The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-10 00:00:00

DEATH OF A WIFE FROM NEGLECT.

On Monday evening Mr. Richards resumed and con-
cluded an inquest, at the Windsor Castle Tavern,Victoria
Park, respecting the death of Ann Arnold, aged 61
years, who died from the effects of neglect.
From the evidence it appeared that the unfortunate
deceased was left a widow by her first husband seven
years ago, and she then had a competency of £7OO in money
and a beershop. In a year after, George Arnold, a shoe
finisher, with a family of several children, came across
her, and she married him. Her money was soon squan-
dered in drink, and for some time past she was reduced
to a state of the most abject misery. Latterly she
became bedridden, and her husband and his grown sons
used to go out at five in the morning, and leave her
alone all day with her daughter-in-law, who was
an idiot and a cripple. She was short of food and allother
necessaries. On the 17th of May the husband left the
house altogether, On the 20th the neighbours caused the
deceased to be taken to the workhouse, and she was ad-
mitted in a dying state, dressed only in one garment, and
covered with filth and vermin. There was a wound in her
head, which was at first supposed to have been caused
by a blow, but which was in reality the result of
neglected abscess. Worms crept in and out of it. Death
eventuated in two days from the effect of pleurisy, accele-
rated by want of food, of medical attendance, and of
ordinary comforts. The coroner's officer stated that every
effort had been made by the police to trace the husband,
but hitherto without success. The coroner having summed
up the case, the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter
against George Arnold for killing and slaying,,Ann Arnold,
his wife. The coroner issued his warrant for the appre-
hension of the accused.

THE EXTRAORDINARY IRISH WILL CASE.

This extraordinary case is still proceeding. His lord-
ship, on taking his seat, referred to a statement of
counsel for the defendant, to the effect that either the
whole will or none of it should be established, and said
that on going into the evidence he thought it right
to observe that there were features in the case in which
it might become possible to sustain or set aside a
portion of the will. Evidence for the defence was then
given, and the first witness examined was Susan
McGuinness, who had been housemaid in Johnstown
Castle, and was now in the service of Lord Granard. She
deposed to the state of health of the testatrix at the time
of signing the will, and that after she had heard it was
signed Lady Esmonde said, " They made me sign that,
but lam sorry, as I had some alteration to make." On
cross-examination, she stated that the will was not men-
tioned, but she understood that was what was referred
to. Sally Fitzpatrick deposed that she entered
the late Lady Esmonde's service forty-one years ago,
and continued in it until her ladyship died. She
said : When I heard of Lady Esmonde's illness I went up
and saw her. She was in a most exhausted state. She
did not take a " bit of notice of me." That was on Fri-
day, and witness remained at the Castle till the death of
Lady Esmonde. Witness added that the deceased was
very weak in her mind. Early on the Monday morning
she saw Mrs. Deane Morgan in the room, who said to
witness that the deceased was going to sign a
paper, and witness left the room. On her return Mr.
Meredith, the Rev. Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Browne were
there. When the deceased was dying she said to witness,
" I am ashamed to say I signed the paper, though I did
not know what was in it." After the will was signed,
witness was told by Lady Esmonde that it was her desire
to build a hospital for invalids in Wexford. Deceased
always expressed great affection for Sir Thomas, and
wished him to be by her bedside. That gentleman was
frequently impeded going into her bedroom by Mr.
Hughes, Mrs. Deane Morgan, and Mrs. Dunne.
Mary Morgan, a housemaid, heard the deceased
say " They made me sign that paper, and I
am sorry for it."—Dr. Boxwell said that he asked the de-
ceased if she wished to have her will signed, and she said,
" It would be a great comfort and relief to my mind if it
was." The evidence fur the defence being closed, the court
adjourned till yesterday morning. On the reassemblingof
the court Mr. Sullivan proceeded to address the jury in
support of the defendant's case, after which the court
again adjourned.