The Sketty Mystery
Taken from The Cambrian | 12th June, 1986
The Sketty Mystery still remains unsolved, and seems likely to remain so, in spite of the energy and vigilance of Swansea's detectives. Various theories more or less absurd have been advanced explanatory of the crime; information has been gratuitously supplied to the police by persons who seem to delight in connecting common-place occurrences with tragic events; but nothing has yet been discovered which would be likely to lead to the identity of the miserable wretch who first wilfully neglected the child and then threw it into the pond near Sketty.
A story, however, which has created some interest is given by Miss Hudson, the daughter of the prison chaplain. She states that on the 25th April she saw a man throw a parcel into Caepwll, and that so convinced was she it contained the body of a child that she ran and told her fears to a gentleman who was close by. This gentleman poohed-poohed the girl's story, informing her that very probably a cat or dog had been drowned, for which purpose the bond in question seems to have been generally used. The police, acting upon this strange coincidence, made inquiries, but have discovered nothing.
Yesterday (Thursday), however, information was given to the police of a somewhat important nature. The story which has come to our knowledge is as follows: Some months ago a servant girl, aged about 18, sought service at the Mumbles. She was in a rather destitute condition, especially in regard to under-clothing.
So poor was she that she could not afford to pay her train fare, and walked to and from the Mumbles. The lady to whom she applied was favourably struck by the girl's bright and cheerful disposition and pleasantly-marked natures; but did not feel disposed to engage her without making inquiries as to her character. These inquiries, although rather meagre, were neither satisfactory nor unsatisfactory. After a few day's delay the girl was written to and asked to take up her duties next morning. She appeared at the house at about 11.30 a.m., having again done the journey from Swansea on foot. The girl proved herself a sharp, amiable and obedient servant. Her knowledge of domestic duties was somewhat limited, but she obeyed, or tried to obey, all orderes promptly and cheerfully.
The lady of the house was pleased with the girl, and took an interest in her welfare. The evenings she whiled away by singing and - sighing. Outwardly, she was full of spirits, and quite happy; but there were moments when she was greatly depressed; indeed, her peculiar two-sided character excited the curiosity of those in the house. Questioned by her mistress the girl said she was very happy, and that she had no desire to go back to Swansea. One Wednesday evening the girl's spirits were most exuberant - in fact, her loud singing and laughter brought a rebuke from the lady house. Even this did not suppress her; but it became apparent that her display of animal spirits was superficial, and that really she was labouring under keen mental depression.
On the following morning the girl rose and complained of sickness and headache, while she appeared unusually depressed, and as she did not get better she was allowed, at her owin request, to go home. Her condition and her conduct excited the suspicions of those around her, and although she said she would return when she got better it was felt she had gone for good. And so ir proved, for on the following Saturday morning the girl's brother went to the Mumbles and asked for her clothes, which were given him. He was a small hump-backed man, and between 35 and 40 years of age. A month afterwards the girl was seen in Swansea, and the suspicions entertained by those with him she was in service were confirmed.
What the police have now to discover is: What was this servant girl's condition at the time? Has she been confined, and is the child living? If not, what has become of it? Is there any connection between her hump-backed brother and the man who Miss Hudson said she saw throw a parcel into the Sketty Pond on the 25th April?
