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

RScAAis tAAc A<ou0Ou fOibOuer, Mucn interested
in the Testimony.
LONDON, Aug 12.-The hearing in the case of
Thomas Neill, indicted for the willful murder of
Matilda Clover, was resumed before Sir John
Bridge in the Bow street police court today.
Constable Conley testified that he saw O man
closely resembling the prisoner leaving the
house No. lis Stamford street, where resided
Alice Marsh and Emma Schriver, who met their
deaths In a 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 BLACKMAIL.
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. r. Smith son of the late
Right Hon. VIM. Henry Smith, accusing him Of
the murder of Ellen DOnvorth, was in the hand
writing Of Neil. This letter was as follows:
London, Nov. 8. 1891.
Mr.. Fred. Smith, care Of W. H. Smith & Son,
l86 Strand,
''Sir: On Tuesday night 18th October, CAST
month"; girl named Ellen Donworth, some
times called Ellen Linnel, who lived at Duke
street, Westminster bridge road, was poisoned
with strychnihe. After death among her effects
were found Two letters eliminating you, which,
II they ever become public properly, viii
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
you from all exposure and shame In the matter
But il you wait till arrested before retaining
me, then cannot act for you,,, a.
no lawyer can save you after the suthori-
ties get hold of these two letters. II you
wish to retain me Just write few lines on
paper saying: Mr.. Fred Smith wishes 70 nee
Mr.. Baine. the barristsr. at ONCE Paste this
next Tuesday morning and whom see
II win come in aid have private interview
with yon. ] can save you IL you retain me -
counsel. but not othsrvise. Yours, truly,
The inclosure referred to Il - follows:
''Miss Ellen Linnell: wrote and warned you
once before that Frederick Smith Of W. H.
Smith Son was going to poison
and am writing now to say that
II you take any Of the medicine be gave
you you WIZ die. saw Frederick Smith pre-
psre the medicine he gave you and ] saw him
put enough strychnine in the medicine he gave
yea Tor to kill horse. II you take any Of Il
you VII de. (Signed) H. n B"
NJ. Birch also gave Il q his opinian thas
lettsrs to the Donworth girl and 70 ths other
victims, found IN their rooms altar death, usre
also IN the haPdvriting ct the accused. Tbs
water marks on the paper also tallisd With that
admitted used BY Esil. Birch vas . witness
befors the Parnsp commiaioa . few yean ego
and h Eas ssyelely croes-examinsd rsOardiag
the syidsnes upon thas aseaxtsu- He said -
bad formed . uistakea spipkon than. Mule
counsel further pressed hin . to What opinion
he bad pledged himself on osth before ~ Par
nsA commission. and Mr. Birch aid: at 3
hardly fair to press me- upon that QUESTION"
Nell greatly enjoyed tie eSaminatinn Of NJ.
Hineh and xtsn The vitless ms forced 70 con
fsss By tpplieatiop that - could be mistaksn
IN NJ Ripien Il hapdyzfting - laughed %
haeEt{ t!st - segee4 kedkvssd end forward
g: :: !: g g {. - - -