Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-15

Startling Case of Poisoning in Weymouth
The peculiar circumstances of the late poi
soning case in Weymouth reveal a case of
most appalling vilIainy. On the Sd of May,
Miss Betsey Frances Tirrel daughter of Mr..
Wilson Tirrel who is engaged in the leather
business in this city, went from her fathers
house to South Weymouth a short distance,
with Mr.. George G. Hersey, and returning at
about O'Clock, went to bed shortly after. AT
about 81 o'clock a younger sister who slept
with her was attracted by twitchings of her
sisters body, and asked her what the matter
was. She replied, she was dying, and at her
request her father was sent for. A physician
was at once obtained, but nothing could be
done for her. and she died in half all hour.
She was "A years of age. 1t was supposed at
the time that she died III fit, but an autopsy
revealed the sad fact that she was four months
advanced in pregnancy Unmstakabe evil
dences of strychnine were also found in the
stomach a silver spoon was found behind a
fireboard in the house from which the poison
was taken.
The important consideration which prompt.
ed the aut psy was the singularity of the cir
cumstances attending the death of younger
sister about four months ago. She was also
engaged to be married to Mr. George C. Her.
sey and she was also supposed to have died in
fit. An autopsy was suggested at that time
but it was not made, chiefly on account of the
objections of Hersey, who is said to have
shown uncomfortable grief at the time. Miss
Mary Tirrel was beautiful girl, well educat-
ed, and beloved by large circle of friends.
She was about Is years of aga. Che rumor
has been circulated since her sisters death
that the physician who attended her has stated
she was also pregnant at the time of her death.
and that he concealed the fact from the family.
but the story is not confirmed, and it is TO be
hoped it will not be.
Mr.. George G. HerSey, who appears, from
| all the circumstances which have come to
| light, to have played an important part in this
sad tragedy, is a young man belonging in
bingham, and widower, whose wife died
suddenly about two years ago He has re-
Gently been employed to work stitching ma
chine, by Messrs. N Shaw & Co. boot and
shoe firm OH North street A brother of Mr..
Hersey had married into the family of Mr.
Tirrell, and as he was in quite poor health he
was received into Mr.. Tirrells house and Of
fered a home, which he accepted. He was
highly esteemed by Mr.. Tirrell, and was al
ways treated as friend and one of the family
1t is well known fact that he has been pay.
| ing his addresses to young lady in South
| Weymouth within few weeks and, it is as
serted, had attempted to seduce her, but she
would not listen to him, and about two weeks
ago he received notice from her that his atten
tons were not agreeable. A druggist of Wey
mouth testities that Mr.. Hersey had made
some inquiries Of him in his store touching
the effects OF stryclnine, and there is a rumol
that the poison had been tried upon some
dogs. young sister of Miss Tirrell, abou
twelve years Of age, says that Hersey has sew
eral times come into her room in the night
and that he has slept with her. Among al
these circumstances and many flying rumOrs
which it is useless to repeat Mr.. Hersey says
but little and denies being guilty OF any crime
immediately after the death of Miss Tirrell
he was dismissed from her fathers house ant
went to bingham. Here he has remained fol
the past week. until Saturday night, wher
Sheriff Thomas, of Weymouth, probably OF
account Of some developments before the cor
oncrs jury, proceeded to that place and ar
rested him. lie was taken to Dedham Sun
day morning, and committed to Jail
Whether Hersey is guilty or not in the eyes
of the law will appear in due course of time
but the belief in his guilt among the people
OF Weymouth is very general and the feeling
against him is deepand strong The evidence
thus far made public is not thought sufficien
to convict him before jury, but there may
be testimony which is not generally known
and which, perhaps, caused his arrest on Sat
urday. Meanwhile the bodies OF Miss Mar,
Tirrell and of Mrs. Jersey will be exhumeC
and examined, and brief suspension Of opin
ion is desirable. The coroner's jury adjourn
ed on Saturday to await the chemical exami
! nations Of DR. Hayes.