Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-12
TAKING NOTES AT HIS OWN TRIAL
Neill, the London Prisoner, Much Interested
in the Testimony.

Neius the London POisoner, Much Interested
i'm the Testimony.
LONDON, Aug. 12.-The hearing in the case OF
Thomas Neill, indicted for the wiilful murder Of
Matilda Clover, was resumed before Sir John
Bridge in the Bow street police court today.
Constable Conley testified that he saw mar
closely resembling the prisoner leaving the
house No. lis Stamford street, where resided
Alice Marsh and Emma Schriver, who met thei,
deaths in q manner similar to that of the Clover
girl. This was shortly before the Marsh and
Schriver girls were found in a group on the
floor In the house and we're taken to st. Thomas
Hospital.
THE ATTEMPTED BLACKNAIL.
Mr.. Birch Of the manuscript department OF
the British museum was called as an expert
witness. He testified that in his opinion the
letter sent to Mr.. F. Il. Smith, son of the late
Right Hon. VIM. Henry Smith, accusing him OF
the murder of Ellen Donworth, was in the hand
writing Of Nein. This letter was as follows:
London, Nov. s. 1891.
"Mr. Fred. Smith, care Of w. H. Smith Son,
186 Strand,
London, Eng
month"; girl named Ellen Donworth, some
times called Ellen Linnel, who lived at Duke
street, Westmjhster bridge road, was poisoned
with strychnihe After death among her effects
were found NO letters eliminating you, which,
II they ever become public property, will
surely convict you of the crime. inclose you
copy Of one Of the letters which the girl
received on the morning Of the 18th of Octo-
Der (the day on which she died). Just read it
and then judge for yourself what hope you
have Of escape II the law officers ever get
hold Of these letters. Think Of the shame and
Disgrace it viii bring on your family il you are
arrested and put in prison for this crime. Ny
object In writing to you IL to ask IL you
will retain me at once a. your coun-
sellor and legal advisor. II you employ me
ct once to act for you in this matter will save
but II you wait till arrested before retaining
me, then cannot act for you, a.
no lawyer can save you after the authori-
ties get hold of these two letters. II you
wash to retain me just write few lines ON
paper ssying: Mr.. Fred Smith wishes teHee
In one Of your shop windows at l86 Strand
next Tussday morning and when I see
1t l viii come in aid have private interview
with you. can save you II you retain me 20
counsel but not otherviss. Yours, truly,
az. BAINE."
The inelosure referred to il a follows:
''Miss Ellen Linnell: wrote and warned you
onee before that Frederick Smith Of W. H.
Smith Son was going to poison
and sm writing now TO say that
you take any Of the medicine he gave
you you viii die. ! saw Frederick Smith pre-
psre the medicine he gave goa and saw him
pat enough strychnine in the medicine he gave
Yea Tor to kill horse. II you take any Of II
You wiz de. (signed) II. n B."
III. Birch also gave q ~ his opininn that
letters 10 the DonwoFth girl end to ths other
Victims, found h their rooms altar daath, we're
also In the haPdvriting Of ths accused. tbs
water marks op the paper siso tallisd With that
admitted used hy Nein. Birch vas . witness
beters the Pafnsp commisfoa . fev Year, ego
and - uss severely eross.examinsd raenrding
the ssidsnes upon TIT aseaheu- He aid -
had formed . mislaken 5epinkon thsn. Nsill's
counsel further pressed HIN q to what opinion
hs bad pledged himself on osth before ths Par
naA commission. and Mr.. Birch mid: '.It 4
haedly fair 70 prsss me upon thst question"
Nell greatly enjoyed TIE examinatinn Of NJ.
Birch and when the witness vss forced 70 con-
tess By tuplioation thnt - eould be mist.ken
II NJ spa1ien e handsr4tiag y lssehsd g
asssy Ut - .eee6d ksakvssd and lorward
y. s:, J: g IS y. = ~ 49,