Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1878-04-19 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

THE CHARGE OF ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT SUICIDE. _ _  Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers,- f-oisner-lirof the Fountain Hotel, Weymouth, and late of Bruteswick-buildings, was brought up on Monday afternoon, at the oonsulting-room, Weymouth Royal Hospital, before Mr. R. if. Eliot, and Mr. a Eliot, charged with unlawfully casting and throwing herself into a certain sluice filled with water, with the intent ,thereby feloniously and wilfully, and of her malice aforethought to kill and murder herself. The prisoner, who had been in the care of the Hospital authorities for two days, was dressed most respectably in deep mourning, and four ladies also, of highly respectable appearance, attended her.  Frederick Stockting, who lives in Albert-street, near Park-street, said on Saturday morning, he web on his way to his work at Osmington, starting about six o'clock, and he stayed under Mr. Fisher's wall for a bit, when White came and joined him, and they went towards Osmington together. When they got near the sluice leading from Ludinoor into the East Bay, he heard a noise, and remarked to White "Here is something wrong here." He got over the rail, and saw a woman in the water. It was Mrs. Rogers, and he said to White—Here take hold of this woman. "White jumped in, and they got her out, and Wit's held her up till they got assistance. There was about 2! t, 3in. e water.  George White; I was in company with Stockting when we got down to the sluice, and there saw Mrs. Rogers in the water. I went into the water, and kept her head away from it, as much as I could; I kept her head above water.  By Mr. R. Eliot: her clothes kept her away from the water; she was more lying down ban standing up, hei legs did not altogether touch the around ; she was in a stooping position, and kept moving round and round, her head occasionally dipping into the water at the side. She had a bonnet on, and was fully dreamed. I kept her up straight till help came, and I took her out. She was sensible, and we asked her how she came in, hut she said she did not know. A person could not walk into the sluioe by accident, there Is a railing over which a person must get—as high as my neck—before a person can get to the sluice. When I was on the ground, I could- not reach her down in the water. A waggon came along, and we put her up in it, and brought her along, and back to Weymouth, and left her at the Hospital. This was all that passed. Dr. Smith: I saw her on Sunday, but not when she was brought into the house; the matron can speak as to her state then. Mrs. Mortimer: She was not insensible when she was brought into the house; there was a little delirium from , excitement. Mr. Cooke, of Augusta Place, offered to be surety for her.  —lMr. It. Eliot asked if a person sitting on the rail could fall into the sluice, and was answered in the negative. Geo. White: Beg your pardon, sir, I saw the parasol which that lady had, outside on the footpath. Mr. Symonds: Is there any cause for this Mr. Supt. Batty : I think there is a cause, sir. There is a man at the bottom of it, I think but perhaps it would not be well to mention his name. She has been in trouble, and has had her goods sold away from her. An elderly lady, understood to be Mro. Rogers's aunt, from Hamp4hire, said she thought it was very wrong for her goods to be Taken became her time was not up till May. _  Mr. Symonds: Perhaps there waa some rent owing which was not paid. In answer to Mr. Eliot, Mrs. Rogers's aunt said she dared say her husband would consent to take her to their home._ _ _  —lit::ELiot said the magistrates would be very willing to give her up to her relations if they would became responsible for her. The aunt believed the husband would take her. Mr. Symonds remarked that the mere attempt at this offence was felony in the eye of the law, for which prisoner was liable to be tried, either at the Assizes or Sessions. It was a serious offence, and therefore the magistrates could not give up the prisoner unless some one would he responsible for her future safety. Mr. R Eliot (to Mr. Cooke): Would you be willing to be bound for her for six months?  Mr. Cooke: That is & longer time than I intended, air. Mrs. Rogers: I was so worried I was not in my right senges, air.  The magistrate to Mr. Cooke: Will you be bound for her for three months! Mr. Cooke: I will, sir. Mrs. Rogers was then bound over in £2O, to keep the peace to all Her Majesty's subjects, and especially to herself, for three months, and Mr. Cooke was bound in the like amount for her.  ---IVer7o-Vis—TifiTs: costs to pay, My Batty having been oMiged to have females to watch the prisoner day and night.