The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1884-09-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER.  THE CHILD EXPOSURE CASE. Tax adjourned inquest (third sitting) on the body of a male infant found dying in an ashpit to the rear of an unoccupied house, 17, Cliftonroad, on Saturday, 16th August, was held by Mr. Churton and • jury in the Birkenhead Workhouse, on Thursday. Dr. Courtenay, it may be remembered froin our report of the first inquiry, described the child as an infant of a fortnight old or upwards, his attention to which had been called on the 16th August, when he found it in a dying state in the position described. It was promptly removed and partly resuscitated, but was found to be too far gone for entire recovery, and died in the Workhouse on the same evening. Since then Detective Inspector Moore has been industrious in his endeavours to find out the mother of the child, who was believed to be the author of the heartless exposure which had deprived the child of its life. An adjournment of the inquest was decided upon for that purpose, and the result has been so far successful, though the woman is still at large. The following evidence was given :—Miss Kate Kearney, a nurse at the Liverpool Workhouse, in Brownlow-hill, stated that she saw the dead body of a child in the mortuary of the Birkenhead Workhouse on Monday, 18th ult. She was able to identify the infant as the son of a young woman who gave the name Lily Norrmgton, and who was confined in the Brownlow -hill Workhouse on the 31st July last. The mother suckled the infant, but very unwilliw,ly. The nurses frequently fed it with milk. The mother and child left the Workhouse on August 13th. Witness considered the mother's conduct very bad towards the infant while she was in the workhouse, and she had several times spoken to her about it. She persistently neglected it, and allowed it to cry unheeded. The mother was an "unfortunate," twenty-one years of age, and during her pregnancy she was several times in the workhouse, where she would stay for a few days sad go out again. When she left the workhouse the last time she had only sixpence in money. She had often threatened in the hearing of other patients to make away with the child. She told witness that she had been in America, and intended to go there again, but she did not say where she belonged to or resided. Dr. M'Neill, medical officer to the Birken• head Workhouse, said he agreed with the evidence given by Dr. Courtanay, a fortnight ago, that the cause of the child's death was ax and neglect. gretr; ury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Lily Norrington.  Hammy' Timrr OF Carrrs.—On Thursday, • man named Samuel Parker, of Ellesmere, Port, was charged before Mr. Horatio Lloyd, at Cheater Castle, with stealing twenty-four heifers, the property of Mr. Bewly, farmer, Btanney, about nine o'clock the previous morning. It appears he went to a field where the animals were, and commenced to drive them along the road in the direction of Chester. Police-constable Wilson apprehended him at Whitby. A few days ago prisoner was before the Cheater city magui .fto on a charge of being a wandering lunatic but was discharged. Prisoner was remanded. larowni, Chester-street, makes and mends Churns, Wash Tubs, Dolly Tubs, &c. Repairs sent for and delivered with despatch.—Advt.