The Sun. — 1865-11-09 (London, England)

ALLEGED MURDER BY POISONING.—At the quiet little village of Honiton Clyst, situated about six miles from Exeter, William Ashford, a sober, industrious man, about 60 years of age, a master boot and shoe maker, died on Saturday evening, under circumstances which afford grave suspicions that he has been poisoned by his wife. For some time past the deceased had lived unhappily with his wife, owing to jealousy. A man named Pratt, who had worked for him as a journeyman for many years, was the cause of the unfortunate strife. Pratt about two yeare since left the deceased and went to reside at Dawlish, but afterwards returned through the influence of Mrs. Ashford, and from that time to the present was believed to be on far too intimate terms with his mistress. They had been frequently seen together, and this so excited the deceased that a quarrel took place. The deceased was up to the last fortnight in the enjoyment of good health, but was taken ill on the 29th ult., after having partaken of tea at a friend's house in the village, where ho repeatedly expressed his disgust at the conduct of his wife. From the evidence of Mrs. Butt, the wife of a police-constable stationed in the village, and residing two doors from the deceased, the case appeared to bear very strongly against Mrs. Ashford, and on Saturday Police-constable Butt considered, from the knowledge he possessed of the case, he was justified in apprehending her. Shortly after tho deceased died on Saturday night ho took the wife into custody. While being searched she took from her pocket a packet, which she threw into the fire, and it was destroyed before it could be rescued. Peculiarities were observed in its ignition, and it is supposed to have contained chemicals. Au inquest was opened on Monday before Mr. Deputy-Coroner Brent, Mr. Friend, of Exeter, appearing for the prisoner, and Mr. Deputy-Superintendent Maxell for the police. The only evidence was that of Mrs. Butt, who said that on the 3d inst. she was in the bed-room of the deceased at about 5 o'clock when deceased asked for a cup of tea. Mr. Chown was in the room at the time Mrs. Ashford brought up to the room the teapot, and put water into it from the kettle which was in the bed-room. She then went down and brought up a cup with a little milk at the bottom, not a tablespoonful. There was a knock at the street door and she went to open it. Witness gave about a tablespoonful of the tea to the deceased, which was all he would take, the rest she threw into the chamber utensil. Witness subsequently found a cup on the dressing-table, which contained some wetted powder, which smelt and looked like some medicine which the deceased had taken. Partof this powder witness preserved. On a second visit to the house witness found another settlement of powder in a wine glass, and that also she preserved. There was no settlement in the bottle of medicine which came from the doctor. Deceased had several fits before death. Dr. Roberts, of Exeter, having seen the dying man, and having asked if any of deceased's vomit or secretions had been preserved, was given the utensils and the glass with the sediment. The coroner's inquiry was adjourned for a post mortem examination to be made, and deceased's wife having teen taken to Exmouth, was brought before a magistrate and remanded. The contents of the utensils and glass have been forwarded to Professor liempath, at Bristol, for analysis.