The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-06-09
he Baroness de Roques.

1t seems almost inconceivable that
after these terrible years since my
daughters conviction and imprison-
ment,. the time should be 40 near
when she is to be released ami allow
ed to- go her own way. But the re-
port is really true. 1t has been well
authenticated, for the announcement
comes from the home Office, which
now authorizes our Washington law
yers to- use the fact of my daughters
release next year as a reason for
securing the postponement of the trial
of the lawsuits bearing on our inter-
est in the land in Kentucky, Virginia,
and West Virginia until she is able
to personally testify.
When in 1889 my poor child's trial
closed with the sentence Guilty OF
the murder by arsenic poisoning of
her husband. James Maybrick" such
a storm of Indignation arose from
English and American alike that
there was no doubt as to the general
opinion.
That young woman, scarcely more
than a girl, should be accused of that
crime on such meager evidence as was
forthcoming was almost incredible.
1t was a ell.established fact that
Mr.. Maybrick was an arseniG field and
took the drug in his food.
It appeared also on the trial that
Maybrick was always dosing himself
with medicines for stomaeh trouble
and taking double doses of whatever
was prescribed. Unimpeached wit
nesses testified that they had seen
Maybrick buy arsenic and take it., in
powders and in solution.
Proof of my daughters guilt was
never made public. She was accused
on that charge. Because traces of
arsenic were found in his stomach the
court assumed, though it was never
proven, that he died of arsenic poison
ing.
Many great lawyers have exerted
their efforts toward her release, and
time and again 1t seemed certain. The
late chief justice of England, Lord
| Russell of Killowen. was our most
steadfast friend. After certain repre-
| sensations had been effectively made
| TO the authorities he would assure me
that my daughter would be freed.
But each time, when almost grasp
| ing relief, when the clouds seemed to
be breaking away, we have been turn
ed aside. And to add to our distress,
even when under the laws of Eng.
land release was possibility, some
unknown and untiring enemy has
thrown out, through the English press,
some invention of scandalous ma
ture calculated to prejudice the pub
lie and brighten away clemency.
We seemed powerless to cope
against these invisible foes who were
so persistent in frustrating us.
But through all the discouraging
failures the public sympathy and be-
lief in my daughters innocence re-
manned firm
Chief Justice Russell held decided
opinion on the case. After my unhap-
by daughters conviction, his lordship
with characteristic persistency as.
sailed home secretary after home sec.
! rotary, seeking as II We're, to carry
his former clients fire dom by storm.
ing the positions OF those who kept
the key of her prison house. To Sis
Matthew White Riley he wrote IF
called upon to advise in my character
uf head of the criminal judcature of
| this country | should advise you that
Florence Maybrick should go free"
But all this good mans work did not
avail against the secret working of
our unknown enemy, Our aim seem.