The Potteries Examiner : — 1877-02-24 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

MANSLAUGHTER AT HANLEY. An inquest was opened on Friday week on the body of Elizabeth Reece, wife of a forgeman named Leonard Reece, who had died, as alleged, from her husband's neglect. She was confined about three weeks ago, and appears to have been shamefully neglected since, being left without attention, food, or any comfort, while hag husband was out drinking. Some neighbours did what they could to help her, but she had not even sufficient clothing nra proper bed, and the house was in a filthy state. The husband was advised to send for a doctor, but he refused, saying his wife did not want is docte, On Monday last the parish doctor was called in, and he found Mrs. Reece in a state of gent prostration, being unable to speak or to put out her tongue. He left some money for the purehme of milk and brandy for her, but she died the next day. The husbaud was from home from Saturday to Monday, and his wife had no one to look after her except her neighbours. He seas repeatedly sent for but refused to return home, and when he did go I;tscle be was drunk.—The inquiry was adjourned for a post marten, examination.--Reece is in custody on the charge of causing the death of his wife, the magierates sitting at Hanley on Saturday having remanded him for a week. On Thursday, Mr. Booth, corouer, resumed the enquiry at Hanley. The husband was pretest in custody. —Mr. John Clair, burgeon, who was called to see the deceased the day before her death, sail she watt suffer. log from extreme exhaustion,and was almost in • dying state. The post 111011,11 examination showed no external marks of violence, but all the organs seemed bloodless, and the body seemed destitute of fat. The heart and lungs were healthy, but the tnembraneof the tight lung presented evidence of inflammation, which was the only evidence of disease, and that was not sufficteet to account for death. All the other organs were quite healthy. The suanaelt contained from three to four ounces of natural secretion, but no trace of food. lie should think she had been without food for some time before her death.—Sarah Williams, who lived next door but one to the deceased, said she had supplied the deceasml with food 3ital drink for a fortnight, since her confinemeut, and she told the prisoner he had better get some nourishment for his wife, as she was in • very bud state. He premited be would got her tome naittou the next day (Saturday), but be got drunk, tied lost not only his provisions hut his ushers. A week after Mrs. Reece borr.ased is. from clues to buy food. When witness went to see her 'again there were bacon, breml, butter. and cheese in the house, but deceased could not take eAlier of them. tip to about a month before her confinement Mrs. Reece was a strong, healthy young woman, to all appearance, and she broke down all at once. Her children were also in good condition, except the baby.—William Moseley gave evidence to the effect that a woman of improper character bad been staying in Reece's house, as well as a man., of whom prisoner appeared to be jealous, and that three week's ago last Saturday he saw prisoner violently assault his wife, and heard her cry, 'Murder, you have killed my child—lnspector Lloyd deputed to the arrest _ , . • • charge,'