The Sun. — 1868-12-30 (London, England)

CHARGE OF POISONING.  A. singular case of poisoning has been investigated by Mr. i3urcham, at the Southwark Police•court. George Lack, 17, was charged with swallowing a quantity of poison, with intent to commit suicide.  Sergeant Yallop, 19 M, said the charge against the prisoner was surrounded with mysterious circumstances. About a quarter to eight in the evening, witness was called to a house at Bankside, where the prisoner's father resided, and on approaching the spot. he met the latter being carried by two men, who told him that he had swallowed poison and cut his throat ; also that he had poisoned his son (the prisoner), who was still in the house. Having given instructions to another constable to accompany the father to the hospital, witness entered the house and found the prisoner lying near the fireplace unconscious and smelling strongly of rum and laudanum. Witness instantly conveyed him to Guy's Hospital, where the stomach-pump was used ; and as soon as he sufficiently recovered he removed the prisoner to the station-house. Witness added that on further examination of the room where he found the prisoner he perceived a half-pint bottle which bad contained rum and something else, but the heat of the fire had dried up all the liquid. Mr. Burcham asked if the father was dead,  Witness replied that when he called at the hospital in the morning he was not dead. The poison had all been extracted from his stomach, but there were three cuts in the throat, either of which he considered to be dangerous. Mr. Burcham observed that he bad some recollection of this family. Did not the prisoner's mother murder some of her children some time ago ?  Sergeant Yallop replied that about three years ago last August the unfortunate woman murdered two of her children by cutting their throats in bed, and attempted to murder a third child early in the morning. She was tried at the Central Criminal Court, but the jury acquitted her on the ground of insanity. Mr. Butcham said he bad some recollection of the poor woman. When brought before him at the. time she was in a most deplorable condition. Her husband also appeared almost distracted at finding his young children with their throats cut. His worship then asked the prisoner what explanation he had to make. He said that his father brought in some rum, and, after mixing some beer in a cup, handed it to him. As soon as he drank a little he became insensible, and had no recollection of anything that occurred afterwards, until he found himself in the hospital. Mr. Burcham thought it would be better to remand the prisoner for a few days, to enable the police to make further inquiries about this melancholy affair. The prisoner was immediately removed to Horsemongerlane Gaol.  The consecration of the Very Rev. Henry Douglas (late Dean of Capetown) to the bishopric of Bombay, will take place at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, on Sunday next. The Kentish Gazette states that " Mr. Butler Johnstone's health is such that his physician has ordered him to the south of France."  Two men, named John Lawrence, a bricklayer, and James Kelly, a labourer, wore lockyl up at Bow-street on Tuesday, in default of finding sureties for keeping the peace. Tho two prisoners were about to take part in a fight for £2O.  Intelligence has been reeeived of a landslip which has taken place on the Team Valley Railway, near Chester Dene. One line of rails was stated to be stopped. Assistance was despatched from Durham. The Team Valley Railway was only opened for traffic on the Ist inst.  A young girl named Isabel Scales, not quite thirteen years of age, is in custody at Pickering in Lancashire on the charge of poisoning the family in which she was employed as a servant. Bever, persons were poisoned, but all have recovered or are recovering. The girl has been remanded till her mistress shall be well enouuh to give her evidence.