The Northern Guardian. — 1895-08-23 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE BEDALE TRAGEDY.  VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER.  The inquest on Margaret Appleton, assistant matron at Bedale Workhouse, who is alleged to have been killed by an inmate named Richard Dixon, was held at the union yesterday, by the North Riding Coroner, Dr. J. S. Walton. The Rev. Mr Chambers was elected foreman.  John Bell, an inmate of the union, stated that Dixon went to the garden between nine and ten o'clock with a basket. Near ten o'clock, Margaret Appleton sent witness to watch the pickling furnace, and said, "That Dixon is a bothering man; he has not brought the potatoes yet." Witness did not see deceased until her body was brought through the yard to the receiving ward. He would not swear to the gripe and basket shown him. William Maxwell, tailor, also an inmate, stated that about 11 on Wednesday morning he heard a woman scream in the union garden, and, going round to ascertain the cause, met Dixon just leaving the garden alone, and his head was bleeding profusely. He said to witness, "I've killed Margaret." He then went with witness to the wash-house, where he washed the blood from his face and hands. Witness then informed the taskmaster, Boynton, and went with him to the garden, where they found deceased lying with her face to the ground, and the back of her head covered with blood.  Joseph Boynton, taskmaster of the union, said he saw Dixon talking to Maxwell in the men's yard, and heard him say, "I believe I have killed Margaret." He went to the garden and found deceased as stated by a former witness. He looked for the gripe, and found it about 20 yards further up the garden. He noticed the gripe was stained with blood, and the basket of potates was laid near the deceased.  The Coroner: Did you hear any sound before 70u saw Dixon ?—Witness 'lea: I heard some  heavy blows but no screams. Mr Tasker, the union master, was called, and testified to the body of the deceased being Margaret Appleton, widow of John Appleton, come time ago taskmaster at Thirsk Union. He stated that Dixon was admitted by order of the Guardians in July, 1893, and discharged in March, 1894. He was readmitted on May 4, 1894, and had been an inmate since that time. He stated that he saw Dixon on the day of the tragedy about seven o'clock in the morning, but did not see him again until after the tragedy, at the time of which he was absent in the town. On hearing the sad news from Mrs Blackett he sent for the police and doctor, and returned to the union, where he saw the body of Margaret Appleton, to all appearances dead. He went to Dixon, and said, "This is a sad job, Dixon," and Dixon said, "She hit me first, and I struck her twice on the head, and then again as she was lying." Dr. Fothergill had then arrived, and, after pronouncing life extinct, ordered the body to be removed to the receiving ward.  The Foreman : Did you ever hear of any illfeeling between the deceased and Dixon? Witness : Certainly not. And no real indication of insanity ?—Witness stated that Dixon was admitted with his throat cut. Dixon's name was not entered in the lunacy book. He stated that Dixon was naturally sullen, but he had never thought him insane. The Coroner, addressing the jury, drew their attention to the supposed provocation. After about 15 minutes' deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Richard Dixon.  Dixon passed a quiet night. He continues very sullen, and almost indifferent. Dr. Croft examined him yesterday, and pronounced him fit to be removed to Northallerton Gaol, as his wounds are far from being serious.