The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-07-25 00:00:00

BUSGLART AT STANTON ST. GABILIEL.

In tbe ass of Thomas Parsons, indicted for bevel/my
at Stsnton St. Gabriel, the Surgeon of ths Dorchester
Priem, Mr. W. E. Good, wee called and testified that
the prisoner was too ill to be removed from the
Infirmary.
Mr. Templar appeared for the prisoner.
The CIAO was adjourned to the nut Assizes, to be
held at Wiochater.
HOCSIBITIZACTSO AT GILLINGHAM.

auu
agony and in bar attempts at self-delivery the
child is suffocated. It is • question of deliberate
murder or nothing at all. The only other count in
the indictment is for the oonosalment of birth, and
I shall endeavour to show you that according
to the law of this country you would be hardly safe to
hold that it was a secret and • final disposition of the
Willi' Lordship remarked it was not necessary to prove
• final disposition.
There I. no doubt, Mr. Wills continued, that every-
body in the neighbourhood knew perfectly well
the condition of the girl Legg. Is it not very
consistent with the facts that the girl was taken
with labour, and was wafted at the moment
Mrs. Arnett was out, and when she comes
beak and finds the girl confined, may she not
have entered into a kind of conspiracy to help the
girl, for some meson of her own and with which
reason we have not to do. He gel briefly touched on
the medical • videoce. You must make up your minds,
positively, he contaiued, that the child had an entire
and separate existence before you can cone to •
verdict. And how in the name of fortune are you to
say what the doctors themselves wool not say It is
perfectly possible, they say, that the mother in her
agony—agony of body and mind, attempts to deliver
herself in this delirium (acoording to Dr. Playfair),
and in so doing helots the child was wholly born, the
injury took place which causes it to eventually die.
These are the facts, the plain fame as proved by the
Lion themselves. liow serious a thing then is
prosecution
you to deprive this woman of her life—to ask
you to go out of your way of the medical authorities
and say this girl was In her right senses, that she
deliberately, of her own mind, and in oonjUBOUOZI with
Mrs. Arnett, committed this act. Can you do it? Do
you feel safe to risk a woman's life for that? I think
not. It has been urged no preparation" were made.
I tried to get out the relations of Mrs. Arnett with
this girl. I wanted to know if the girl was paid
wages, with which she might have provided the clothes
for the child. But even in that we are in the dark,
and the prosecution have left no them, and never
Mtempted to bring that to light. If it is possible or
probable that Mrs. Arnett, who herself probably hod
her stock of linen clothe' that she had used for her own
children, had promised then to this Lid. But the
prosecution dwelt on the fact that the clothes were not
In the box, but would it not have been more fair and just
to have come to the conclusion, knowing the relations
they stood upon, that Mrs. Aroett bad promised her
she should have her clothes. Is it not possible? I do
ask you to strain your consciences to say that one little
thing, and there goes the premeditation and the
neglect to provide for the child. Is it too much to
ask? Is it not more likely in common humanity that
Mrs. Arnett would allow the girl to be confined
without one rag to cover it? Is it not more likely
that an arrangement was made between them that
Mrs. Arnett should provide the cl dims t Mrs. Coward
did not search the house for clothes, and in the
absence of proof I will ask you to assume that in the
house was a quantity of children'. clothe" used by
Mrs. Arnett in past times, and that there was an
agreement between them. It is urged by the prosecu-
tton that they deliberately premeditated the murder
of the child. le it not more likely, considering the
terms under which they lived, that there was some
such agreement between them? What more have you
its against the woman Legg, either on the medical
theory or on the fact.' You have one startling thing
—from first to last she never denied it, and eo far as
the medical evidence is concerned, you have the medi-
cal men hesitating to say that this child ever had a
separate existence, and also asserting that it is possible
that every mark on the child might have been caused
by a woman in attempting to deliver herself; you have
the further fact that during the agony, as Dr. Playfair
say., and in its latter stage, comes this sudden delirium,
and there coma rushing through the brain all the
misery and the shame she has brought upon herself;
she does not know what she is doing, and knows
nothing but her agony till the la our is over, and the
girl returns to her senses—wakes up, and finds the
body of the child by her side. And is this murder?
Is ibis wilful and deliberate murder for which
she is to forfeit her existence, and for which
she is to suffer a shameful and ignominious death?
If I were to talk to you for an hour I
amid not advance arguments stronger. You have
this fact staring you in the face—if she is c ,nvicted,
hers will be • life forfeited to the law, and I ask you
to consider long before you come to • conclusion like
that. I t,ust you will fini it ti be your duty, as I
k now it w ill be your pleasure, to say that this poor child,
for she is but a child, is not guilty, that she has not
by any act of bens permitted herself to go solar outside
the eels of civilization, so fax within the might of the
criminal law, that she is no longer worthy to live. but
shall be compelled to suffer • shameful and ignomin-
ious death.
There was some attempt at applause at the close of
this speech, but it was immediately repressed.
The Judge said he did not think there was any evi-
deoce by which they could convict Mary Arnett They
must be satisfied she knew of the murder, and knowing,
of It, did then "harbour, comforted, or assisted her.'
He therefore asked them to dismioi Mary Arnett from
their mind, altogether. He then reviewed the evi-
&ace as against Baboon& Legg. They must not
permit sympathy or commiseration to interfere with
their bounden duty. If the charge was made out
against her of wlltul murder, they must then in the
Interests of the public, in vindication of the law, and
in accordance with their oath", however disagreeable
or abhorent it might be to them, they must
find her guilty of the charge made against her,
if proved beyond reasonable doubt. If not proved
beyond reasonable doubt they could acquit her on one
charge or the other. In conclusion his lordship left the
matter In the hands of the jury, feeling sure they
would return a verdict in accordance with justice,
and not brought about by any undue sympathy.
A formal verdict of "Not Guilty" was returned
against Mrs. Arnett.
The jury than oonsidered, and after only' few minutes
deliberation, and without retiring, returned • verdict

residing
past nine in the eveniei, I—s;sa A;Oirit's house and
saw Mary Arnett. I said " Legg's mother wished me
to go upstairs and me what is the matter with her
daughter. Whilst talking Mrs. Legg came, and we
all three went upstairs together. We found the girl
Legg in bed. I proceeded to examine bee, and found
she had been delivered of a child. I saw no child at
that time and I went downstake. Peter Arnett said
"Now we'll hare the matter cleared up, and have the
neighbours in." I thee left the house, and outside I
saw P.& Mitchell and P.O. Dunn, and with them I
returned to the house. I again went upstairs. I
searched the bed on which she was, but found nothing.
Torre was another bed in the room, and on searching
It, between the bed and the sacking, I found a newly'
born child. I was about to take it downstairs,
when she said" Don't take it downstairs." I said "1
, must take it down." Dreaded it to P.S. Mitchell, end
I afterwards attended to tlei eirL
P.S. Mitchell said: On Jens 12th, about 10 in the
evesing, I west is company with Mr. Day to Arnett's
house, and saw Mr. and Mrs. Arnett in a front room.
Mr. Day said he was quite satisfied the girl upstairs
had been confined, and added "As you said Just now
you would like the matter cleared up I have brought
f..S. Mitchell with me." I said my first duty would
be to try and find the child, and Peter Arnett said
" You are welcome to search the cupboards or any-
where else here," I asked if there had been anyone
else in the house, and Mrs. Arnett said "There has
been no one but myself in the home during the day, and
have not left the house for more than three minutes,
when I went in South-street to get some eggs for my
husband's dinner." I said "Is it possible for anyone to
come downstairs and go into the garden and beck again
during your absence?" She roplisci "No, she is too
weak?" Mr. Dayssid • From what—from leas of blood?
and she said" Yes." A package was afterwards handed
cos. I afterwards opened it, and found the dead body
of the child. I hurled it over to Mr. Day and Mr.
Fisher for the purposes of a poet 'torten.
Sarah Coward said: I am the wife of Supt. Coward
of the Dorchester Polka. I went to take &sue of
Rebecca Legg at Arnett'. house. I saw ths room had
been recently washed, and thaw were bloodstains on
the wall. Rebecca Leu made a statement to me next
morning. She saw nu looking at the blood marks, and
she said "The baby was born there." I said '1
thought so." Legg said "But I did not know there
ws any marks on the wall." I searched her box
but found no baby clothes. I found souse under.linen
with bloodstains on them, as if a bloody band had
grasped them. I said " There are some soiled things
here," and she replied "I went to the box for some-
thing I wanted, and I suppose I dined them." During
the day, as I was standing on the landing, Mrs.
Arnett came upstairs, and volunteered the following
statement :—" I wars you I knew nothing of the baby
being born until Dr. Day and the policeman came. I
know people said she was going to have a baby, and
on Bata. day in a joke I said to her if you are going to
have this baby that people talk about you had better
get something for it, and Legg replied the was not
going to have a baby, and could lace a hundred
doctors."
The Judge: How far was the place where she said
the baby was born from the bed where the child was
found?
Witness: Only a few feet. There is very little spare
space in the room.
The Judge: Could she have put the chid where it
was herself?
Witness: Oh, yes.
Mr. Frederick Basil Fisher said on Wednesday, the
14th June, be ma lea post /aortas examination of the
body of a full.gro ern female child. On the back of the
left shoulder were several slight er ratcheis, which might
have been produced by the finger-nails. The forehead,
ears, and lips were congested. On the neck was a
bruise two and a-half inches long. one inch to the right
of the midd e line, and one and a.h di inches long to the
left. On the left side were two semi-lunar excodations,
with the concavity towards the middle line. On the
other side were some smaller semi.lunar marks.
Everything I saw on the neck might have been pro-
duad by the fingers and fingernails. The muscles
under the akin were much bruised. The bruises might
ham been caused by any pressure. The windpipe, too,
was bruised, especially on the left side.
The Judge: What do you think death was caused
by?
Witness: By soffocation, I think.
Mr. Fisher continued his evidence as given before
the markt:ate*. The lungs had been fully inflated,
and, taking the whole conclusions, he was satisfied the
child bad breethed. The appearances were also con-
sistent with the child having cried. The child was
born at its full time, and in his opinion born alive.
Mr. Matthew,: In your opinion what is the ODOM
of death?
Witness: Suffocation.
Mr. Matthews: How was the suffocation produced,
in your opinion!
Witness: By pressure on the windpipe, applied by
the hand.
Witness was then cram-examined by Mr. Willis
for the purpose of showing it was possible that
reepiration could have been established before the child
was fully born. All the marks might have been
=red by the mother in attempting to deliver
The Judge: Supposing the labour to have been a
protracted one, would not the woman attempt to
deliver herself by ever, MOMS ID her power?
Witness: Very likely, if no one were present.
The Judge: There are cases in which women
Ifforate their children hi self-delivery, are there not?
Witness: Yes, certainly.
Mr. Matthew,: Is it probable that the injuries were
mused by suffocation?
Witness: It is possible, but not probable, because
I think the rusks would have been higher up, under
the chin.
Mr. B. J. Day (re-called) who assisted in the post
storess. said he agreed with Mr. Fisher as to the muss
of death. He, too, thought the bruiser: might have
been caused in self-deUvery.
By Mr. Matthewsz It is quite possible but not
khbaob's, as in that cue the marks would hays been
er up, and would have bun wider apart.
Lordship asked Mr. Matthews what evidence
there was as apsinat Mrs. Arnett.
cbhl Mr. Ma:the ets replied Mrs. Arnett was cognisant of
the birth of the
The Judge: It may be oompetent evidence that she
knew that the child was born and concealed, but I
don't think It is evidence on which the jury can safely
go, that she knew of the murder of the child. I shall
have to tell the jury that they must be satisfied that
she knew of the murder of the child by the girl Legg,
and then barb :tired her.
Mr. Matthews: The jury cam come to their own
conclusion that perhaps she was present at the
delivery of the child.
His Lordship: Row?
Mr. Matthews: She was upstairs.
His Lvedship ; That is not proved. She is node.
fertile I, and Ills my duty, as far as I can, to watch the
case for her.
Mr. hteAsbewe (addressing the jury) said: Al for as
the prisoner Arnett was concerned, the case had failed
as against her, and she wee entitled to • verdict of
aoquittel at their hands, his lordship holding there was
no evidence against her, and what they had DOW I, do
was to OA), she was not guilty. But that was alto-
gether outside the rood —a Teri serious coo-
sideration as it must now amount to—of the case of
Rebecca Legg, since It would be left to them in the
farm of awing whether she was guilty of wiful murder
or not. He was rare they would give it the very best
attention they could, and whenever they might be in
any doubt, be was gore they would give that doubt
In favour of the prisoner who was now before them.
They most review, if they would do justice between
the public and the prisoner. what it was occurred at
Arnett's horns on the day they had been so minutely
enquiring into. Having briefly alluded to the most
important point. in the evidence, the leaned counsel
concluded an able address as follows : —I have no
desire in any wsy that this use should be other than
most mercifully tried, and I don't think, ad far as I
am concerned, I would desire for one moment, un-
less the evidence convinces you of this sirl's
that she should be convicted of this most terrible
offence; but you must remember that the charge
against her is—her finding herself, as it is said she
did, about to be the mother of an illegitimate child,
for which she had made no preparation whatever, and
her full time come, —the is delivered of it; there are
the marks on the floor which are endeavoured to be
removed by someone ; the body found wrapped up and
bruised, salt is suggested to you, in its death; end then
come the marks on the Ikon, after what she has done
(and what she did is for you to determine.) So far as the
mouth of the prisoner at the bar is concerned, watched
as she was by Mrs. Coward, never from her Wm was it
asserted that the child died in her attempt to deliver
herself.
Mr. Wallas (addressing the
_inry for the defence)
said : Gentleman of the jury--We are engaged in one
of the most important cases, and you are engaged in
one of the most important acts in your lives—to decide
this question of life or death as to that child now
sitting in the dock. My keened friend has told you
he does not wish to peer the charge against either of
the prisoners at the bar, but I mast say be has used a
little too strongly that great ordure' eloquence and
ability he poseseses in conducting this case to-day. I
understand it is the duty of the prosecution merely
Inlay the facts before the jury, and not to draw any
very strong inference, from it, which I soy be has done.
Passing on to speak of the evidence the learoed
counsel continued: Every preparation according to
Mrs. Miles, seems to have been alade for the
commission of some crime, but I would point out to
you most crerneetlY that never from first to lest has
this girl ever denied to one single upon that she was
in the family way or wee about to be confined. Did
she deny the fact that she had been confined ? Not one
single wird that fell from Mrs. Arnett can prejudice
this girl, and not one single word given in evidence
spinet Mrs Arnett Oen Is taken against her. You
have this lad that Is act cos dagis Word has

John Mansfield, 12, and James Mysll, 14, pleaded
guilty to breaking and entering a warehouse, and
therein stealing two chairs. • pair of trouser., three
electro-plated spoons, and various other articles, the
property of Frederick Angel Buckingham. of the
value of 15a, at Gillingham, on the 7th of July.
Mr. B. F. Lock prosecuted.
Sentence was deferred.
The Court then adjourned for luncheon.
TllO boys were brought up on Thursday morning,
and each were sentenced to a fortnight's Imprisonment
and five years In • reformatory.

THE DORCHESTER CHILD MURDER.
Rebecca Legg, 19, servant, was charged with the
wilful murder of her newly-born female child, at St.
Peter's Dorchester. on the 12th of June.
Mar; Areett, 40, was charged with being an
ac'essory after the fact. Both pleaded not guilty,
Rebecca Legg answering in a firm voice. Both the ,
prisoners presented • most dejected sppearasice, the
girl [egg being still apparently very weak and
Before the case commenced big Lordship directed ,
that both the prisoners should be allowed to be seated.
Mr. Matthaei and Mr. H. Cary Britten prosecuted,
and Mr. Willie defended, the gel Legg only.
Mr. Albert Chapman stated that be was an
architect, and produced • plan of the tenements
occupied by Miles and Arnett.
Mary Jane Lock: I am • dressmaker, living with
my mother in Trinity-street. I hare does drier
making for both prisoners. On 22nd May I raw Mrs.
Arnett and spoke to her about Rebecca Legg. I tried
• dress on Legg, and I said " Dear in., I have not out
my lining large enough." On the 30th May the dress
van br night to no. by Mrs. Arnett, who said it was
too large. I said "She is got very, very much smaller
than when I tried it on." Mrs. Arnett had the dress
pinned to the proper size. Mrs. White came in and
said 'Good morning. Mts. Arnett, howls Mies Legg.
she oonfined ? " idea Arnett said "Confined I"
what do you mean? I ern only waiting to find out
who hes raised these reports, and I will make them
prove their words; they'll dirt their fingers over it."
Crone-examined by Willer Rebecca Legg was
act present when this conversation took place.
Reziah Miles said: I am the wife of George Miles,
living in South-street. At the back of my house
there lived • Mrs. Arnett. and on June 12th there
was Babson& Legg living there. Mrs. Harding lives
next door. There is yard at tbe back, which is c.m moo
to myself, Mrs. Harding, and Mrs. Arnett. There is
also • weehhouse common to myself and Mrs. Hard-
ing. I lived in Arnett's house to- some years and know
the rooms in It, There is • window looking out into
the yard, and that window is at the top of the stair-
case, and leads to the bedroom. Outside Arnett'sdoor
is • tap which is used by them (the 'Levitt's.) In the
wish-bowie there is • window, and from it I could
perfectly well see this tap. On Jane 12th I was is
the wash-house with Mrs. Rawles. As MI stood there
we heard a baby my several times. The cry came
from the open window is Arnett's house, and from the
direction of the bedroom. We both listened, and
then went to Mrs. Harding, who returned with us.
We still heard the cries when we came beck.
We remained there three or four minutes, during
which time the cries continued. We then went
back into the house, and remained about • quarter of
an hour, when I and Mrs. Rsorles returned
to the wash-bouts. Some little time afterwards
I looked through the wash-house window, and
from it I saw • bucket put out. I supposed the
band that pat it out was a woman's, as I
could see a woman'. dress. Water was turned on
into the bucket, and it was thee taken away. Imme-
diately afterwards I heard footsteps going upstairs,
and then heard sound* of scrubbing from the open
window. A little before two o'clock I sew Mrs.
Arnett close the staircase window. She then came
and filled • kettle at the tap. Between three and four
I sew Mrs. Arnett in the wash-house. and she asked
me to give her some hot water when I had dons
washing. I said I would. I said "Well, Becky has
soon got over bee job." She replied "Her job what
job?' I said "Her baby." She said " rye not seen
• baby to-day." I said " I beard a baby cry." She
mid "Oh I Mrs. Miles, you don't believe what people
have eald." I then esM •Oh l Idris Arnett, you don't
mean to my you have shut your eyes to it; I know
whet people have said, and I have noticed it since lad
December.' She said "Well, there hasn't been a
baby in the house to-day." I said "Well, we all
three stood in that plias (pointing to the wash-house)
mid heard a baby cry." Well, *be said, "I have
not seen baby." I then said "I Ward one cry, and
very strong, too."
Clrce•-"Amioted by Mr. Willis : Were these cries
continuous I—A. : Ye..
Q, : How long did they hest 7—A.: About three
minutes.
Q : Two or thrsel—A. : It may be.
Q.: Would it not be about two minutes : I
cannot be positive about it; it wee • very abort time.
Q.: Did you hear the cry of the woman 7—A.: No,
no other sound.
q.: You knew the girl Legg •, bow loog bee she been
with the Arnett's : About 13 or 14 month'.
eigt.: Did you know her before '—A.: I knew her by
Q.: She is a domestic servantl—A. : Yes.
: A domestic servant to the Arnett's ?—A. : No.
Q : Out of place I—A.: Yes.
His Lordship : Then she had left her situation?
Witness: Yee.
His Lordship: And had goes to the &netts' how?
Wham: Iris,

,uLxt.

mind

NOT GUILTY

Mr. Whiles' Did AruAll Pay her any "PM I''.4 illikefri ever denied she was about to be confined, A short parley further etwued between Mr. Collins
don't know. di. het that she bed been so confined. and Mr. Charles, when t"he leader was heard to state
Cron-essminsikeiContinued: lin. ArnetthasslwaYs rain. Arnett has, I know time after time denied she —" I think that will do.
been* le"p=l4.6"&ble "aan,aadibidirlari iswill about to be coufineti, but that I submit to you
Mr. Collins roes and said: In this case, my lord, of
ttiet ad Mrs. Arnett is metried. hia amines be used in evidence against her, because it was Green and Reynolds, it wet an action by Mr. Green,
pour ebildreu, thefts of the Youngest child being about said band her back. The Only fact we have of the a farmer of this county, against Mr. Reynolds, who,
--IfirLordship : Had she a chikl at home? trilsLer spelt& about her
efLothnem= mass:tut libelow,leai,reis
can
al,i:t.iiioondeeourttotrhagnalricirs inmo•ewzugtiivoenn.
Witness:eows Yes. with it when she denied it. But ask° too, was eng into custody under circumstances that did not warrant
Might Ii not have been that child you haard?-014 behind her back and cannot be evident*, so that not it in the slightest degree. There could have been no
DO. One sines *DOM OOD the prosecution bring forward I felonious intent in anything that Mr. Green did, and
WIN" did the scrubbing annals+ to be Befog on I—ln mice to.day to say she denied it. The next point to my friend Mr. Charles will concur in that. The
the bedroom. which I would draw your attention is this—Mr. moment the case was taken before the magistrates they
Not on the stain I—No. _ Mathews told you there was no one in the house, and dismissed it at once. There was • dispute between
Ann Rawies : lam the wife of George Rawls& ou in the next breath he told you Mrs. Arnett was heard Mr. Green end Mr. Reynolds about some crops; but
the 12th of Jane, about mid-day, I wee In lin. Miles' speaking to her children when as was scrubbing the the parties having consulted together they authorial,
washbowls. I heard ID infant my several times. I floor, on this day, well known to he the weaning day COO to withdraw the record. The terms wall be endorsed
went Into the house end retann.i with Ma. Harding, In the next house, with the window wide open—can on our briefs, and I believe Mr. Charles will my there
mid beard the child cry again. 1 came back after you believe preparations were made for the commission could be no charge of felony made against Mr. Green.
dinner, and heard the conversation between lin. of • wilful murder. Even et the fint bludh of the case Mr. Charles, I appear for the defenalent, my lord,
Arnett and Mn. Miles. I stayed until five o'clock. —l,, nee how eery improbable such a thing is. This and on his behalf Imy that he rognta having male a
when I went away. theory I would impost to you is more in accordance mistakathi whet he di i in giving Mr. Green into
George Miles said: lam a printer, living in South. with the fame and io contrast to the improbable I custody. He acted under advice which he thought
street. When I returned home on the LVA Joss, my nay say the absurd, gory that these women concerted authorised him in what he did; but I have told him ,
wife spoke to me, and in *marque/lee of what she said together to commit such a terrible crime. On that the"' WAS no foundation whatever for the charge of
I went to Annit's Ewa door, and asked for Mr. Arnett, morning it must have hew perfectly patent to the felony, and that being the case I have simply to ask
I asked if there had been a child born in the house Wit, . prisoner Legg she was shout to be confined, and there thetitheirecord may be withdrawn.
day. Mrs. Arnett said "Child! no. We have lubd_. is no doubt that during a portion of that morning The Ju ige :Do you wish to have a judge's order?
no child here," and repeated it more than once. She Mrs. Arnett WM in the house; she told the girl to go Mr. Cherie.: No my lord, I should wish your lord.
d
further said I could go and look for myself if I liked. upstairs because she was ill, " d daring the period ship to disc Large the jury.
I said "No, I won't go in, but if you will allow the of dole when she went into South-street for the Tilts was done, an
girl's mother to see her I will fetch her." She did not eggs, then, and in her absence, this calamity occurred. Mr. Charles said: I think it right to'addithat when
make the slightest objection, and I then want and I would suggest to you that the girl not knowing the Lean the defendant acted under advice I did not
fetched the mother, exact time as many others in the same manicn refer to the solicitor acting in this case.
My. R. J. Dap said :lam a medical practitioner —a girl of her age and inexPeciace—she fiiida The Judd,e : I did not think that possible; I don't
''‘v at Ygtoo. On June 12111, . . about WI: she GI about to biome a mother, and in her •he advised in that sense.
-•.-. . . .

suppose..
he terms wore: The record withdrawn; aid pro-
cesses on claim and counter-claim, plaintiff to retain
the property alleged to have been converted; no
costa.
The effect is that the plaintiff gives up his claim for
damages, and the defeadlant gives up his claim for the
value of the good@ which the plaintiff was charged with
removing. All imputations on character withdrawn.
CHAIM. OF BIGAMY.
George Parsons, 40, flaa.cireaser, was indicted for
feloniously marrying Mary Ann Major, his formate
wife being then alive.
Prisoner pleaded not guilty.
Mr. B. F. Lock prosecuted, and briefly stated the
facts.
Supt. Coward produced the marriage certificates
between the prisoner and his wife, and between him
and Mary Ann Major. Prisoner, when apprehended,
said that he bad beard that him wife was dead.
Thom.. Clarke, of Dridport, said he had seen the
prisoner's wife as late as May last at Poole.
P.S. Beaken, stationed at Poole, said he had known
the prisoner 13 or 14 years. Ills wife was 'till living
at Poole, having been left there about 1871 by the
accused. On WO 6th of November, 1872, prisoner was
convicted of an Israeli on • woman named Mary Ann
Cole, with whom he lived.
Charlotte Bynum, sister of the amused, said she was
present when her brother married his first wife.
Mary Ann Major. • native of Beaminster,. said on
the 14th of June, 1879, she married the prisoner at
Bridport. He told her be had been living with •
woman with whom he had had five children, but he
had not seen her for years. Witness said she did
not take any notice ot that, and was proceeding to
describe the treatment she received, when she was
stopped.
Prisoner expressed sorrow, and stated that be
thought his wife was dead.
The jury found the prisoner guilty.
His Honour said there well no doubt he had com-
mitted bigamy, but, taking into consideration the
time he had been in gaol, he would have • month hard
labour.