The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-15 00:00:00

E NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY.

FRIGHTFUL CASE OF POISONING A
CLERGYMAN ON BOARD THE CANADIAN
STEAMER.

One of the most lamentable cases of death frord pdisOri,
by mistake, that we have had to record, took place on
board the Canadian steam ship, on her voyage from Que-
bec to this port, on the 12th inst. There was a rumour
at first that the deceased had committed suicide; but, as
the following evidence will show, there was not the most
remote cause for such an assertion. There was also, it
was said, much blame attached to the steward of the
vessel, but *this was equally unfounded. The deceased
gentleman was a clergyman, 34 years of age, named
Thomas William Marsh ; and, as we were informed, 112 is
the son of English parents, but was born in France, and
educated in Canada, where he was ordained, and officiated
for some time past. He was on his way with his wife, a
lady about 30 years of age, to this country ; and it was
stated that they were about to spend a few months near
London, with some relatives of the deceased. There was,
a brorler clergyman, the Rev. Mr. David, also in the
company; and he, with some other gentlemen, who were
passengers in the boat, attended the inquest. There was
a lady present with Mrs. Marsh whilst giving her evi-
dence, and both seemed deeply affected—the latter par-

Mr. Statham; the deputy coroner, having sum-
moned a highly respectable jury, they proceeded to the
deadhouse to view the body, as it had been removed from
on board the ship Canadian, on her arrival in the river,
and having returned to the coroner's court, the inquest
was proceeded with. The first witness called was
Catherine Marsh, who said she was now the widow of the
deceased; his name was Thomas William Marsh;
34 years old, and was coming from America in the steam
shin Canadian. We embarked from Quebec on the 2nd
of August. He;was not in•very robust health before we em-
barked, but he was not complaining, as he was in tolerably
good health. He appeared to improve during the voyage.
On Saturday morning. he became ill about half past
eight. He complained of cold perspiration and vomiting.
Saw him take some medicine from the doc•or on board ; he
appeared to improve in the afternoon, but became worse in
the evening, and continued to fail in strength until he died
on the 12th. He was in the berth all the time. At first
he said he was in danger, and hea-d him say that he did
not think be would get over it. He said he had been poi-
soned. He did not say at any time what he had taken, nor
did he know himself. He told me ha went to the bedroom
steward, and asked for some plantaganet water, but the
steward did not seem to know if the.e was any on board.
He then asked if there was mineral water on board, and the
steward said he thought there was, and brought him some-.
thing in a basin, which he gave him. He drank a mouth-
ful of it, but finding it so hot, he took no more, and went on
deck, when he began to feel very ill. He repeated the
same circumstances to m. three times, and he said to the
steward, " You have half killed: me." I know that the
deceased was familiar with the chloride of lime, and was in
the habit of using it as a disinfecting fluid, in a fluid state.
In the last conversation'] had with the deceased, he said he
did not believe the steward knew what he was giving him.
—George Harrison' the steward, examined: I was a bed-
room steward on board the Canadian, and came from
Qeebee, which we left on the 2nd of August. The
deceased was a passenger on board. I noticed
that he was very weak during the voyage.
On Saturday morning last he asked me for Planta-
genet water. I told him I was not aware there
was any on board, and I did not know what it was. He
said it was a kind of mineral water, and he asked me what
kind of water there was on board, and I told him I did not
know of any prepared water, except chloride of lime or
zinc. He asked me to bring him some, but did not specify
which. I took the socond bed-room steward with me, and
went down to the Lazzaretto, and filled a slop basin full of
water out of a jar that was put on board as chloride of zinc
or chloride of lime—it came on board under the name of

ticularly,

he was

disinfecting fluid. There was no label that I am awere of
on the jar. I took it to him, and told him that was the
water under 'the name of " disinfecting fluid." He said
nothing, but thanked me for it, and, as he was going away,
I told him to keep the basin and put it in the wash .hand
stand, and I then left him: - I saw him in about twenty
minutes agaib, and he said 'the water had not agreed with
him. He had the basin in .his hand, and I asked him had
he drunk any ? and he said he had. I told him I had not
given it to him to -drink, but to sprinkle it on the floor. I
took the basin from him, and told him, to sit. down, and.
I threw the contents of the basin into the water-closet. I
then went to the doctor, and, at his request, I took deceased
to him (the doctor). The water had the apnearance of a
dirty barley water colour. There were small pieces of burnt
cork floating on the surface of it, but it gave out very little
smell. , There was about a quart in the basin that I took
him, but he could not have taken more than a Wine-glass
full out of it. I have not lived in Canada, but. I have been
at sea for sixteen years. I did net understand from the
deceased, when he asked for plantaganet water, that he
wanted it to drink. I was the proper person on board, at
that time in the morning, to ask for anything to drink—l
do not mean medicine. I thoueht, when he asked for the
water, it was to sprinkle the floor. Often saw deceased
during the voyage, and talked to him almost every hoar in
the day, and he appeared to be a person of good under-
standing and judgment. The room which he and his wife
slept in' was very small, and from the commencement of the
voyage was very hot, but not for the last six days or so.
Had not been asked during the voyage for any disinfecting
fluid. To the jury : I understand that soda water is pre-
pa-ed water and is to be drank; the deceased never Com-
plained of any noxious smell on board. There is a quantity
of the water left in the jar on board. The closeness of the
ship induced me to think he wanted the disinfecting fluid to
sprinkle about his room. Mr. Edwin Collier Whittenbury,
said : I arr a surgeon on board the Canadian stew mer, and
was on the late voyage, and knew deceased as a passenger
on board. I had seen a good deal of him during the
voyage, but he did not consult me professionally before
the morning of the 911. The last witness told me Mr. Marsh
had taken some disinfecting fluid in mistake, and was
suffering much from the effects of it. I sent for him, as he
was on deck, at once. He said Harrison had given him
some disinfecting fluid in mistake, and he appeared to be
suffering a great deal at, the time. When I understood it
was fully half an hour after he bad t iken it, I gave him a
large dose of castor oil, intending it to act as an emetic, and
as a sheath to the inflamed passages and ordered him forth-
with into his room. I applied the usual remedies and
antidotes for poisoning by the chlorides. Af er a great deal
of suffering for four or five hours he appeared to be relieved.
The next day he was not suffering so much pain, hut had
great flatulent distention of the abdomen, and the character
of the pain seemed to be altered. At intervals he had great
relief during next day. On Tuesday morning he remained
much in the same state, and seemed better in the afternoon.
At nine the same night he died. About an hour before that
he bad a sudden cessation of pain. So far as I mid c
mend, every attention was paid to him, and a'so by the
stewards, but particularly by George Harrison' who
sat up with him. I got from him the fact that he was
suffering from some year' from dyspepsia, and on putting
my ear to his breast., there was a slight murmur there,
indicating disease of the heart. I had not a stomach pump
on board. The deceased told me, when I first
saw him, in Harrison's presence, that ho had
been constantly vomitting since he took the poison.
I scarcely think, un ler the circumstances, that I should

ave used the pump, if I had had it —from these and the fact

that fully half an. 'hour had elapsed bef ire I saw him, I
think it questionable whether I should have used the pump
in pr. ference to a large dose of castor oil, and the use of
demulcent fluids, which I administered c piously in con-
junction with other antidotes. The ultimato cause of his
death (I consider) was inflammation in the course of the
alimentary canal, with ulceration and perforation, and these
would be the effects of such a poison. The Nit witness
brought me the bottle now produced, and intimated to me
that what it oontains is the same as the deceased took,
which r judge to be a concentrated solution of the chloride
of lime. Is is not so strong in taste or smell as yesterday,
hut still is excessively powerful. It is a corrosive poison,
and wouli be absorbed into the System 'most readily. I
believe ' that plantaganet water is a common drink in
Canada, and I believe it to be a saline draught. Previous
to the illness of deceased I bad several conversations with
him, and I consider him to have been a person of remarkably
zood sense. There was nothing in his manner or conversa-
tion to lead me to suppose he took the poison wilfully.
The jury at once found a verdict of " Accidental death, from
poison taken by the deceased in mistake," and at the same
time they said there was not the slightest blame attachable
to the steward.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT,

I MYSTERIOUS MURDER AT HAMPTON
COURT.

On Wednesday, Mr. Wakley proceeded with the
adjourned enquiry at the Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court,
touching the death of a man who, since the previous
sitting of the jury, had been identified as LewiS (:)lonlotts;
lately returned from Australia, aged 34. Mr. Jos. Arnold,
residing at No. 2, Henry.street, Blandford-square, an
upholsterer, identified the deceased, whom he last
saw alive on the evening of Thursday, the 24th ultimo.

Deceased had been boarding and lodging • with him
since his return from Australia. Deceased married
witness's niece. The deceased, since his return, appeared
in a distressed and excited state of mind, and was
continually drinking brandy. However, on no occasion
did he hear deceased threaten to destroy himself. On
one occasion deceased wished himself out of the world:
Mrs. Anne Arnold, wife of the last witness, corroborated
his evidence, and added that when the deceased went out
after lunch she asked him where he was going, and how
long be would be gone. He replied, as he usually did,
that he did not know ; but he expressed his intention of
being in, if not to dinner, before tea. Witness had never
seen any dagger, pistol, or poison, in the deceased's pos-
session, and she never heard, him threaten to commit
Mr. Robert Jefferies, frUlterer, &c., of 32, Sher-
barne.strect, Blandford-square, proved speaking to the
deceased after his quitting home on the day in question.
He called at witness's shop, and on deceased's invitation
they went out and had some brandy. On taking leave the
deceased said most positively that he would return early
in the evening and have a smoke with witness. He did
not say where he was going, and he appeared in an
exceedingly composed state of mind. A felt wide-awake
cap was here produced, which Inspector Rapsey stated
was found near the river, but it was proved not
to be the deceased's, which was still missing.
Louisa Solomons gave similar evidence. Mr. Abraham
Davis deposed that the deceased was his brother-in-law.
The last time he saw him alive was on the 10th of June, ,1
1853, when he went out to Australia with his (witness's)
son from Gravesend. He said the deceased acted as his
agent and his boll's guardian, the latter being then seven-
teen years of age. Witness paid £176 for their passage
money, and at the same time sent over stocks to the
value of .el,OOO for them to trade with. Before leaving,
witness •had arranged to allow the deceased's wife,
for the support of herself and family, 25s a week
until his return. However, no sooner had deceased
left than a man named Grey visited his wife at the
place of business witness had left her to superintend in
Union-street, Bishopsgate.-street. He received a letter
from the deceased, in which, with the most dreadful
oaths, he threatened to take immediate vengeance on him
for the false statements made against his " dear Louisa."
(The letter was read, and created the utmost horror in
the court, the language used being of the most terrible cha-
racter). In conclusion, the witness said, fortunately the
deceased did not call upon first landing iR England.
Hannah Solomons, a widow, and deceased's sister-in-law,
residing at 16, Red Lion-street, Holborn, said that the
deceased called upon her shortly after his arrival in
England, in company with Mrs. Grey, wife of the man
who was living with his wife. He appeared much affected
on hearing_of the death of his brother, and wept bitterly
on account of his wife. Mrs. Grey gave her the dagger
produced (a kind of bowie knife), which she had taken
from deceased, observing that he had brought it to England
for an ornament. Mrs. Grey also said he had a pistol in
his possession which she should get from him. The
dagger had remained in witness's possession ever since.
Sarah Grey, residing at 10, Victoria-road, Borough, gave
similar evidence. The witness added that her husband
had been all through and was at present living with the
deceased's wife. For the last two weeks he had refused
to allow witness any maintenance for herself and five
children, her husband's earnings being 25s a week. In
cross examination the witness said she had no suspicion
against any one on account of the deceased's death, but
before that event her husband told several persons that
Mrs. Solomons might consider herself a widow, as he
intended to marry her. The deceased allowed her to take
the pistol and dagger produced from him, as he said she
was as much the injured person as himself. She heard
her husband say that the deceased should never take
Mrs. Solomons to Australia as long as he had an arm
on his body. A neighbour replied that he should go and
live with his wife again, and deceased could take his own
away, when he said, " He never shall take her away."
Frances Tyler having deposed to deceased's desponding,
and at times excited, state after his return from Australia,
and to his admission that he had fully intended to kill
witness and her husband, had his (deceased's) wife be en
innocent, said that Grey called on witness, and in his
Age's presence said. " Louisa (meaning the deceased's
fe) may consider herself a widow, as no other man shall
have her in this world but me." (Sensation.) Mr. Davis
also called at witness's house with two pistols in his pos-
session, to see the deceased. The pistols were not loaded,
and he said he only brought them to frighten the
deceased, for although he had ruined him, he did not
care if he would tell him what became of his ,son
in Australia. The deceased was not at home at
the time, so that Mr. Davis did not see him.
Several other witnesses gave similar evidence, and the
court was now cleared of strangers, and the man Grey
was questioned by the jury. After a few minutes'
deliberation with closed chore, the enquiry was further
adjourned to enable the police to make more searching
enquiries respecting the whole transaction. Tho supposi-
tion appeared to be that the deeeased, if murdered, was
assassinated in London, and then conveyed up the river to
the spot where his body was discovered.

As IT OUGHT TO ne.—Lately, Earl Annesley entertained
nearly 800 children in his beautiful demesne, ill the schools
in the estate were invited.

SYMP,VrHy WITH FRANCE.---The Catholic diocese of
C oyne has contributed the sum of £331 towards the relief
of the soffarers from the late destructive inundations.

People are prone to condemn in others what they prac-
tice in themselves without scruple. Plutarch tells of a
wolf, who peeping into a hut where a company of shepherds
were regaling themselves with a joint of mutton, exclaimed,
" What a clamour would they have raised if they had caught
me at such r. banquet.
INSPECTOR FIELD AT ALLSOP'S WAX-WORK EXHIBITION.
—Every one who had seen Palmer, declare that his like-
ness at this establishment is the best that is extant, and a
day or two since, Mr. Field, the celebrated London officer,
on visiting the exhibition, was at once struck with the exact
likeness of that notorious person, and declared it to be the
most perfect he had ever beheld.—Adv.
The Scotsman confirms the statement that the accounts
from the moors a-e very unfavourable, generally speak-
ing. The rain and east winds of the spring destroyed
the coveys in many instances. The demand for moors.
we hear,
has selloff' been greater than this season. On
the 7th lust, only two small moors, those from Inver-
ness to Sutherland, remained unlet.
It is stated on the authority of Sir S. M. Peto, that the
price of harvest 1ab0u..7 has risen so high that the farmers
outbid railway contractors, who find themselves compelled
to suspend for the present, the execution of all but very
pressing public works. " Navvies," who were earning
from 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6(.1, a-day, have left them because they
can make more by harvesting.
A. circular of Messrs. Matthew Clark & Sons furnishes
the statistics of the wine trade during the past half-year.
The general result shows a decrease of 5,560 pipes in the
importation, 3,880 pipes of which deficiency is in red
wines, and about 1,680 in white. The deliveries, on the
other hand, have largely augmented—namely, 3,040 pipes
in the home consumption, and 1,680 pipes in the export
trade.

A letter in Le Nord says The bridge over the
Vistula is being constructed with prodigious activity, and
it is hoped the works will be completed by the autumn
of 1857. The expense of construction, estimated in the
first instance at seven millions of dollars, will probably
reach nine millions, but the Chambers will not refuse
tc, sanction this excess. The bridge once finished will
raise to its full importance the Berlin railway to Konigs..
berg, which will shortly be extended, and join the line
from St. Petersburg to Warsaw.

THE CORONATION AT Moscow.—ln connection with this

great e, ent, it may be interesting to state that the Duke
of Devonshire has had his fine collection of cameos and
intaglios fitted up as a set of superb jewels to be worn on

the occasion by Lady Granville. They have been
arranged to form a diadem, stomacher, and necklace by
Mr. Hancock. of Bruton-street, who has done himself
great credit by the artistic manner in which the work has
been executed. The mountings are of massive gold, richly
enamelled in the Holbein style. and great skill and taste
have been exercishd in the setting of the ornaments so as
to securea pleasing harmony of colour. Many more
showy objects of personal decoration may be exhibited at
the coronation of the Czar, but we believe that few will
possess greater historical interest. As all connoisseurs
are aware, the collection which has been thus appropriated
is exceedingly rare and valuable, comprising some of the
most remarkable gems of the cinque cento epoch.
AortictiLyc aAr. IMPROVEMENTS.—At the great cattle
show now holding at Athlone, Messrs. R•chrnond and
Chandler, of Salford, Manchester, and Liverpool, are repre-
sented by a lot of no less than 46 implements of the most
varied description. Amongst these are "an improved
registered gorse-cutting machine," which, by a change of
wheels,. may be converted into a chaff-cutter, and which took
the prize at the recent Royal Show ; a " parallel lever
subsoil pulverizer," which can be ath pted to the breadth
of the furrow, and works as effectively as a fork ; a" patent
iron double breast or ridging plough," adapted for earthing
up "MPS, but which may be convert d into a horse hoe ;
a " patent iron plough with two wheels," which took the
first prize at the recent meeting of the Royal Society at
Chelmsford ; sets of patent borrows, including an improved
hamn or web harrow," formed of iron discs, linked to-
gether, and extending over a surface of 2.5 superficial feet,
and constructed with a revolving motion so as. not to
eon, ct the couch or drive the clods before it into the
furrows, and capable of following. all the inequalities of
the ground so as to render a second harrowing unnecessary.

DOCK COMMITTEE.-YESTERDAY,

The usual weekly meeting of the committee was held
at one o'clock yesterday. Mr. Charles Turner presided, and
the other members present were—Messrs. Robinson, Palmer,
Evans, Gregson, Chaloner, Gladstone, Lockett, Mondell,
Longsdale, Anderson, Rathbone, Bold, and James Holme.
The following tenders were accepted :—Messrs. G. Y.
Chantery and Co., earthenware drain pipes; Messrs. Mather,
Edwin, and Co., sheet iron, and Messrs. Richard Ashton and
Co., lead piping.
It was reported that the total cost of painting the compass
be ,rings on the dock walls was £174 8s 6d. _

In the Marine Department, the offer of Mr. S. S. Taylor was
accepted, for the painting of the inside of the light§hip Albert,
and of Mr. R S. Newell, to supply and fix five wire shrotids
for the same vessel.

In the Harbour Master's department, the following changes
were recommended and agreed upon :—Thomas King, pier-
master of the Toxteth and Harrington docks, to be piermaster
of the Queen's-dock and hatin, at a salary of £l5O per
annum. John Curry, piermaster of the south end and Prince's-
dock, to be removed to be piermaster of the Toxteth and
Hwrington docks, at a-salary of £lOO per annum, and £3O
for the rent of a houae; and Richard Got6t, piermaster of the
C'arance-dock, to he removed to the south-end of Prince's-
dock, in place of Curry, at the former salary of the latter. _
_ _

A letter was read from Mr John A Tinne, stating that Mr.
George Grout and himself had been deputed by the London and
North Western Railway Company to endeavour to arrange with
the dock committee for permission to make a gateway through
the Waterloo dock wall, and to form a line with the dock
tine of rails, and to be allowed to work their waggons on
the lino ov6r the whole length. They proposed to make a
communication between the dock line and their own goods
station on the Waterloo road by a tramway on the level,
regarding which they would make application to the health
committee. The request was made at the instance of par-
ties connected with the timber trade.

The Surveyor stated that a similar application was made
about two years ago, ant at that time the dock committee
proposed to have the communicatio❑ made. Since that time
nothing had occurred. Tho rails were all laid down.

Mr.- Gladstone : Then are you prepared to accede to
the request?
The Surveyor sai l he saw no objection to it at all.

The ]Etter was referred to the works' committee

A letter was.read from Mr, Carter, of the London and
North Western Railway Company, complaining that the
timber traffic was suddenly interupted on Wednesday by the
alterations in progress on the dock lino of rails at Wapping,
and stating that it would be considered an accommodation
if, while the work was in baud, the dock committee would
allow timber to be placed on the north side of the Toxteth
dock

The Chairman said Mr. Hartley reported that, on the
day referred to, ho found almost the whole line upon the
east side blocked up by railway waggons standing loaded.
He found this was not caused by the works upon the dock
line, as it had been so arranged •that no stoppage should
take place, but the hindrance all came from the
railway company's yard. Ho wrote to the head•
constable calling his attention to the fact, and at that
moment he had a letter from Inspector Quick, stating that
informations had been laid. The chairman obs.rved that
this was the best answer to the letter of Mr. Carter, and
showed that the inconvenience arose not from any stoppage on
the part of the committee, but from negligence on the part of
the railway company.
The Surveyor said the railway company's yard was so full of
waggons that they could not take in those on the line.
The subject then dropped.

An application was read from William Saidlan, computer
of tonnage ; W. A. Marrow, computor of goods inwards ; and
R. G. Cambridge, computor ot goods outwards, for increase of
salary, in consequence of extended duties.
Mr. Evans : I think, sir, we may remind them that they
are at liberty to give the situations up, if they please.
The applications were referred to the tinaaco committee.

The Chairman reminded the committe that that was the
day for the annual formation of the sub-committees. He
said, if no gentleman desired to move an alteration, he
would move that the committees be continued as at present
constituted.

Mr. Rathbone said he should wish to be allowed
to give up the works' committee, of the business of
nhich he knew absolutely nothing, and to take a scat instead
on the harbour masters' committee. He was requested
to become a member of the dock committee because
it was thought desirable that some one should be there
who was concerned in the loading and discharging of
American vessels, The works sub•committes, of which he
was appointed a member, had nothing whatever to do with that
interest, which was only involved in the harbour masters com-
mittee.

The Chairman said the harbour masters' committee wss
already very full, and he did not think it would be at all
advisable to make that committee too full by starving others.
There were but seven members on the works' committee,
while there were nine upon the harbour master's committee.
Mr. Rathbone said it was felt as rather strange that that
class of shipping which paid the largest proportion of the whole
dues should have no representative upon that committee.
There was a strong opinion out of doors that the American
trade bad not a fair representation upon the dock committee.

Tho Chairman said Mr. Barber was appointed on the
harbour masters' committee with that very object.
Mr. llathbone said Mr. Barber was only an owner of
English ships, and had nothing to do with the loading and
discharging of American vessels.

The Chairman felt it his duty to object to any further
increase in the number of the harbour masters' committee. If
any gentleman would resign his seat in the favour of Mr.
Rathbone ho would, of course, have not the slightest objection.
Mr. Evans :Mr. Rathbone must only wait until he gets
promotion.
Mr. Gladstone asked if Mr. Rathbone would undertake to
attend the two committees.

Mr. itathbone said he could not attend both the corn-
mivees. Ho believed that members were placed on
the different committees, with some reference to their
fitness for the duty, and their knowledge of the business.
Now, he felt that he could not be of the slightest use upon the
work's committee, but he might be of some service in
connection with the harbour master's committee.

Mr. G'adstone said he was afraid Mr. Bathhone must wait
and trust to the generosity of some member of the harbour
master's committee to resign in his favour.
The sub_committees were then re-constituted without any
alteration.
This concluded the general business.