The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1889-07-20 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

SAD CASE OF INFANTICIDE AND SUICIDE AT WELLESBOURNE.  A shocking case of infanticide and suicide was investigated on Friday at Wellesbourne Hall, the residence of Mr. C. G. Lefroy. It appears in November last Mr. Lefroy engaged the services of a cook named Susan Anderson, who was then in the employ of Sir Arthur Hodgson, of Clopton. She entered on her duties and continued at them till Thursday afternoon, the 11th inst., performing them satisfactorily, none having any suspicion that anything was amiss until Friday, the 4th inst. The suspicions were, however, explained away, and nothing more occurred till Tuesday, Anderson fulfilling her duties as usual. On that day her fellow-servants felt convinced their former suspicions had been correct, and accordingly sent for Mr. Lefroy (who was then away) to return home at once. Upon his arrival he began to make investigations, which led to the confession by Anderson of having given birth to a child and concealed it in a box in her bedroom, where it was afterwards found, having been brutally murdered by its mother. The doctor, having been communicated with, arrived, and to him Anderson admitted the birth of the child, and intimated where it would be found. The case Was immediately put into the hands of the police, but, before they could arrive, Anderson had taken a quantity of Battle's "Vermin-killer," and shortly afterwards expired. An inquest on the bodies was held on Friday, before Mr. Couchman (coroner), the jury consisting of the Rev. B. Potter (foreman), Rev. A. S. Hartigan, Messrs. J. Onslow, W. Banner, NV. it. Charles, H. Dudley, W. Hitchman, Hall, T. Monntford, H. Smith, Ranking, and Shelswell,  The first witness called was Mr. it. Pitt, surgeon, who deposed to being sent for to Wellesbourne Hall on Thursday and seeing Anderson, who admitted the birth of a child, and directed him where to find the body, giving him the keys of her boxes. He opened the large trunk and found therein a smaller one, in which he discovered the body, and made superficial examination, suspecting some violence. Upon making a post-mortein examination he found evidence of considerable violence, there being great extravasation under the scalp, three fractures of the skull, the internal members of the brain greatly congested, and the lower jaw fractured. The child was evidently borne alive, which Anderson previously admitted, while she denied having used violence.  Lizzie Lechmere, a fellow-servant, gave evi. -dance of her acquaintance with Anderson since November last. She had no suspicion until Tuesday, when Anderson said "a dreadful thing had happened." She afterwards, on Thursday, admitted the birth of a child, and, after the doctor's visit, gave her three addresses for communicating with her friends, at the same time saying she had taken something. She was shortly afterwards taken ill, Lechmere staying with her. She then commenced to struggle very much, and witness called in Charles Hall (butler), witness herself going out of the room. She did not say what she had taken. Eunice Bradshaw, a fellow-servant, deposed to purchasing at Mr. New's shop, Bridge Street, Stratford-on-Avon, on the 3rd of July, two packets of Battle's "Vermin Killer," to kill mice, at Anderson's request. She signed for the  Charles Hall, butler, next sworn, said he did not know anything was wrong till Tuesday. He at once sent for Mr. Lefroy, who was away from home. His master returned on Thursday and commenced to investigate the ease, sending .for the doctor and afterwards going for Police constable Standley. When the doctor left, Anderson went upstairs, and the housemaid followed. He was, after a short time, called up, and Anderson then said she had taken poison. A telegram being handed in from Mr. New (the chemist at whose shop the poison was brought), showing the amount of strychnine in each packet, the evidence was concluded, and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity. The bodies were interred on Friday evening at half-past six. Deceased was a native of Scotland, and has friends in Montrose. She was 35 years of age.