The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-05-12 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL gTANbARD.

HORRIBLE INFANTICIDES!

OISONING A FAMILY AT RUNCORN TO OBTAIN

FUNERAL MONEY

The hitherto peaceable and delightful little town of
Runcorn has been lately very considerably excited owing
to the disclosure ef most hoe, ible offences—offences which,
for the credit of human nature, we seldom either hear or
read of. In the present case the parents of three children
were taken into custody on a charge of murdering two of
their own offsvring, and attempting the life of the re-
maining child by the administration of arsenic. Their
names are Joseph and Mary Pimlet, the former being a
ship carpenter, and both, for the position in life in which
they move, being considered respectable characters. They
took up their residence in Runcorn about seven or eight
months ago. At that time the husband was a member of
the Weaverham Friendly Society, which allows a small
sum for funeral expenses on the death of a member or
any portion of his family. About the same period the
children were entered as members of the Liverpool Vic-
toria Legal Burial Society—a society which collects sub-
scriptions of one penny per week for persons above five
years old, and, in case of death, pays £5 at the expiration
of twenty-four weeks' payment as funeral money; and
one halfpenny per week under five years, and 10s. as
funeral money. On the 6th of March last, James Pimlet,
a boy only ten months old, died, and there being some
circumstances connected with his death which required an
investigation, an inquest was held before henry Churton,
Esq., the county coroner, and on the evidence of the
mother, a verdict of "found dead" was returned. On the
16th of the same month another child, Richard Pimlet,
aged four years and six months, was taken ill. That child
died on the 21st, and was buried, at the request of the
father, under the coffin of the former. On Monday,
the twenty-seventh of April, a third child, named Thomas
Pimlet, about three years old, was taken ill, and
attended by Mr. Edward Pye, surgeon, who bad also
seen the former child, and who had been induced to
give a certificate of its death from the plausible represen-
tations of the mother. Thomas exhibited such symp-
toms as led Mr. Pye to suppose that he was labouring at
the time under an attack of indigestion, in consequence
of which he administered a purgative powder, with a view
of getting rid of the irritation. Something, however, oc-
curring during the day, and the following morning, to ex-
cite suspicion. Mr. Pye deemed it necessary to place him-
self in communication with the proper authorities, and it
is mainly owing to the judicious conduct pursued by this
gentleman, and the talent and ability he has displayed,
that the whole affair has been brought to light. He very
properly narrowly watched the conduct and treatment
pursued by the mother towards the only remaining child,
principally with a view of taking care that another life
was not sacrificed. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Pye
called at the house of the parents, prepared to get hold
of a portion of the ejecta of the child, with a view of as-
certaining whether his suspicions regarding her conduct
towards the child had any foundation in fact ; but al-
though she told him, at his surgery, that the child had
been very sick, and in consequence he had directed her to
preserve the vomit, yet she then said that the child had
not thrown up at all, and thus artfully avoided producing
the ejecta. She, however, entertained him with relating
a dream, which she said she had had the previous night.
She said she had seers her two deceased children taking
hold of each other's hands in heaven ; that the elder,
Richard, said " Mother, don't fret about Tommy, he is
coming to us in a fortnight—there is a place prepared for
him in heaven." She added, that on that morning the
sick child. Thomas, had said to her, " Mother, don't put
me Richard's shoes on ; I'll have my own on, for I am
going to Richard and James." On Saturday, the autho-
r Wes deemed it requisite to act energetically, and accord-
ingly the coroner was communicated with, and both the
father and mother were taken into custody, anti, we un-
derstand sufficient evidence has been obtained since to
prove distinc ly that arsenic had been administered to
Thomas. The coroner, Mr. Churton, immediately or-
dered the bodies of the deceased children to be exhumed,
end summoned Mr. Pye to make a post mortem exami.
nation of their bodies, which that gentleman did, assisted
by Mr, Hutchinson, of this town. An inquest was held
at the time, but adjourned to Saturday last, for the pur-
psse of giving time to perfect the rt quisite evidence.
Accordingly on Saturday morning the jury consisting,
of fourteen respectable and intelligent gentlemen, assem-
bled at the Royal Hotel, with Henry Churton, Esq., the
coroner, to inquire into the cause of the deaths of James
and Richard Pimlet.

The father and mother were brought into the inquest-
room in custody. The father was dressed in fustian
trousers and blue slop. His conduct during the inquiry
appeared proper and brcoming. The mother was respect-
ably dressed in mourning. Her feelings during the in-
quiry, which lasted from ten o'clock until nearly five in
the atternoon, were often so much excited that she had
difficulty in supporting herself.

The tvidence of two of the neighbours, which had been
given at the previous inquiry, was read over. It merely
detailed the circumstances attending the deaths of the
deceased so far they were acquaLted with them. They
added that both the father and mother appeared affec-
tionate and kind to their children. It was also proved
that the female prisoner bad purchased arsenic at the shop
of a druggist in Runcorn, previous to Thomas being
taken ill.

The next piece of evidence was that of
Mr. Edward Pye, surgeon, of Runcorn, who deposed
that the deceased, Richard Pimlet, was brought to his
surgery on Monday, the 16th March last. He did not
appear to be particularly ill. There was very little con-
stitutional disturbance. The mother stated that the child
had been sick. His bowels had not been opened since
the previous mornirg. Conceiving that the child might
have taken sonic improper food, he gave it an aperient
powder. On Tuesday, the child had had its bowels freed
with the powder, and was better. On Wednesday, the
mother again brought the child ; it was then complaining
of vomiting and purging, and was ordered to have some
alternative medicine. This was the last time he saw de-
ceased alive. On Friday morning, the mother informed
him that the child bad complained of pain in the stomach
and bowels, and was very thirsty on the previous after-
noon, and died in the evening. There were other symp-
toms, also, which led him to infer that the child had died
in convulsions, and he gave a certificate of death ac-
cordingly. This Le gave, not on his own knowledge, but
on the representation of the mother. On Monday, the
27th of April, he made a post mortem examination of the
body, in obedience to instructions received from the
coroner. He had no difficulty in identifying the body as
being that of the child which had been brought to his sur-
gery. The body was that of a child in full flesh; and the
progress of decomposition appeared, from some cause or
other, to have been retarded. On opening the chest and
abdomen, the viscera presented no external signs of
disease. He tied the oesophagus about its middle, and
removed the lower portion, together with the diaphragm,
stomach, and the remainder of the abdominal viscera, ex-
cept the bladder; he also removed small portions of each
lung. On opening the stomach, a yellow deposit was found
spread on the mucuous coat, and was greater in the more
depending portion of that organ. The mucuous lining
around the cardine and pyloric orifices was exceedingly
vascular. The deposit appeared blended with the mucous
! coat, and in some places had penetrated through to the
muscular layer, and could not, without. considerabie diffi-
culty, be parted from it. This occu red where the deposit
appeared concentrated, and was distinctly marked with
such patches of vascularity. There was no ulceration. The
yellow deposit was found, not only in the stomach, but
nearly throughout the small and large intestines. These
appearances are such as would be produced by an irritial
poison, such as arsenic. They could not have been pro-
duced by natural causes. He did not, when deceased
was brought to him, suspect the presence of mineral
poison. He had taken the stomach and two pieces of the
small intestines for the purpose of being analysed. They
were now in the possession of Dr. Brett, of Liverpool.

By a Juryman.—Arsenic was an antiseptic, and would
have the effect of preserving the stomach and body gene-
rally.

the Foreman.—Ulceration was sometimes a result
of poisoning by arsenic. It was absent in this case.
By the Mother.—Could not remember her bringing the
child to him on the Sunday evening. She might have
done, nevertheless. _ _

By the Father.—He might have ordered a warm bath
in the course of treatment. Could recollect ordering a
mustard poultice to the pit of the stomach.
On the Ist May, witness made a post mortem exami-
nation of the body of James Pimlet. The extern l ap-
pearances led him to the conclusion that the deceased had
been a remarkably stout child for his age. There was
slight decomposit on about the mouth and nostrils ; the
abdomen was much inflated, but not discoloure by
decomposition. On dissecting back the integuments of
the chest, the whole of the internal organs presented signs
of recent death, but no appearance of diseased action.
The peritoneum covering of the stomach and intestines
was remarkably white and glistening. He tried the mso-
phagus high up, and removed the whole abdominal viscera.
The vessels of the brain were slightly congested, hut pre-
sented no decided evidence of disease. The brain itself
was healthy. The internal surface of the stomach was
very vascular, and also the intestines, but not to the same
extent. The greater portion of the internal viscera was
conveyed to Dr. Brett, of Liverpool, for the purpose of
being Nadi zed, without detailing any decisive evidence of
poison. Witness also retained a portion of the stomach,
abdominal viscera, and brain of the body of Richard. He
analyzed a portion of the fluid contents of the stomach,
and proved it to contain arsenic in portions of the brain,
kidneys, spleen. liver, and msophagus. [The witness
produced several glass tubes before the jury, which ex-
hibited very clear specimens of chrystalized arsenic ]
He added, that when arsenic was taken into the stomach,
or applied to an external wound, it very soon became
absorbed.

By the. Jury.—lt did not necessarily follow that ulcers
should he found in the stomach after (teath had been
caused by arsenic. Should think in the present case that
arsenic had been administered in very small and repeated

Dr. Brett, lecturer on chemistry and medical jurispru-
• dence in Liverpool School of Medicine, was next called.
He stated that he made an analysis of portions of the body
of Richard Pimlet. The surface of the mucus membrane,
he found, was covered with yellow patches, which he had
reason to suspect was sulphuret of arsenic. He there-
fore converted the sulphur into sulphuric acid, arid re-
tained the arsenic in a metallic state. He next examined
the tissues of the stomach, which wet e as free Ili poes•ble
from the yellow stains, and obtained decided evidences of
the presence of arsenic, from which he inferred that arse-
nic had not been administered in a state of sulphuret.
He also found arsenic in ihe liver, spleen, and lungs.
The next day he analyzed the contents of the stomach,
which was a fluid of a brownish colour, and measured
about frl ounces. The learned gentleman detailed a va-
riety of modes he adopted with this fluid, the result of
which proved that about eleven grains of white arsenic
were contained in it, or, as he stated,enough must have
been taken to kill half a dozen persons. Subsequently he
analyzed the internal viscera of the body of James Pimlet,

the result of which proved most decidedly the presnce of
arsenic.
Mr. R. Hutchinson, surgeon, of Liverpool, fully cor-
roborated the evidence of Mr. Pye.
Thomas liornby, steward of the Weaverham Benefit
Society, proved that .£1 ss. had been paid on the death of
one of the children, and £1 15s. on the death of the other.
George Penketh Mather, collector for the " Liverpool
Victoria Legal Burial Society," was next called. When
the testament was tendered to him he declined to be
sworn, stating that he had a conscientious objection to
take an oath. In answer to the coroner, he said he was
neither Quaker nor Moravian, but a member of the Chris-
tian Church.
Capt. Jackson.—Of what portion of it ?
Witness.—l consider there is only one Christian church.
In answer to other questions, he stated that he attended
the Wesleyans, but was not a member of their body.
However, after being informed by the coroner that if be
refused to give evidence, he had no alternative but to com-
mit him until he consented to do so, he at length gave
way, and took the required oath.
His evidence went to show that all the three children
were members of the Liverpool society, of which he was
the collector for the Runcorn district; that 255. had been
paid on the death of one child, and £5 on the death of
the other. When the latter money was paid, the female
prisoner entered herself and her husband as members of
the society.

The sei'on of the church proved the burial and disin-
terment of the bodies.
Mr. Richardson, head constable of Runcorn, deposed
to apprehending the prisoners on the 28th April. Ile had
since searched the house in the company of Mr. Irwin,
special high constable of the hundred, when they found
four powders, which were delivered to Mr. Pye.
Mr. Pye being recalled, stated that two of the powders
were what he had given the female prisoner to be adminis-
tered to Richard. The other powders were powder blue
and mustard.
The coroner then cautioned the prisoners in the usual
way, after which the female entered into a long and ram-
bling statement respecting the illness of her children,
which had very little bearing on the subject of inquiry..
The Coroner then summed up the evidence most m'-
nutely, pointing out those portions most pertinent to the
inquiry. He said there could be no doubt whatever that
the death of both children had been prod ,ced by the ad-
ministration of arsenic. There could be no doubt of that
if the jury relied on the evidence of Mr. Pye and Dr.
Brett, and of the former he might say that the mode in
which he had given his testimony proved, most satisfac-
torily, that he was a gentleman of very considerable talent
and ability; and as to the latter, he thought the character
of Dr. Brett was too well established to need one word of
commendation. No doubt he was one of the first ana-
lytical chemists of the day. According to both those gen-
tlemen, arsenic was found in the bodies, and therefore the
jury must consider the other circumstances of the case,
and come to such a conclusion as, in their judgment, the
evidence would justify.
The jury, after a short consultation, found a verdict of
WILFUL MITItDGR against the mother only.
On the decision being made known the prisoner burst
into tears and loudly protested her innocence.
The Coroner issued his warrant for her committal to
Chester Castle and she was removed from the room in
great distress.
The husband was discharged and he wandered out of
the room as if lost in amazement.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER.-THURSDAY

IN THE QUEEN V. THE COMPTROLLERSHIP OF THE CUS-

TOMS OF THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL

An application was made for a mandamus to the defen-
dant to return to the Court why he did not admit to the
register a British-built ship, the Aquada.
There was a strong array of counsel. The question
turned on the construction of the 23rd section of the last
Shipping Registration Act, as to the admissibility of a
British-built ship, owned by foreigners, in company with
others who were British subjects, to registration under
the Navigation Acts.
The Court interrupted the argument, directing that a
return be made to the mandamus, when this very impor-
tant question to many shipowning companies may be raised
on the return, and fully discussed and formally decided.

May 12, 1846,

AMERICA AND MEXICO,

Late advices have ju.t been received rid Falmouth, by
he ship Hollander, from Boston.

The Boston Advertiser states, "that there is a wider
difference of opinion between the actual views of the two
Governments than the public have been led to suppose."
The Massachuse:ts Legislature adjourned on the 16th
ultimo to the early part of January, 1847.

Mr. Sliddell will remain at New at the dispo-
sal of the Government of the United States.

By a communication from Washington, of the 15th ult.,
it appears "that the correspondence which has taken
place between Mr. M'Lane and the United States Govern-
ment was understood to be of an unfavourable character.
Though the letters of Mr. M'Lane, to which Mr. Web-
ster referred in his speech on the notice question, were
not communicated by the President, yet they have been
seen by some of the Senators, and are r.:presented as un-
favourable to a resumption of the negociation. It has
been hoped that the President had, through Mr. M'Lane,
responded to theldeclaration of Sir R. Peel, by expressing
a desire on the part of the United States Government to
receive an offer, and that the British Gozernment would
accordingly make one. None has been made."

It was-anticipated at Vera Cruz, that General Almonte
would be sent on a mission from the Mexican Government
to England. He had arrived as tar as Falapa, on his way
to the sea-coast. Many doubted his accepting the mis-
sion ; others, that he contemplated a new revolution. Pa-
redes has declared himself a Republican, and that he had
only allowed the recent articles en the subject of " Mon-
archial projects" for his country to appear as they had
ekue in El Tempo newspaper for the sake of free discus-
sion.

THE STRIKE OF THE OPERATIVE BUILDERS.

The weekly meeting of the master builders was held
yesterday, at the Portico, Newington. In the unavoid-
able absence of Mr. Tomkinson, Mr. JouN JouNsoss
was called to the chair.

Letters were read from several railway contractors,
approving of a defensive association of masters, and
stating their desire to co-operate with them for that
obj-ct. A letter was also read from the Manchester
co nmittee, to the effect that the rules of the general
association were nearly prepared, and would be ready for
submission to the approval of the several local boards in
a short time. It was reported that several of the masters
had succeeded in procuring additional men, and that the
applications to be taken on were daily increasing.

Mr. WALKER, of Birkenhead, stated that he and his
partner had a number of bricklayers now at work, in
addition to a large number of joiners; arid that the whole
of their workmen had subscribed a document to the effect
that they had abandoned the unions.

It was stated that a mechanic who had subscribed to one
of the clubs (called " a benefit society"), and who had
met with an accident, was refused any relitf by his society,
in consequence of his having returned to his work. This
case was referred to the committee for investigation, the
refusal of relief to the man, under the circumstances,
beng considered unjust and illegal.
Mr. S. 11or.ME proposed the establishment of a be-
nevolent society on a comprehensive scale, to be called
" The Builders'. Benevolent Society ; " to be conducted
by a jo'nt committee of masters and workmen, and to
which all masters should be invited to subscribe. He
proposed that the funds should be inv stud in Govern-
ment securities, and offered, on behalf of himself and
partner, to contribute towards its formation. This
suggestion was warmly received by every one present.
and a general feeling was evinced that such a society
would be of great benefit to the working classes, by
affording them an eligible and secure investim nt for the
savings of the working classes. It was agreed that the
men now at work should be immediately requested to
join it. _

Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kilpin, and other gentlemen pro-
poted a delay of a week, in arder to make inquiries as to
the best mode of carrying out the obj ct in view, which
was agreed to, so that the subject Rill be resumed at the
next meeting.

It was intimated that Mr. R. V. Yates had agreed to
postpone some building in the Prince's Park, and that
this was most handsomely conceded, inasmuch as the sus-
pension of the works was a great inconvenience to him in
loss of time.

Some other matters of secondary importance were then
discussed, and the meeting adjourned until Monday next.

At the two meetings of the Birmingham and Midland
Ra,lway G mpanies the amount of rapit4l represented in
the rooms, taken clUectively, was £10,000.000.
The English bar is composed of shore 3080 barristers,
exclusive of 28 serjeants-at-law. There are 74 Queen's
counsel.

On Friday, the proprietor of the Dublin World news-
paper, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, for a
libel on a clergyman.

In the first -week of this present month of May, there
were ten thousand quarters of wheat and nearly seven
thousand quarters of oats imported from Ireland into the
single port of Liverpool..

'-
It is currently reported that there is every probability
that the conservative member for Oxford, Donald Mac-
lean, Esq., will, in a few days, accept the Chiltern Hun-
dreds.

The New York packet-sbin Liverpool, which left that
port on the 21st ult., was off Holyhead at six last night,
and will no doubt be up in time for an early second
•