Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-02 00:00:00

TRIAL OF MISSIYII SMITH FOR MURDER;

On Taesday morning, theta Hight Court of Justiciary at Edinaurgh
met o try Miss Madeline :Smith on the charge of the murder of
Emile L'Angeller, a young foreigner, her acknowledged lover. On
the bench were the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Handysida, and Lord
Ivory. The Lord Aevocate, . the Solicitor-General, Mr. Donald
M'Kenzie, advocate depute, and Mr. Hector, advocate depute, con-
ducted the prosecution on the part of the crown. The Dean of.
Faculty, Mr. George Youngeand Mr. A. Moncrieff appeared to defend
the prisoner. As Boon as thadoors were opened, the various galleries
and other parts of the court were quickly filled by the eager crowd,
who for some hours previous.had been waiting outside. There were
only, however, some half-a-dozen lailies in court. The prisoner,
accompanied by her waiting maid, and guarded by two constables;
was placed in the dock. She wore a brown silk gown, a black silk
cloak, and a straw bonnet with-white ribbons and a black silk veil,
and maintained a very composed demeanour. The indictment was
then read. It concluded by stating that the prison.r'a declaration on
the 31st March, before Sheriff Smith, along with other documents,
letters, likenesses, arc., would be umd in evidence against her. The
charge having been stated by the Lord Justice Clerk to the prisoner,
she plead in answer to it, in a. low but firm and clear voice, "Not
guilty." The jury was then impannelled. Mr. Archibald amith,
examined by the Solcitor-General—l am ens of the sheriff substitutes
of Lanarkshire. I know the prisoner. She was judicially examined
before me on this charge. Shown. a declaration dated 31st March,
1E67. This is the declarationeef the prisoner. The declaration bears
that certain letters and envelopes were shown to her. George Grey,
clerk in the sheriff-clerk's oboe, Glasgow, was present when the
declaration was made by the :prisoner. Ann Dathie or Jenkins,
residing in 11, 1, ranklin-place, Glasgow, was examined by the Lord ,
Advocate—l am the wife of David Jenkins, and reside at
11, Franklin-place, Glasgow. I knew tae late Emile L'Angelier,
He lodged in my house. He came about the end of July,
and remained in my house until his death. He was a
civil man, and sometimes went oat at night, though not
often. He was in good health in general, until about the
end of January. I recollect his being ill somewhere a!-out the
middle of February. That wag the first serious illness he
had. He had an illness afterwards, but I cannot remernbor a hen it
was. He came home badly one night. I had gone to bed, and did
not hear him come in. His door was locked, as far as I can remem-
ber, when I first went to it. i knocked, bu,i did not gee any answer
the first thee. I knocked ;Tatra and he said, "C me in, if you
please." I then went in, and found bairn very unwe'l ; and he said,
" Look atwhat I have vomited.'' I said. " I think that is bile." It was
of a greenish colour. There was a great deal of it, and it was about
the thickness of gruel. I said', Wily did you net call on me ?" He
said, "On the road coming home I was seized with a violent pain in
my bowels and stomach, and when I was taking off my clothes I lay
dawn on the carpet, and thought I would have died. I was not able
to ring the bell. If y.'u please to make me a little tea; I don't think I
w ill go out." He then went to sleep, and slept about an hour, tint'
nine o'clock. When he awoke, he said he was batter, and would go
out. He hid got some tea by this tine. Mr. Tanen, another lodger,
had also seen him. I think it we; betwixt tan lama eleven o'clock —I
can't exactly say—when he went out ; he said he was going to his
place of business, but was going to call on some lady on his road. He
returned about three in the afternoon, and nai i he had been at the
doctor's and got a bottle. He complained of being very thirsty, but I
did not hear him complain of auy paia except in his bowels. At three
o'clock he still complained of being thirsty, but nut so much as in the
morning. He took the medicine. This illness made a great change
on his appearance. He looked ye low and dull, and not what he used
to be. He complained of cold after he came in that day. He lay
down on the sofa when he came in, and I put a railway rug over him.
He never was the same afterwards. He got a Halt better, and when
I asked him how he felt, he said, "I don't feel well." I have nothing
about me which could make me remember the date of the first illness.
I think it was about the 22nd of February. It was upon a Monday
morning about four o'clock that he called upon me. 1 found him
vomiting the SAME:sort of stuff as he had vomited bolero. I think it was
of the aims colour and hind; but there was not quite so much of it.
He complained of pains is hie boweis and stomach, and thirst. and
said he was very cold. I was not aware that he had been, out the
night before, and he did not telt me he had been. I put more blan-
kets upon him, and bottles of hot water to his feet and stomach, and
game him a great many drinks of toast and water,. and lemon
and water. I left him after he got a little betel'. He staid in
bed till the forenoon whea the doctor acame, but. I don't
remember the hour. He saw L'Angelier, and wrote oat a pre-
scription for a powder. I sent for, and got them. Oa this
occasion he remained eight days ill. I remember L'Angelier taking
one or two of these powders. He said he did not think, they were
doing him the good he expected. M. L'Augelier was in the habit of
receiving a great many letters; but I thought they were in a
gentleman's handwriting. A groat many were in the same
hand. The envelopes were sometimes yellow, and, I thi..k,
also white. Shown an envelope marked 87,—Tnat is the hind-
writing. Shown an envelope marked 97—That is like the yellow
envelopes which c one, and I think it is the same handwriting; but I
am not so sure of the writing. He never told me who these letters
were from. Remembered seeing a photograph of a lady lying about
his chambers. Shown No. 179, a ehetograpb, and ideatlaed it. I
asked him, "Is that your intended, sit ? " He said, " Perhaps some
day." I never thought the letters were from a lady. M. L'Angelier
never said anything to me about taking in the letters. I always took
them in. M. L'Augelier told ma he intended to, be, married. About
the end of September he wished a dining-room and bedmom. Ha
told me he was going to get married about the end of Dive!), and ho
would like if I would take him in. I did not agree to do so. One
time, when he was badly, I said, "It will b 3 a bad thing i; you are
badly, and you going to get married." And he said, " You'll not see
that for a log time." When he came home on the 17th March, he

milted if I hal got any latter? I said, " H • seamed to 'expo A
to have found a letter, and seemed disappointed at no. finding it. He
came on the 17th, stopped over the 18th, and went away on tee 19th
Before he went away he ordered any letters that ama to be given to
Mr. Thuan to address them. lie said he was going to the Bridge of
Allan. He went away about ten o'clock on the 19th. A letter came
for him on that day. it was like the same letters that we,e in the
habit of coming. I gave it to Mr. Thuan to address it. I don't re-
member of any letter coming on Friday. One came on the Saturday.
It was more like a lady's hand. When L'A.ogeller wreit away, he said
he would not be horns till Wednesday night or Timr,d ay next wee'l,
Ho said he was ping to the Bridge of Allan. I don't know whether
he went anywhere else first. Shown two envelopes, Nes. 137 and 14A
—No. 137 is like the one which canto on Saturday ; the other I did
not notice so much. I nest saw 51. L'Angethr oa the night of the
Sabbath following, about eight o'clock. Was surprised to sea him
so soon. I asked him why he had come so soon? He saA, " Ihe
letter you sant brought ma_ home. When did it come ? " I said it
came on Saturday afternoon. He told me he had walked 15 mites, but
did not say where he had come from. I understood he had been at
the Bridge of Allan. He said he intended to go back to the Bridge
of Allan early next morning, and desired me to call him. He we ut
out that night. I thin,lz it was about nine o'clock. lie said before lie
went, " If you please for the pass-key, I am not sure, but I may be
late." He told me to call him early in the morning, to go by, the first
train. He did not say what hour. The naxt time I saw him was about
half-past t o'clock on slonday morning. He did not use the pass-key
The bell rung with great vie once. I rose out of bed, and called ou.t,
" Who's there ?" He said, "It is I ; open the door, if you please'

When I opened the door, he was standing w;th his arms crossed over
his stomach. He said, "I am very ill. I am going to have another
vomiting of that bile." He went on saying, "I, was so ill on the
road." He did not say whether it was pain, or that he had been
vomiting before he came up. The first thing he said was, "Give me
a little water." I gave him a tumbler full, and he thank the whole
of it. He wished a little tea then. I went into the room, and found
him half undressed, and vomiting very severely. It was always the
same substance and colour, to appearance, as before. The gas was
lighted. The second occasion was his easiest, but this time the vo-
miting was attended with great pain. I said, " Have you not takes
something that has disagreed with you?" He said, " No, Mrs.
Jenkins; I have taken nothing. I, never felt better than the few
days I have been at Vie coast." I said, " You never took any meai-
eine, air." He said, " I never approved ofm-dicine." He then ,sishitir.
hot water for his feet and stomach. I got these for him. I got towel
and water for his feet, and another tor his stomach, and three or four
pairs of blankets and a couple of ma's. He got no easier. Abou t four
o'clock he got very bad again, and I said I would go for Dr. T notnp-
son. His bowels and stomach still co-tamed to be ba-I, and about
seven o'clock I noticed he was dark about the eyes. I said I would go
back for the doctor, and if I did not gat him to come I won' d go qn to
the next. He said he wished I would. I visited Dr. Stevens, and he
followed immediately. L'Anglier was anxious to get the doctor by
that time. Dr. Stevens came a little after I returned. I brought the
doctor into the room, and he ordered mustard. immediately. so I
left the room to get the mustard. I did not hear tke doctor ask
L'Angelier what was the matter with him. When the doctor came
in I said look what he vomited. Ho said the smell was sour, and that
it was making him faintish. When I went into the room. again wlam
I was putting the jar of hat w .tar so his stomach, 12Angelier said that
that waathe worst attack he had ever had, and 1 said I thought it was.
I feel something here," he than said to the doctor, pointing to his
forehead. "It is not perceptible," replied the doctor, "it mint be
inwardly, for I do not -eo anything wrong." I asked the. doctor
whether there was myth ng else I could do for L'Ang*ie,? Ile m id
time and quietness were what was wanted. I then signed to the doctor
to come and speak to me. He want out of the room with me, and I
asked him " What Is wrong wto him ?" He said, "Is he a parson
that tipples?" I said " No, quite the opposite—what is wrong with
him? He is very unlike a versed that tipples," I said. "Is it n t
strange that he should go oat quite well, and come back badly ? Can
you tell me the cause of it ?" " I will give you an explanation after-
wards," returned the doctor. lop mod the door for him when he went
away, and he said he wou'd be back betwen ten and eleven. I went
back to L'Angelier, and when he saw me he asked. what the doctor
had been saying to me. I said, "Tee doctor says yen will get over
it." He put the question to ma again, and I made the same answer.
" Oh," he said, "I am far Wolvie than the doctor thinks." I thought
he was very ill. He said. "If it would not be platting you to too
much trouble, I would Wise to sea Miss Berrie." He told me her
bee; or, address. I think it Was Back-street, but I don't remember the num-
I may bet tenfteld. Was it 144, Renfield-street ? I don't

ecolitect. I never saw the la dy. I sent-for her her, and she came
Before she came, I went in at id out of his room throe or four times
He said, "If you please, dray 7 these curtains. Oh, if I could but get
five minutes' peace I think I s could be better." These were the last
weds I heard him speak. I left him then, and! came back in about
five or tea minutes. I want q Wetly into the room. He did not speak.
and I went quietly oat again, thinking he was asleep. The do-tor
Came not aleove five or ten . minutes-after. He said, "How is your
patient?' I said," He is only over asleep, It is a pity to waken him."'
The doctor said he would like to see hYrn. We then went into the room:
The doctor felt his pulse; he rs ised his head,and it fell down again.
I said, "Is there anything wren g." He said; "Draw those curtainse'e
and I did-so. M. L'engelier te as dead. The foreman to Menzies,
undertaker, came first. Miss Berry came immediately after the
undertakers. Dr. Thompson, Mr. Todd,' and one or two others.
Stevenson is one of. the young rn ea in Huggins' employ. I told him
I Wehed him to take charge, lot :k up his wardrobe, and he did so..
The clothes he took off at night were laid on the sofa. When they
locked up his clothes they took a Getter out eehis pocket. Some per..
son—l don't remember who it wa " This expiates ell," I said,
" That is the letter that came on , Saturday." At the time I said this,
Mr. Thuan, Mr. Stevenson, and, I think, Mr. Rennedy and Dr. Thom-
eoin were present, I think it was Mr, Stevenson who said that letter
expressed all, but I cannot be petit ire. Mr. Stevenson looked up the
things. When M. L'Angelier cam e back from the Bridge ef Allan,
the night before he died, I cannot :be sure whether it was a coat or a
jacket he hal on; but it was close .buttoned, and I remember seeing a
handkerchief in his pocket. He ha don his head a Glengarry or blue
bonnet, when he came home. Croon -examined by the Dean of Faculty
—I cannot tell the date of the illne 99 before the let of February. It
emight be about eight or len days beacre tee second
illness, but I cannot be posit it's. The wend illness was
on a Monday mottling. The beef was got on Saturday the 21st.
Sunday was the 221 d, and it was on Monday, the 23rd, that
he was so ill. Ito dined at hems on the Sunday. I cannot remember
w'sether ho went out on Sunday. I have no recollectimeof him going
out. I think I. would have remembered if he had asked .the check-
key; So fir as I know he was not out.—Did r understand you to
say that he was confined to the house for eight or ten days .after that
Saturday? For eight days, I think. He -age unt once, I ti.ink, on
the 23.1 or 24th. There were eight bottles kited in L'Angclier's room
alter his death. One ct them I know contained laudanum; another
was a bottte he brought home in his first illness, and there •was some
powder. The authorities got them away. I think Mr. Murray was one
and Mr. Stevenson another. I don't, remember the date when they
got them away. It was some days. There wailaudanttm-in his press,
but he refused to take It. He amid, " Besides, it's not good;.it's been
stapling without the cork." The. doctor- raid to me M. L'Angelier
would get over it. I asked him particularly. its said• he would
get over it the same as before. I think I remember about his
complaining about his throat being sere that Inc:ming. When
the doctor was giving him water, 1 .think he said the weter
was ceoking him.—When he was lying in bed that morning,
was he lying with his arms stretched out over the bedclothes?
He always did so.—Do you mean that morning Yes, he held
hs arms straight out. The right hand was clenched when he
died. When Miss Barrie cams in I said, "Are you the Intended ?"
She said, oh, no ; I'm only a friend." I supposed that was his in-
tended. I told her he was dead. She seemed very much over-
whelmed. I sent my little boy to t3ll her M. L'Angelier was very ill,
and to come and see him. I don't remember whether she aced to
see the body, but I took her into the room. They were dressing the
body, and I took her aside. I don't remember what she did whet she
went is. You seem to remember very little ; do yon not remember
what she did? Did she kiss tee body ? I think she kissed the fore-
head more than once. She seemed very sone , bat not in violent
grief. She seemed cryiag very much. Mr. Scott, foremen to the
undertaker, was also present, and, I think, mysister. Cr. L'Angelier
had two desks in his room. They .were good writing desks. I did
not take any note of the things taken away. William Fairfoul said
deceased appeared well when he left Stirling on March 22nd. Wil-
liam e. Stephenson said deceased had complained of something from
a damp bed, at Briclee of Allan. Ile was ill la consequence. He
found a letter on deceased, signed " Minnie;" also a memorandum-
book. He waled these, and hive them to the authorities. The other
evidence was unimportant, and the court adjourned at six o'clock, to
Wednesday.