The Warwickshire Herald. — 1892-06-23 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE SOUTH LONDON POISONING. TFIE CHARGE OF BlACKmtii,px.l. At the Bow-street Police-court, on Monday,before 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 tile prosecutor's son col the murder, by means of strychnine poisoning, of the two girls, Marsh and Shrivel], in Stamford-street. The prisoner, it was alleged, had wiitten a letter in another name stating that he lid indisputable proof that Dr. Harper, junior, at the time • medical student at St. Thomas's Hospital, had poisoned the girls, and threatened if the prosecutor did not pay him £1,500 that would 'expose him. The greatest interest was evinced in the case in consequence of recent reverted sensational developments, an-I the court was 7row•led with members of the prei.s and the public. :be pe.ieecution was conducted by Mr. 6. F. ii behalf of Sir A. K. St,Thetnon, of the Treasure, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Lhn E. wa,ors. _  Itefov proceeding with the case Mr. Waters proagainst the rumours which had been recently ti, ti•liiil in the papers, and whittli. he thought, ii.d :ern usly prejudice the prisoner's case, as they sue:esti,' that the prisoner, who was only eltarged with blackmailing, was guilty of a graver MT. nee. He trusted that his protest would meet WI the maeistrate's approhation.—Sir John Bridge said ire entirely agreed with every word that Mr. W isers had said. The papers might only to mitt ish what transpired in court. Ile thought it was extremely unfair to the prisoner. Mr. Gill said he proposed to give evidence of two salter letters written by the prisoner, one to Dr. Broadbent and another to Mr. F. W. fl Sinith,3l.P., ef the (inn of W. H. Smith and Son, containing similar threats in regard to the circumstances surrounding the death of tie' women. He would prove that the letters were written in the prisoner's handwriting,and would then ask for a remand.as further imp.ines were being made into the death of another wontathand an inquest would lie held on Wednesday. Dr. W. H. Broadbent stated that he received the letter produced by poet on the 30th of November. The letter, which was read by Mr. OHL and signed M. Mali',', stated that 'Miss Clover, who, until a short time ago, lived at 27, Lam! eth Palace-road. flied at that address on the 20th of October front beteg poisoned by strychnine. After her death a search ot her elle ts was made, arid evidence nas found -that Dr. Itroad'sent not only gave her meni-11110 which caused her death, but that lie bad teen hired for the purpose of poisoning her." Th. evidence was in the hands of a detective, who woul I give it to him for £2,500, and thus save hint (nor ruin. If the matter were brought to the notice of the police he would be ruined for ever. If in• wanted the evidence for the £2,500 be was to put a "personal "in the Daily Chndaele stating that he would do so. The letter concluded by saying, "Think well before you decide in the matter; it is juid this-2,500 sterling on the one hanthruin and siiii me on the other. tan, not humbugging." Dr. Broadbent added that he haa never seen ths prisoner, nor had he heard of the existence of the woman named Clover. He handed the letter to the police immediately on its receipt. Mr. Alfred Dyke Ackland. a partner in the firm of W. H. Smith and Son, said that on November 6,11 a letter addressed to Mr. Frederick Smith was opined by him. He read it. It was dated November sth. 1891, and stated that on Tuesday night', Oethber 13th, a girl named Ellen Itonworti, sometimes called Ellen Linnell was poisoned with strychnine, and after her death among her effects were found two letters incriminating him (Mr. Srnit It . a nd asked The writer r enclosed to d a eu judge what hope lie had of escape if the ire law-officers ever got possession of the letters. copyread oi it one arid o tfl i t letters, His objet in writing, he said, was to ask if Mr. Smith would retain him ( the writer 1 at once, as his counsel and legal adviser. If lie waited until ho was arrested the writer could not save him. If he agreed to the course suggested, he (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 bad been heard, the case was adjourned.