The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1881-12-24 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

HEARTLESS DESERTION AND  SUICIDE.  An enquiry was held last week at Paddington, relative to the death of Emma Cummins (23), lattly a barmaid at the "Criterion," who had taken poison at a boarding-house where she had lived. From the statement of her sister it appeared that, contrary to her earnest entreaties, she had consented to leave her situation, and live with Lieutenant Ponsonby, of the Royal Navy, he having promised to allow her £25 a month foe a twelvemonth. In a short time afterwards the unfortunate woman returned to her friends, saying she had been betrayed and deserted, and that she was suffering from severe illness. She would not stay at home, as tequested, but persisted in leaving her parent's house, saying she had to meet three gentlemen, friends of the lieutenant.— Mr. Herbert Capon, surgeon, of 159, Edgware•road, stated that on Saturday, the 3rd inst, he was culled to see a lady, then called Mrs. Perry, and she complained of suffering from a disease contracted under cireumstanoes which she explained to him. He prescribed for her, and again saw her on Monday. On Tuesday morning be was celled, and found deceased vomiting. There was a great smell of phosphor poison, and on the dressing table he found a bottle labelled, "I. James's phosphor paste, for killing rats, mice, J 0.," a pair of scissors, and two papers. One had written on it, "To be given to my sister after I am dead," and some bread, showing that the deceased had taken the phosphor paste by spreading it on the bread. Deceased also told him she bad taken it, and he believed she had also taken the lotion he had previously prescribed for her. He attended her till her death, and before she died deceased made the following statement :—'• In consequence of giving so much trouble to my friends, and baying beau recently seduced by Lieutenant Ponsonby, for the first time, I have taken poison." Since death he bad made a post mortem, and found death was due to fatty degeneration of the organs, following phosphor poisoning.—Dr. Edward Herbert Seaoombe, of 4, Gloucester-street, stated that he had attended the post mortem examination, as representing Lieutenant Ponsonby, and he quite agreed with ; Dr. Capon as to the cause of death.—The Coroner i at this stage read the letter deceased had addressed to her sister. It said. "I have made up my mind to kill myself, as I can't endure to live in this horrible pain. I may be ill for weeks, months, or perhaps years, or perhaps never get better. You kr.ow the worst now. You know the man who has caused all this, and do not spare him for his cruel conduct to me, for he has killed me. If this shall be a warping to persons who win be tempted to avoid sash I shall not die in vain. I hope that my moth*, and  father will forgive me. It seems so hard fer in that for one wrong act of my life I mast dose it. only wish that the stuff will prove fatal. If I could see a ray of light throughout all this darkness I would try and live.—Ehiste."—The jar!, after a private consultation for some time, were of opinion that the enquiry should not be closed without the evidence of Lieutenant Ponsonby, and it was adjourned till the 29a, inst. for Lis attendance.