The Express.
London, England, 1860-10-02 00:00:00

.08N1TflP x~'irEe~A V%WL

POISONING CASE.

THE W.

EXTRAORDINARY DIRCLOKIRER.
AGOBEIGO, Mon tar.
The adjourned inquest upon the body of Miss
FllllllOO6 A&meon, a lady residing near Wakefield, 63 years
of age, who meetly died from the effects of taking arsenic,
enspected to have been feloniously administered to her by
her servant and two other pawns, now in curably, was re-
sumed this morning, at the Graziers' Inn, Ageing*, before
Mr T. Taylor, coroner of the district.
The first witness called wee Mary Babes, who deposed
that she had known the deceased 10 years, sad had for a
portion of that time, about 18 months, supplied her with !
milk. Mies Adamene died on the 10th Await and for
some time previous to that witness knew that she had been
for two or three days at a time, and then the would get
well again. On the day preceding the death dMb Adam-
son the witness went into her house. At that time Emma
Stringer, her sister, and another woman wee present. One
of the persons present asked her to stop, and she went up-
etairs saw Mies Adamson, who was then very iIL
DOM gave here little taro and water in the night and one
spoonful of weak brandy and water. Saw nothing else
gives to her by anybody. The deceased was disturbed in
her bowels two or three times during the night but did not
vomit. She muttered some unintelligible words during the
eight, but they could not understand what she meant. She
left the bedroom once, but the could not tell who wee there
in her absence. She was not SWIIS, who mixed the toast
and water or the brandy and water. Ikoauonally when she
had gone in and Emma Stringer had come to witness's
house, she said her mistress had been very sick. The old
lady died about 5 o'clock in the morning. Nobody was
there except Emma and her Oster. Sometimes best-tea
used to be given to Mies Adamson ; and on one otenekm I
maw Emma cut up the beef and make the tea. Mod was
duriag the last MOON of the deceased. I have heard the de-
oseeedcryouteaifinpat pain, amiss if ahe wanted something
to relieve it. On the night of the old lady's death while
witness wee in the room, Emma Stringer went to a trunk,
and took out some silver plate which she separated into two
portions. All those things that were marked she pot in
one lot, and she said all awe are yours Min' Adamson, and
Miss Adamson put them towards groom, on the aide Of the
bed next to Emma. There was another lot of plate which
Emma gave to MSG Adamson, belonging to Kr. Wood,
and those articles she put on the side of the bed next to ma.
I wee oa the opposite aide of the bed to Emma. There was
no one in the room then bat Emma, her sister, and witness.
When Mks Adanuion pas thespewsend things over to
bar aide I did not that they were for her.
When Miss Adamson put the silver to Erama's side she maid
something which we could not understand. Witness warn
told by Emma that night while Miss Adamson
was in bed that abe (thee Adamson) bad Left
her all and that the Was to hare
Mile Adamson might have heard Emma Stringer .=
remark, but she mid nothing in reply. Emma fitrisger (the
witness then continued) pet the two parcels of plate away
again into the trunk. After this Min Adamson
to dole off, and in an hour or two afterwards I saki think
the is asleep. Emma Stringer, who had lifted up her head
mad arranged the pillows a short time before, went over to
the bed and cried oat, "0 my poor mistress, she will never
was any more, she is dead.' I then went for Mrs. Link,
and beteg knocked her up she came back with me, and we
kid out the body. After having a cup of tea I went home,
sad as bra or two dienrarda I wee fetched beck to Mime
Arlaseerra's hew. I went with Emma Stringer, who came
for me, and when I got there I found Emma s mother, her
brother, and the deter who was in the house, all in Emma's
room. The brother was writing • paper on the floor, sad
when he bed done he asked me to put my name to
I said I wee so writer. Then he raid " make •
stroke jail bin," poin to the pa he
I made • aloe
The was set trod tome. Nobodyy else but the bre
a word te me After that I went away
My bum is only on the opposite side ci the road. fftaker-
weeds, towards the evening part I saw • sort of milk cart at
the door for some time, and the brother and Emma
fferinger's sitter worth away in it, carrying with them a email
troth, Dot the saga, however, into which the plate had
been put. I bed never seen that box before, and don't
know where it we.. _

lentaifte who appeared for the prosecution, wished
to auk whether deter who was in the room gave the de-
ceased may OK hat
The Comm called his attention to the fact that in her
widows in Wet she had said that there had been nothing
bet tosetaad-water given her, and therefore the question
was
Ifr=dos wished also to cross-examine the witness
with reformers to another versioa of the storey she had
given, but
The Comber refused to permit inch a course, and said
that if Yr. linemen persisted in it he should clear the
MOIL . . . .

In reply to Yr. Stringer (solicitor), who appeared for the
defence, witness said she did not assist in washing up any-
thing in the bowie the day the deceased died.
By the Jury—Emma Btrer cried a good. deal when
Miss Adamson died.
The Coroner said it had been suggested that the two
younger girls shoudd be brought before them and examined,
t
Mr. Strider protested against examining any person
*zoomed, which was the position of those persons ; and
therefore, as their professional adviser, he should object to
their examination.
. .

TheiConeWaid he had no objection to pins the point
if there was any objection.
The Rev. John Brown, Roman catholic priest, residing at
Wakefield, was next sworn. I have known Mies
Frances Admen for six Daring that
time she bas anagiolally Ira frees some leg
complaint, and dining the en two years I has bees very
much struck with the fre of has Ohms. She nary
now and then had a eh& Liaehy bet her Mom did not
appear to be enemas, amp& ia ass ease about a =ol
when sloe had medical Mitenea I vilified the
ore Sunday, the 12th of Awn* between !two and three
o'elook in the afternoon. Semi Wager received me at
the door, and showed me bolo the parlour where I remained
• short time. She sitentarde showed me up to Mime
Adenine's bedroom. I remeaked that the deceased looked
exceedingly Sand __.what Heated in the face. Sloe
complained of and several time uttered these words,
Oh, this fin roe, I set throw it oat." She gave
me her band to feel. It was dry, with no perspiration
whatever. so called for something to drink, and Emma
Stringer gave her some toast-and-water, and I was very
much struck at Emma Stringer's effesebeete toes of voice
and the great attention she appeared to pay to the de-
ceased. She raised her held trees the pan, and pat
her mouth close to Miss Adelson's mouth. I did not
stay more than 10 minutes or • inane of an hour. On
leaving I met Emma Stringer at the bottom of the stairs,
and inquired if the doctor bad told her what was the
matter with Mies Adamson. She replied no; and I told
her she ought to oak him, and I said "You Yourself must
he cautious, as you are ignorant of her complaint, in putting
your mouth to hers wad inhaling her breath ; it may be
something eostagious." She replied, I was thinking of
that, but I have been up all night and all day with her.
ever since her Moen. I remonstrated with her, and told
her she could sadly get help if she wanted it. On Mon-
day, the 13th, I willed again about two o'clock in the
afternoon. I saw Dr. Hirst and asked him what was the
matter with Miss Adamson, and he told me that it was
gastric feveraod diphtheria. I told this to Emma Stringer,
that on that occasion Miss Adamson had a mustard
plaster on her neck, and she shrieked out to have it
taken off, and as no one came on Miss Adenine's knocking, I
went into the kitchen, and there saw Emma Stringer's
sister, and an old woman washing up some things. The
sister went up, Emma Stringer being out, and took off the
plaster. t Some lard wee then applied to the throat of the
decease I saw her no more after that day. She appeared
to me to he the last parson is the world to have taken
poison herself, or in any way to have laid violent hands
upon herself. She never said anything to me about her
affairs, but about a year ago she told me that she was
alibied to curtail her charitable subscriptions on account of
circumstancee over which she had no control. On the Mon-
day she appeared as chatty and inquisitive as ever. She
appeared to have • difficulty in talking, as if she wee affected
in the throat. I had called upon her to give her • legal
answer to • proposition she had previously made to leave a
portion of her property to the reformatory of St. Romani.
I told her that a solicitor had been consulted on the ques-
tion, and that such a bequest would be invalid under the
Mortmain An. I told her that the solicitor would be in
the neighbourhood next day, and that it would be a very
suitable opportune settle her affairs. She replied, "I
am very much to you. but not yet—it is only a
trifling matter of . She had about three years ago
spoken to me about the comparative condition of the Wake-
field and Pontefract minims, as if she contemplated making
a will in their favour. On the Wednesday following the
death of Mies Adamson. Emma St= drove up to my
home with her two nonage sod me • paper, my-
Mg, "Miss Adamson desired that you, the Rev. Mr.
Tom& and Mier Foljaanbe, should sign this paper. I
read the paper, and saw on it the following words :
"Mks Adamson hereby makes over to Emma Stringer
all her furniture, bed% and bedding. Pk* imam!, knives
red forks." he., kar„ and thee there were the weeds in the
sane writing, " As Meese nor bad, Hans& Batesoa,"
merits to which wan • nom and • span was left for our
names The paper amend to be • half-eheet of foolscap.
After reading it I said, " How can you ask me to sign •
paper as witnessing what I never einem& I same do
any suck thing, sod I am quits sae the ether parties will
do no such Mice ; end it meld be of no ele ks you if I did
sign my name to it, as lie Adensecie's name is not to It."
I added, "Did Mies Adamson really leave these to
you" She replied, "Yes, she did." "Ii there any don
-
meat," I asked, " in her owe basdwritio& antic( that she
left these things to your She said there was; and
f- replied, "That will be ell that you require."
She 'had fast told me that Mies Adamsoa wan
dad. Emma Stringer appeared pale and excited
she put the paper in lug pocket and went away with her
brothers. On Thursday they mods came to me—the name
I.Einnia Stringer and bier two brothers Rinses
said that she had a cheque for 6W., which
bank refused to hone, mil they did sot know
whet to do to pay the fuseral expense I said. "Let me
look et the cheque." Site handed it to me. " Irby, It is •
501. Bank of England non," j maid ; " time will be no
difficulty in pet* cask fee AK provided yea are autlio-
reed to receive it. FARM ailiellf thee mug Mr. This.
Wood had left it in their bands, eel the ether two con-
finned what she had add. I said, "I peememe Mr. Wood
ie the sena( pesos, mid hat the poorer tei authorise-yak to
Ind WI the Wog %al" thy, hed talked el delft

1 said, " Emma, you must mind what you are about. I
am informed that you have been taking away two cart
loads of goods." She denied the fact, and I said, " I
imply want to caution you."
By the Jury Bias Adamam simply told me that her pain
was like fire in her stomach, bat she did not complain of
it more after taking anything in particular. Emma
Stringer ahem, appeared to be most kind to the deceased.
I have seen Emata Stringer oboe sines this inquiry has been
going on. It was the Sunday after the last irequest. She
told me it was adjourned for a fortnight, and she added, I
don't care if it is adjourned for two yams, 1 know what I
shall do when it is ever, and I know who shall hear of it
afterwards. The 501. note abe said had come through the
poet, ands had taken it to Mr. Wood, but he would have
nothing with it
Mr. Nanelly, surgeon, of Wakefield, read the evidence u
to the stete of the stomach and Timm, which had been
samlysed, and stated that the iikented state of the stomach
was caused by arsenic, the administration of which had ex-
tended over a long period of Inn, sad had been made in
small doses.

The Rev. T. Young, a Roman catholic priest, who was ,
in the habit of visiting the deceased, said that on one 00Car
don be found her in acute pain, and that she shrieked out
for water, or something to drink, which Emma gave her.
On the 'Tuesday before the death of Miss Adamson (conti-
nued the witness) I was sent for to go to Mims Adamson, and
found her suffering, but strong. At her request I wrote
two private letters for her, one to Mr. Jno. Golding, of
and another to Mrs. Thorpe, of Cheltenham.
Miss Adamson wanted me to accept a diamond
ring, bat I refund it, saying I did not wear such things.
kale then wanted me to accept • gold watch, which I de-
clined, but Miss Adamson asked if I would accept it for '
>M site, and I did. When I went down stairs I found tea
and Emma Stringer told me that Miss Adamson
coffered the watch and the ring to her, but that she bad
declined them because she had plenty of jewellery of her
own. I did not take the watch away, but next morning it I
was sent to my house with a manage that it was for Father
Young's sister.
eldthe Jury—Miss Adamson never told me that she in-
t to recompense Emma Stringer for her extra services.
On one occasion, when it was very wet, I went into the
kitchen to du my clothes there, and saw a young woman
who, I was afterwards told, wan Emma Stringer's miter, and
Liao an old woman. On the night 1 was there, when
she dictated the letters, she spoke in a loud
strong voice. After I had written them I read
thesis aloud, and then she read them herself. I did
not en Mr. Hirst all the time of Mill Adamson's ill-
ness, but I saw him on the day of the funeral. On the
Thursday following the death of the deceased, Emma
Stringer came to my house and said they had received •
letter contain* • cheque for SOL, which the bank refused
to gash. I dined to take the letter, and they wanted
Mr. Golding's eddress to write to him, to get the amount
sent in • post-office order, because they had no money in
the house. I said I could not give it them, but that it was
in • book, and that Emma Stringer saw me copy it out.
Tliey then went away.
Mr. Jamas Outright deposed to being present when a
document, purporting to be • will of Miss Adamson's, was
!mud, and that he bad taken permeation of the plate and
some railway coupons. The document and the coupons he
had given to Mr. Adamson, brother cf the deceased, but he
had retained the plate pending tbi. inquiry. Emma
Stringer also gave him 171. 13e., the balance of the 501.
note. Emma Stringer bad lived with deceased two years,
and had always been highly spoken of by Miss Adamson,
who was somewhat eccentric in her habits.
At this period of the inquest the proceedings were ad.
journed.