The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-03-21 00:00:00

WIMBORNE.

COtrxij Px,viv Itts loN a, Ptidey.—Before the
Bev. C. J. Glyn, cod J. T. Beskett, Beg.
Charles Weeks and lienry Elennett, labourefsi of
Shapwlck, were charged with being drunk and
riotous, on the Ist of March, at Shapwick.—Tbe
case was proved by P.C. Spicer, and defendants
weje fined 14s. each, including costs.
anb 608144, of Kitimat; was summoned by the
stiperintendfint of politic for stealing branches
of trees, the property of John Saunders, of Long-
fleet.—Defendant pleaded guilty, but ftt defence
said she only followed the example of her neigh.
hours, who were taking a few fir tree branches:—
Fined the value of the wood, 3d., and 7e. costa.

HA MPRESTOrI.
COURSIN6.—The annual coursing meetitlg loolt
plaoe at Hampreston on Thursday, the 9th inst.,
when a numerous assemblage of Sir Ivor Guest's
tenantry, and sportsmen from the surrounding neigh-
bourhood were present to witness the sport, which
*as of a flrstelass character, the hares being
numerous, and in several instanees proted too fleet
hr their pursuers. There were many ladies on the
ground, amongst whom we particularly noticed Mies
Lower, of Merley Manor House.

STURMINSTER NEWTON.
On Thursday evening. the 9th inst., as Mr. Mitchell,
of Hazelbury Bryan, plumber and glazier, was return-
ing home about nine o'clock with a horse and cart
laden with a cask of whitelead and a coil of lead
Aben in turning to sharp round Piper's
Corner he npst the cart, WA turned nut, and received
some serious bruises from the Soil of lead falling upon
hit*. He was Conveyed to the Rid Lion Inn, and
remained there for several hortre insensible. Ile has
since so far recovered as to be removed to his own house,
and is progressmg favourably.
&Mint; DBATIL —On Friday Keriah, the wife of
Benjamin fudge, of Piper's Corner, whilst standing
at the washing tub, was seised with a fit, and in a short
time ceased to exist.
OROWN HOTEL—On Priday evening an invitation
tea and dance took place under the Management of a
committee to celebrate the anniversary of the Prince of
Wales's marriage, when from 25 to 30 couple tripped it
on the light fantastic toe to the strains of Eyers'
celebrated champion brats band. The arrangements
reflected great credit on the host and hostess, Mr. and
1 Mrs. Washbourn. Altogether the affair was very
suctiessful, except so far as the finances are concerned,
the oomniitten boding a balance ou the wrong side of
the account.

SHAFTES BURY,
Perry SESSIONS, March 14. —Before Bey, A.
Hustable, and J. B. Bower, and J. Du Bonlay, Esqrs.,
Frederick Snook, of Gillingham, was charged with
being drunk and disorderly at the Fir Tree Inn, on the
evening of the 29th January last. This case was
adjourned trod' the last meeting for the attendance of
the landlord to give evidence.—Mr. Chitty
appeared for defendant *ho bad obtained a cross
summons against the landlord, which on being heard
was dismissed, and the defendant W 9.9 fined Cl and
costs in the former case, or in default one calendar
month with hard labour.
John Cox, of Balton, was eummoned-for being drank
and riotous at Beet Stower, on the 9rd February last.—
Mr. Chitty appeared for defendant, and the Bench, in
consideration of his previous good character, fined him
in the mitigated petia/ty of 10a. and coats.
Susan Grant, of Penselwood, as ()barged big. Jule
Ford with having aesaulted bar at Bourbon, on e 26th
February.—Jane Ford said she was as Bourbon
factory on the 25th February, about a quarter after
six in the morning. Susan Grant need violent
language, and then assaulted her. The foreman of the
factory came to her assistance.—Charles Miles corro-
borated this statement —Mr. Chitty appeared for
defendant.—Committed for one month's hard labour.
Ellen Brickell wai charged with assaulting Agnes
Davis at Motcorube, on the 27th February.—Defendant
did not appear, and was fined 10;. and costa, or three
weeks' hard labour.
George Harding, of Gillingham, was charged with
having absented himself from the employ of John
Edwards on the 2nd March. Defendant did not
appear, and was sentenced to two months' hard labour.
Susan Spicer, Stephen Dibben and Manilla Dibben,
of Fontmell Magna, were summoned for the non-
payment of poor-rates, but were discharged from the
payment thereof in consequence of inability to pay.

. _
TARRANT LAUNCESTON.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH BT POIBOIC —On Monday 44
an inquest was held in the above village, before W. H.
Atkinson, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, on the
body of Widim Smith, for upwards of 50 years in the
service of Mr. James Bruges", farmer, who died on the
, Saturday from the effects of polson.—The
evidence was given : Jesse Robinson, of
der, rick-dresser, said that he knew the deceased,
and saw him on Friday last in Mr. Burgess' hou..e
Deoessed asked him for some etuff to kill mice in his
own house. Witness gave him some about the size of a
Talent, which he wrapped in a piece of paper, and

which ste:tness bel:eved the deceased put in his pocket.
The stuff he gave him WWI the same as he used for
dressing rickn to kill mice •nd rata. It was a poison,
but he cull not ay of what it was composed. It was
mile 1 up by his intster.—ln answer to a juror the
witness produced a box, and stated that its contents
were similar to that which be gave Via deeea.e4.—
William 1, I.beurer, depo.ei th it he knew the
deceased. and !apt saw him a`ive on Priday. lie had
previously asked him to get him a bit of the stuff to
kill some micro. and lie left a bit for him on the kitchen
table at Mr. Burgess' house, which he (witnes.) now
produced—John Small, deeessed's son, said that he
tel been living with his father, who came Ls:roe on
Friday between six and seven o'clock in the evening
He brought home half-a-pound of butter, whieh he
put on the table took the parer off and threw it
on the fire. Wittie,a spw him eating something.
He came into the house shortly afterwards and
sat down in his chair and began taking off his
boots. Shortly artcr I.e had hit tea, he pai I,
I'm afraid I have eaten that pois in ; if I
have not, I have left it down in the intlichonae
at the farm." Deceased than hal some toasted
cheese and ancelier cup of tea, and then said
he felt queer in his bead and stomach, and
should no* go to bed, which ha did almoat
directly. After he got to bed he still complained
of being queer and tired. About an Lour awl
a half afterwards he was taken sick. About six o'clock
witness went down to his brother to fetch the doctor.
The sickness coutinu,d till the doctor came about 11
o'clock. Witness went to hi. work about 12 and
returned at one, and then stayed with deceased as be
saw hews, worse. He seemedinsentible, and continued
so till he died, which was between five and six o'clock
Shortly after he had eaten the Ptuff, the night before, he
said he had taken it for a bit of blue cheese, but that it
tasted sweet. That was about the same time he said
he thought be had eaten poison. Witness wanted then
to o for a doctor, but his father objected, as he was
not certain whether he had eaten the poison or left it
in the milkhouge. No one. went to see if it was left there.
. . .

lie was then quite sensible ; in his usnal health and
spirits,and se-med very cheerful. Witness had no reason
to suppose that his father took the poison intentionally.
William Small, said that he went to see his
father an Saturday. Deceased nild lie was very ill,
and had been so ell night, and that he wan afraid he
had taken some poison by mistake, for blue cheese,
about the sine of a nutmeg. Witness observed some-
thing green in the vomit, which deceased had thrown up.
He said he took some paper out of his pocket to cover
up the butier, and he feared the poison had fallen out
lof the paper on to the butter. Witness helped him into
another bed, and then came to the farm, and his
' brother went off for a doctor —Edward Oke Spooner
surgeon residing in B'andford, said he found
deceased in a state nf great prostration, having
been vnmiting and purged all night. His complexion
was of a dusky color, and his head somewhat
affected, He said he feared he Lad taken some
of Tope's poison stuff for rats instesd of blue
Obeese, and the he hid taken a pieee about the size of
a nutmeg, and had been dreadfally ill ell night. He
thought at first it was a bilicras attack. From the
symptenus witness considered deceased had taken poison
—arsenic, and wee in such a state that remedies were
necks*. Witness took home some of the vomit, and
some of the pc:ikon he had placed on a stick and analysrd
it—applying the uettal tests for arsenic—and din-
cove-ed arsenic in both. Witness had not the slightest
doubt that deceased died horn the effecits of arsenic in
large quantities. From the small portion of the stuff
he examined he thought it contained butter, sugar, and
arsenic, the latter in large quantities. Witness admi-
nistered, what be considered the proper remedy,
to relieve the pain, but it was too late. The
jury returned as their verdict, "that the deceasi d
accidentally and by mistake did eat a certain poisonous
substance used for the purpose of destroying rats and
mice, from the effects of which bodied."