Thomas Davies

Thomas Davies was found dead in a river with head injuries.

He had been a well-known farmer in the Meifod Valley and on 4 December 1907 had left early in the morning to attend the Oswestry Fair, returning later that evening by train to Llangynog and then going to the New Inn.

He left the New Inn at 10pm and was described as being perfectly sober and was seen walking off in the direction of his home which was two miles away.

However, he didn't get home and was found dead in the river some days later.

His hat was discovered by the river near Pontprenfaen Bridge the following day, 5 December 1907. His body was found about three and a half miles further down the river.

A doctor who carried out the post-mortem said that he had a number of nasty wounds about his head and face which he said were ante-mortem but that the cause of death was drowning. He said that the lack of water in his stomach and the absence of any signs of a struggle indicated that he was unconscious before he entered the water.

He said that it was possible that he had received his injuries whilst falling head down into the river but said that if that was the case he would not have expected his injuries to have been so severe.

An open verdict was returned.