The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1880-04-20 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER AGAINST MR. AND MRS. COLMER. Mrs. Budge, widow, lately died at Crewkerne, and an adjorned inquest was held Tuesday last. On Wednesday, 17th March, elle was driven to Yeovil by J. R. Forster clerk at Stuckey's Bank, and went to Mrs. Colmeria, and on the Friday previous to her death, she again went to Yeovil, and returned at night, ill and with • white powder which she said she had had from Mrs. Colmer, and of which she took some.— Mrs. Colmer says she put up thirty grains of quinine for • young woman.—Next day Mrs. Budge was worse, but she refused to send for the family medical man till four o'clock in the afternoon, when she was "taken for death," and 'creamed from pain in the stomach. The doctor soon arrived, but she died about a quarter to six. The analyst's report at the Inquest showed that deceased had been ~Ante three months, and that her body had been lacerated by improper interference.—lt appeared an appointment had been made with some man to meet her at Madame C.olmer's, and MS was mentioned 11111 the payment to be given for services.—Dr. Will., the family medical man's, evidence said the death was caused by loss of blood.—A servant proved that Madame Colmer sent for old Mr. Colmer—her husband, that he came and remained some time with deceased, and called for a cloth, when Mrs. Colmar took him a towel.—The Jury found that the deceased met with her death by the Improper use of instruments, and returned • verdict of wilful murder against Mr. and Mrs. Colmar. All noon as the jury had returned their verdict, the police at Yeovil were telegraphed to, with instructions to apprehend Madame Coer and Mr. Colmer on the charge of wilful murder. Sergeant Robyn' and another policeman at once hastened to Madame Colmer's shop, when they found that her husband had decamped. It is believed that be started from Yeovil some days ago for Bristol. Madame Colmer was at home, but was found to be very ill. Other policemen arrived from Crewkense, put up the shutters of the shop in Middle-street, and are now in possession of the house. The police have been assisted in their inquiries by • detective who hasbeen located at Yeovil. There was much excitement in both Crewkerne and Yeovil when the result of the inquest was made known. At night Madame Colmer remained at her own house in charge ef the police, as she was too unwell to be removed. Mr. Gilmer is a rather ahort, thick-set man, about 60 years of age. Another correspondent says :—For the 4th time the inquiry into the lamentable death of Mrs. Budge, the young widow of • solicitor, was resumed at Crewkerne, on Tuesday last, before Dr. Wybranta, County Coroner. The presence of the chief constable, the deputy chief, and two enperintendente, Indicated that the case was approaching a serious ending, a, the result showed. It will be recollected that the deceased, a prep-weaning lady of some 94 years, had lodging with her a young bank clerk, named Forster, who drove her over to Yeovil, where she was seen to enter the shop kept by Madame Colmer. Nothing seems to have been done on that occasion; but on the Friday after the poor woman went alone, returned seeming ill, and died the next afternoon. Mrs Colmer, called on to give evidence, admitted that a woman had called on her to consult about "worms," but she denied any knowledge of deceeeed. The evidence, which on the former occasions was somewhat loose in its application to the suspected party, was on Tuesday strengthened greatly; first, by the testimony of young Forster, who acured to "emend" his evidence, and who now stated that Mrs. Budge had told him she was in the familyway, and was going to see Madame Colmer, whose fee was YlB. The mention of this amount produced a sensation in court. When they went she said "he" had not arrived, and she returned in health. The little servant of the house now that on the Friday she was sent out by her mistress to fetch Mr. Colmar, husband of Madame, who came up from Mr. Crocker's. The medical evidence showed that fearful , violence had been used on the unfortunate lady, and that the uterus was pierced. In summing up, the MR.