Seldom has a community experienced greater shock, or a more unwelcome surprise, than the people of Knighton received on Tuesday evening, when it became known that the Rev. Williams Williams, Belmont, had been discovered hanging in his own back kitchen, and quite dead. No one who knew him (and it would be difficult to find anyone in Radnorshire and the adjoining districts who did not), would have entertained the idea for a moment that a life so active and so full of work could terminate so sadly and so suddenly.

He came to Knighton in August, 1878 (from Haverfordwest College, where he received his training for the Baptist ministry) to take charge of the Baptist Church, which was his first and only pastorate, and in whose interests he had laboured successfully and untiringly for over forty one years. As a preacher he expounded the Scriptures in a clear, common-sense fashion, and anyone must have indeed been dense who misunderstood the teaching of his discourses; he held the principals of his denomination with an unrelaxing tenacity, and preached them with a fearless and plainness. He was looked upon as an authority on questions pertaining to the faith and practice of Baptists, and his advice was eagerly sought by churches as well as Individuals. Besides the pastorate of Knighton and Coxall Baptist Churches, he founded missions at Knucklas, Hendregenny and Five Turnings about thirty years ago, and his regular pastoral visits to these stations, about once or twice a month, have done much to keep them in a flourishing and healthy condition. The late pastor, perhaps, did more than any other man in Wales to spread Christian truth by means of the distribution of literature and Baptist periodicals owe much of the success of their circulation in this district to his energetic agency. He had also been an ardent liberal; an enthusiastic temperance advocate, and had held the secretaryship of the Radnor and Montgomeryshire Baptist Association for about thirty years. Much sympathy is everywhere felt for the widow and other relatives as well as for the churches in their bereavement.

At a meeting of Knighton Guardians, on Thursday, Mr E. Nicholls (vice-chairman), in moving a vote of sympathy to the relatives of the late Rev. W. Williams, said he was extremely sorry that the occasion for such a vote had occurred. When he heard the sad news he was greatly shocked. Rev. W. Williams was a gentleman whom they all knew and respected, and they would all feel sorry to hear of his death, and would sympathise with those bereaved. In seconding, Mr W. Watkins said he had known Mr Williams for over 40 years. He had occupied prominent positions in the district, had served as a member of that board, and had since held office as a chaplain to the Workhouse. The vote was carried, the members standing.

The Inquest.

Mr F. L. Green (Presteign), coroner for East Radnorshire, held the inquest on Thursday. Mr Probert Medlicott, solicitor, represented the relatives, and the Knighton Baptist Church was represented by Mr E. L. Wallis, solicitor, Hereford. No jury was summoned.

Miss Lilian Frances Griffiths, who gave evidence of identification, said deceased was about 63 years of age. She was in the house at the time – in the front room. Mr and Mrs Williams went out about a quarter past three, the latter through the front door and the former through the back. She heard him bang the door as he went through it. She heard no more till about 3.45, when the postman bought a letter, which she took up to the minister’s study, knocked at the door, but, receiving no answer, she put the letter inside on the table and returned to the front room. About 4.45 Mrs Williams returned and asked her if Mr Williams was in. Witness replied that she thought he had gone out, whereupon Mrs Williams went straight through the house, opened the back kitchen door and found deceased hanging there. Witness went to fetch Dr. Griffiths, leaving Miss Branscombe to stay with Mrs Williams. Dr. Griffiths arrived at the house before witness returned. Deceased had a bad cold for about three weeks, but she did not know that he had any other trouble. Witness had occupied rooms at Belmont for about 2 ½ years, and could testify that the minister and his wife had always lived on good terms – in fact, she (witness) had never heard a mis-word pass between them. In reply to Mr Medlicott, witness said she did not see very much of the minister. She thought public matters troubled him a good deal, though he said nothing definite, not even about the epidemic. She knew nothing about an incident between Mr Williams and Mr John Legge, but she thought he felt Mr Legge’s death very much. He did not show signs of depression, though he was rather quiet. He seemed worried about the state of the country – not moody, but worried. As far as she knew, his appetite was good. Witness knew nothing about the members of Mr Williams’s family, excepting Mrs Williams. Witness sat in the front room with Mr and Mrs Williams on Tuesday afternoon for about a quarter-of-an-hour, and when Mr Williams went out he said he was going to arrange about a funeral. He was cheerful and bright in his manner, and she did not notice that he was nervous or excitable. He was always very much interested in his chapel, but he made no remarks about his cold.         Dr. J. A. K. Griffiths said when he arrived deceased had been dead from half-an-hour to an hour. There was a small pair of steps close by, and it looked as if deceased had mounted them and then kicked them away. Witness had attended the minister for appendicitis about a year ago. He made quite a good recovery, but seemed to dread a return of the disease. Witness had seen him on the previous Thursday, bright and cheerful, and could assign no reason for the act.

Replying to questions, witness had heard him speak of the strike. Things like that troubled him, and no doubt, he worried unduly. Mrs Williams was too ill to attend the inquest.

Mr B. Woodhouse, butcher, West St. stated that as he went to tea on Tuesday afternoon he had a short, commonplace conversation with deceased, near the Red Lion. The time was about a quarter to four. Witness saw nothing unusual in his manner, and did not notice where the minister went.

Miss Edith Marks, Bridge Street said that Mr Williams had been in the habit of visiting them with Mrs Williams. About a fortnight ago he had a bad cold. He had great faith in elderberry cordial which she made, and after having two or three doses he said that his cold was quite cured, but that his head was strange, and he put his hand on the back of his head. On Sunday evening he was very tired, and that was the last time she saw him.

The deacons of the Baptist Church said that the church over which Mr Williams had been the minister for 40 years, was never more prosperous, financially and religiously, than at the present time. The pastor was in agreement with the whole of the members, and the utmost affection existed between them. All knew Mr Williams to be a man abundant in labours, instant in season and out of season, and in this he set an example to all. His passing away in this dreadful manner had caused widespread grief and consternation in the district.

The coroner’s verdict was to the effect that death was due to strangulation, caused by hanging, and that deceased committed the act while in a state of unsound mind. Mr Green added that he entirely agreed with Mr Wallis’s remarks concerning the deceased. In Presteign, where he was well known, expressions of deep regret were voiced on every hand, and with the people of that town he wished also to tender his sincere sympathy to Mrs Williams and the other relatives.

The Funeral.

The remains of the Rev. W. Williams (for 41 years pastor of Knighton Baptist Church) were borne to their last resting place on Friday afternoon by his deacons. Viz., Messrs. E Pugh, T. Roberts, H. Smith, J. Turner, A. M. Pugh (representing his father, Mr S. Pugh), and Mr John Williams (representing the deacons of Coxall Church). A brief service was held at the house, the service proper at the chapel, and the committal service in the cemetery, where the remains were interred. The Rev. G. P. Edwards, Evenjob, was the officiating minister; the Rev. Watkyn Jones, Presteign, read the 46th Psalm, and other ministers who took part were: - Revs. Jones. Llanwrtyd Wells, T. D. Jones, Newbridge-on-Wye, J. Pugh, Nantgwyn, and W. D. Young, Rock. The hymns “Days and moments quickly flying,” “Silently the shades of evening,” and “When our heads are bowed with woe,” were sung during the service, and the Dead March in Saul was played on the organ as the cortege left the chapel.

Relatives from various parts of Wales attended, but Mrs Williams (widow), was too ill to be present. A number of ministers from the churches of Montgomery and Radnor Baptist Association were present, also Revs. C. S. Winter (Wesleyan), W. Turner (Primitive Methodist), and T. R. Broad (Baptist), Knighton. The attendance also included a large and representative audience, numbering it is estimated something between three and four hundred; the streets from the house to the chapel and Cemetery were lined with people, generally in deep mourning, and the funeral was one of the largest and most impressive that has ever taken place in the district. The plain oak coffin, with massive brass fittings and engraved plate, was supplied by Mr W. Roberts. Knighton, and the undertaker was Mr Meredith Thomas.

The numerous beautiful floral tributes included wreaths from the Baptist Church and Sunday School at Knighton, the Coxall Baptist Church, and The Comrades of the Great War, the latter in appreciation of services rendered to soldiers by the late minister.

An Appreciation.

A correspondent writes: - Having known and respected the Rev. W. Williams for forty years. I would not like his death to pass without a word of warm appreciation of his faithful and devoted service on behalf of the Kingdom of God. Personally I did not share many of his views or sympathise with all his methods, but that does not blind me to the fact that according to his light and convictions my late friend lived his life nobly and well, and set a fine example to those who claim to have a larger and broader outlook on life. His devotion to his denomination and its teaching, and to the total abstinence cause never flagged, never weakened; and we shall never know the amount of good which he did by his persistent tract distribution. I still remember, as if it was but yesterday, receiving a tract from him nearly 40 years. People smiled, some sneered and others criticised, but the faithful pastor went steadily on his way, and doubtless the great Master of the harvest smiled his approval and the long and constant sowing of the seed brought its fruit. For many years, Mr Williams was in the forefront of public life and never was a man more faithful to his convictions. Knighton Board of Guardians highly valued his long association with it, and the poor people in the house knew him as a real friend, one who sympathised and understood. Liberalism owed much to him; and in the old days he was a pillar of the Y.M.C.A. at Knighton, acting as collector for a number of years. Doubtless members of his church and congregation will bear testimony to his services as preacher, pastor, organiser, and as a worker among the young, but we who were outsiders were fully aware of much of the noble work which he was steadily doing, and are not without admiration for the faithful men and women who rallied to their pastor in many times of difficulty. As the years passed charity grew and his sympathies became larger. He was not of course a perfect man or faultless, but we may be sure that God will not judge his servant by a last act when the mind was certainly deranged, but by his long life of faithful and devoted service. The curtain is drawn, and we confidently leave him in God’s hands. Knighton has lost a man of God, and the Baptist denomination one of its most faithful sons.