Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-20

Mrs. Maybrick was married when
eighteen years of age, to an English-
man thirty years her senior. Soon after
her marriage she faced the bitter truth
that her husband was drug fend and
after demonstrating until she was
convinced it was futile, she finally be-
came used to the conditions she could
not avoid A few years after their
marriage, while in England, her hus-
band was at the races and was caught
In a heavy rain. He kept his wet
clothing on for hours and became SER
iously ill as the result dying a few
days later.
Knowing that the poison could
mot be purchased in England Mrs.
Maybrick stated. her husband always
took a quantity of the drug with
him when J e went abroad.
The day after he died. she contin-
ued, this poison was found in his eff
fects and placed on the table in the
house. Such large quantity of poison
was unheard of in England and it ex-
cited comment. The policemen heard
Of the poison and l was arrested upon
suspicion, cast into prison and given
six weeks to prepare for the trial of
numbering my husband. My lawyer
from America came over and numer-
GUS druggists who were familiar with
me. 1t was proven that my husband,
through long practice of the habit. had
reached the stage where he could
take enough poison to kill six men
without apparently affecting him in
the least. But I had to stand a trial,
nevertheless"
Comparison Of Courts.
The pomp, ceremony and rigors of
the English courts In contrast to the
equitable practice in America was
fully handled by Mrs. Maybrick. In
England at that time, she stated, the
judge virtually decides what the jur-
or's verdict shall be. His advice to the
jurors is always followed explicitly
and at that time, twenty years ago.
there was 40 appeal from the decision
The jurors, Mrs. Maybrick said, We're
none of them examined or challenged
in the least One Of the men was
totally deaf and two were so ignorant
they could neither read or write their
own names. In addition to this the
Jurors were all allowed to read the
daily papers, hear all comment upon
the case and then We're instructed by
the judge what verdict to return.
In England the prisoners stand in
| the dock during trial. 1t Is not seemly
to sit in the presence Of the judge. For
four days Mrs. Maybrick stood from
nine o'clock in the morning until six
O'Clock in the evening while her trial
was going on. The fifth day she was
so weak that her physician finally Sc
to sit down.
Was Found Guilty.
| At the conclusion of the trial the
judge instructed the Jurors; the jurors
filed from the room and as soon as the
| ha n Sh va loo j,,,.n he
men filed back again and returned a
verdict of guilty. The sentence was
death. A few days later the judge
who had charge of the case, and who
had prepared the instructions to the
jury. died raving maniac. Those
instructions have since been examined
Mrs. Maybrick stated, and have beer
found to contain enough errors to dis
miss the case in any court in Christ.
endom but an English court.
Within twenty four hours after the
verdict had been returned, all England
had started petitions to secure hel
release. The customary lapse of time
between the trial and execution wa!
three weeks. Before that time 500
petitions from England and petitions
from America bearing half a million
signatures were in the hands Of Brit
ish authorities demanding Mrs. May
bricks release.
THAT petition from the women 0
this country is one of the most beau
tiful and touching evidences in histor,
of the devotion of the women o
America for one of their sisters il
trouble" Mrs. Maybrick stated.
Sentence COMMITTED.
How, after the three weeks had ex
pred and the death sentence wa
J committed to life Imprisonment, an
, the horrors of that long incarceration
We're all told in thrilling accents b
Mrs. Maybrick. She had to stok
/, furnaces, work in sweat shops and d
labor that appalled, strong men. Their
was no Sinking the prison duties; fo
irefnSal to work meant wears added +