The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-16 00:00:00

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 Ingeley, he is an attorney and a friend of
Pa!tner'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 Alb,on.
By Lord Campbell--It was about five minutes between
the time when I first saw the broth in the saucepan and
the time it was brought to me.

Charles Honey, a gardener, re,iiing at Rugeley—l ,
was occasionally employed by Palmer. He asked mu
if I would take some 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 on the same
evening. I asked him what be thought of Mr. Cook,
and the said he was better, On Sunday Palmer said
Smith would s'.eep with him that night. Palmer
said Cook would require s•ime 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 be
made. I made the coffee and gave it to Palmer.
When I went into Cook's room Cook was sitting on the
bed. I did not remain in the room. Cook was resting
on his elbow. On leaving the room I remained on the
landing. Palmer then came up and went into the
room. Shortly after Palmer left the room and returned
with some medicine. I heard Cook say he thought he
should die. Palmer cheered him up and said he would
do all ha could for him. On Tuesday she again saw
Cook, and then Mr. Jones came. I took Cook up some
jelly that day. When I took the jelly in Cook said
be thought he should die. I never saw Cook again
alive. On the Wednesday she got the key of Cook's
room, the door being locked. I took care of
the key, and afterwards gave it to Miss Barnes.
I gave it to her on the Thursday. After
I had given the key to Lavinia Barnes, on Thurs-
day, I went up to the room. I met Palmer coming out.
I am not quite certain who locked the door, but he gave
me the key. On Friday I gave the key to the under-
taker after Mr. Stevens's arrival.

Cross-examined by Mr. Grove—l saw Palmer on
Tuesday evening, for the first time, about 12 o'clock.
The passengers by the express train from London for
Rugeley had to take a fly at Stafford. lam unable to
say the time the passengers would arrive at Rugeley.
Cook was much worse, when he was irritable and wanted
to see Palmer. I conversed with him for two or three
minutes, whilst he was sitting up in bed.
Re-examined by the Attorney-General—l went to
Cook's room from Barnes telling me how ill he was, and
that she was going to fetch Palmer. From what I saw
I was induced to ask Palmer what medicine he had
given Mr. Cook.

Mr. William Henry Jones, examined by the Attorney-
General—l am a surgeon of Lutterworth, and was inti-
mately acquainted with the deceased. He resided with
me from time to time. I had been on intimate terms
with him for nearly 5 years. He was 23 years of age
when he died. He was of no profession. He was edu-
cated for the bar. He followed farming pursuits, kept
race-horses, and betted on the turf. I don't know when
Cook became acquainted with Palmer, but he had bee❑
so for 12 months. I attended him professionally from
time to time. His general health was good, though he
was not a robust man. In November last deceased
wrote me to came over to Shrewsbury to see his horse
run, and I went over. I spent Tuesday, the 13th, with
him, when his horse Pole Star won. .1 dined with him
that day at the Raven Hotel, in company with other
friends. There was a little extra champagne
drunk that day. The party broke up between 8 and 9
o'clock. Oa my way to the train Cook produced a bet-
ting-book, and calculated his winnings on the horse. I
did not examine his book. He made a statement as to
his winnings.

Mr. Sergeant Shea objected to Cook's statement
being admitted in evidence.
Examination continued—Cook was not the worse for
liquor that evening. When I left him about 10 o'clocki
there was nothing the matter with him likely to aff.Jc:;
his health. On the Monday following, I received a let-
ter from the prisoner which I now produce, and which
was as follows :

"Nov. 18, 1855.
" My dear sir,—Mr. Cook was taken ill at Shrews-
bury, and was obliged to call in a medical man. Since
then he has been confined to his bed with a bilious a'-
tack, accompanied with diarrhoea. It is advisable for
you to come and see him as soon as possible.—Yours,
&ea , " W. PALMER."
I received it on Monday morning. I was ill that day,
and did not get to itugeley till the following afternoon.
I immediately visited Cook. He expressed himself to
me as being very comfortable. I made inquiries after
his illness at Shrewsbury. He said he had been very ill
there. He did not state his sufferings, but said he had
been obliged to call in a medical man. Palmer after-
wards came to the Talbot, and I examined Cook in his
• presence. Cook's pulse was natural •, his tongue was
clean, and I remarked to Palmer, " This is hardly.the
tongue of a bilious diarrhceic attack." Palmer replied,
"You should have seen it before." I did not prescribe
for him then. I visited him several times in the course
of that afternoon, and I found in hint a change for the
better. He was certainly improving. He vomited that
afternoon, and be a•ked for toast and water,
which I gave him. There was no diarrhce I. The
toast and water that I. gave him I found in
the room. Mr. Bamford came about 7 o'clock that
evening. I heard from Palmer that Mr. Bamford ha I
previously attended Cook. That gentleman expressed
his opinion that Cook was progressing favourably. On
examining him and speaking about what ho was to have,
Cook said the pills male him ill the previous night, but
I don't recollect what led to that remark. After this
Palmer proposed that Mr. Bamford should make up
some mere morphine pills as before, and requested me
not to mention to Cook what they contained, as he ob-
jected to take so much morphine. Mr. Bamford agreed
to it, and then left. I went back to C mk's room with
Palmer, but remained only a short time. After that I was
in Co- k's room several times. He was very comfortable.
There was not any more vomiting or diarrhcea. I ob-
served no bilious symptoms excepting what he had re-
cently suffered. I saw Palmer again in Cook's room at
11 o'clock. He brought a box of pills with him. He
opened them and read the direction upon them. It was
upon a piece of paper. He called my attention to the
good hand of writing on the box. I did not see what
was on it. Palmer suggested C iok should take the
pills, but he objecteJ, upon the ground that they had
made him so ill upon the previous night. Palmer
I pressed him, and he complied, and vomited.
Palmer requested that the vessel might
be searched to see if the pills were there
He had only vomited toast and water. Ido not know
when he took that. The pills could not have caused it.
He lay down alter voinitting. Before he had taken
these pills he seemed better, and spoke of his future in•
tentions. After he had taken these pills we wentdown
stairs, and carne back about 12. It was at his (Coolee)
request that I arranged to sleep in the same room with
him. Cook seemed sleepy, bat better. I had not been
tan minutes in bed when he started up and said "I am
very ill ; ring the bell, and send for Mr. Palmer," and
caLed out to the girl to go for Mr. Palmer.
He asked me to give li:tri something, but I said Mr.
Palmer would be hcra directly. He asked me to rub his neck.
I did so at the back part. There was a stiffness of the
muscles. Palmer came in after the chambermaid, and
vaid, "I never was so soon dressed in my life." He
gave Cook two pills, which he said were ammonia. As
soon as Cook had taken them, he threw himself back in
bed, dreadfully convulsed. It could not have been from
the last taken pills. Ile said he should be suffo-
cated. He was most dreadfully convulsed in
the muscles all over the body. I endeavoered
to rouse him, when he said he should be suffocated, but
could not, owing to the rigidity of his limbs. He we.,
quite sensible, and asked to be turned over. I listened

to the beatings of the heart, and finding that it was fall-
ing off asked Palmer to bring some ammonia as a stimu-
lant. He went to his house and soon came back. At
that time he was gradually sinking, and life was almost
extinct. The time between the period I turned Cook
and that of his eleath was about ten minutes. In my
judgment he died from tetanus ; by that I mean
lock-jaw—every muscle of the body was stiffened. Toe
muscular action of the body stopped the circulation. It
is that spasmodic contraction which causes suffocation.
When death took place I was standing by the side of
the bed. Cook died on his side. The external appear.
ance of the body after death was very dark. The hands
were clenched. When I was rubbing the neck I did not
see the hands clenched. The head was quite bent back,
and the body was twisted back. I noticed that ap-
pearance immediately after he had thrown himself
back. If I bad placed the body on a level sur-
face it would have rested on its head and heels. I
observed after death all the muscles were affected.
Palmer remained about half an hour after dark, and he
wished for some women to be sent for to lay him out.
I left the room for a short time, but returned and found
the prisoner there with Cook's coat in his hand, and he
remarked that I, being his nearest friend, had batter
take possession of his efects. I took possession of his
watch and his purse containing 5 sovereigns and five
iss ags That was all I could find. I could not
find his betting-book. Before Palmer left he said
8h 1a it bad thing for him that Cook was dead, as he
w
an ds hreeshP:pnesii friends blo f';re threen wouldor fournot let
h
t i
m lo
thousandse
ip to,
foruiid
if
they didn't aseisthina all his horses would be seized. There
was nothing said about securities. I was present on
Friday, when Mr. Stevens was talking about the burial
of Cook. Palmer said he should bury Cook if Stevens
did not. Palmer, Stevens, Bamford, and myself dined
together. After dinner Stevens asked me to go and
Miner being then present.
look for the betting-book,
I -went and searched the ioom.' 'Palmer was there, as
he followed ma up Attics. 004 the night C ,ok
died Palmer said the betting book would be
of use to no one. This was said on his taking
possession of Cook's effects. It was when I was unable
to find the book that the remark was made. I asked
Palmer when I was looking for Cook's papers where the
letting book was ? Palmer said, "Oh, it will be of use
to nu.one, as the bets are void." Palmer went up
st airs - when I went to the bed-room. I asked
th e servants about it, but they did not
kn ow anything about it. I then went to Stevens,
an, f told him the result of the search. I was absent from
Coalet4 room two or three minutes after his death. I left
i?alme r there.

By .Lord Campbell—At the conference with us medi•
cal man nothing Has said of Cook's symptoms on the
irevicrus night.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Shee—l knew Cook
had boon slightly ill before this, and that he had been
under Dr. Savage's treatment. I knew he had treated
himself with mercury, and that he had suffered from

slight ulceration of the throat and the back part of the
tongue, but it did not make it very troublesome for him
to swallow. I know Cook had applied caustic t') his
tongue, and that he had had it done. He had ceitQed to
have it done two months before his death. He did not,
in consequence, complain of soreness of the tongue. I
had seen him occasionally during thoae two months.
I never heard him express any apprehension
about some spots that had appeared on his body, or that
he was apprehensive of suffering from secondary symp-
toms. His habits generally speaking were correct, but
he might have occasionally indulged himself. He had
reduced his circumstances a little by racing, but was
redeeming himself about the time of his death.
Cook possessed Pole Star and several other horses
of his own, and one in which he was joint
owner with Palmer. That was a mare under the charge
of Saunders, the trainer. Cook was very arixiMle about
the events of the Shrewsbury races. It was of great im-
portance to him that his horse should win. He was
very much excited after the race was won. For about
two or three minutes he could not Fpeak. He was very
much pleased and elated the remainder of the day. The
next I heard of Cook after the races was from Palmer's
letter. Palmer no doubt knew very well
who I was, and the.t I was in practice as a surgeon at
Lutterworth. Cook disliked taking pills, and he said
at Rugeley that Dr. Savage had desired him not to take
calomel or opium. The effect of morphine would be to
sooth him and slightly produce constipation
of the bowels. When Cook was first
attacked at night, and Palmer came, Cook said, " Pal-
mer, give me the remedy you gave me the night before."
I was occupied ten minutes rubbing Cook's neck.
After Palmer gave Cook the two last pills,
three or four minutes elapsed before he died. He died
so quietly that I hardly knew when he was dead. I have
seen tetanus from wounds. I mentioned tetanus at the

inquisition.
At the request of Mr. Sergeant Shoe the witness's ex-
amination before the coroner was referred to.
The Attorney-General said it appeared that " com-
pression" was first written by the coroner's clerk, then
" tetanus," both of which he had scratched out, and
then " violent convulsions."
Examination continued--On the inquest he stated in
consequence of my surprise at Palmer's death,
that at the time of his death I attributed it to excite-
ment. So far as I can recollect, I did not read over
my evidence before the coroner p►evious to my signing it.
Tne depositions of the witness before the coroner was
then read over by the clerk of the court.
Cross-examination continued—ln the evidence just
read it was stated Palmer was with me ten minutes. I
am sure it was not twenty minutes. I never said Cook
died of apoplexy; it looked more like epilepsy. I did
not know Pratt, but I brought a letter from him to
Cuok. He read it, but it did not appear to affect him.
I have seen Palmer's racing establishment ; it was very
good.

By the Attorney-General—He was not acquainted
with the value of race horses. I know that the part-
nership relative to (Perin) one of the horses bad been
put an end to prior to C .ok's death. Ia the case of
tetanus he had seen death occur in three days. The
patient died in three days. In epilepsy consciousness is
lost; in apoplexy it is also lost. lam quite satisfied that
Cook did not die of apoplexy.
Lavinia B irises recalled and examined by
Sergeant Stiee—Did Mr. Cook say on Monday morn-
ing he had been very ill on Sunday night ?
Witness—Yes, he did.
The Attorney-General—Let Elizabeth Mills be called.
The Attorney-General—Do you remember going into
Cook's room upon the Monday morning, and what did
he tell you about his being disturbed in the night ?
Witness—He said he had been mad for some minutes.
Attorney-General—Was that an answer to a question
put by you ?
Witness—l said why did you not ring the bell, and be
sail because I thought that you would be asleep and
would not hear me.
Attorney-General—Did he say anything to you about
something taking pace in the street?
Witness—Yes ; he sail ho thought there bad been a
quarrel in the street.
Attorney-General—Did he say what effect it had upon
him ?

Witness —No ; nothing more.
Attorney-Genera'--Was that all he said ?
"Witness—All that I can recollect.
Dr. Henry Savage, examined by the Attorney-Gene-
ral—l reside at 7, Gloucester-place. I have known
Cook for four years, and his health was good, although
he was not a robust man. I only suspected there was
pulmonary disease in consequence of his throat. When
he was in town he used to call on me, but it was always
through indigestion. Later on one occasion he called
on me. fie was suffering from indigestion.
He had two shallow ulcers on the tongue,
but they might have been caused through bad teeth.
He had some spots about him, and be said he had been
under a mild mercurial course. The day before he came
to me he had bee❑ taking mercury. I gave quinine as
a tonic, and cr,am of tartar, magnesia, and sulphur as
an aperient. I never gave antimony. I Paw him in
June, as I was anxious to see that my course of
medicine was correct. When he came I always
examined him carefully. His throat exhibited no bad
appearance. I saw him on the 29th of October, and
about a week after I examined him particuiarly, as he
was going away. I wished him logo abroad, and dwelt
slightly ❑pon pulmonary disease in order to induce him
to go away.
Cross-examined—Cook was timid about his throat.
The last tune I saw him there was a redness about one of
the tonsils. Brandy and water would not do him any
good under any circumstances.
Charles Newman, cross-examined by Mr. E. James—
lam assistant to Mr. Salt, surgeon, of Rugeley. It was
on Monday the 19th Palmer came. I was alone. He
asked me for three grains of strychnine. I weighed it
accurately. I gave it to him in a suoall paper. It is a
white powder. He made no remark, but took it away,
and said good night. I knew him to be a medical man,
and made no charge. We do not sell it—we are sur-
geons, and should not sell it made up.
Mr. James—flew long did this occupy ?
Witness—About two minutes.
Examination continued—l saw Palmer again on
Tuesday the 20th, at Mr. Hawkins, the druggist's, We
deal there for drugs. lam in the habit of calling there
very frequently. Palmer was in there. He asked me
how I was, and put his hand upon my shoulder and ;
said he wanted to speak to me. I went with him into
the street. Whp❑ we got there he asked when Mr. E.
Salt was going to his farm. He is the son of wy employer.
The farm is at Sudbury. Palmer has not any interest
in that farm. Bressington came up and spoke to me
about two bills for Mr. Salt. Palmer drew aside. Bre
sington is a cooper. The bills were for work done for
Mr. Salt. While I was talking t Bressington Palmer
went again into Hawkins's shop. I saw him come out
again. I saw Salt talking to Bressington, and am
not sure tha.: he spoke to me. Palmer went in
the direction of his own home, which is about
200 yards from Palmer's house. When I returned into
Hawkins's, Roberts the assistant was there, and we bad
some conversation about Palmer. I know Thurlby.
He succeeded Palmer in his business, and dispenses
drugs. Upon Sunday, the 25th, I had been sent for,
but do not know by whom. Palmer was in the kit-
chen reading. He asked me to have some brandy. I
am not quite sure that I sat down. No one
was present. He asked what dose of strych-
❑ine would kill a dog. I told him a grain.
He said would it be found in the stomach, and what
would be the appearances. I told him it would not 111
show any inflamatiou, and I did not think it could be
found. Palmer snapped his fingers and said, as if to
himself, "all right."
Mr. Edwin James—Did anything material in the way
of conversation follow that ?
Witness—No, no.hing.
Mr. Edwin James—The conversation lasted about
five minutes.

The witness in continuation said—The post mortem
examination was to take place on Monday. On Sun•
day I went with Mr. Salt to ask Dr. Bamford
to allow me to attend the examination. After
that I saw Palmer at Dr. Bamford's. He said he
should not attend the examination, and a•ked if Mr.
Salt intended to go, and I replied, "No." Palmer asked
ine what I wanted there, and I said I was going
to the post mortem examination. Dr. Harland went
with me and Dr. Bamford to the examination. Mr.
Frere, surgeon, was there. Palmer, however, went with
them to the Talbot. Whilst there Palmer and I were
left alone together. He said it would be a dirty job,
and asked me to go with him and have some
brandy. I went with him to his house which
was just opposite the Talbot, aad had some
—about a wine glass. Palmer drank two glasses.
Ho said " You'll find this fellow (meaning Cook)
suffering from diseased throat. He has had
syphilis. He has taker► a great deal of mercury."
During this • time Palmer was watching at
the window, and when the surgeon returned to the '
Talbot we went over. During the post mortern, examina-
tion Palmer stood by Dr. Bamford near the fire. I
di i not state before the Coroner Palmer's having three
grains of strychnine on the 19. h November. I first in-
formed Cheshire the postmaster of it.

Mr. Sergeant Shee objected to the admission of this
evidence, but the question was not pressed.
Cross-examined by Mr. Grove—The first time I men-

tinned about tbree grains of strychnine was after the
inquest. I can't say if it tsas two or three days or a
week afrer. It certainly was less than a fortnight
alter the inquest. Subsequent to the inquest,
I was examined with a view to giving evidence
on the part of the Crown. I did not state this
purchase of the grain of strychnine when first
examined on the part of the Crown, but I
did the conversation I had with Palmer relative
t') the effect of strychnine on a dog. I had mentioned
that conversation to Mr. Salt ; but I can't say when. I
have been twice examined with a view to my evi-
dence this day—once by Mr. Gardner, some time after
the inquest. I mentioned to him the conversation
_ _

I had with Palmer about the dog, but not the purchase
of of the three grains of strychnine. I did not state at the
inquest anything about the purchase of the strychnine
by Palmer, nor the conversation I had with
him relative to the dog, I did not mention at the in-
quest the conversation I had with Palmer about Cook's
suffering from sore throat, &c. I had heard before the in-
quest that it was rumoured that Palmer purchased the
strychnine at Hawkins's shop. My evidence before the
coroner Was to show that it was not purchased then. I
did not state before the coroner that the strychnine was
purchased on a Saturday.
The witness's depositions taken by the coroner were
then read by the Clerk of the Court. The original de-
positions stated it was on Tuesday ; in the copying of