Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-30

TIE SECRET or THE ENGLISH DEAD LITTER or.
TcE-A WOMAN oFESRs ONE HUNDRED
POUNDS TO BE KILLED.
From the Pail Mall G.zette
The investigation of very remarkable
charge OF a conspiracy to murder was COM
menced April the 2l, at Bow street police
court, the treasury have undertaken the
prosecution. The accused persons are,
medical STUDENT, "a years of age, named
William kimptoH Vance. and married wo-
man, 80 years of age, named Elem Snee. A
Letter signed with Nance's initials. and
subsequently proved to be in his handwrit
ing, was opened at the Dead Letter office,
in consequence of its not having been claim
ed at the junction road post Office, Kentish
town, to which il had been addressed. The
letter contained what was practically an Of
fer Of sufficient quantity of chloral to ef-
feet death, and certain advice which, if fol-
lowed, the writer said, would lead the YER
diet OF the cornerers jury being Death
from misadveuture Vance was discovered
and arrested, when he handed to the police
letter which he had received, and which
had called forth his own note
The letter, signed m. O." was very
remarkable one. 1t tstated that the writer,
whoever he might be, desired to die in order
to benefit by his death some person not
named. He wrote
Il make no question you could be of ser
vice TO me. The question Is, will You The
solatium | offer Is 800 the conditions
these | ali tired Of life. | could do a great
deal Of good to person am interested in
by leaving the world just now, and, one
way OF the other. am resolved to do it
but if possible, should prefer not to wound
the feelings Of the person who will gain most
by my death, by allowing it to be supposed
voluntary. Besides, the most merciful YER
diet Of a corners jury would be sufficient to
inyalidate my will. Now, although have
some acquaintance with medicine and chem
istry, know Of no drug or combination of
drugs which would do this for me without
risk OF discovery 1t is not absolutely es-
sential that the supposed means should be
painless or even very quick in their results.
II some artery could be hurt with plausible
appearance Of accident. assistance summoned
too late, etc, am willing to allow time for
experiments, and have no objection to per-
sonal interview. | will give any assurance
of bona-fdes that may be thought neces-
sary."
The prisoner Snee admitted when arrested
that she had put the following advertisement
in the Daily Telegraph:
"To medical men in need of money, or to
students well up in chemistry and anatomy
A gentlemen engaged in an interesting expert
ment is willing to give liberal remuneration
for professional assistance"
The prisoner Vance, it appears answered
that advertisement, the letter given above
was Mrs. Snee's reply to him, and the one
that was not claimed at the post-offce was
in answer to this reply of hers. The woman
Snee, told the police that she wanted the
drugs herself, and had no intention to mur-
der anybody. An important fact in the
case was that this woman had sent post
Office order for two guineas to Vance. The
magistrate remanded both prisoners, but Of
fered to take bail for Snee. No sureties
were forthcoming, however