The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-06-03 00:00:00

A PAINFUL AFFAIR AT BAYSWATER.

At the Marylebone police-court, on Thursday In
week, Flora Davey, aged 38, a lady residing at
No. 23, Newton-road, Weetbourne-grove, was charged
on suspicion of having mimed the death of Mr.
Frederick Moon, son of Sir Francis Graham Moon, by
stabbing him with a knife in the left side.
. _

A police.ofticer, named Rowell, said his attention was
drown to several gentlemen passing in and out of the house
where the prim ner resided A servant came out, and he
asked her If anyone was ill In the house. The servant said •
gentleman was Hi In the house, and lie had broken a blood
vessel. The doctors were In the house attending to him.
Thinking it was • case of Illneu he passed round his beat,
and afterwards met • doe tr, who asked him to go to the
house again, and he went, sr nth another constable.
Police-constable Fenton said that on going to the house, he
asked lift waa a case for his Intervention, and the doctor
Said, "I am sorry iii., A gentleman hes been stabbed." Ile
(witness) asked where the gentleman was blng, and Dr.
Phillips took him to the dining-room—the first front floor—
where he saw the gentleman lying on his back • little Inclined
to the left side. Ile asked Dr. Phillips who had done it, and
he said the person waa In the :louse. Ile went Mtn the trent
room, and saw the prisoner's clothes were in • disordered
state. The upper part of the body was sodden with blood,
her hair was disarranged, and she wis• very much excited,
Police-sergeant Woenter, on apprehending the prisoner,
found some clothes In the room—a red jtcket, black silk
skirt, white petticoat, and a pair of curie—all having stains
of Nord upon them. The prisoner was wearing • flannel
drt sting-gown. The prisoner asked him to let her go Into
the room where the deceased was, as she wanted to kiss him
once more. Ile accompanied her Into the room, and she
leaned over him, tint he could not any if she kissed him.
Supposing she had taken the gentleman in her arms, the
blood might have come out on her dress.

_
Mr. Phillips. the surgeon, said he was called to 23, New-
ton-road, on the previous evening. Deceased was lying on
the round, and Mrs. Davey was on the door beside him.
The deceased was almost puleeless, and evidently dying He
manned to swallow about • thimbleful of brandy. lie never
evoke, but his right arm moved slightly. Witty,. examined
the body, and found • wound on the left side about an inch
and a half in length, and three or four inches deep. It was
a long wound, and It was between the fifth and sixth ribs.
The pericardium of the heart had been penetrated. lie died
in about five or ex minute. after he (witness) arrived. He
found a white-handled knife in the fender close bealde the
body, lie called at the house at half-past nine, and Mrs.
Davey and the deceased were dining together. lie waited for
a little time, and she went into the drawing-room, and was
Cry Mg. She said, "Oh, Fred (meaning the deceased) is going
on so; will you come again in an hi ur Croseexamlned by
Mr Lewis, witness said he had attended deceased for several
months past. She had been dangerously ill. Last Sunday
was the first time she /111.• allowed to leave her bed. She mot
for him when he went the second time. She had sent for
several dcctors. She seemed to do everything in her power
for the deceased. She did not chew any signs of animosity
against him, far from it. The position in which he found the
prisoner would quite account for the blood on her clothes.
lie saw her kiss the body twice before he left the house for
the police-station. If he had taken a knife to her, and ticks
Struggled, the wound might have been inflicted as he fell.

On Saturday, the Coroner for Middlesex, commenced
his enquiry, with a jury of sixteen householders of the
district, into the circumstancea under which the
deceased, Mr. F. G. Moon, met his death.
Mr. ilumphreys appeared for the relatives of the
deceased; and Mr. G. Lewis, jun., for Mrs. Flora
Davy, a/ins Newington.
The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view
the body of the deceased, which was [dill lying at the
house in Newton-road, and on their return
Mr. W. Butler Langmore, of M, Portman4qture, brother.
In.law of the deceased, we. called. Ile deposed that Mr.
Moon was 41 years of age, was a brewer, and unmarried.
Last maw him alive on Wednesday, the 24th Instant, at treak-
fast at his father's (Sir F. Moon's) house, in Portmaniquare.
He we. then In good health. Was not aware that deceased
vhdted No. 4.3, Newton-road. IdeLtilled the body now lying
there as that of Mr. J. F. Moon. The witness described the
demised sea "kind, liberal-hearted fellow" Ile was a man
of an exceedingly lively and cheerful dispoeltion, and of very
bun yant spirit.. He was In very good circumstances, and ,
bad spittoons of several thousands a year.

By • Juryman: Never saw the dammed the worse for
drink, but he wed to tale Ms wine sod smoke. Ile was not
• sporting character, and did not go to the Derby that day.
Adelaide Mathews, parlourmaid at No. 23, Newton-road,
said she had lived there sixteen months. Mr and Mrs. Davey
her master and mistress) lived together and slept together.
Mr. Mod' (the deceased) used to go there three or felu
times • week, sod frequently dined (here. Ile dined
there on Wednesday last, Ile came at p m., the d(nner
was at seven. Mrs Davcy dined with him aloi e. Mr Davey
had been away slime the previous Saturday. Witueu waited
at dinner, which mutated of filleted soles, boiled chicken,
and cold beef. Mr Moon drank champagne and took halt •
bottle el IL The bottle was opened before dinner in the
billiard room. There was sherry on the table also. Mrs
Davey drank • small quantity of beer at dinner. The room
was now in the game state as when the accident happened.
Dinner was finished at about half-put eight, when witness
cleared away the dinner thing. Mr. Moon looked very
gloomy, and talked very little Did not hear any quarrel. Mrs
Davey was in very Rood spirits. She MU in the habit of drink-
ing champagne She had some for luncheon about one
o'clock She might have had more in the billiard-room She
was in the habit of taking ((rawly, but witness dld out think
she took any on Wednesday. lied seen her very much en.
cited °mast flatly She and Mr. Moon never quarrelled in
presence of witness She waa not muoh exulted at dinner on
Wednesday, nor until the accident occurred.
To the Jury r Do not know If any sherry was drank. A
bottle of Burgundy was brought up after dinner by • young
lady who was sluing In the house. Lately, by the doctor's
orders, Mrs. Davey had taken a great thud of cuampagne.
Carrot say she had not seen her mistress the worse for
drink. Mr. Mom( was always very kind and very agreeable.
He was • very quiet man.

-
Mrs. Ann Marsden Toynbee 111,8 at 8, Monmouth.road
—I know Mrs. Davey. Don't know that that Is her right
name, but was always led to believe that she was the wife of
Captain Davey. I have known her about twelve years. Mut
Davey is Is years old. Knew her milli three years ago as
Mrs. Newington. She told me she was married to Mr. New-
ington, who was • solicitor. Have known the deceased for
twelve years from visiting Mrs. Devey all the time I have
known her. one has all that time been more or less friendly
with Mr. Moon. I was at '23, Newton-road, on Wednesday
last. Have been In the habit of going there every day at
about nine, and stopping all day, to assist in the honsebold
duties. Mr. Moon frequently used to go there. When I
went on Wednesday morning Mn. Davey told me that Mr.
Moon was coming, slid, as she was going out with the
two young ladies for a ride In the riding-school,
asked would I mind seeing " Yred." and telling him she
would not be long, the came back before Mr. Moon
arrived, arid went into the billiard-room. Almost as soon as
she came In Mr Moon arrived and went to the billiard-
room. Ills coming upset our arrangements about dioner.
Mrs 1.. tvey and Mr. Moon dined alone together at
about seven; and about six Mrs. Davey came to
me and asked me to take tea with the girls In the
billiard. room. Have neon Mu. Davey and Mr. Moon
quarrel. lie was of rather • Jealous disposition. Ile
liked to he with her alone. I think he loved her. I know
Captain Davey. Mr Moon and Captain Davey have met, but
not for some months. I have never known Mr. Davey and
Mee Davey quarrel Captain and Mee. Davey used to sleep
together when he was at home. When Mr. Moon came
he used to steep with Mrs. Davey. That was when Captain
Dtvey was away. It was eight o'clock on Wednesday night
when lire. Davey sent for the young lades to dessert I did
not to with them as I wanted to go home. t went nod
returned in about half an hour, when I went up. there
was wine on the table. I hail • glue of claret. There was
some champagne on the table. Mr. Moon seemed rattier
strange, hut I cannot say that he appeared sail be bad been
drinking too much. Mrs. Davey did not appear to have been
drinking. While I was in the diningroom Mr. Moon
talked of Its being the anniversary of his mother's death,
and scorned rather low. There was no quarrel or any-
Mug like quarrelling. He seemed low, too, that she was
golog away. She was going to Homburg the next
day. They were very affectionate. When 1 left the room he
was more cheerful. She had cheered Moo up. She said to
him, • lii riot let us have any thing disagreeable and melan-
choly the last night" Just as we were going out he called
Mlle Dulln back, and said, "Play ' Topsy Wopsy,'" • song he
was hind of, and she did so. When Mr. Phillips came I and
the two girls went into the bllliard.room I afterwards went
up with Miss Dello to pack away the Hun for Mn'.. Davey to
take with her. While there I heard • violent scream. 1
went back into the room, and fouod Mr. Moon lying on the
hearth rug, partly on his side. I went to fetch • doctor im.
mediately. When I went Into the room I saw Mrs. Davey
leaning over Mr. Moon. Mrs. Davey screamed violently, and
said, Patch a doctor; fetch a doctor" I aaw blood, and
thought he had fallen on the fender. I saw no knife. She
asked me to unfasten Mr Moon's shirt-collar, which I did. I
got some cold water and bathed his face. The doctor then
came. she never said anything abut what had happened,
or accounted fur it In any way. I naked her afterwards how
it happened, and she answered, "Oh, I don't know; I don't
know." I formed to idea of my own orr the auhject. I know
now that Mr. Moon was wounded with • 'suite. Ile never
spoke after went in. Ile was lying on the hearth-rug with
Ids head turned a little to the window.
Mr 0 Phillips, a1.R.C.1., who was called to deceased last
Weelneaday evening, said that the cause of death was
hemorrhage of the heart; the wound had hardly penetrated
through the wall of the heart. lie could riot swear It was
impossible for the deceased to have made &itch • wound him.
self. Witneu here, at the motet of the coroner, showed
with the knife how the deceased might possibly have in-
Acted the wound himself with the right hand crossed over
the chest. Replying to further questiorts, the withers @ati—
lt le quite possible, tee, if some one ehe had held the kolle,
and the deceased in • struggle had fallen ou to it, that the
wound might have been so caused. It would require great
power to drive • knife so far Into the heart, but not more than
• man might possibly use upon himself. The weight of • body
falling from behind on the knife would be aufficlent to pro-
duce such • wound. I think that in more probable than that
the deceased should have intentionally stabbed himself.
Another person, however, might have thrust the knife into
the body; and that I think la the more probable theory of
the three.
Superintendent Eccles said that when las apprehended
Mrs. Davies he took horn her the three letters which had
been handed in and the photograph She had • fourth letter
In her hard which the tore across, and he snatched it from
her to prevent her destroying it. Among other papers taken
by witness from the home, tut not from the prisoner, wee a
Pruestan spectel pass, dated April 7, 1971, and a Truesdell
passport.
The letters were put in, and the following pumps from
them were read :
" Grafton Club, Thursday, 4 45.
"My Love,—l found I had ample time to send you a few
liner. I most first tell you how perfectly happy you hive
made me. I will try in return to make you so, but too well
I know the source Iles in r urselves, and ydu have eepeclally
a happy soul. (lid grant that mine will unite Itself to yours
so long or happy . The transition Is so rapid that it can
scarcely ensile° itself. God grar.t 1114 you will not Ire Slew-
pointed with me in the long rue. Ufa never waa intended
to be so happy that we should forget He who made us. All
that I can repeat Is that I love you most unfeignedly, most
devotedly, and always be of good cheer. In you 1 Inlet, as
Ido my God. Preserve you always Is yours affectionately,
No 2 Letter. Wednesday, noon.—My dearest.—l feel
that' must send you • line to tell you how unfeignedly I love
you, and if you are Tully In earned in what you have decided
upon, I will try and do all to make you happy. I feel that I
have to make great sacrifices, so to speak, but what a lovely
thing ills to love. There is something so sacred, no corn-
posiug übout It—you must forgive nre If I !Teak plainly
to you, but I could not go on as of late. I would much
sooner die. Indeed now I hardly think at, time. whether I
love. I felt I had no hope In yon scarcely. You will never
again Oct towards me so inconsiderately. I have lust been
reading your note to me."
No. 3, dated Saturday.—" My lace,! wonder how you are.
I wish now that you were in town, that I could have rue up
and have luncheon with you, but I did not wish to be too
selfish, fort fancy that you did not want to he In town to-
day. I hope you will live comfortribly and in peace. If it
were possible I really think more and more of you. Some-
times I fear you will he dull and mire the comprorionstrip of
many—of one upecially whom you have so lately parted
from—and wonder (forgive me) if you can slick to all you
pedals for me. lam leaving Shoreditch by the 4 8 train
to-day, so you see 1 should have plenty of time to have
Caressed you, dearest, and again to have looked deeply into
your heart, for I should like you again to confirm all your
sayings with your sweet voice wink sitting by your side
I cannot tell how I like to be with you, and you alone. I
shall write to you from Chelmsford.'

On Monday afternoon, the Coroner resumed the ad-
journed inquiry concerning the death of Mr, Frederick
Graves Moon. The examination of the medical wit-
nesses was continued, and
Mr. George Turner Phillips, aurgeon. of 7, Prince's,qoare,
havlng been re called, eeted that he had known Mr.
Davy about seven months. She had been accustomed to an
excess of stimulants, and was suffering generally from dingo
mania and Its effect,. She bad no regular attack of de/irium
trettleu during the time he bad been attending her.
Us had ordered her to drink • certain quantity of chase.
Mine. She had of lute been more temperate in her
habits, and was • great deal bet'er on Wednesday morn-
ing. She then told him that she meant to go out for
• ride. He tried to dissuade her from doing so, fearing that
she would make herself worse, as she was not accuetomed
to horse exercise Finding that she persisted In going he
said he should call again In the evening to see how .he was,
and this was the reason he went to the house the second time
on the same day about her-past nine. He was shown Into
the drawing room, where he found Mrs. Toynbee, MIA. Dew!.
log. and Miss rook. In about flee minutes the door was
opened quickly. and Mrs. Davy came In hurriedly crying
very much Ste said, 'Oh, doctor, Fred Is going on so;
can you come again lean hour? He had been told by Mrs.
Davy that Mr. Moon was her stepbrother, and believing this
he had never seen any reseon to suspect that there was any-
thing Improper in their intimacy. She usually spoke of him
as "poor Fred," and had told II e witness that he was aublect
to some kind of fits, she thought epileptic fits. lie had seen
Mr. Moon at her house only about ten times. Mo. Davy was
certainly an excitable person. When he saw her on Wodnee-
day night he could not say that she had taken more than was
good for her. The word, she uttered were spoken distinctly
and coherently. He had beard her speak hastily, and thought
she was eelf.wllled. lie had never known her to commit any
violent act.

By Mr. flumphreye Be found black marts and Small
particle. of coal In Mr. Moon's hands These marks might
be accounted for on the supposition that he had been
stabbed, and In falling had reached acmes the fender and
grimed a piece of coal. When he was fetched to the hou-e
about half-pint ten, hire. Davy seamed beside herself with
grief, and kept saying "0, dear Fred, come back." About
• quarter of an hour after the deceased breathed his Dot wit-
nem went into the adjoining room, where Mrs. Devy was under
the care of wltness'e father, who is also a surgeon. The wit-
ness said to her, "Good God ! How did it happen?" line re-
plied, "Oh ! I don't know how it WI. There was • ecufrls,
and liner I must have done IL" brie said the dispute wee
caused by some words used by the deem-ed concerning her
deuOter. (It was stated that tide daughter Is minded to a
friend of Mr. Moon'', ) The witness thought It would have
been next to Impressible that the dammed en!,! have luttcted
the wound himself. It would take an enormous prouture to
Bend Cliche knife as the one found by the de dossed through
his colt, waPtcoat, shirt, and undershirt. Mre. D .vy used
to drink bras dy.
By the Coroner to the Mate she was now in small
Quantity of brandy would be likely to excite her more than
Is would formerly have clone,
By Mr. Lewis She had been attended by witness's father,
In whose care she was placed by Dr. Gull Toe witness
believed that she left her bed lot the Met time after • sericite
Illness on the Saturday preceding the Wednesday in question.
Supposing there Ted been a struggle for the knife, and Mrs.
DAVY had got It in her band, ii was not imposeible that the
wound miglit have been produced if he had fallen 011 his loft
aide. When witness, interrogated her rho seemed um
eoneclons how the wound had been caused. She appeared
bewildered Witness would not undertake to swear that she
had not meld It was done se they fell.

By the Cononer :ft. Imprenalon waa that she cued the
word. "tn a scuffle "or "In the scuttle."

By M. Leti: She constantly asked to be alloWed to kiss
the body.
Superintendent Eccles produced the knife found In the
fender beside the deceased. It was such • knife as I. need
for carrtng fowls with, having • blade and handle each
about 710. long. The point appeared to be rather blunt..

By Mr. Humphreys: It would require very considerable
force to mend Inch • knife as the one predoced through all
the clothes worn by the deceased. It would have required
the weight of the body falling against something offering a
firm resistance to have driven the knife In. Toe witness
descrlped the position in which the body was lying, and the
direction and character of the wound.

Mr. Blake, the Coroner's officer, produced the coat wont
by the deceased. The hole made by the knife was about an
inch and • half long, and rather more than an inch in front
of the aide seam of the coat, and would bare been covered
tithe left arm bad been allowed to hang vertically from the
shoulder when the body was In an upright position.
Mr. W. &creel! Savory, F.R.C.S., surgeon to St. Bartholo-
mew's Hospital, was called, and stated that he had assisted
at the post mortem ex smlnation of the deceased. He found
• wound in the left side of the chest, rather more than an
inch and • hall In extent horizontally, between the sixth and
seventh ribs, penetrating to • depth of nearly Mx inches in
• direction forward, and downwards, its termination being
about two inches below the level of the external wound.
Passing just through the anterior edge of the lung the knife
had entered the left ventricle of the hear, Ile thought It
moat probable that • second person had inflicted the wound
by stabbing the demand. Be had known the deceased for
many year., and had been consulted by him as to his health,
but had Dever board that be bad ate of any Lind.

By Mr. Levels ; Velem the knife had been tufautkinally
held axed against something, he thought it highly improba-
tie that the wound had been caused by the deemed galling
upon the knife, because the left arm would have planed
nosy the knife. He would not undertake to awes, that It
wee Impossible the wound should have been caused by • tall,
but he thought It in the MOM delphe Improbable.
tic. J. G. Weetmeatt, dividoeM pollee mime, wasi
called to see Mrs. Davy at the polne-station shoat three
o'clock It the morning, In order to eay whether it was cent-
ury that she should be .cut to a hospital. She was flushed
and sidled, bat not draule. She man she had been clinking,
and witness told her he could ate that &My. Hes pulse
waa very high.
Mr. Richard PIIUHPS, sutgsee, of Leinstard name, stated
that he had Mended Mre Dsy about two months ago She
was placed In his hand. by Dr. Gall. The Memo was sent
for on Wednesday eight, and found Mn. Davy in great awl-
, tation, sitting on a chair EU the drawing-room. She mitt
"(lit, doctor ! How le he?" I said, "Th. man Is dead."
She repeated the words, "Dead, doctor? dead? Image-
I sible. ' Ile replied that it really was so, and she fell down
In a semi-auconsclous Mate on a chair and said, "02,
doctor, doctor' I am afraid it Ls I who have done It" lie
exclaimed, "impossible, Kn. Davy, you c.iuld not have
done It" She &mitered, "I really think I did, but I dim%
know how." WitaalM sold, "For God's sake, explain y our-
self, Mrs Davy." She then said, "We were Ming miter
dinner at table, and Fred made an observation to rue about
my daughter which annoyed me exceeslvely. I begged him
Hot to repeat It, for I could not stand it. Mr. !Anon said,
"1 will say it again, and If you an not silent I will
fling the bottle at your head." She stated that she then
Jumped up with a knife le her hand. They struggled and
fell, and she saw the blood pouring out and she could not tell
how. She said that was all she knew about it. Witness,
bet g under the Impression that she was • married woman,
told her she must seed for her husband iremeellanly. tine
sald he wise at his club, and • servant was meet In • cab for
him. Witness left some one by her Ode while he went for a
pollcocoastable.
-- • • - • - •- • ••

By Mr. Lees,: She disl not al all w ithhold the explanation
horn him, and she hid h,nt to believe that the wound was
received In the s rtgsle, but the did not else ly know how.
She always appeared to Ides to be a well-conducted lady, ex-
cept in he matter of her Indulgetoe In stimulant& She eat
an habitual drinker.

Mr. W. Moment Baker, FR C 4, agreed with Mr. Savory
that, although it wee poutble the womot was the result of •
fall, yet it was Improbable.
Mr. Ann Marsden Toyubee, czar-examined by Mr. Hum-
phreys, said she knew that Mrs. Davy had gone by various
names, She had Men called • "Countess ;" hut it wee only
• nickname. lier real name was Hannah Newington, hut
she had at different times assumed the names of Lie Morse,
Francis Canning, &c. Witness became acquainted with her
when she war stopping at the Southwark note!, which was
then kept by the witneas's husband. She hula hasty temper,
but witness had never heard her threaten to use violence th
Mr. Moon, al-hough they bad sometimes quarrelled Wit-
nem cashed two check. for LlOd each on the 22nd Inst. for
Mrs Davy, and afterwards paid £95 Into the London and
Westminster Dank, where Mrs. Davy had an account. About
£lO2 was spent in getting some of Mra Davy's jewellery out of
pawn. The wittiest' had never heard that Mr. Moon had made
• settlement on Mr. Davy, and that she would gel • further
sum of money In the event of his death. Sometimes Mrs.
D svy had the key of Mr. Moon's chambers. She remembered
that Mrs. Davy nad brought home the leathern despatch bus
produced in a cab, but she did not know that any private
papers were kept in that boo, and that bath had a key to it.
She saw • policeman take • key from Mrs. Devy's bunch of
keys and open the box She did not notice that tt was empty.
Witnem was nut paid anything for sedating Mrs. Davy in
looking after the house. She hid. prt rate income.
My Mr. Lewis: Mr. Moon was rather jealous Mre. Davy
was known to Sir. Moon all the time she went by different
names.. With Mr. Moon's sanction she wes to have started
for homburg with a servant and • c iurter, on Thursday, the
day after hbr death. The witness believed that Mrs Davy, so
far from having anything to gain by Mx. Moon's death, would
be • great loser by it.
-

Mr. Daniel Bishop Davy said he had formerly been In the
army, but had mold oat and entirely left the service. He
held the lease of 23, Newton-road, but he had not been
molding there during the last twelve months. Ile had known
the person who went by the name of Davy about three )eare.
She had not made any statement to turn concerning the
death of the deceased. Ile knew that Mr. Moon visited at
the house. He was not aware until he heard it in evidence
that Mr. Moon supplied her with money, as ehe had led him
to believe that within the last twelve months some property
had been left to her. Witness had seen Mr. Moon twice or
three time..

By Mr Lewis—Witness had enpplied her with money to
the extent of £l,OO or £1,500, paying her expel see and sup-
porting her for aDollt two y e.rs. lie had never heard that
she could benefit directly or indirectly by Mr. Moon's death
The inquiry war then adjourned.

On Tues.lay the remains of Mr. Moon were removed
from the house in the Newton-road, Westbourne-grove.
Paddington, where he met with his death. The body
was conveyed to the South-Western Railway, and by
special trsin to the rectory house at Feltham, near
Leatherhead (the rector being the brother of the
deceased), and finally deposited in the family vault by
the side of Lady Momi, the mother, who died twelve
months back.