”suicide during temporary insanity.”

August 23^{rd –} Killed on the railway at Nantyderry

Such was the fate of John Jones, 39, platelayer in the employ of GWR Co., who was knocked down by the 8.50 goods train from Pontypool Road to Wolverhampton, on Friday morning last.
It appeared that deceased, with other platelayers, including Evan Morris, the foreman, had had breakfast together in a cabin by the line.
They afterwards left to resume duty and had proceeded a little way up the line, but deceased, having forgotten something, returned. It was when returning that he got knocked down by the buffer of the passing train and was instantly killed.
Deceased, it is stated was born in Marshfield, Cardiff, he had no relative in this country but about nine years ago a sister paid him a visit and then left for Australia. Deceased had been in the district of Goytre and Llanvair Kilgeddin for the past thirty years.

Inquest
The inquest was held at the waiting room at Nantyderry Station before Mr C Dauncey, Coroner.
The first witness was David Morgan, Road Farm, Goytre, who stated deceased had lived with him for the past nine years. He left his house at about 5 am to go to work. Witness did not see him alive again.
Evan Morris, foreman platelayer, said he shouted to deceased when when the latter was returning to the cabin. He could not say if deceased heard him but he was stepping from the four-foot way into the six-foot when he was struck on the head by the buffer and knocked down. Deceased was dead when witness picked him up, immediately after the accident.
In reply to the Coroner witness said he thought the cabin was in a dangerous place and would suit a better purpose if it was placed on the other side.
Francis Phillips and David Jones, platelayers, corroborated.
Driver Richard Hughes, said the goods train was composed of twenty nine wagons, they were not going fast at Nantyderry. He did not see the deceased, but blew the whistle on approach to the station. He saw three men standing on the down line.
Harry Jones, fireman said, he heard someone shout and the train was stopped. The guard, John Mase, went back and found that deceased was dead. John Mase, guard, also gave evidence.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death,” and added a rider requesting the GWR Co., to remove the cabin from it’s present position to a safer spot.

The Funeral
The internment took place on Sunday, at the Parish Church. A large number of the inhabitants attended.
The deceased, having no relatives in this country, the expenses were borne by Mr Codrington Crawshay, Mr Sawyer, the station master and deceased fellow platelayers.