The Express.
London, England, 1862-09-26 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, i. FRIDAY EIVENING, SEPTEMBER 26, 1862.

Rata intaltgence.

During the Thursday I saw the primmer freq
_neatly eve my
mother something to drink, and she' thld me it was
brandy and egg. She brought it into the room
ready prepared. and she said it would do m
mother good. My mother retched directly she took
this drink, and abs also complained of violent
pain in her chest and peat thirst, and said that
she had never bad snob a bilious attack during her life. My
mother oontinued to get worse during the whole of the
, Thursday, and when I saw her on the Friday morning the
appeared in the same condition, but in the afternoon of that
day the prisoner said she thought she was getting better.
I went away at night to sleep in the other house, and did
not see my mother alive again. On the Friday my mother
i told me to mend some of luer clothes which she said she
should want to wear when she got well.
Mr. Justice Bylce said that he could not see the effect of
this het piece of evidence.
Mr. Clark said that it would be material as a contradic-
She statement subsequently made by the prisonerthat
falw degreased had aocomitted made. . . .

SHERIFFS' COURT, RED LION-SQUARE.

fir. 25.

Melon Ms. traistAberiff Burial& and • Jury.)

NICHOLS O. WILUAIIIB.—TB2 STIPSNY 111:11DZIL
This was a writ of eked ea a judgment recovered by Mr.
Samuel Nichols, an attotteey, against the defendant,
Samuel Williams, keir•atdeir *the late Mn. Emaley, who
WU murdered at flesparry.
Mr. Gibboae apposed for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Butler
Bigby for the del set.
Mr. Gibbous inned the jury that the_ defendant had
ao goods on which Mr. Nichols could Ivo to satisfy
his judgment debtof 2124. 19a. lld., andtberefore he adopted
the present proecedinp to Meech the freehold property
whirl Williams bad reeovered beirat-law of the late
Mrs. Smiley, who had bee. sundered as Stepney.
Evidence having been given to support the plaintiff,
Mr. ltigbby said he coasidered that the plaintiff had
adopted unnecessary and harsh promedinge to recover a
large bill of coda ham Mr. Williams, who was the hete-at-
law of the late Mrs. Fawley. Had Mr. Nichols waited he
would have been paid hie money, but as he had not he
hoped the jury would prevent him from laying hold of the
property until his debt was paid.
Mr. Burcbell told the jury they bad nothing to do with
the nature of the debt, or whether the plaintiff should have
waited longer for his money. The only Question was
whether the defendant was powered of freehold pro-
perty which could be seized nabl the judgment debt was
satisfied. . . . .

Cress-examined—My sister was More in my mother's bed-
room on the Friday hula was. The prisoner assisted me to
1210•111 my mother. I heard m 11100111 T My shortly before
her death that she wee by her money affairs.
By the Court—My mother was a stoat healthy woman,
and I Dever saw her low-epiritedlagrawao:had not the slightest
idea that she ever meditated self
Mrs. Harriet Stevenson said—l lodged with my bustand
at the ham of the deceased in O 1856. We occu-
pied the second floor. In the month of , October I was ex-
pecting my confinement, and an arrangement was made that
the deceased should be with me when it took place. I was
confined on Thursday, the day after the deceased MY taken
ill. The dammed agreed to be with me on the Wednesday
night, and she seemed in very good spirts. She came to
my room on the Thursday morning about five o'clock, and
told me she could not stm with me es she had been taken
very M. She was sick while she was in my room, and I
never saw her again alive.
At this stage of the case the court adjourned for • short
period to enable the jury to have some refreshment. The
trial was then resumed.
Miss Emma Rowe said—ln October, 1856, I resided as a
lodger is one of the deceased's houses, No. 13, but I used to
take my meals at No. 27. I saw the deemed on Wednes-
day, the 15th of October. At that time she appeared to be
perfectly well. When I saw her the next morning she was
very ill, and the primmer advised me not to see her «pun.
and said that she would be better if left to herself. Either
on the Thursday or the Friday. I observed two medicine
bottles on the chimney-piece in the premier's room, and
the told me that cm of them contained Mrs. eloansen's medi-
an. I asked her why she locked it up in haft mom, and
eie said that it was particular stuff, and that she must ad-
staisher it herself, and give it to the deceased by her own
hand. The door of the prisoner's room was always kept
lead. After the death of the deceased on the
Saturday morning the prisoner called me into her room
and said she wanted to speak to me, she
had • secret to tell me. I asked her what it was, and she
said it me about Mrs. Soames's death. She mid it was not
a natural one ; but she bed made away with herself. She
mid she was acquainted with some man who had borrowed
money of her and who bad disappointed her, and that she
had taken something to destroy herself. She said that she
had taken it in brandy and water in her promos. I inquired
how she came to allow her to do such • thing, aod why she
did not tell her family or the medical man ; and the Wafter
re plied that it was not her busing 's. I then said to the pri-
mes; You are the villain." I asked the prisoner 'shout
this man, and she told me that in all probability • letter
would be received from him on the following Monday, and
that he would make a further application for money. I saw the
letter that has been produced on Monday, the 20th October,
sad I gave it to the primmer, and have never seen it once
until year.
Oressaxamined—l canted on the business of • dress-
mikes at the time I lodged with the deceased. I was on
very friendly terms with her. The pawner was very fre-
quently in company with the deceased. The deceased was
very friendly with me, and she used to talk to me about
her pnvate affairs, but for some weeks before her death
she did not appear to be quite so communicative as usual.
A woman named Coshed was frequently with the de-
camped during her illness. Ido sat know when the me-
dicine was brought, and I only saw the medicine bottles
in the prisoner's room. There was a gentleman in the room
when I had the couservatioa with the pr'sonar about the
medicine. I did not notice the colour of the medicine that
was in the large bottle. During the Friday night
I thought I saw Mrs. Roamer in goy shop,
sod this induced me to gel up and go to her.
and I thee found her sitting on • their wrapped in blankets
and very ill. The prisoner was is the room with her. I
beard el the death of the deceased my soonafterwards, and
I returned immediately to her room. The prisoner was still
then, sod she told the two Mies Somas' to go to bed, and
the prisoner then went to her own room and I accompanied
her, and then the conversation that I have mentioned took
dlace. I did not mention the convention to either of the
aoghtees or to hr. Barnes, although I saw them all on the
same day, and I did not mention it to any me, although I
ma aware that there was to be a • impost. I did
not my anything about it until after the prisoner was in
Newgate. I have had some conversation with a person
named Taylor upon this subject since the primmer has been
in custody. He was introduced to me by a detective. I told
Mr. Barnes what the prisoner had said to me about six
months ago. I met the prisoner occasionally after Mrs.
&WOOS died.
By the Court—l am quite sure that I asked the prisoner
why she did cot tell the medical man what she had seen
done by Undamaged. (The deposition made by the wit-
ness before the magistrate was handed to her by the learned
judge; and it appeared that it did not contain the state-
ment, but she declared that she said so before the magis-
trate.)
Mr. Justice Byles (to the witness)—Why did you not
yourself tell the medical man
The witness replied that the reason she did not do so was
that she was afraid that if she did she should be compelled
to appear as • witness.
In answer to further questions put by the learned judge,
the wittier mid that she did not say anything about the
conversation to which she had spoken until • short time
back, when the prisoner wee in custody ; and she amounted
for her silence by stating that she was determined not to
divulge the statement unless she was compelled to do so.
Mrs. Eliza Matthews said—l was acquainted with the
deceased for many years, and we were on very intimate
terms. She generally had very good health. I went to her
house on the Sunday after her death, and she showed me
the body of the deceased in her coffin. I was surprised at
the appearance of the deceased. Her hands were clenched
and her face dreadfully distorted, and I observed that it
must have been a bed death. She rid, " Ah, poor dear ;
you don't know all." I said, "Don't know all.—what do
you mean r The «ismer replied. " Did you know ahe was
going to be married r I mad " No," and inquired if her
daughters or Mrs. Barnes knew about it, and she replied
that they did not, and it was a profound secret. She added
that if it had not been for what she stated the de-
ceased might still have been with them. She also
said that the deceased had been to see the man she re-
ferred to the day before she was taken ill, and that she had
found his circumstances very different to what he had re-
premmed, and that this had disappointed her, and had
brought on the bile. She then said that this man's letter. were
addressed to her under cover, in order that the affair alight
be kept secret, and that she bad nodoubt that a letter would
come from this man the next day, and that it would contain
the old story—asking for money. 'The prisoner also said
that the man bad borrowed so much as SU of her, lied that
she herself knew the man quite well, and she had been
with Mrs. Saimaa to meet him on the Wednesday, end
that this meeting had upset her, and she was taken ill in
her room after taking a little brandy-and-water. I had
never heard the deceased say anything about getting
married, and I had not the slightest idea of her having any
such intention.

The jury found a verdict that the defendant wee pos
seamed of the beams mentioned is the evidenoe, but
further said there use so evidence to chow that they were
freehold. . . . .

-07 this verdict a qasetioa is likely to arias is tie wart
above.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice Bytom)
ALLBIGID NUBDIIII BY POISON.
Catherine Watson, 40, • good-looking woman. described
as • widow, was indicted fcr the wilful murder of Maria
Surma.
The following witnesses were examined.
Mr. S. W. Barnes rid—l am the half brother of the d.-
ceased, and reside at Holloway. The &mud was a widow
sad resided at No. 27, Alfred-street, Bedfordeq
she died on the 18th October, 1856. I saw her at :noews
on the 15th October, in the afternoon. She was Chas per•
fully well, end had her dinner with my family. Her
health was generally very good. She borrowed 91. at me,'
and I think I pee It her an gold. I had ;aid her some moth
money • short tame biters this for • legacy. I saw her
again on Friday, the 17th et October, about half-past 9 in
the evening. She was in bed, sad complained of great pain
and sickoems. I tesseisal with her nearly an hour, and
when I left she was in the same state. I saw the prisoner
in the bedroom et the deceased at this time, and
she appeared to be attending upon my sister. I
was sent for again on the following morning, and was
informed that my sister was dead. I went to her
bonze, but 1 cannot recollect whether I saw the prisoner.
A coroner's inquest was held on the following Monday or
Tuesday, at my isstasce. I remembers letter being received
on the Mocday. It was item to me by Him Rowe.
The letter was pot in and read. It was as follows, but
bore neither date, tzar address, nor name :
" Dear Maria,—l bops you was act very hurt at my not
being at home on Friday. I was surprised to hear a lady in
black wanted me. I can't let you have theffill, sow, but if you
will let me have is mem' will by next Monday coats into
the corner. Don't say anything of what you are
going to do to anybody. Send me weed if you
was not well attar you got home on Wednesday,
as you was unhappy to the afternoon. Direct
this letter as the find used to be, for the old postman found
fault in the street. Be cheerful, and come on Wednesday.
I will be there. Write by return—Your
Examination continued—A medical gentleman named
Whidborne attended my seder. I never applied to him
for a certificate as to the cause it her death, sod I am net
aware of any of my dittos having dose so.
Cross-examined—l was in the habit of going to my sis-
ter's home about coos in every fortnight. The lever I
have spoken of was let my sister by her father. The
amount was 1001., bat she was not paid all at coot I
knew the prisoner, and woe aware that she and my sister
were on friendly' mam My sister had bilious attacks, but
very seldom. I have bath present when she was suffering
from sub &Harks, butt have mot seen her in bed, sad I do
not think she was in the habit of taking to her bed oa ac-
count of those Mures. My sister had two houses in
Affred.street ; she resided in one of them and bad
lodgers there, and the other house was entirely let out in
lodgings, and her whole income was probably about 1001. •
year. I was act satithed with the suddenness of the death
of my sister, and I therefore took steps to have an inquest,
and I have no doubt that I was examined as • wither. I
may have said that my sister was in low spirits when she
called upon me on the Wednesday. The prisoner wee cam
mined before the coroner, and also Dr. Whidborne and I
know that there was a poshencetem examination of the body
of my sister.
Mr. Oppenheim then asked the witness whether he was
aware what verdict was returned by the coroner's jury, but
the learned judge ruled that the question could not be
legally put. He, st the same time. said it was not at all
mittens], for it was clear that the verdict was not tinfavoar-
able to the prisoner.
Mrs. Anne Hawke acid—l am the eldest daughter of the
deceased, and at the time of her death I acid another sister
lived with her. I remember the prisoner coming to lodge
at my mother's house, No. 27, Alfred-street. It was about
Christmas, 1855. She occupied the firstfloor, natuniished,
and a man named Dixon came with her, whom she repre-
sented to be her brother, and they each occupied one of the
rooms on the first floor. A Mr. Stevenson and his wife
lodged on the second floor. The prisoner became on very inti-
mate terms with my mother soon after she came, and my
mother frequently went to her room. I recollect my mother
going to see her brother on Wednesday, the 15th of October.
She came home between four and five o'clock, and we all
bad tea together, and my mother appeared quite well. Her
usual health was very good, but sometimes she had bilious
attacks, but they never lasted more than one day, and I am
not aware that she ever took any medicine for them. The
prisoner came in while we were at tea, and told my mother
she wanted to speak to her, and she west up to her
room. I did not notice any Mathes' or illness in fey
mother before I went to bed but at six o'clock
the next morning she came to me and said she was very
ill with a bilious attack, and she must go to bed again,
and she did so. I saw her soon afterwards, and she was
very sick, and complained of great path in her chest, and
she vomited while I was in the room. During the Thursday
I saw the prisoner in my mother's bedroom, and in my pre-
seece she gave something to drink to my mother, but she
did not tell me that it was brandy and egg. My mother: cou•
tioued very ill during the whole of Thursday, and I pro-
posed to her to sit up with her, but I did not do so. On
Frklay morning, the 17th, my mother was still very ill, and
always complained of the sickness and pain in her cheat, awl
she vomited every tea minutes or quarter of an boor, and
appeared to be gettiog weaker. Dr. Whidborne was sent
for during the day, and mine medicine came to the house
for my mother, and 1 saw the prisoner give her a por-
tion of the medicine, and she then took the medicine
bottle away with her, and die did so every time she ad-
ministered the medicine. My mother did not appear to
be getting any better of the sickness and pain until just
before her death. I sat up with her on the Friday night,
and she died about five O'clock in the morning. About
an Lour before this my mother said she felt better, and the
prisoner said it was time to take her medicine again, and Cross.examined—l was on very intimate terms with the
she gave her some. My mother was very ill and in great deceased, and had known her from a child. I took tea with
pain immediately, and said she would not take any more the deceased's daughter directly after theconversation with
of the medicine, and the prisoner said she must do so, the prisoner. I said nothing to them about it, but when
and that it would do her good. I went for the doctor, my husband cams to fetch me home I told him about it. I
and when I returned, my mother appeared very much believe there was a desire to keep the matter secret, in
worse, and in violent agony, and she died in about half an order to spare the feelings of the daughters of the deceased.
hour. A lady named Rowe lodged at the other house, and We used to converse upon the subject of Mrs. Soamea's
abe came in just after my mother died. Soon atter the death, and always considered it was a very mysterious one.
funeral the prisoner told me that my mother had borrowed A man named Tsylor was shown to me, and I was told that
101. of her, and I told her I was surprised at it. I he was the man who had been living with the prisoner.
had never heard of it before. The prisoner showed ite-examined--1 inquired sfterwards of the prisoner
me a paper which she said bad been written by whether the letter she had referred to had arrived, and she
my mother, and I believe it was her handwriting. said that it bad, anal that it contained what she expected, •
It was • promise t. pay the bearer 10/. 1 and re mot for money.
my uncle afterwards paid the prisoner that sum. My •
mother always paid her bills regularly, but at the time of By the learoed Judge—l told my husband what I had
her depth the bills were • few weeks in arrow. 1 had heard the moment I saw him, on the same night.
never beard anything about my mother going to be married The deposition of a witness named Sarah Allen, who
again was too ill to attend the court, was put is, and it was to
Gnu-examined —There were four lodgers, including the the effect that the prisoner told her on the day the deceased
prisoner, in No. 27, and four is No. 13. The prisoner was died that she knew all the secrets of the deceased, and that
on very intimate terms with my mother, and the intimacy ooe secret she was in possession of was that she had taken
commenced the moment the prisoner came to lodge with poison, but she said she did not wish it to be known, for
us. My mother was always sick when the had a bilious the sake of the daughters of the deceased. This witness
attack. On the Friday I attended to my mother quite as also stated that the deceased was • most " dreadful"
much as the prisoner did. She was retching nearly the corn.%
whole of the day, but she did not always bring something Mr. G. H. Baker—l am a builder, at Boston, is Lincoln.
off her stomach. I did sot hear any mother say that she shire. The prisoner formerly lived there, and I was ac-
wanted to see Miss Rowe shortly before her death. I believe quaintest with her. (The witness then produced the
that my mother bad pledged a silver milk jug shortly before probate of the will of • person named Mower, under which
the mouth of October. The prisoner continued to live in our the prisoner became entitled to some small property at
house for two months after my mother died, and she then Boston, worth about 201. a year. He also proved that the
wait to live at the other house. I was summoned at the letter that had been put in was the handwriting of the pri.
coroner's inquest. A short time before my mother died I ewer, but stated that it was disguised accenting to his
remember something being said to her in a juke about her opinion.
getting married, and I asked her whether she ever intended Mr. gam was croweexandoed at considerable length with
to gat married again, and she said she should do so if it regard to the Means be had for acquiring a knowledge of the
would benefit me or her family. The prisoner had bees prisoner's handwriting, anal it appeared that he was the
joking her at this time upon the subject of her marriage. I executor to the will that had been produced, and had re-
went to the office of the registrar, but I do not know who calved • greet many letters from the prisoner, and was
registered her death, well aequsinted with her writing, anal he stated that,
Ite-examined--During all the former illnesses of my although the letter in question was evidently in • disguised
mother she never complained of pain in the chest, but hand, still, from the spelling and the form of some of the
merely of pinching io her stomach. All the money that teeters, he bad no doubt it was her handwriting.
neat found in my mother's room was only a shilling or two. le mower to a question put by the learned judge, the
It was in a smell purse that was bought me by some one, witness said that if be bail seen the letter casually, mod
but I cannot recollect 1.7 whom. without knowing any of the other feats, he should not per-
Sarah Sooner, the sister of the last witness, re- kip have recognised the writing. He also stated that the
member the prisoner coming to lodge at our home. Afton prtson' er had been in the service of Mr. Mower, and that the
she had lieeu with us some time, she told me shot the had latter occasionally had slight attacks of gout, but he was
been rolled of a considerable sum of roomy, bat Ido not not aware whether be was in the habit of taking colchicum
remember that any policeman was etowieyed is the matter. or any ether medicine.
My mother was quite well on the 151 hi al Nether, until the A letter was then put in written by the prisoners the
time the prisoner asked her to go to hoe pyom ohe witness object of which was to show that she wasin distressed air-
then Fav,e eundar evidence to that it the Met witness as to eussetaaces about the time the offence was committed, and
the mulkleec of the donononi on law following roorotoll)• that the motive for the commission of the crime wee to