Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1900-04-27 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

CASE. A SYMPATHETIC 317DGE.  At the Manchester Spring Assizes on Friday, before Mr. Justice Bucknill, Ellen Williamson, aged 25, was charged with attempting to drown her child Jane in the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Brierfield on the 27th March, and also with attempting to commit suicide. She had in the first instance pleaded guilty, but was now permitted to plead not guilty, because of her state of mind. At the request of the Judge, Mr. Mlieand looked after the case for the prisoner, the prosecuting council being Mr. Mellor. It was •stated by Mr. Mellor that the prisoner was a winder by occupation. Her health broke down two years ago, and she became weak and melancholy, though it was not thought necessary to have a watch set upon her movements. Her child of five years old was illegitimate. She attended St. Andrews day school at Burnley. On the 27th March the mother went to the school and asked the schoolmistress to allow her to take the girl away, as she was going to provide a new home for her. The two went away together, and what next happened was that they were seen in the canal. A mill hand named Hartley gave the alarm, and both thel prisoner and her child were rescued. The first words of the prisoner were " I wish you had left me in." Her shawl was found on the canal bank, with a paper pinned to it which contained the following :—" My last request is that only my brother aud Herbert Smith attend my funeral, the latter so to help to lower me." . _  The mother of the prisoner WILS er.dled, and she stated that in conversation her daughter often mentioned suicide.  Martin Darcy, warehouseman, who took the chief part in the re6cue of mother ad child —getting even out of his depth in the water,— bore out the statement of Mr. Mellor.  _ Charles Birtwistle, a gardener, who witnessed the occurrence and helped in the rescue, said that the prisoner, so far as he could make out, was holding up her child high in the water as if to save her. On coming to concionsnesv on the bank of the canal she at once asked for Jane, and when told that the child was safe said, "Thank God for that." _.  Tim Judge interposed at this stage. Speaking with sonic emotion to the jury, he said they must fool after the evidence given that it was impossible to convict this woman. It was not necessary to go into the question of her mental condition. On the evidence itself no jury could convict. Gentlemen, asked the Judge, do you cgree with me? The Jury: Yes. A verdict of not guilty was returned on the charge so far tried. The eharge of attempting to commit suicide was withdrawn, on the suggestion of the Judge.  The mother of the young woman wao again called, and was strongly advised by the Judge to have her daughter at once examined by a doctor as to her mental condition. The, mother said she could not maintain the girl. The Judge said he was afraid of releasing the girl at once. Ido not think it right, he added, that the medical man from the gaol should be absent from the Assizes on the first day. If he had been here I should have asked him to make an examination of this poor soul. Mr. Arlieand stated that Mrs. Lewis, thc visiting lady of the gaol, had come down to take charge of this girl, knowing that she eould not return home.  The Judge said he was Tory glad indeed. The prir,onor was then dischargea.