The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1882-05-20 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

LADY.-011 Friday, Mr. W. S. Poole, coroner for Central Warwickshire, held an inquest at Swinton Lodge, Milverton, near Leamington, on the body of Miss Eccles (43), who had committed suicide. About twelve years ago the deceased was deranged and confined in an asylum for the space of three months. In January last she took a very large dose of syrup of chloral, and very nearly lest her life. On Wednesday evening she wr found by the cook in the dining room in an ex . led state, and throwing her arms about She asked for some brandy and water, which were qt. en her. She then became quiet, but shortly a. es-wards she said she was dying. About nine, o'clock she slipped off the sofa, and died almost ildmediately. Mr. Marcie, surgeon, was called in, and 4_posed to the appearance of the body which to like mind suggested poisoning by strychnine. In the fire grate of the room he found a paper wrapper et , some preparation described as "the prize medal African insect exterminator." He made a poet mortem examination of the body, but had not analysed the contents of the stomach. They had been preserved for that purpose if the coroner wished it. Judging by the rigid condition of the arms, legs, and body, he attributed death to strychnine. In the intestines he found a needle lying longitudinally, but it had not protruded into the bowels. In reply to the coroner, the jury said they did not think an adjournment was necessary. In their opinion deceased had committed suicide while in an unsound state of mind.—A verdict to this effect was returned. CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE Soca-Tr.—On Wednesday evening, Dr. Crispi, of Wimbourne, Dorset, delivered a lecture in the Mission Hall, in connection with the Church of England Temperance Society. The Hon. and Rev. J. W. Leigh, president of the Society presided, and there were also present, Dr. T. W. Thursfield, Mr. G. C. Lake, J. H. Joyce, and others. —The Vicar, in introducing the lecturer, said one thing was quite certain, that the subject of temperance was coming more and more to the fore. Mr. Booth, the temperance reformer, had come into Warwickshire, and commenced his crusade in the I town of Birminghrtn, and he bad no doubt that before he left that town, he would have effected a great change in that -place. He (the Vicar) had had a communication from Mr. Booth in which he had stated that although he was engaged up to the middle of May, 1883, he would endeavour to come to Leamington for a couple of days— (applause). He did not think it was necessary to have Mr. Booth in Leamington, in order to excite an interest in the temperance cause. People, not only in Leamington, but throughout the country, were becoming thoroughly sensible about it, and sensible to the evils of which it had been productive. The clergy and ministers of all denominations were taking part in the work, and the temperance cause was permeating and being discussed by every grade of society. They wanted it to permeate the working classes more, and he hoped in the future to see more working men come forward—(hear, hear)—and assist in rescuing their fellow-creatures from degradation and vice. —Dr. Crispi then proceeded with his lecture.—A vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer at the close.