Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-06-25 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE SOUTH LONDON POISONING.  THE CHARGE OF BLACKMAILING. At the Bow-street Police-court, on Monday,befolo Sir.J. Bridge, Thomas Neill, aged 43, was again placed in the dock on the charge of endeavouring to extort money from Dr. W. H. Harper, of Barnstaple, by threatening to publicly accuse the prosecutor's 130 n oF the murder, by means of strychnine poisoning, of the two girls, Marsh and Shrivel!, in Stamford-street. The prisoner, it was allegod, had written a letter in another name stating that he had indisputable proof that Dr. Harper, junior, at the time a medical student at St. Th•mas's Hospital, had poisoned the girls, and tlnea.tened if the Oosecutor did not pay him £1,500 that he would expose him. The greatest interest was evinced in the ease in .consequence of recent vets.  ported sensational developmaits, and the court was tithwelea with Members of the press and the public. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. G. F. Gill, on behalf of Sir A. K. Stephenson, of the Treasury, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. John E. Waters. Betore proceeding with the case Mr. Waters protested against the rumours which had been recently published in the papers, and which, he thought, would seriously prejudice the prisoner's caso, as they suggested that the prisoner, who was only , charged with blackmailing, was guilty of a graver offence. He trusted that his protest would meet with the magistrate's approbation.—Sir 30'14136dg° said he entirely agreed with every word that Mr. Waters had said. The papers ought only to publish what transpired in court. Us thought it was extremely unfair to the prisorer. Mr. Gill said he proposed to give evidence of two other letters written by the prisoner, one to Dr. Broadbent and another to Mr. F. W.D. Smith,M.P., of the firm of W. H. Smith and San, containing similar threats in regard to the circumstances surrounding the death of the women. He would prove that the letteis were writteq in the prisoner's handwriting,and Would then ask ft* a reinand,ae further inquiries were being tnade into the &alit of another woman, and :Ili inquest would be held on Wedneeday. Dr. W. 11, Broadbent stated that he received the letter produced by post on the 30th ef November. The letter, which was read by Mr. Gill, and aigticd M, Malon, stated that Miss Clover, who, moil a short time ago, lived at 27, Lambeth Palace-road, died at that address on the 20th of o.totier from being poisoned by strychnine. After her death a search of her effects was made, and evidence was found "that Dr. Broadbent not only gave her medicine which caused her death, but that he had heen ,hired for the purpose of poisoning her." The evidence was in the hands of a detectiv , who would give it to him for £2,500, and thus save him from ruin. If the Matter were brought to the notice of the police he would be ruined for ever. If hit wanted the evidence for, the £2,500 he was to put a "personal "in the Daily Chrwarle slating that ho would do so. The letter concludcd by saying, "Think crell before you decide in the restter; it is just this—£2,soo sterling on the one hand,ruin and shame on the other. lam not humbugging." Dr: Broadbent added that he had never seen tho prisoner, nor had he heard of the existence of the woman named Clover. Ile handed the letter to the police immediately on its receipt. Mr. Alfred Dyke Ackland, a partner in the firm of W. IL Smith and Son, said that on November &It a letter addressed to Mr. Frederick Smith was opened by him. He read it. It was dated November sth, 1891, and stated that on Tuesday night. October 13th, a girl named Ellen Denworth, sometimes called Ellen Linnell was poisoned with strychnine, and after her death among her effects were found two letters incriminating 11;m 044 r. Smith.) The writer enclosed a copy of one tat WO letters, and asked Mr. Smith to read it and then judge what hope he had of escape if the law-officers ever got possession -of the letters. His object in writing, he said, was to ask if Mr. Smith would retain him ( the writer ) at once, as his counsel and legal adviser. If. he waited until he was arrested the writer could not save hint. If be agreed to the course suggested, be (Mr. Smith) was to place an intimation to that effect in one of his shop-windows, so that he might see it. The letter was signed "H. Bain." After some further evidence had been heard, the case was adjourned.