The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-25 00:00:00

THE MYSTERIOUS POISONING AT FINCHLEY.

Yesterday Mr. Wakley resumed the inquiry into
the death of Mr. John Southgate, merchant, of Old
'Change, City. So extraordinary have become the circum-
stances in connexion with the case, that they have engaged
the attention of Lord Palmenten, who was yesterday re-
presented by Mr. Jarman, the solicitor to the Treasury.
The most important evidence tendered on this occasion
was that of Mr. Lucas, chemist and druggist, 63, Cheap-
side, whe deposed that the deceased, on the day before his
death, ordered half a pound of oxalic acid to be sent to his
counting-house. It was sent the same day, and delivered
to Mr. Southgate's principal clerk, who at once handed it
to his employer. Mr. Southgate called at Mr. Lucas's
shop twice about the oxalic acid, as there had been some
delay in forwarding it. Mr. Lucas handed in a sample of
the oxalic acid sold to Mr. Southgate, and said that he had
served deceased with oxalic acid some years previously,
having supplied him with drugs for 20 yean.
Mr. Turner, principal clerk to deceased, being examined,
said that he delivered the parcel 1 eft by Mr. Lucas's boy on
the 16th of December to deceased, in his private counting-
house. This was abort three o'clock, and Mr. Southgate
left about four. Witness never saw the parcel again, nor
was any portion of the contents used on the per mine. Did
not know the contents when be delivered it to his em-

ployer.
The Coroner, at this stage of the proceedings, said it
would be well to compare the sample of oxalic acid produced
by Mr. Lucas with that found in the hinge of deceased after
his death.
Upon opening the packets the two specimens did not at
all agree in appearance.
Mr. Whyman, who supplied Dr. Neill with oxalic acid,
produced his day-book, to show that it was supplied on the
13th of December.

Dr. Taylor, hay og been recalled, said that on examining
the specimen of oxalic acid produced by Mr. Whyman, he
found that it diffk red from that produced by Dr. Neill.
Mr. Funs said the house had been searched, and there
was no trace of oxalic acid to be found, save that in the
packages supposed to have contained salts.
' John Barnard, cog and printer, and a tenant of one
of Mr. Soutbgate's shops in Ulu Change, deposed that for
the last four years he had had letters addressed to his shop
for deceased under the initials "A B." They bore the
Dorking post-mark, and deceased told him ant to tell any
one about them. Witness last saw deceased alive on the
day before his death, when he called to know if there was
*letter for him as usual, but there was not. Deceased
then appeared strange and short in his manner. About
two years ago a lady, about 18 or 20 years of age, called at
the shop of witness and left a letter for "A. B ," which he
gave to Mr. Southgate. Six weeks afterwards she called
again, and deceased, on a message from her to that elf. ct,
went to the Londou•bridge Hotel. On the Derby day in
1853 she came again, and Mr. Southgate saw her for a few
minutes at the chop of witness. Once witness received a
letter, dated July 28, 1851, piqued "J. M.," and bearing
the Dorking post-mark, cautioning him to give letters for
"A. B." only to deceased. The week previous to Mr.
Southgate's death two letters came for "A. B."
Dr. Taylor was then examined at great length, and de-
posed that an analysis made by his of all the packets found
at the house of deeea'ed, and supposed to have originally
contained Epsom salts, showed no trace of crystallised
Epsom salts, with the exception of the packet opened by
the coroner, which contained one crystal. From a micro-
scopic examination of the parcel cut open at the previous
inquiry he was of opinion that the package had not been
opened and re-sealed.
The jury expressed an unanimous desire for further evi•
deuce, and, after some conversation between the professional
gentlemen, ilia inquiry was again adjourned.