The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1882-02-04 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

THE NOTTING-HILL POISONING CASE. At the Hammersmith Police Court onThutsday, before Mr. Paget, Mark Fahey Kavanagh, 24, an ex-police officer, was charged with causing the death of Helen Hawkins, at 78, Aoklam-road, Notting-Hill, on Monday. The prisoner and a woman named Hawkins took lodgings at 78, Miriam-road, aboat ten days ago. On Monday morning, owing to the landlord hearing a noise in the room occupied by the pair, he went and found the two lying on the bed, having taken a quantity of vermin powder. The woman died, and the man, after being taken to St. Mary's Hospital, recovered, and was now charged with the offence, and als3 with attempting to c3mmit suicide. The prisoner, who is still very weak, was accommodated with a seat in the dock, and was brought up in charge of Inspector Brewster. William Parker said—l live at 78, Ackiam-road, Notting.hill. lam a gasfitter. The prisoner took a furnished room in my house on the 20th ult. He had with him a female, who professed to be his wife. On Monday morning I was awakened early by hearing soreams, which appeared to come from the next house. I awoke my wife, I got out of bed and opened the dining-room door, and found that the noise was in the back room of my own house. I then rushed into the room. The prisoner was in the dark and was groaning, but the woman was screaming. The prisoner said, "Send for a doctor, we have both poisoned ourselves." I went downstairs and got a light, and took it into the room and saw the prisoner and deceased in bed, in each other's arms. I then left the house, and had not gone far be. fore I met a pollee sergeant. I told him the case, [led then went to Dr. Gardiner, who at once came to the house. On my return I found two or three doctors at the house. Dr. Gardener said—l am a member of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh. I live at 124, Cornwall-road. I was called to this case at seven a.m. on Monday. I found the two persons in a state of teto.nic convulsions. I was told by the prisoner that they had both taken Battle's Vermin Killer. I then proceeded to adopt remedies. I gave them an emetic, and sent for my stomach pump and for Dr. Duke, Meanwhile Dr. Boram came in. The woman being the worst of the two we used the pump upon her, but seeing the state she was in we desisted, and she then died. This was ten minutes after I ariived. We then wanted to use the stomach pump upon the prisoner, but he refused to allow us to do so. Ho said, "I want to die also." When Dr, Duke came in, and the man had then sufficiently recovered, we took him to St. Mary's Hospital, where I left him, and did not see him again until to-day. The prisoner said to me on Monday, after the death of the woman, "I bought a sixpenny packet of Vermin Killer. We both had been intending to poison ourselves for some time past. I bought the packet in Kentish.town. She mixed it in a cup, then divided it, gave me one half and took half her. self." Mr. Paget—Did you sea anything of the poison? Witness—Yes; I saw two caps which had contained the poison. They contained a sediment of the nature of Vermin Killer. The case was then remanded.  Kavanagh has made a statement that it was the wish of himself and the deceased to die together, and this statement is supported by the following letter, purporting to be the joint production of the unhappy couple :—"7B, Ackland.road, January 29, 10 p.m.—Mr. Parker,—Sir,—You will please excuse these few lines, though of a wicked nature. It have been my intention this last 12 months to do this wicked act through depression of mind and, unfortunately, in this life, I can't put up with it no longer. With regard to my wife, she was aware of my fate before ever I married, and said she would partake of the same fate as me. As regards her own boxes they are sent to her own sister, and mine to my brother; it being my wish. That neither friend nor relative should know where we are. The parish authorities will bury us without any expense to you. I came away sudden, and we left everything behind, except what we had on, which was not much. When you hear of my fate, send at once to the Notting Hill Police Station. Enquire for Mr. Thomas E. Maher, inspector, who will conduct the inquest, and identify us, and give him and his kind wife, Helen, my best wishes. We have of ten talked about them since we have been here. Good bye. and farewell, Mary. For Henry Ka— vanagh, Helen Kavanagh (maiden name Hawkins). Mr. Parker,—Please ask Mr. Maher, If he possibly can, to bury us both in one grave." It will be seen from this letter that Kavanah represehted the deceased as his wife, but it is believed that no marriage ceremony ever took place.  "