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

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.—May 14.

THE RUGELEY POISONINGS.
[A_ part of the following appeared in oar impression of
yesterday.]

The court having resumed, the first witness called was
Ishmael Fisher, who was examined by Mr. Edwin
James, Q.C. He stated that he was a wine merchant,
and was in the habit of attending races. He had known
John Parsons Cook, the deceased, for two years. He (wit-
ness) was at the Shrewsbury races, when Polestar, the
property of Mr, Cook, won the handicap ; on which day
he saw Mr. Cook upon the course, and he then appeared
in as good health as ever he saw him. While he (wit-
ness) was stopping at Shrewsbury he lived at the Raven
Hotel. He knew the prisoner well ; he and Cook were
stopping at the same hotel ; they occupied an adjoin-
ing room, which was only s ,parated by a thin
partition ; they occupied also a sitting room. On the
occasion of his entering the room one evening duril,g the
races he found Mr. Palmer, Mr. Cfiok, and Mr. Myatt
They had grog before them. Mr. Cook had some. It
was brandy and water. He (Cook) asked him to it
down, and a short time after Cook asked Palmer to have
some more grog, upon which Palmer replied, " I shall
not have any more until you have drank yours." Cook
said, "I'll drink mine." He then took the glass up,
and drank it off. After he had drank the grog, in
about a minute after he said, "There's something
in it ; it burns my throat dreadfully." Palmer then
got up and took up the glass, and sipped up what was
left, and said there was n ,thin~ in it. He ( witness) should
imagine there was about a teaspoonful lett, as he had to
tip up the glass. At this time Mr. Reade came in, and
Palmer handed the glass to Reade and asked him if there
was anything in it. He also was handed the glass by
Palmer, and they both said there was so little left that
they could not tell, but he (witness) thought there was
a strong scent about it.
Lord Campbell —Did you put it to your lips
Witness--No, my lord.
Lord Campbell—How, then, do you know about the
scent?
Witness—By the smell, my lord.

Examination continued—Palmer shortly after retired
from the room, and Cook told him he felt very ill and
very sick, and he asked me to take his money, and he
then handed witness his cash, which amounted to about
7001. or 8001. in Bank of England notes. The money
was given to him merely to take care of, and very soon
after Cook was taken very sick again. When he came
back, after retiring, he said he bad been again very sick;
he asked me to go up to his bed-room, and I did so. Mr.
Jones, a stationer, went with us into the bed•roorn
and deceased was so ill that I thought it right to send
for Dr. Gibson. We stayed with deceased un-
till two o'clock in the morning. We sent a second
time for Dr. Gibson after he had seen deceased a second
time. Deceased was more composed. We administered
the medicine which Dr. Gibson bad sent him. Upon
going down into my room the next morning I found
Cook there, and he complained that solne one had said
that he (Palmer) had given Cook something in his brandy
and water, or something of that sort. Palmer said,
"I did not ; Ido not try tricks of that sort." He said,
" I can tell you what he was ; he was d—d drunk."
Cook was not drunk the night before, but had been
drinking previously to my seeing Palmer. Tnat morn-
ing Cook. had coma into my bed-room. He looked
very ill. I gave him his money. I saw him that
afternoon upon the Shrewsbury race course. I used to
pay ins debts as his agent when deceased did not pay
them himself. When he was upon the race course I
saw he had a betting-baok in his naud. His winnings at
the Shrewsbury race, in the proper course, I should have
received. 1 nal a ivanced 2,0001. to pay Pratt, and
sn(iuld have repaid myself tnat out of wilat, I might
have received upon behalf of the deceased.
Cross-examine I by Mr, Sergeant Shee—He never re-
collected paying any money to Palmer in which Cook
had a joint interest. He recollected Polestar won the
handicap about an hour after the races began at Shrews-
bury. He saw Cook on tne course after the race, and
he appeared to be mach elated. Polestar won the race
easy. When he went into the room Cook asked hilt to
take something, and ordered some brandy for him.
He would not swear he did not take some-
thing to drink, but he did not recollect doing
so. When he took up the glass it was empty. No-
thing could be ascertained as to what it eoutained.
I had been at the Unic.irn. I dined there about the
usual time. Ido nut recollect seeing Cook at the Uni-
corn before the race. I did not see Cook at the Red
Rover. It was about nine in the evening that I saw
Cook at the Unicorn. Ido not know that many con-
nected with the race had been taken ill that day. I had
a friend that was taken ill, but it was not the earns ill-
ness as that of Mr. Cook. Ido not recollect that the
Thursday was very wet ; it might have been cla,np un-
derfoot, or that it was wet the day before. I heard that
prisoner and deceased had breakfasted together that day.
I did not know that they left for Shrewsbury. I received
the letter about the 200/. for Pratt upon the 17th. The
deceased did not seem to treat Palmer with so much re-

spect, but I do not know that there was any estrange-
ment between Palmer and Cook. I believe they were
partners together in racing matters, but I have not had
any positive knowledge of it. Palmer hart a horse in
the race called Chicken. It ran the last day of the race,
and lost. The deceased was not more excited than per-
sons usually are who have won a race. Polestar ran in
the handicap.
Thomas Toneg, law stationer in Carey-street, said he
was at Shrewsbury races in last Nuvensber, and lodged
during his stay at the Raven. He arrived on Monday,
the 12th. Cook and Herring, Fisher and Gravat were
present. Cook appeared perfectly well, as he did
on the Tuesday and Wednesday. Late at n;ght
on Wednesday he went to the Raven, and Cook came
into his (witness's) room and invited him into his. He
went there and found Palmer and other persons present.
After the party broke up Fisher came to him and told
him something about Cook, in consequence of which ►ie
went into Cook's bed-room, and found hiin complaining
of a burning in his throat, and he was vomiting. Some
medicine was brought—pills and a draught. He gave a
portion of the medicine to Cook. It was a small quan-
tity, mixed in a wine glass. On the following morning,
between 6 and 7 o'clock, although he was still in bed, he
said he was easier and better. He did not notice how
he (Cook) looked.

Mr. George Reid examined by Mr. Bodkin, of Far-
ringdon-noarket, stated he was intimate with both Cook
and Palmer. He saw Cook on Tuesday on the Shrews-
bury race course. He was then in as good health as he
ever knew him to be. On the day following he saw him
and he appeared quite well. 'He stopped at the Raven.
When he went into the room in which Cook and Palmer
were, there was brandy and water on the table.
Almost immediately after he entered the room
he saw Cook was in pain, and beard him say to
Mr. Palmer there was something in the
brandy and water. Redid not see him drink any of the
brandy and water. Palmer banded him (witness) the
glass to look at, but there was nothing in it. He said
to Palmer " Whre, is the use of banding him the glass
when it is empty." Cook then left the room, and he
did not see anything of Cook that night. On the fol-
lowing morning, about 11 o'clock, he again saw Cook ;
he was up, nod in hi-4 sitting-room. He did not make
any complaint, but Mr. Howard said he was very id.
Cross examined by S irgeant Shee—Cook a lways ap-
peared to be in good health. He was not a strong man,
but he never heard him complain.
Mr. Baron Alderson—Ydu had some of the brandy
and water, didn't you?
Witness—Yes, my lord.
By the Attorney-General—He had known Cook some
time, and had never known him to be prevented by ill-
health from following his pursuits.
W. Skaif Gibson, assistant to the surgeon at Shrews.
bury. On the the 14th of November last he was sent
for to go to the Raven Hotel at Shrewsbury. It was
between twelve and one in the night. He saw
Mr. Cook in his. bed room, but he was not in bed.
He complained of pajiei,iix the stomach, and he likewise
said he thought be had been " poisened." His pulse
beat about 90. His tongue was pbrfectly clean. The
abdomen was distended. He ordered an emetic, when
Cook said he could make himself sick with warm water.
A pint of warm water was brought, which he drank,
and he then said he could make himself sick
with a tooth-brush, which he eventually did. He ex-
amined the vomit and found it perfectly clean. He sent
Mr. Cook some pills and a draught. The pills were
composed of rhubarb and calomel. There was about
three grains of calomel. The draught was composed of
a compound of senna and other ingredients. In about
half an hour after he had given the medicines to Reid
he gave to Mr. Jones some other medicines, but he did
not see Cook after that evening.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—He did not
notice anything in what he had vomited. He
was excited by drink, but not drunk. The•fact of ima-
gining he had taken poison would excite any person.
The remedy he prescribed he considered correct.

By the Attorney-General—lf thare was anything the
matter with the stomach the tongue would •be die-
coloured.

Elizabeth Mills, the chambermaid at the Talbot
arms in Rugeley. The prisoner practised as a medical
man there. On Thursday the prisoner and Mr. Uook
arrived, and he then complained of being poorly. On
Friday he said he was
.no worse, but he was not well.
When Cook came in about half-past twelve, she asked
him if he was any better since ,he had been out. Hs
sail the felt no worse. He had that evening been
dining with Palmer. On going to his room be
asked for his medicines; and a light to read
by. About 8 o'clock Palmer came over to the Talbot.
He ordered a cup of coffee for Mr. Cook. He gave his
coffee to Cook in his bedroom. Palmer was present,
and she gave the coffee into Cook's hands, but she did
not see him drink it. On examining the apartment she
found the coffee had been vomited. The utensil was
standing on a little table by the side of the bed. She
could net remember making any remark to Palmer or
Cook. There was no jug with toast and water in the
room on the Friday,but on Saturday a jug not belonging
to the house was sent down from Cook's room with
a request that some fresh toast and water might be
made. ;She wa,.. positive the jug did not belong to the
Talbot Lon, and that it was brought from Cook's room.
Palmer 'crag in and out Cook's room that day about
five or six times, and she heard him tell Cook he would
6944 1--grA male broth over, au4 ihortly &Ramada olle

saw the broth in the kitchen. She was sure the brotht
had not been made in the Talbot Arms. On the broth
arriving it was taken up by the barmaid. About ten
minutes after the broth had been taken she met Palmer
on the stairs, and he asked her if Mr. Cook had had
his broth. She told Palmer she did not know any had
come, when Lydiaßarnes came out of the commercial room
and said she had taken the broth to Cook, but he had
refused to take it. Palmer then said to her, "Go fetch
the broth, Cook must have it." She accordingly fetched
the broth, and took it to Cook's room, in which Palmer
was, and she left it there. She was quite sure the broth
was the same that Palmer sent, and that it was not made
in the Talbot. She found this broth had also been
vomited. On the same evening, about six o'clock, there
was some barley-water made for Mr. Cook in the hotel,
which she took to him. She could not state whether
that stayed upon his stomach—sometimes it would, and
sometimes it would not. At eight o'clock on Saturday
some arrowroot was made in the kitchen, which was
taken to Cook. Jerry Smith is a friend of Palmer's. I
asked Cook the next morning how he felt. He said he had
slept since 12, and was better. Between twelve and one
some broth was brought over, not ready for drinking, for
Cook. I took it up and tasted it, about two spoons-
ful ; and about an hour after was taken sick, and
vomited violently until about five. When I went to bed
I had vomited a great many times. I had been quite well
before, and had not, that I know Of, taken anything to make
me ill. I got up again about six. I saw Cook again that
evening ; he seemed better, and was in good spirits. He
went to bed about ten, The- broth made him sick.
The next morning I took Mr. Cook up a cup of coffee ;
that was about ten. About seven I saw Palmer
coming down stairs, as if he had been to see Cook.
Cook got up about one ; he shaved and dressed
himself, as if he was going out. He said he was
better. I saw him have some arrow-root, which did not
disagree with him. The coffee did not make him sick.
Cook's jockey and trainer called that day to see him. I
did not see Palmer azain upon that day until the night.
Palmer came to the Talbot between 9 and 10. Palmer
Eat down in Cook's room, and she never saw him
till a quarter before twelve. On Monday a pill-
box was brought about eight o'clock. Miss Bond, the
housekeeper, gave it to her to take to Cook's room. She
did so, and placed the box on the dressing table. The
box was wrapped in white paper, and on that day she
had not seen Palmer since the morning ; but Palmer
went into the room after she had left the pills on the table.
She went to bed between 10 and 11, when shortly after
she was called up, and she heard violent screaming.
She heard him first scream as she was dressing herself.
She slept in the storey above Mr. Cook's room. On en-
tering Cook's room she found him sitting up in bed, and
he desired her to fetch Mr. Palmer directly. She said
Mr. Palmer was already sent for ; and she then walked
to the bed side and found one of the pillows on the floor.
She picked up the pillow and asked him to lay his head
down. He was beating the bed clothes with his arms
stretched out. Cook said he could not lie down, or he should
be suffocated, and he then called out very loud, "Oh,
fetch Mr. Palmer." There was a sort of jumping or
jerking about the head and neck, and indeed all over the
body, and sometimes he would throw himself about the
bed. His breathing was very difficult, and both his
eye-'balls very much projected. He could by this time
scarcely sneak, but he screamed two or three times ; he
kept continually moving and knocking himself about.
Ho called aloud " murder"—he repeated the word twice.
He asked me to rub one of his han'ls, and she found
it stiff. It war the left hand ; it was quite stiff and
did not move in the slightest manner. As soon as Cook
thought she had rubbed his hand sufficiently, he thanked
her for it. Palmer was in the room while she was rub-
bing his hand. Cook was quite conscious, and while she
was rubbing his hand she observed his body twitching.
He recognised Palmer, and said " Oh, doctor, I shall
die ;" and he replied, " Oh, my lad, you won't." Palmer
then left the room, and asked her to stay by
the bedside. In a few minutes the prisoner returned, and
brought some pills, and he also gave him a draught from a
wine glass—first the pills and then the draught. When
Cook took the pills he s,id they had stuck fast io his
throat and he could not swallow them. Palmer told her
to give him a little toast water. When she gave him
the water his body was still jerking. When she gave
him the liquid he snapped at the spoon and took it be-
tween his teeth. It was very difficult to get it back, as
hs held it so fast. The water passed down his throat.
Palmer after this handed him the draught. It was
a dark, thick, heavy looking liquid. Cook
snapped at the glass just as he had done at the
spoon. He swallowed the draught, but it was vomited
immediately, and as she held his forehead over the
utensil she smelt the vomit; it was like opium. Palmer
sail to her he hoped the pills were not there, and he
searched with a quill for them but could not find them,
and then he desired her to take it away and look over it
to see if she could find the pills. She did so, but did not
fins the pills. After the utensil had been empti,d
it was brought back to the room, and afterwards Cook
seemed a little easier. From the time she entered the
room until be became easier, it would be about half an
hour. After Cook had become more composed he asked
Palmer to feel his heart how it beat. Palmer went to
the bedside, but she could not say whether he felt his
side, but he said to him it was all right. When she left
the room about 3 o'clock Mr. Cook was not then asleep,
but Palmer was asleep in the easy chair. About 6 o'clock
the next morning, upon going into Mr. Cook's room,
he asked her if she had ever seen anybody suffer as he
had done the previous night. She said no, and he then
replied hehopedshe would never see anybody like it again.
She asked him what he thought was the cause of the
attack, and he said, " The pills Palmer gave me at
half-past 10." She did riot think anything else was said.
On this occasion he seemed perfectly composed and quiet,
but his eyes were very wild. There was jerking or
twitching of the body. At about 12 o'clock on that
day he sent over to Palliser to see if he might
have a cup of coffee. Palmer said he might, and that
it would be over immediately. When she took the
coffee up Palmer was in the room, and he took the coffee
and tasted it, he said, to see if it was too strong. She
left the coffee in Palmer's hands and she afterwards
left the room. Mr. Jones then arrived. During the
evening she saw Cook, and he appeared iii good spirits,
and talked about getting up the next morning, and
ordered the barber to be sent for. Some arrow-root was
given him that evening. She did not see Cook after
half-past ten, at which time Palmer was in the
room. She gave him some toast water at the door,
and Palmer then said to Cook " Can this good girl
do anything more for you to-night?" arid Cook said
" No," and bade me good night. She did not go to
bed that night, but sat up in the kitchen, as she was
anxious to see ho w he got on. Whileshe was in the kitehen
the bell of Mr. Cook's room rang violently at 10 minutes
past 12, the same hour as on the previous night. She im-
mediately went up stairs and found Mr. Cook sit-
ting up in bed. Mr. Jones was supporting
him, and immediately she went into the room,
Cook said, "Oh, Mary, go for Mr. Palmer." She went
to Mr. Palmer's, and ring the surgery bell, and the pri-
soner came to the bedroom window ae soon as she rang the
bell. He did not open his window, but opened a small
square of glass, and spoke to her. She knew his
voice, and was certain it was he. She told
him to come over to Cook immediately as he
was much the same as he was the night before. She
was in the bed-room when Palmer came, anal on enter
ing the room, he said he had never dressed so quick in
his life hefore. Cook was still sitting up in the
bed, and Jones was still supporting him. She waited on
the landing, and in about a minute or two Palmer
.
came out and said he was not so ; he
went in the direction of his own house. Palmer left the
house and returned in a short time and re-entered Cook'.
room. She then went to the door and she heard Cook
ask to be turned over on his right ride. She
was not in the room at the moment of his death,
but was there a few minutes, before Mr. Jones
.
was attending on him. He was supporting and
be bad his right arm under Mr. Cook's head.
Palmer was feeling Mr. Cook's pulse, and he said
to Mr. Jones, " His pulse is gone." Mr. Jones
placed his hand to the side of Cook's heart;
he lifted up his arm, but he never spoke. Palmer told
her to go for Dr. Bamford. Dr. a-milord came, and on his
eoming down stairs she met Min, and he told her
he was dead, and was so when he arrived. Witness then
sat down on the stairs, and after about ten minutes Mr.
Jones came out of the room, and said " Mr. Palmer wants
you," or words to that effect. She went into the room
while Cook was lying dead, and Palmer was
there alone. She said to Palmer, "Is it
possible Mr. Cook is dead ?" Palmer replied,
"Oh yes, he's dead." He said nothing more. He asked
her who she thought would come to lay him out. She
named two women she thought Mr. Palmer knew, and
he said those are just the women, and he directed
her to fetch them. She had seen, during the time
Mr. Cook was lying ill, a betting-book. It was
a dark book with a gold band—not a large one. It bad
a clasp on ona end, and was longer than it was
broad. It had a pencil and case on one side,
and she had seen him with the book before this time in
the possession. of Cook. The last time she saw the book
was on the Monday night before the attack. It
and
Cook asked her to
i
was lying on the looking-g!asd,
give him the book and pen and nk, as he was going to
write. She gave him the things. She had
searched every place and could not find the book. On
the Tuesday night, ten minutes after C'ook's death,
she went into the room
and found Palmer with a coat
she had seen Cook wear searching the pockets,
and he also searched under the pillow
and bolster. She saw two or three letters lying
on the chimneypiece, but she never saw those
papers left. She had seen those letters on the
shelf while Cook was alive, but had not seen them since,
The Court then adjourned till 10 to-morrow morning.

ROYAL NAVAL SCHOOL, NEW CROSS. —At a time
when the enthusiasm of Englishmen has been excited by
the recent magnificent display at Spithead so typical of
our old naval renown, we would once more call attention
to the proposed erection of a swimming bath, at the
Royal Naval School, New Crosq, where so many of the
sons of the gallant defenders of our country are receiving
the blessings of a valuable education, Since we an-
nounced the gracious contributions of her Majesty and
Prince Albert, we are happy to state that amongst
other donations of smaller amounts the following
liberal contributions have been received ; Earl Man-
vers
Washington, 101. 10s. ; the
Earl 101. 108. ; Captain
of Yarborough, 51. ; the Marquis of Tweeddale, 51.;
Capt. Kent, 77th Regiment (a former pupil) 51., and
General Sir John Owen, R.M., 3/. The amount sub-
scribed is 2701., but it has been found that the cost of
erecting a bath of adequate dimensions and suitable ac-
commodation with the requisite warming apparatus, will
cost 4501., a larger sum than was originally contemplated,
but which the friends of the service wilt, we trust, sup-
ply. If adequate funds be not forthcoming at Midsum-
mer the Council will no doubt feel reluctantly com-
pelled, rather than erect an unsuitable bliildiPz) to de.
for tho proj,ot for a for mu* loDgor..