The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-06-29 00:00:00

.r.- iitsbire.

MURDZR OF A LUNATIC:—OU Monday afternoon
an inquest was held at the Fisherton House Asylum,
before R. M. Wilson, Esq., on the body of Mary
Kenney, a criminal lunatic between :10 and 40 years
of age, who on Saturday morning met her death at
the hands of another lunatic about 17 years of age,
named Catherine Clarke. Both, it appeared, were
insane without any lucid intervals ; and Clarke,
having been caught breaking windows, in order to
prevent her doing further miachisf, the attendants
removed her into the pantry, where they were pre-
paring breakfast for the other patients. Whilst
there she contrived to secrete a flat-iron," and on
being sent into the airing yard, she struck the de-
ceased with it on the head, and knocked her down.
She again struck her and also kicked her, after she
was on the ground. An alarm was given by some
of the other patients, and assistance Was immediately
at hand, but the poor woman only breathed once or
twice after being picked up. Her skull having been
slightly fractured in two places, but it appeared that
death Arnow from concussion of the brain. It should
be mentioned that the attendants were not aware
that Kenney was in the yard when Clarke was sent
in, sbe being at that moment in the water-closet.
A female patient, named Turton, who witnessed the
attack, said that both Kenney and Clarke were
under the delusion that people spoke to them from
the clouds ; and the latter believed that the former
was keeping her in confinement. On Sunday night
she said she had not killed the person she intended.
—At the conclusion of the evidence, the inquiry
was adjourned until Wednesday evening. The coro-
ner said, happily no offence of the kind had before
occurred since Mr. Finch bad been at the Asylum,
and he therefore hardly knew if the jury were of
opinion that Clarke caused the death of the deceased,
whether she should be committed for trial or allowed
to remain at the Asylum, He had written to the
Secretary of State on the subject, and should doubt-
less receive a reply on Wednesday.

MARLBOROUGH. —Presentation of a Testimonial
to the Rev, Bir B. H. G. Williams, Bart —A few
months ago when Sir Erasmus Williams resigned the
Rectory of St. Peter, a vestry meeting was held
with a view to the presentation of a testimonial to
him in acknowledgment of his long services both as
a clergyman and • magistrate. A portrait arrived
in Marlborough about a fortnight ago, and was ex-
posed to the view of the subscribers and their friends
for several days previous to its presentation. It is
considered to be an admirable likeness, and one of
the most successful pictures executed by Mr. Eddie.
It represents Sir Erasmus in a standing position, his
right hand resting upon the Welsh Bible presented
telimby the. aohoel alielaren. oa-Thareds.y morn-
ing the presentation took place in the girls' school-
room. The portrait was placed at the upper end of
the room and was concealed from view by muslin
curtains on which rested beautiful garlands of
flowers. At three o'clock, Sir Erasmus, accom
puied by the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, the Rev. A.
Manning, the Rev. T. W. Dowding, Rev. C. W.
Taylor, the Rev. F. Sbunn, and the members of the
Testimonial Committee, entered the room. The
Lord Bishop, on taking the chair, said that it was a
matter of great satisfaction to him to preside over a
meeting assembled for the purpose which had
brought them together. Sir E. Williams had for 29
years been rector of the parish, and during that
time had effected many things which would be of
permanent benefit. The Rectory House, and, above
all, the schools in which they were assembled, were
evidence of what had been done by him. He ex.
pressed his hope that the testimonial, which he would
call upon Captain Price to present to him, would
prove that his services in the parish, and as a county
magistrate, had not been unappreciated.—Captain
Price, in a felicitous speech, embodying reminis-
cences of the past, such as a friend of so long a stand.
ing as the gallant captain only could relate, pre-
sented the portrait to Sir E. Williams, on behalf, not
only of the parish of St. Peter, but also of the whole
town and neighbouring division of the county. Sir
E. Williams acknowledged the compliment, which
be received as a proof of the good-will and affection
of those kind friends who had thought him worthy
of such a mark of esteem.