The Express.
London, England, 1856-01-12 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 12, 1856.

THE RUGELEY POISONING CASES.

RIIGELEY, JAN. 11.
This morning Mr. Ward, the coroner to Stafford
dktrict, held so inquiry 'Ube Tows Hell, Itoyeley, teach.
lag the deaths of Mn. Aaao Palau, the offs, sad Mr.
Welter Palmer, the brother, of Mr. William Pekoes, sow
ia etelf.wd Gaol, °barged with the =order of Mr. Jobs
Parana Cook. The bodies of the docuard peter* Irmo
elbowed by order of the Huse Bettretery, fa ouwequeacte
of the reveletloaa made Le uterus* to the late Mr. Cook.

Mr. Jolts Smith, solicitor, of Bireniaghsta, append ea
behalf of the seemed. Mr. Dowse repreeeated all the ta-
nner* oMoes (evolved, bat the Secretaries of the Rock,
the Scottish Ainisable, the Ails., sad the Sea were is at-
tendance, havisi bees lanaciaid as whams..

Mrs. W. iowley wee lb. lint witness tolled. She
identified the body of Yrs. Pabaor, with when, during bey
lifotiano, she wee intisetsly acqueinted. She laid out the
body, but did not notice anything partial's, in it. appear-
...los. Kr. Hall, of ltegoloy, sunwared We. Palmer lee
tbe Goalie.

Cross
waseausied by Mr. Sem&lb,,,J., ripagAgeoLirili
Fridey, awd e baled es fie rirg resslay. sty
few penoas saw her while she was lying dead. Mr. Hemp
ford, • medical man, attended her, bat she could not say
whetter he supplied the medicine. Mr. Pelmer always
appeared kind to his wife, in fact ha was a kind man to
every one about the house. Mr. Palmer was attentive to
his wife, and they appeared to live somlortably together.
Mr. D. 8. Borgia, one of the esperialeadents of the 1
Statirdshire police, said he was present when the jury
viewed the body, and also daring Asper MOIUM gleams.
tint made by Dr. Monekton.
By Mr. Smith—lle did sot know whether any patient=
from an instants. Ake had been making inquiries in refer-
'ace co the present case. A report bad oven made that
Inspector Field had been is Replay for • week past ; bat
that, like many ether rumours that heal gone abroad, was
not true. Bites he had been la the room that neraing ha
bad spoken with • gentleman sonneested with one of the
insurance ono's, but beyond that he had so tioaimusicatioa
with any one.
Miss Bliss Tharra,of Coto., eald the lived with Mr.Palater
as a general servant. She entered tie service on the day
after New ifeseaday 1e 1854, and was there two ram
Daring the time witness lived is the tinily Mrs. Palmer's
general health was pretty good. Mrs Palmer was taken
18 on • Wednesday evening is September, 1814. She had
just monied from Liverpool, to whirl piece the west on
the previous Moseley. She was sot accompanied to Liver-
pool by her Mohair]. 811, returned beam by train. Oa
reachesg home the somplaised of haviag takes a sold, tad
went to bed about half-past Weedier weal time of retiring
to rest. Witham did not notice whether she took anything
is eat at drink. Oa the following morals' witness taw
the dammed in bed,whers she said did sot feel well. Mr.
Palmer took her something that saorniag. He took her to
aad dry toast; there was milk and sugar in the tea. In •
few wastes after she had taken this witness saw her. She
asked her whether she would take any mon, sad she said
she would sot. Slit drank the tea that Mr. Palmer took her.
Duette the morning witness saw her *gala, and eke cow.
plidned of vomitus. She did aotcomplain of vomiting cm
the previous eight- It was very shortly after Mr. Pawner
pee his wit* the tea that she complaiaed of sickness.
When titans weal up to see Kra. Palmer after breakfast,
she asked her how she was, and she replied that she was
not any better. BM had beet sick at that time. Her sick-
nese commutated soon after breakfast. As far ea she weld
recollect, what Mrs. Palmer threw up WU of • white colour,
smell is quantity. transparent, and having the emanate
of water. Witness he* it out of the room and threw it
away. No one milked her to throw it away ; she took it of
her own accord. She then retuned to the bed-room gad
aw Mrs. Palmer, but she ands no temara. Hoene except
Mr. Palmer and herself attended apes Mrs. Palmer et the
moraine within had referred to.
By a Juror—Mr. Palmer saw what Mrs. Palmer vomited,
but she did not haat whether be eatimised it. Mn. Palmer
was taken ill Gs W•dateday, and oustinned so dories
Thursday and following days.
By the Cormier—Witness prepared gruel, broth, and seek
Otitis, for the deemed. Mr. Palmer prepared nothing as
far a witness hest. A aurae (Mn. Beadiest) attended
Mee. Palmer darter the latter days of her Meer.
The Censer—Dad she ever eamplain to yea el any pela
Witasse—No, abs did sot.
The Corouer—Had Mrs. Palmer been M before?
Wangle—No, sat that I sea aware of. She was anemia
while I was in has service. Mr. Palmer waited spots her.
Wigwam proceeded to say that Dr. Beinpford, • augers,
of Barley, was walled is ea the Sunday before Mre.
Palmer died. Witness was is the boas* when Mrs. Palmer
died, bat sot is therms. Mho had tee Ms that titres, was
aware of.

By Mr. Deane—Mrs. Palmer was amompankd by Miss
Sarah Palmer when aka west to Liverpool. That was *a
tin last Monday bat ono beton her death. When ski
west to Liverpool she said she Josh' return oa Wadam.
day. Mr. Palmer was not at lame wins Ids wife left for
Liverpool He went oat at sin as the mantas on which
eh" started. Bhe beliovird that Mr. Palmer knew that she
was goisg to Liverpool, bat she was sot aware whether any
arrangements bad Imes made for her J y. Wbes she
retaraod sho walked from tiro statioa. a son,. littk boy,
wad to meat bar. Mr. Palma SUM borne about sum
°Walk as the amnia( of the day Mrs. Palmer n.
t•irind. Wiwi.," papered grail, toe, and snob
tbiop for Mrs. Palmer, bat Mr. Palma took them up to
her Me. The vomited matron was frothy in appeal's'',
so f.r as witness recollected.. Dr. Bampford mat Radials*,
which Mrs. Palma took. Thera was a small bad* aid •
phi boo. Witness did sot gim Mrs. Palmer bar medicias,
aor did she neolleist seeing her take it.
By the Coroser—Os* day Mn. Palmer fascied she would
lan some arrowroot sad sago, and these witness prepared
for her. She behaved that shim Dr. Bamptord called he
sew Mrs. Pallier. Dr. =might also visited Mrs. Fanner
betimes two sad three eats* es Monday prior to her
death, bat mitoses was she proem at the interview. lire.
Bradshaw, the au" dap fis be roam with Mr.. Palmer.
From bar, witassanalaullsmil that Mn. Palmer'. vomiting
motioned until Oa day Of Mr death. Mn. George Palmer
and Mire Sarah Palma aallsil apes Mrs. Palmer daring
her Blame. Mn. Will, Mai Abbott. Bromley, also
calked, bat she was sal allawail ta see her. Mrs. Welk was
very *Pima" with Wm. Palmer, sad frequently called
aora bar. UM Palmer was never takes ill danag Mr..
Welle's visite.

iyidie7lassei—Mr. Palmer was sot la Mn. Palmer's
room whoa oho died. Bs was la the siting room down
stairs. Whoa Mts. Palmer died the hall was nog, sad he
west op, and SIM/ doors immediately afterward& TM bell
was nag by Mrs. Bradshaw, the aurnorho was than whoa
Mrs. Pom, died. Darisg Mrs. Palmer's illness Mr. Pal-
mer spout • great deal of time to Mr room.
Mr. Deese—Boise Mrs. Palmer'. dean, did Mr. Palmer
I attempt to tabs any liberties with pois ?
Mr. Smith objected to this questlm, sad a long dimension
upon the mist sassed.
The Coroner said he meld not undentand what Ma
softens bad to do with dm matter, but he would loan
is to rho jury.
The jury at ease said they should like to bear the
1101,VOr.
Winans said—l hams as doebt Its would hass takes liber-
ties if I had gives my ssassat.
By Ms. Smith—Stto maid set remillest Mr.. Bradshaw
propsriag medlciais for Mr.. Palmer. She a hoard Mr
say that she was mania' from English cholera, but ohs did
he., her say that she times% she was suffering from a
seven cold arias( from her having put on thin elothisg.
Mr. Pelson always speared to bis Mad to his wife sad to
everybody is the house.
By the Censer-13M did not know, incept from hear•
soy, that an intimacy existed buten. Mn. Wells sad
Mrs. Palmer. . . .

The vitas% who wee sada examination nearly two
bars, thee retired.
Mies Sarah Palmer was sent called. She said she rit..
sided at Repeal, and knew the late Mts. Palmier very
well. She accosepaied Mrs. Palmer to Liverpool on
Moaday, September 8, 1864, and was with her there dune(
the period of her visit. They returned to Repay on the
(snowcap Wednesday. Mn. Palmer we. is tolerably good
health while she was la Liverpool. O. Tuesday, while they
were at Liverpool. Mrs. Palmer complained of being very
tired, and lay down upon the sofa. She repeated this
nomplaint on nosebag home on Wednesday, and while she
was sitting by the Sr. oho said she wee very *old. Mr.
Palmer (witness's brother) asked her to take some
radiant, bet she declined champ so, sod afterwards
ale 'masted to put her feet la hot water. She
took some tee. sad remarked that abet thought she
had taken a /idiot cold. Lie the Tuesday evening, while
they was is Liverpool, Mrs. Palmer bad a thin light dress
00, and she might bare taken cold there. She complained
of soreness at the sheet, sad said she telt very weak. She
also appeared very low. Whams mad she would return oa
Senday morainic and see ar. Mrs. Palmer amid, "Don't
harry lowan; year makes is not well, and I have Williams
to take are 6100." Witollll idled es die Sunday swag
sal found hoe in bid. Oa Tuesday she galled again, hat ad
not tee her, as the was told sbe woe dosing.
Mr. Smith—Did not your brother paerally attend upon
namobon of your Gaily peteoally
IP/items-4'w.
The Con/an—As a medical man

ii;;;.«t,..

Mn. Polar property the tatoreet oo
',Web owed .t kor (teeth?

Wit;;e6-Tes,Tb;ll;7o*D. I cannot mats Iw:shindy Low
ova it Was.
Wittlel added llat MIL William Palmer was never par-

ticalarly strong, mad that summit' she WM vary dollesl4.
and west to two waterion plums for the benefit of her
health. Oae day, while at Boston, is August, 1864, Mrs.
Palmer slowed mitoses her tongue. It was in a very bad
and wins's, said, "Oh, Annie, what is the mutter
with you ?" to which she replied, It is nearly always so."
She said that she bad been la the habit el taking a great
deal of medicine, and attribated it to not !mimic taken any
lately.
By Mr. iliaith-0a the road home from Liverpool Mrs.
Pillow took no ninalument. They versos the road horn
lialfimet 1 natil twenty minutes before 6. They took
Innehsoa before they started from Liverpool, at &boat 12
o'clock. It esalisted of sold roast hest.
Mr. Guru Palmer, solicitor, of Begeley, brother to Wil-
liam Palmer, now is esitody, said he saw Mrs. Palmer, the
defused, on the day she retuned from Liverpool. Us
seemed unwell. He saw her in his inethor's hrsakfeet-
nose, when she nmelaed about tea misuse or a (tauter
of an hoar. Witness walked with her as tar as the Talbot
Ina.
__

Mr. Smith—Hs was present at his brothel's sale some
days 'nee, whoa Mr. Hawkins, one of the jennies, took
away some papers, and blded thou to Crisp, the
policeman.
Mr. Smith—Whit I • jurymen geeing up evident* for
theeiireosentioa ?
E. Hawk's' desied ehialtatesuut
Ceirmir eald that if sash evidence were take* the
thqulry would last a month.
Air. Smith "gain urged his point, and eintooded that Mr.
Hawkins ought to lethe the hoe. His presses there was
• mockery of justice. (Cheers in wart) The learned
gentleman said be was prepared to prove that anonymous
letters had bees written by a Penn* to the witness.
Mr. George Palmer—l wish, Mr. Comer, to soy that I
believe Mr. Hawkins will leave that bon without re-
turning" verdict against my brother. (A profound sense.
ties was produced in the court by this remark, and the
coroner at thee adjourned the inquiry for half ea hour.)
Os the rethaseathlieg of Pia jury,
Mr. Smith made as "argent lead eloquent appeal to the
coroner to intract 3dr. Hawkins to withdraw from the jury,
that retinues' having made himself busy ia getting op
evidence for the proneatioa.
The Coroner said he had so power is the matter,thd the
can must proceed.
Mr. W. H. Tyndall, the ae•htent estuary of the Atlas In-
sursoce Odle*, prodeeed a prepaid foe ea berarance for
6.0001. by Mr. William Palmer ma the life of his wife, Mrs.
Anne Palmer. The insurance was sidelined.
The Coroner—Cm you state the reason why it was de-
clued ?

Mr. beak (to the witarse)—Before yea aneWer that
question tell as wbetber the reason wee eentuanicated to
Palmer.
__

Wiiitm—Yet, ft was.
The Coroner—Wbes •a that proposal rsoslvoll at you
oiler ?

Witsese—On the 6th of February, UM.
Mr. Smith—Au the Atls' Insurance Compaq *stand
Into an arrangement with other Maisano. °floes to defrey
the mete of this inquiry
Wittier —I believe that ■o each arrangement his takes
place. If Garbles of ele sort hid taken place I think I
should bare heard of it.
Mr. Smith —Are the statements in that proposal trio ?
Mr. Tyndall-1 kilos/ nothing about It beyond the state-
ments in the proposal itself, and the eertifisitse appended
to it.

Mrs. Matilda Bradshaw (tee sane), said she had kaolin'
Mn. Palmer slime she was 13 or Mean old, sad attended
bun at the etwasassessaset of the week_ is wide\ she died.

Bb. appeared very Ul. Warms asked her what was the
matter t Bb. said else had bees to Liverpool, sad she
thought she had takes sold by patties as • this
dram. Bhe cams home, bad some tea, sad weal to bed,
and la the sight she was takes with the bowel complaint.
Sae task something, elm did sot say what, which
greatly relieved bor. la the manna, she said she felt better
and thought she would get up. When she attempted to do
so she vintage with violent vomiting, and it never left
hoe. /Maid elm had seat Dr. Knight, who bad prescribed
=l2 kir bar, which be thought would do her good,
Way with her. Boos alter Dr. kaight had goes
Meicams returned. Mrs. Palmer emplaned of windiness
1 whim wham ant saw bar. Ste said, "My dear Mrs.
Dredslaw, lam glad you bane some. Bit on the hod by
mu" it,. Palmer Um left the nom. Witness asked has
what was the malice, aid aka said it was the &knees that
enthaseced ber. She was sick alter she had takes anythisg.
Daring Unitise winless was with her obi took bread, wise
and water, grapes, tea, gruel, and OftelliOaally ban sad
water, bat not much of myth's'. Almost everything wit-
ness offered she folioed, as it made bet more sick. Bhe sever
complabied of an pain.
The Coroner—Did she ever complain to you of anything
except the sienna..
Wirame—l doie't recollect that she did.
The CelOSie—What more did she say ? _

Wiesen-Bb. said that she hoped her bowels would not
trouble her again, or she should soca be dead. That wee
the day before she died. Oa the day before she died, wit.
' new narked to Kr. Painter that bar haw.ls had not sited.
He midis wee of no eassequenesi that it was better for her
as oho wok oe little support. Witness attended her three
days sad a half, sad her bowel, were not moved daring that
tine. Br bowels were sot moved lentil the noising of
her death.
The Coroner—Was she much purged then ?
Witnese—Yea, very suck. 13h• appeared very weak sod
very low • but as egos as her bows). were moved the girli-
es= abet:id, and she did not vomit any NOM She lived
Daly three or four bean after that.
Tb. Ceroaer—Did the pargieg continue up tithe tine of
her death?

Mr. Domo—Did Mn. Palmer boos soy solid food ?
Witness—Not wbils I was Oars.
Mr. Dosso—Did you try to pentode Iwo to oat ?
Mitoses-INi. BM said, 0 1 casoot tabs soya:lag."
!Ms add Ur afoot was suainod from Um vomitiag, and it
burl bar.
Mr. Doass—Did sb somplain of bar mouth being dry ?

Witaese—Preqnstly. - -
Mr. Doane—Did say medical man attend her?
Winne—Tee, Mr. Bacapford sad Mr. Palmer, her has.
head.
The Conner—Did Mn. Palmer take any 'soak:lse ?
Witsen—Tee, abs bad a asinine, whirll tasted, sad
two pills.
Mr. Dease—Did you Site her the pills ?
Witness—Yes
Mr. Deese—Did you see say ether parses give her
meaning ?
Witsese—N.. After she had takes the pills she appeared
to swop mesa onsfeatehly.
Mr. Done—Did she have effervescing draughts ?
Witsese—Yee, I forgot that.
Mr. Douse—Wito gave this. to her ?
Winne—Mr. Palmer. her husband. Bin gsserally Baked
bias fen then.
Mr. Doane—Were they made is your pretence?
Witame—No. Mr. Palmer hrossrht some water is a
gins, sad sonothisg is • spoon—it was 'powder.
A darer--Was the water perfectly clear?
Wilson—Perfectly clear. Mrs. Palmer frequestly said
that searseensg drone; IMO very retrains& and did bar
mere geed Man aalptb
Mr. Dew—Describe the symptoms es Mn. Palmer.

death.
Witness—She appeared to be quite low end somposed. She
begged that witness would sot trouble herself to give has soy.
thing. She was quits sensible to the last. She was sever
otherwise sight or day. She bad so Qui, sosmiletoss, or
spans. Tie ket thing Imbues pave her was awes juke of
grapes, a sheet time before bar depth. Nobody bat 'lases
and Mr. Palmer 4sve Mn. Palmer food.
Mr. Deese—Dmil Mr. Palmer give her anything es the
mornMg Ow died ?
Witness-1 did sot me him.
Mr. Desse—Wai he mush with her that morning ?
Witness—He ease is and oat a good deal. Mrs. George
Palmer sad Miss Sarah Palmer tailed upon Mrs. Palmer
while elitism we. them.
_ . .

Mr. Deese—Yew saw the vomit, what appearawas had it ?
Whew—lt bad this appearance of that of • payees
troubled with bile. It wee lake dweoloured water—rather

. -
of a yellowish colour, sot tie thick as gruel.
Mr. Deane—When was Mr. Palmer when his wife died
Witans—lle was down stain. I nag the bell and he
same up dined, ; but be did sot vestals. He did not quite
some round the bed. I said to him, " I fear Mn. Palmer
is dyisg." He appeared very meek hart, and seat out. He
came hack again almost immediately afterwards, and I
thought she was gess. He went out again, and I followed
him tate Um neat room. Hs appeared unite usoosaciess of
what had takes place. I offend him some brandy, and he
said he thought he bad bees Weep. He wu useoossiose
sad I rubbed his hands, and be appeared a little better. I
remained with hi. • few minutes said he had take. the
brandy. He said, "bin. Brunton,. you must have Mrs.
Rowley te assist you." Mrs. It Arley and I laid out the
body, about which there was nothing peculiar. The limbs
were not stiff mail she was sold.
A Juror—Was Ms. Palmer with hie wife during her last
Lours ?

Mr. Smith—Was the sweetest adablistorad to hat Won
ohs died t
Witness—Yes, on the day before, by the Bay. Mr. At,
kisses, the sissy of Replay.
Mr. Smith—Did sho oak bla to pray for her beamed sad
ha child t
WitaMO—l do sot mistiest whether rho weriseel her
Mead, bat I resiwbar that she Wei Ms es esey kr
how door uIW by. I thick ohs did earatioa ear booliasd.
Mr. Smith—Was Mr. Palmer alkotioaato towards Lk
oils t
Wilmot—Yea; indite OSUMI to wish to do oTtrithlas