The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1900-03-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

HER LAST REPORT DBATR FROM LAUDANUM FOISOND4O.  A SENSATIONAL LB'FrEIL  On Saturday morning Mr. A. F. Cotton, deputy-coroner, conducted an ingtwat marding the circumstances attending the death of a woman named Jane Moore, who had taken laudanum on Thursday morning last, Which resulted in her death.  Tiliiirerl7WilliZn-CirLn-g-ei, a restaurantkeeper, at 9, Bridge-street, said that on Saturday evening, February 10th, deceased came In his home and engaged a room. In reply to his inquiry, she said that she had been living in North Wales as a housekeeper. She wee always getting intoxicated, and on Tuesday morning, the 20th inst., he was compelled to send her away through her habits. Annie Pickin, of 109, Bronghametreet, Tranmere, eaid that she had identified the deoeaaed as her aunt. She was forty-four years old, and a housekeeper. She (witness) saw her last on Tuesday afternoon, when she had come for some old clothes. She had previously let her remain at her house from the 12th inst. to the 17th, but she was continually drunk, and ate hardly any food. Before this she had not seen her for six years. Deceased had told her that she had coigne from Weiss to Birkenhead on business for a man named Cleghorn, to whom she had acted as housekeeper. On Saturday, the 17th, continued the witness, deceased had gone to the Poet Office for a letter. She did not return until Tuesday afternoon, and then went away again, saying that she was going to catch a six o'clock train home. Annie Stewart, a woman residing at 6, Leicester-street, said that on Thursday morning last she saw deceased in a closet open to , the court. She went to her, and told her that she had better go away. Deceased said that she was not well, and asked if she would let her step a little longer. She (emptied with the wish, but, coming back an hour or two later, she was there still. She then sent for a constable. P.C. 16 (Birch) said that he went round to Chaster-street from information received, and found deceased there. She told him that she had taken the poison to stop some neuralgic trouble. Ile at once telephoned for the ambulance, in which she was taken to the hospital. Dr. Macfarlane said that he received the woman on Thursday afternoon shortly after one o'clock. She was only semi-conscious, but could Ise roused into consciousnas. She said that Who had taken threepennyworth of the poison, and produced two empty ounce bottles. Hoe applied the usual remedies, and when brought round she farther informed bins that else had taken it about three o'clock that morning to relieve neuralgia, and did not intend to commit suicide. At 11-30 that night her face became more livid than previously, and she experienced great difficulty in breathing. Artificial respiration was tried, but with no avail, for she died at half-pest twelve. The cause of death was asphyxia. Mr. Cotton then read a letter which Detective Mountfield had found in her box, and which appeared to have been ready for posting. Appended is a copy of the letter:— Birkenhead, Sunday. To Mr. Cieghorii,—l received your letter on Saturday morning telling me net to write any more to you. lam now writing to say that you are wrong me saying that I either took towels or bedcover belonging to you. I washed the white cover about a mouth ago, and put it in the box on Saturday. If I have been a thief in money matters God forgive me for saying what you aeouse me of! The last report of me will appear in the papers. So Glodl help me, and God forgive yom—From Jane. The jury then adjourned and considered their verdict, afterwards bringing it in as " Accidental death, due to au overdose of , Ittudhatun."