Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-05-09 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

THE SUPPOSED ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. Wm/miasma : B.dore the Mayor (Mr. A. Pope) and Messrs. M. D,vvnish, R. Davis, and (1 J. G. Gregory. alizaboth (Mart came up charged with an attempt at suicide, by drinking paraffin oil. She was limp and querulous, and dropped, palpitating, into a chair, where, with partly diihevelled hair, she was narrowly regarded by a row or two of damsels, and about half-a-doson young fellows.  The magistrates, being disturbed by persons coming Into the Court, directed that the door nearest the Bono'a should be closed, and visit 're were sent to the other end, the result being that several gentlemen were obliged to come in at the lower door: before being accommodated with seats around the clerk s table. The little girl witness listened attentively to Mr. Henry Symonds's distinct reading of her evidence, and a faint smile crossed her face as the tale of William Weakiey's remark that hi liked somebody better than Elk Ibeth was read, while the young women in Court were visibly amused.  rem Strong, a witness eveo smaller than the last, and only 10, t Ad—She bet me a shilling she'd he dead before next morning, and I said "All right."-3&r. Symonds brought her back to times and places by elieiting she lived at house with her parents, and on the 10th, about nine, wee at home with her sister, p-isoner being also there. B'isabeth said she felt very bad, and she'd be dead by the morning. She then went upstairs, and said ahe should go to bed, and witness remained balow, but did not see anything in her hand, nor did she see the cup. Witnese's sister, Eiztheth Toms, went upetaire, and witness with her, and in about five min his returned, and took come tna,ches back with her. When witness got upstairs, the f iund prisoner in bed in her room: • cup was in the wiudoor, and prisoner reacued over to the window•sill for the cup produced (an ordinary white tea-cup, with no handle), drank the contents, and said " H air I haw I it's paraffin ; now I've done it" By the M iyor : She appeared to be in palm afterwards, but did not holloa out. Her sister , sail "Twas silliness of you, Bess, to do that." It did not seem to take away her breath in any way. Mrs. Page, who ledges with hoe, came, went to her, and asked what ' ,he did it for, when prisoner, who was in bed, made no answer, but took her hy the throat Prisoner was shaken up by Mr. Day, but did not rouse herself, or ask any questions. Mrs. Father Page, wife of driver John Page, 111 LA-, lodges in the house with prisoner, and on the 28th was called from her bed about nine, to go into the prisoner's room, left her husband, found prisoner in bed, and sent the little girl to her mother. Pris iner's mouth was half open, and smoke coming (rum her mouth, just as if from a fire, and it smelt of paraffin. Asked what she had dine it for, when prieoner took her by the throat, and, as well as she could speak, s.Il, in an excited state, that her throat was burning. Witness did not think elm was right, was frightened, and ran downrairs till she could get someone to go with hor, as prisoner seemed to be out of her mind, and witness was afraid she'd do her an injury. Her husband took the cdp, which had some iurar at the bottom. Witness sent for medical advice, went back and remained with her till tLe police removed her. On Tuesday morning, the day after, witness asked her what sbe did it fort when prixoner replied "amens. of William." Witness Sail "E .w could it be because of him I He has only been in the house a month." He was no acquaintance whatever. Witness said par .ffin wouldn't do it, and prisoner replied "she'd do it aged', and 'twould only cost her a penny." Previous to this she had threatened to do something to herself: there was something very heavy on her mind that she would not tell single soul. Cross-examined: She said so before William Wisakley came to the house and she was always complaining of her head. In answer to the Mayor, Supt. Cloward said prisoner etayed 'at home, and kept house for her father, and when he was summoned for rates she appeared for him. Witness did nit believe it MIA on William Weakley's account that she did this, but that she was not right i her mind, she always co oplained of bar head. Prisoner, on being asked by the see e ant if she hat any question to ask, uttered some high-pitched complaining sounds, and let her head fall on one side ea Moore. Mr. Dav's deposition was read to him, and he had nothing t tadd. He had not analysed anything, as the vomit was so highly cdarted with par ffii, and the cup and bottle smelt of the earn". Ile did not believe the effects of the paraffin were all gone out of the brain. Sergeant Mitchell was called in on the 29th April, and went t the prisoner" house, an I got from Mrs. Page the cup produced, which smelt of paraffin. Witneu was af terwarda put in charge of hie, and she reniaieed sullen for hours, and then would laugh and talk, and call for her father and Wilhom. Tue brother Gilbert, was called, but not sworn, and in answer to the Mayor said be got a job where he could, butchering mail such like.—(Siapt. Coward said he had been in the Arnis Pa i.erve) H wenteil to know why Mrs. PAO had not ti d him herore that his sister had threatened to do away with tiered( I The mai.i.trates deeliniid hi go into that question. The b-other sai i believed the young man had been. very int 'MeV with ilia sister, and bad promised her em,Timig and he believed this affair was on the young race's .cut'nt; iiva he admitted be thought his sister not right ill bey heod. Tile eiego.trares reaolved to commit the prisoner for Vial, Red to answer to them prisoner moaned out—" I did not tell uerii I wunill kill myself." Conswitted for trial.