The Express. — 1861-11-01 (London, England)

THE ATTEMPTED DOUBLE SUICIDE AT CHESTER.  Jemima Mor' 24mn, a well-dressed, good-looking youog woman, aged, was charged on Wednesday at the Chester Police Court, before the magistrates and the city coroner, with having feloniously attempted to administer to t;cores Homy Davies two ounces of laudanum-, with intent thereby to poison, kill, and murder him. The case created excitement, and the court was crowded throughout the proceedings. It appeared that about two months since the deceased, George Henry Davies, who was a druggist's assistant at Rhyl, in Wales, became possessed of a large sum of money, with which it was intended that he should look out for an eltgilde opening and commence business. Re left his situation, and after a short time made his way to Chester. Here he led a rather dissolute life, and soon became acquainted with some girls of a very indifferent character. With one of these he went to live, but after a short time they disagreed and parted. About three weeks since he made the acquaintance of demima Morgan, and from that time up to his death they lived together as man and wife. On Sunday last they took a trip to Liverpool, and in the evening again returned to Chester. During their journey from Birkenhead to Chester the deceased took a bottle out of his pocket, which contained laudanum, and said to Morgan he was determined to poison himself. She said he should do no such thing, took the bottle from him, and emptied the contents out of the carriage window, saying at the same time, " You never shall, for if you die I'll die also?' They went to several public-houses after they returned to Chester, and partook of • quantity of bitter beer, after which they returned to their lodgings in Frodshametreet. During this time the deceased frequently talked about poisoning himself. Before retiring to their bedmom, Davies wrote a prescription in Latin, and sent a boy to a druggist's shop to fetch what he had written for. Soon after this they adjourned to their bedroom, when the deceased again said he would take poison. Morgan tried to persuade him not to do so, but he still being determined to take it, she agreed to die with him. They then arranged that Davies should pour out Morgan's laudanum, and that she should pour out Davies's. After this hail been done Morgan's heart failed her, and the did not muster sufficient fortitude to take her share for some momenta. Davies finding that sbe hesitated, said he would take both her porlion and his own. This she would not allow him to do, and filling up her glass with bitter beer, immediately swallowed the contents, and Davies followed her example. They then went to bed as if nothing had occurred, but after being there about • quarter of as hour Morgan became alarmed from hearing the dooeued breathing very heavily. She at once called for usistance, sod it being now between twelve and one o'clock, it was deemed advisable to remove them to the Infirmary. Davies, however, was senseless, and notwithstanding everything was done to revive him, he expired soon after nine o'clock on Monday moroing. The laudanum was not so effective upon Morgan, for after taking au emetic and some stimulants she gradually recovered. A post mortem examination was made of the body, and the medical men gave it as their opinion that the decamped had died from the effects of laudanum and alcohol. He left a letter upon the mantelpiece in his room, in which he stated that Mn,o Morgan would call in a few days, and Litzy's (the prisoner's) things were to be delivered up to her, and that the ring upon her finger was not to be taken off upon any consideration. They had also left three letters at the City Arms, which they bad requested the landlord to post for them. One was addressed to the decoised'e mother, Mrs. Paddock, Ridge, Whittington, Shropshire, which was as follows : " Chester, Oct. 27, 1861.—My dear Mother,—You will find me in Frodsham-street, Chester, dead, so you must come immediately and inter Jemima and I respectably, according to the rites of the Established Church.—l am, my dear mother, with warmest love,—G. Duke. " Address, Mrs. Wasem, Frodabam-street, Cluster." There was also a letter addressed to the prisoner's father, Mr. William Morgan, Mimi Cottage, near Oswestry, Salop. It was dated Chester, Oct. 27, 1861 : "My dear Father and Mother,—lf you like to take the trouble you will find me at Mrs.Wasem's, Frodshametrest, Chester, on the 28th of Oct., dead ; so, for God's sake, come and seems, and he who loves toe, respectably interred. You can keep my friend's clothes with my own for ever. Be sure and come end fetch the box immediately, and any other luggage that I may posses& Jemima &ft not owe Mrs. Wasem a fraction, therefore I trust you will not give anything.—l remain, yours affectionately, "