The Sun. — 1846-08-29 (London, England)

THE LATE DEATHS FROM POI SONOUS BERRIES.  John Hilliard, the man charged with vending the poisonous berries which caused the death of Thomas Parker, and the child Jones, was again examined on the charge of manslaughter, at the Thames Police-court. Mrs. Parker repeated the testimony which she gave on her previous examinations, and proved that the prisoner pressed.the fruit upon her by the strongest recommendations as to its agreeable flavour, as well as its wholesome qualities. He said he brought the b.-rries from a long distance, and that they were just then very scarce. In describing the effect which the poison produced, she said that soon after eating the berries her fingers tingled, and her knees gave way, so as that she felt as if she was dropping down. Her tongue swelled, her throat became dry, and she lost the power of utterance. She then became insensible, and was, as she understood, removed to the London Hospital ; but she recollected nothing more until she found herself in bed there the next morning. Her husband was there also, and died whilst she was with him. .  Mr. William Prophet, surgeon, Church-lane, Whitechapel, repeated the evidence which has already been published. describing the various effects which the action of the poison produced. George Birch, 105 B, apprehended the prisoner on the 20th instant at Strutton-ground, Westminster, He was selling blackberries at the time. Witness told him that he suspected him to the person who had sold poisonous berries in Whitechapel. Witness took him to the station, where he denied all knowledge of the poisonous berries, and said that he had not sold berries in Whitechapel, adding that he had heard of Whitechapel, but did not know the way there. He further said that he had gathered and sold herbs and berries fur the last twenty years, and ought therefore to know what was fruit and what was not. At Whitechapel he showed witness the way to the station, and admitted that he knew every turning about the place. John Williams, gas•fitter, 2, Wellington-street, Blackfriars-road, and John Lambert, 24, Pear- tree-street, Waterloo-road, proved having also bought some berries from the prisoner. When selling them he said they were beautiful fruit, and fit to make pies and puddings. They were both subsequently seriously affected after eating them. Elizabeth Tappin, 5, Upper Somerford-street, stated that on Saturday week the man came up with his blackberries and what he called dewberries. A young man who lodged in the house came to the door and told the prisoner that the berries were poison, cautioning the witness not to buy them. He said to the prisoner, "If you are a countryman at all, you ought to know that they are poison." He at the same time explained to the prisoner what they were, and in what places they grew. The prisoner said they are ripe and sweet and fit to eat, but the lodger again contradicted him, saying, " Yes I know they are sweet, but they are rank poison." Witness declined purchasing them, and the prisoner went on still crying out " berries." Mr. Donegan, who had charge of the case, was prepared with a host of supplementary evidence, but in the then stage of the case it was not deemed desirable to encumber the inquiry with any extraneous matter. He was, however, directed to keep together all the substantial evidence which he could collect, there being some doubt as to whether the prisoner should be committed on the charge of murder or manslaughter. The prisoner was ultimately remanded until next Saturday. The inquiry, which occupied five hours, excited the most intense interest, and the court was crowded with persons anxious to hear the details of the evidence.