The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-15 00:00:00

THE SUM LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 15, 1856.

TJTNgS i;--.A.SED A T FIXED RENTALS.

THE RUGELEY PSIS OWINGS.

thought it was down somewhere, as she had mentioned
it to somebody. The evidence had been altered by her
since it was given. She could not tell who the gentle-
man was to whom she mentioned about the pills, be-
cause she did not know. She made the statement in
question at Dolly's. She was positive she could not tcll
the name of the gentleman. He came to her at Dolly's,
and asked her if she would answer a few questions. The
interview lasted about half an hour, and he was
writing as she was answering the questions.
He did not tell her his name. Mr. Stevens was with
him. She did not mention that before because she was

Leann
Compans.

Closin:•.
yeaterday.

Business
*is JaY.

TRIAL OF WILLIAM PALMER.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT (TIIIS DAY),

SECOND DAY.

This morning at 10 o'clock the procee, liege in this
remarkable case were resumed.

The interest taken by the public in the natter seems
to be rapidly upon the increase. Long befc ire the usual
time for opening the court, a large crowd had assembled
to witness the arrival of the persons engaged in the
trial, and the greatest eagerness was evinced to learn
anything about what wag taking place in the 'court.
The court was filled at an early hour, arta not any
inconvenience was this day felt in obtaining sldrnission,
and increased accommodation was afforded to the press.
Upon the bench almost the first to arrive were Earls
Grey and Derby. In court there were a great many of
the leading members of the medical profession from the
midland counties. Messrs. Moseley and Minnely, the
two surgeons who gave the direct evidence of the poi.
soning by strychnine of Mrs. Dove at Leeds, were also
present.

never asked the question. All she stated was taken
down. She did not recollect whether she mentioned
anything to the coroner about Cook being unable to lay
down. She mentioned something about Cook throwing
himself about, but she could not say that she used the
word "jerking," but she might have said the body was
"jumping about ;" neither could she remember stating
that the fingers would not move. She did not remem-
ber saying she saw Cook "twitch." She did not recol-
lect exactly what she said now before the coroner, but
she answered every question that was put to her. She
did not tell the coroner that Cook snapped at the spoon
when she gave him the toast water, so that it was diffi-
cult to get it out of his mouth.

The jury having re-assembled and answered to their
names, and their lordships taken their seats, the pri-
soner entered the dock. He looked the same as yes-
terday, and, after bowing somewhat stiffly to the bench,
took his stand at the front of the dock, and did not
seem one of the most interested persons in the court.
The proceedings opened by Mr. Edwin James calling
Elizabeth Mills, for the purpose of cross-examination by
Mr. Sergeant Shee.

Lord Campbell thought the questions were unneces
sary, as the coroner's depositions must be read.
Mr. Sergeant Shee said the depositions were put in.

The Attorney-General said he was prepared to have
the depositions read, buthe was also in a position to prove
that there were several omissions in the depositions which
called for some remonstrance oz the part of the prose-
cution.

Cross-examination continued---When I first was exa-
mined, I was not required to disclose the symptoms to
Dr. Taylor. On the night when I rung for Palmer, he
had a cap on. That was on the Monday. I don't recol-
lect how Palmer was dressed on the Tuesday. I don't
know whether he had his night or day shirt on or whe-
ther he wore slippers. The witness then stated that it
was not 10 minutes after Jones left the room that she
saw Palmer searching for Cook's coat, but it was 10
minutes after she herself left the room. She stated to
the Coroner that she saw Palmer searching the bed-
clothes as if he was looking for a watch. He remembered
the room in which the examinations of Cook's body took
place [a model of the Talbot Hotel, and Palmer's house
was here placed before the-jury.]

Sergeant Shee—How long before Mr. Cook's death
had you lived at the Talbot A:rms?
Witness—Two years.
Lord Campbell—We have that already ; need I take
it down again ?

Sergeant Shee—How long before Mr. Cook's death
had you seen him at the Talbot Arms ?
Witness--About three or four months. I first saw

him in May.

Sergeant Shee—Was he ailing at that time ?
Witness—He did not seem particularly so.
Sergeant Shee—Did you not hear him complain of
his throat ?

Witness—l did.
Sergeant Shee—ilow long before his death ?
Witness—About three months.
Sergeant Shee—Did he complain frequently ?
Witness—No.

The witness here described pointed to a door which
the doctors' entered at. She thought the people also
came in by the door. Another door led to a bedroom,
and the other door led to the landing. There was a gas
lamp over the door of the Talbot. She did not know
the exact distance between Palmer's house and the
Talbot.

Sergeant Shee—Do you know if he took any medicine
for it ?

Witness—A gargle, I believe. He took a good many
bottles, I believe. I never saw but one.
Sergeant Shee— Did you see that his mouth was sore?
Witness—l did not.

Mr. Sergeant Shee said he now proposed that the de.
positions should be read.

The Clerk then read the evidence given by the wit-
ness before the coroner.

Sergeant Shee—Did he not appear to have a difficulty
swallowing?

Re-examined by Mr. James—She was before the co-
roner, and was examined several days. She was not
then examined on all the symptoms •he noticed in the
deceased. The questions were then put to her by the
coroner, and her answers were written down by the
coroner's clerk. What questions the coroner put to
her she answered, but made no statement.
By Lord Campbell—The coroner asked if the broth
had any effect on me, and I said not that I was aware
of.

Witness—l never heard him complain.

Sergeant Shee—Have you not heard him complain
hat his tongue was sore I
Witness—l have not. I have seen him with a loaded

tongue.

Sergeant Shee—Yon mean foul ?
Witness—Yes. I do not know that caustic was ap-
plied to it. f knew Dr. Thirlby attended him.
Sergeant Shee—How recently before his death did he
complain of his tongue ?
Witness—l do not know. I did not know that he
took medicine before his last illness. I did not see any
pills before then. He had a slight cough when his
throat was sore. He was ailing when he came back
from Shrewsbury. After Mr. Cook's death I left the
Talbot and went home to my friends in the Potteries.
I have been in service since. I have been chambermaid
at Dolly's Chop-house. I have seen Mr. Stephens since
I came to London. I saw him at Dolly's I think about
6or 7 times. I will swear not 12. We did not talk
about Cook's death. He asked me how I liked London.
We did not have any private conversation about the
matter. I cannot recollect what else we talked about
excepting Cook's death.

Mr. James—That's not down in the depositions.
Witness continued—l am unable to say what brought

;o my mind afterwards, but I think some one men•

tioned it to me first ; perhaps a week after I was ex-
amined by the coroner. I think it was one of my fellow-
servants. It is a fact that I was ill after taking the
broth, and Lavinia Barnes' was aware of it. Coook said
"the pills Palmer gave me after half-past 10 o'clock
made me ill." A person now in Court came to me
and represented himself as a solicitor for the Crown,
and asked me questions relative to this occurrence.
He came to ma about a month after the inquest. He
wrote down some of the statements I made to him, and
took it away with him. I was not asked by the gentle-
man [supposed to be stated by the counsel to be Dr.
Collyer] to sign what he wrote. I don't think he read
it over to me. Other persons were with him. The
broth had no particular fidvour with it. I have never
tasted tartar emetic. I have lived at the Talbot Arms
for two years. Cook had often gargled his throat in her
presence. The gargle he got from Thirlby, who succeeded
to Palmer's business. I am engaged to be married to one
of the Duttons, in whose family I am now staying.
Mr. Sergeant Shee proposed to put a question to the
witness relative to Dr. Collyer's statement.

Sergeant Shea—Did he ever give you any money ?
Witness—Never.
Sergeant Shee—Or promise you any ?
Witness—No, never.
Sergeant Shee—When did you see him last ?
Witness—On Tuesday.
Sergeant Shee—What did he say, then
Witness—Merely asked me how I was. lam not now
at Dolly's. It was there that I saw him on,_ Tuesday.
Sergeant Shee—What part of Dolly's did you see him
in !

Mr. Baron Alderson said that before it was put Dr.
Collyer ought to leave the court. In fact he ought not
to have been present.

Witness—The sitting-roam. We were not alone.
Sergeant Shea—Who was there
Witness—Lavinia Barnes.
Sergeant Shee—Oh, Miss Barnes. Who else ?
Witness—Two gentlemen.
Sergeant Shee—Who were they?
Witness—Mr. Hatton and Mr. Gardner.
Sergeant Shee—What, the chief constable of Stafford ?
Witness—l do not know that he is chief constable.
Sergeant Shee—Will you swear that !
Witness—l only know it from what I have heard.
Sergeant Shee—ls not Mr. Gardner an attorney ?
Witness—l think he
Sergeant Shee— What did you talk about ?
Witness—l cannot recollect.
Sergeant Shee—Did he ask you what evidence you
were going to give ?

Mr. Sergeant Shee then asked her if Dr. Collyer did
not say he was net for the Crown nor the defence, nor
for any party, but for the truth ?

Witness replied—He said, "I am for the Crown, but
I want no favour or affection ; all I want is the truth.
Will you answer me some questions ?" I replied, "Cer-
tainly."

Mr. Gardner, solicitor, agent for the attorneys of Mr.
Stevens, step•fatber of the deceased, examined by the
Attorney• General—l attended the inquest on Cook and
put questions occasionally to the witnesses. The coroner
also put questions, and his clerk wrote down the an-
swers. I had to expostulate with the coroner on several
occasions on the manner in which he conducted the in-
quest ; he omitted on several occasions in the course of
each day to put certain questions to the witnesses under
examination, but not as to the particular case or words
used.

Witness—He did not. He did not road anything to
me. I have seen Mr. Stephens. He did not read the
coroner's depositions to me, neither did he read them

Mr. Sergeant Shee took an objection to this course
of examination.

:rom a newspaper.

Sergeant Shee—How many times have you seen Hat•
ion at Dolly's Coffee-house?

Lord Campbell said that the Court ought, under the
circumstances, to know how the inquest was conducted
by the Coroner.

Witness—l am sure not half a dozen times. He might
hare spoken of Cook's death. I cannot remember or
recollect if he did. I have seen Gardner three or four

Mr. Sergeant Shea said he could not see how anything
the Coroner said could affect the prisoner.
The Attorney• General said it was only to rebut the
effect of the evidence which the learned sergeant had
introduced.

times. I have met him i❑ the street and at Dolly's.
Not anyone else was present. I have not been to any
attorney's office with him.

The witness, in answer to further questions, said she
was now living with her mother at Rugeley, and had
been there about three weeks. She had been living with
her friends. She knew a man of the name of Dutton,
as he was a friend of hers. There was a Mrs. Dutton,
his mother. He was a labouring man, and she had
known him about two years. The residence was a cot-
tage. There wore four rooms—two bedrooms and two
sitting-rooms ; and on all occasions she slept with Dut-
ton's mother, who had a weekly income. She had also
been staying with her cousin in the Potteries. She left
Doily's about a month ago, of her own accord, as she
did not like the place. She had not read the case of
Mrs. Dove, who was poisoned at Leeds. She had heard
it read, but not by any person connected with the trial.
She never heard the symptoms of strychnine mentioned,
but there was a remark made that that was another
strychnine ease. She could not say when she first used
the word twitching. She thought it was first mentioned
in a conversation with her mother. The word "lark-
ing" had never been mentioned to her by any-
body ; she was quite positive as to that. The
broth she mentioned yesterday, which made her
sick twenty times, she never mentioned to the
Coroner. It did not occur to her when she was being
examined, but she thought of it three days after. She
did mention that the broth had a pecular taste to
the Coroner when she was recalled. She had been exa-
mined twice before the Coroner. On one occasion her
attention was called to the broth, and she then stated
that the broth was very good. It never occurred to her
to mention that the broth made her sick. She did not
think at the time the sickness was caused by the broth.
She had bilious attacks, but not strong ones. She did
not mention the fact of her being sick, because she
could not account for it. The sickness came on
about half an hour after she bad taken the broth. On
Saturday morning Cook had coffee for breakfast,
but she did not recollect who recommended the coffee
to Cook. She could not remember whether Palmer
ordered the breakfast. She stated it yesterday
that Palmer ordered the coffee, but at that exact
moment she could not recollect that she mentioned the
subject yesterday. If she stated it yesterday, it was
correct, but she could not recollect so well to-day as yes-
terday. She could remember whether she stated any-
thing about the coffee to the coroner. The pill-box
mentioned in evidence yesterday as being sent over
about 5 o'clock, and that she saw Palmer in the room
about 8 o'clock, she did not remember to have mentioned
to the coroner. She might not have been asked the
question. She would swear Palmer was there between
nine and ten, as he brought a pot of jelly, and she opened
it. It was nearer ten than nine. She did not recollect,
when she left Cook about half•past ten that evening,
whether Palmer was with him. She did not know
when Cook took the pills. It was Tuesday morning
when she asked Cook how he felt after taking the pills
She asked what was the cause of his illness,
and he,said the pills which Palmer gave him, but she
did not mention that circumstance before the Coroner.
She had been questioned about what she said about the
pills. It was at Fletchingly by Dr. Collier. She did
not tell him a gentleman altered her evidence: Dr.
Collyer said "The coroner has not got down what you
mentioned about the pills," and she said "No," but ehe

Lord Campbell mid he thought the question should be
put.
The Attorney-General—l will put this questio❑ to the
witness. —Did you expostulate with the Coroner on his
conduct generally ?

Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to the question.

The Attorney-General then varied the question,
but Sergeant Shee still objected on the ground that it
was not evidence.

The question was not put.

Witness continued—l don't recollect Dr. Taylor ex-
postulating with the Coroner at certain questions not
having been put to him.

The Attorney-General renewed his application to put
the above question to the witness to show that the evi-
deuce which the last witness had given hero being diffe-
rent from that before the Coroner was not a contradic-

tion, but an addition to her evidence under certain cir-
cumstances. The object of the evidence he now proposed
to give was twofold ; first, to show that questions were
not put to the witnesses that should have been put, and
ought to have been put ; and, secondly, that when the
questions were put and answered the answers were not
taken down.

After some consultation their lordships ruled that the
question could not be put to show generally the manner
in which the coroner conducted the inquest.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—The jury put
many questions to the witnesses.

BY the Attorney-General—The jury made very strong
objections on the coroner not putting certain questions
to the witnesses.

The Attorney-General—What were they ?
Mr. Sergeant Shee—l object to the question.
Lord Campbell—That is a part of the proceedings at
,be

The Attorney-General varied his question.
Mr. Sergeant Shee again objected. The jury being
at liberty to put questions, it was not competent for the
prosecutor to put the question proposed to the witness
under examination.

Lord Campbell said that the judges were of opinion
the question could not be put. to the witness.
Mrs. Ann Brooks, examined by the Attorney-General,
stated she resided at Manchester. She was at Shrews-
bury in Nov., 1855, and she knew Palmer was at the
races, as she saw him there. She spoke to him on the
14th. She met him in the street, and she had a con-
versation with him. She asked him what horse was
to win, and he said Chicken. Palmer desired her to
call at the Raven the next day, about a horse called
Lord Derby. :She accordingly went to the Raven
that evening, about half-past ten, and her friends,
which she had with her, waited below. She was posi-
tive as to the hour, as she passed a clock, and had it
been later she should not have gone. As she was going up
stairs she met a servant;and asked her to tell Mr. Palmer
she was there. When she got up stairs she turned to
the left, as she knew what room Palmer occupied, as
she had called frequently at the hotel. The servant
told her Palmer was there (nodding her head towards
the door.) She saw Palmer standing in the room be-
side a table. He bad a tumbler is his hand with a
small quantity of liquid in it, which appeared to be
, water. She did not see him put anything into it ; but
he was ellaliiog it round and round. There was a light

near him. He held the glass up to the light, and said
he would be with her directly. Palmer first saw her
the moment she got to the top of the stairs.
He staid a minute or two longer at the table
with the glass in his hand. He held it up to
the light once or twice. Between the intervals she ob-
served him shaking it. While he was standing with the
glass she said to Palmer, " What very fine weather,"
and shortly after this, there being a door partially open
adjoining his, he carried the glass into that room, but
she heard no one speak to him. He stood there two or
three minutes and then returned with the glass in bi,
hand; it had still the liquid in it. He then took the
glass into his own sitting•room. In three or four minutes
he again returned. She shut the door after him. He
returned with a glass like the one he had in his hand ;
it bad brandy and water in it. She was certain it
was not the same colour of the liquid she first saw.
He the❑ entered into conversation with her
about the races, and that he should back Chicken.
She was present at the races, and Chicken lost.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Shee—Her name was
Brooks. She was a married woman, and attended the
races, but her husband never went with her. Her hus-
band had a very high appointment, and he did not sanc-
tion her going. She saw Herring for the first time at
Shrewsbury races. There was a good number of racing
men taken ill at Shrewsbury—one of her company was
dreadfully so. They thought the water had been
poisoned at Shrewsbury. The persons suffered from
sickness and were purged. A lady who met me at
Shrewsbury, and also another whom she knew, suffered
in that way. Palmer held the glass between his eyes
and the gas as if to see if anything was in it. The pas-
sage led to many rooms. He said, "I'll be with you
presently," as he held the glass to the light. There was
nothing suspicious about his conduct then. I thought
it might have been a cooling draught. I was not exa-
mined
before the Coroner.

By the Attorney-General—The brandy and water be
gave me was cold. I have been on friendly terms with
Palmer for a number of years.

Lavinia Barnes, waitress at the Talbot, examined by
Mr. James.—ln November, 1855, I was waitress at the
Talbot Arms. I knew both Palmer and Cook, and saw
Cook on the 12th, before he went to the Shrews-
bury races ; he appeared very well, in much his usual
health. I saw him on the Thursday following on his
return from Shrewsbury. I remember his retiring to
the Talbot Arms between 9 and 10 o'clock, after he
dined with Palmer on the Friday night. He was sober
and spoke to me. Elizabeth Mills attended him to his
room. saw him twice on Saturday. I remem-
ber on that day some broth was sent to the
Talbot for Cook. I took it up to him. He

said he could not take it, because he was too sick. I
brought it down stairs and put it in the kitchen. After
that I saw Palmer, and told him Cook could not take it
because he was too sick. Palmer replied, "He must
take it." It was afterwards taken to the deceased by
Elizabeth Mills. On the Sunday I did not see any
more broth sent to Cook. On the Sunday Elizabeth Mills
was taken ill betwen 12 and 1 o'clock. She was taken
ill with vomiting. She went to bed. I saw her
vomiting violently. She remained in bed till between
4 and 5 o'clock. She complained of sickness to me. I
saw some broth in the kitchen on that Sunday, but I
am unable to say where it was made, or where it came
from. On Monday morning I saw Palmer at the Talbot
Arms, between 7 and 8 o'clock. He told Elizabeth
Mills, in my presence, he was going to London. The
broth was in a sick cup in the kitchen ; it had two
handles ; it did not belong to the Talbot Arms.
The cup afterwards went back to Palmer's house.
During the Monday I saw Cook, but not till after din-
ner. Mr. Saunders, the trainer, came and saw him, and
I took brandy and water to him in Cook's room. I
slept that night in the next room to Cook's. I saw
Palmer at the Talbot Inn that night between eight and
nine o'clock. I saw him go up stairs in the direction of
Cook's room. About 12 o'clock (I had not gone to bed)
I was alarmed by Cook's bed-room bell ringing violently.
I was then in the kitchen. I went upstairs and found Cook
very ill ; he asked me to send for Palmer. Cook
screamed violently, and cried " murder," and said he
was suffocating. His eyes had a very wild appearance,
standing a great way out of his head ; he was beating '
the bed with his hands. I left the room, and sent the
boots for Palmer. I then called up Elizabeth Mills.

Cook cried out " Murder," and " Christ have mercy
on my soul," I had never before seen any person
in such a state. Palmer shortly after came to
the hotel and went up to C3ok. I saw him afterwards
when Palmer came ; be was then more composed. He
said, " Doctor, I shall die." Palmer replied, " Don't be
alarmed, my lad." I did not see any pills given him,
but I saw him drinking a darkish mixture he hail in his
band whilst Palmer was present. When he put the glass
to his mouth I heard him snap it with his teeth. I both
saw and heard the snapping of the glass with his teeth. lie
afterwards brought up the draught. She left him that
night between 12 and 1 o'clock. He was then more

composed. I saw him again on Tuesday morning. I

asked him how be was, and he said " a little better." I

saw him on several occasions on that day, and each
time he appeared better. On Tuesday night about 12
o'clock I was alarmed by the ringing of Cook's
bell. I was then in .the kitchen. The chamber-
maid who was with me went up stairs and
answered the bell. I followed her up. I did not
go into Cook's room, but I heard him screaming as I
stood on the landing near the door. Elizabeth Mills
fetched Palmer, who came, and went to the deceased.
I saw Palmer, and said ti him, "Mr. Cook is ill again."
Palmer said, "Is he?" Teere was nothing particular
in his dress. Palmer went into his room and came out
again, and said that Cook was not so bad by a fiftieth
part. Saw Jones in Mr. Cook's room attending
to him. Cook asked to be turned over. Palmer
was in the room. I went into the room
and came out again, and did not see him die.
After Mr. Cook's death I saw Palmer looking at Mr.
Cook's coat, and also under the bolster. I said, " Mr.
Cook can't be dead," and Palmer said, " Yes he is. I
knew he would be." He was then in the room with

,he body. Upon th© Thursday following Palmer asked

me for the key of the room where the 1;0 ly lay, as he
wanted some books and paper. Palmer went into the room
with the body, and when I got in there he sent me to Miss
Bond to ask for some novels, which I got for him, and

came back. Palmer was then looking upon the draw-
ers, and said he could not find the paper-knife, which
he had asked for. Mr. Jones, about four o'clock upon
the Friday, asked about Cook's betting book, and I

and Elizabeth Mills went to look for it. Jones said it
was of no use to any one but Cook. We came back

and said that we could not find it. Palmer said, Oh,
it will be found somewhere."
Cross-examined by Sergeant Shee—.When I told
Palmer Cook could not take the broth, Palmer said

he must take it. He did not say why. On that day
Cook had not had any solid food. I knew it was
before the Monday night that Palmer was there.
I knew be had been to London. I do not know
what time the train from London comes in. The station
is about a mile. lam not certain about the time. I
think that some one was holding the glass to Cook when
he was biting at it. I did not look for the betting,-book
in the drawers, because the undertakers were there.
The uuthrtakers used to have the key given to them to
go into deceased's room, and the women used to go into
the room.

Re-examined by the Attorney•General—The women
used to be left in the room. We used to be in and out
at the time. I saw the betting-book in Cook's room
before his death, but not after.
At the conclusion of this witness's re-examination the
Court adjourned for a short time.

The Court having resumed, the next witness called
was
Ann Rowley—Had been employed by Palmer as
charwoman, On the Saturday before Cook died Palmer
sent me to the Albion for some broth. I took it to
Palmer's house and then proceeded to do other work.
Palmer brought the broth in the broth-pot into the back
kitchen and told me to take it over to the Talbot Inn,
and say it was for Jeremiah Smith. He is a gentleman
residing in Rugeley, he is an attorney and a friend of
Mr. Palmer's. I took the broth to the Talbot
Arms and gave it to Lavinia Barnes. I
did not at that time know anything about Cook.
The broth was made by the landlady of the Albion.
By Lord Campbell—lt was about five minutes between
the time when I first taw the broth in the saucepan and
the time it was brought to me.
Charles Honley, a gardener, residing at Rugeley—l
was occasionally employed by Palmer. He asked me
if I would take tome broth to Mr. Cook ; it was be-
tween twelve and one, The broth was in a small cup,
with a cover. Palmer told me to take it across to the
Talbot to Mr. Cook. I did so. I thought the broth
was hot, and I could not say whether it was Mills or
Barnes I gave it to.
Sarah Bond was housekeeper at the Talbot, in Nov.
last. She knew Cook as he was in the habit of stopping
there. Cook went to the last Shrewsbury races. About
eight o'clock on Sunday evening I saw Cook and he said
he had been very poorly. I saw the prisoner en the same
evening. I asked him what he thought of Mr. Cook,
and the said he was better, On Sunday Palmer said
Smith would sleep with him that night. Palmer
said Cook would require some one to sleep
with him, and I asked if Jidgins should sleep
with him, but Cook objected. , Palmer when
he ordered the coffee did not say how it was to bo
made. I made the coffee and gave it to Palmer.
When I went into Cook's room Cook wais g,itting on the