The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1886-02-19 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

THE PIMLICO MYSTERY.  hlCurically his relations with the Bartlett family.— Would you begin just previously to his buying the chloroform for Mrs. Bartlett ?—He told me about Mr. Bartlett's illness. That led up to the purchase of tho chloroform. He told me he purchased chloroform for Mrs. Bartlett at her request, but he did not give me the dates. Ho said he had purchased it at three different shoos. I said I did not see very much in that. Ito told me he had fenced the question to the chemists, and that that was an elemcut of difficulty as to clearing himself. I said, "Why in the world did you go and gut chloroform at all?" He gave the answer that he has previously given you here. He had told i.e the story previously shunt Mr. Bartlett's mysterious complaint, and that Dr. Nicholls arid Mrs. Bartlett had been accustomed to give him chloroform to soothe him. He than said that he feared—in fact, he had not in his own mind any doubt—that the chloroform had been used for an improper purpose, bemuse it had found its way to the stomach. I began to argue the question that it was by no means certain that this was so. He then produced an evening newspaper, in which a strong pungent odour was mentioned. I had studied chemistry myself at the London University. He mentioned conversations ho had had with Mrs. Bartlett, and amongst others the phrase " the chloroform." He then pointed out to me that if his fears were correct he felt certain that he should have to give all this unpleasant evidence, and that it was very well for him if he could establish his innocence even. He pictured it in a very sensitive manner. I know him to be exceedingly sensitive.—What advice did you givi. him ?—I pointed out to him that at present it was by no means abso lutely certainthat this strong, pungent, ethereal odour was caused by chloroform, that the presence of chi, woform had not been proved,and that even if it were ultimately proved, it was by nu means certain that Ars. Bartlett had administered it. The theory of suicide was in my mind, although I had no definite sitspicion some one else had administered it. I advised Mr. Dyson to tell the senior minister at Wandiworth his story, and to employ a solicitor. Mr. Dyson' principal concern was his position as a v. esleyan minister. Mr. Dennis (to witne43) : Whea Mr. Dyson was making his confession to you and saying that he would be ruined so far as your community was concerned, did he tell you that he had spent the Sunday morning iii destroying the empty bottles which had contained the chloroform ?--Witness :Is that it proper question ?—Mr. Dennis : Witness has given us a detailed account of the confession Mr. Dyson made to him as his spiritual brother. (Ti) Mr, Riggall) : As a matter of fact did he tell you that on the Sunday morning, when he was going to preach, that he destroyed those empty bottles on Wandsworth Commou.—Witness : He made no such confession to mo.—Mr. Wood, solicitor to Mr. Bartlett, then put in the deceased's will, stating that it was witnessed 'by the assistants in the shop at Herne-hill, where the document was written.—Mr. Lickford said the will was a general bequest to Mrs. Bartlett, the amount of pi operty nut being mentioned, whether ss. or  £5,600: At the close of tho hearinglthe Coroner said I must ask surety for Mr. Dyson on this occasion. The Rev. Mr. Riggsll said he would have pleasure in becoming surety for him. The Coroner : Mr. Dyson, I bind you over in the sum of £l.OO. The Court then adjourned till Thursday.