The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-08-20 00:00:00

A DOCTOR CHARGAD WITH WIFE
MURDER:

At twelve o'clock on Monday, says a Cork message,
Mr. Gardiner, R.M., resumed the inquiry into the ,
alleged poisoning of Mrs. Mary Laura Cross, at '
Shandy Hall, Dripsey, on the 4th June last. Dr.
Cross, her husband, who is charged with the offence
of having poisoned her, was brougbt down from the
county gaol in a covered car by Sergeant Higgins and
another policeman. The interest in the case has
increased as the inquiry has proceeded, and both
galleries in the grand jury room, where the inquiri
was held, were crammed, a great many ladies being
present. A select few were admitted to the inner
room where the grand jurors sit foe tho transaction of
business. The inquiry was conducted by Mr. S. Ronan
(instructed by Mr. T. Rice, S.C.P.) ; while the prisoner
was represented by Mr. R. Deyos, solicitor. Captain
Plunkett, D.R.M., was also present during the whole
of the inquiry. Mr. Tyacke, district inspector, was in
attendance. John S. Short, pharmaceutical chemist,
deposed that he saw a number of medicine bottles
brought to him by Mr. Tyacke' district inspector,
from Dr. Cross's house, and on the label of one was
"Strychnine." The crystals were like those of strych-
nine, but he had not analysed them. Mr. Denroche,
bank clerk, deposed that a diary produced was in the
handwriting of Dr. Cross. The following was an
entry in the book: "Mary Laura Cross departed this
life. May she go to Heaven is my prayer." 6th
June.—Laura Cross's funeral, &c., 5 guineas. 7th.—
R. H. Hall, five tons of maize, £23 10s. 9th.--
Started for London. 17th.—Married E. F. S. Skinner
at St. James's Church, Piccadilly." The letters pro-
duced were also in prisoner's handwriting. Mr.
Ronan read the letters as follows:
"Shandy Hall, Dripsey, 29, 5, 18S7.—My dear
Marriot,—l am sorry to inform you that poor dear
Laura is very ill with fever, typhoid, for the last week.
If anything she is rather better, with less fever, but
so very weak and prostrate that with her weak heart
I should be very much afraid if she got any faintness
it would be most dangerous. We must hope for the
best, and with kind regards, truly yours, P. H. E.
Cnoss. _ _ _ _

"Poor Bob is also laid up in the Infirmary at
Epsom, with something like diphtheria. It is really
a very trying season, any number of persons have
gone off about this neighbourhood. There is a lot of
fever about, and the medical men say they have an
unusual lot to do."
The next letter is dated '2, 6, 'B7" (that is the 2nd
June).
"My dear Marriot,—l had received the sad news
about poor dear Laura ere I got yours to-day. The
poor thing was taken ill last Friday week, with a
slight feverish attack, attended/with much biliousness
and derangement. This gradually went into continued
fever, which is rather rife all about, and finally the
poor weak heart failed from exhaustion as I felt sure
it would many a long day ago. I only wonder how it
carried her along for such a length of time, as even
running upstairs made it beat so hard that she could
rarely get to the end of the passage without halting to
recover herself. We must have the funeral on Satur-
day morning in consequence of Sunday being the
day the Papists select, if possible, for a funeral,
and Monday would be too long to keep the poor
body, much as I should wish to do so. Still wo
must protect as much as we can the living.
I was much shocked when I took Bess and Etta
to see their poor mother this morning after breakfast.
I would not allow them to see her until they had
eaten, fearing their feelings might have been too
much, but, no, they never shed a tear. I grieve to
relate I don't think even now (noon) they realise the
situation. It is sad to be the father of two such chil-
dren. As for the three others at school in England,
I don't know how to break it to them. Their little
hearts will nearly burst in twain. I have written in-
forming them of their mother's illness, and wrote to-
day to their masters saying she was very bad. I
think I must run across and tell the poor little
things all about it. They need some one to give
them a little comfort in their time of trouble. Miss
Jefferson left us this morning for England, she having
arranged to go some days before. She was a great nurse
to poor Mrs. L. ma quiet way, and very kindly offered
to remain a few days longer if she could be of use.
But to tell the truth, both my sister, H. X., and
self thought we should not wish for any intruders on
our sorrow' and indeed I don't feel much inclined
to be very loquacious just now, not that silence in
much trouble to her. It is strongly enforced in her
isterhood. I don't know Ermine's address or would
drop her a line. She'll know the bad news be soon.
Br.st regards from P. H. E. X."
There were other letters detailing the incidents of
the funeral. Mr. Kiloh, chemist, deposed, that Dr.
Cross had in August, 188 G, purchased a pound of
arsenic for the purpose of sheep-dipping, as he stated.
The inquiry was further adjourned.