The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-12-10 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

BBIDPORT.  FIRST FUNERAL UNDER THE BURIALS ACT.—The first interment, under the new Burials Act, took place at the Allington parish churchyard, on Tuesday afternoon, when the remains of Mrs. Swaffield, relict of the late Mr. Swaffield, cooper, of North Mills, were consigned to their last resting place. The Rev. E. Davies, Unitarian Minister, officiated at the grave. Deceased, who had reached the advanced age of 96, was a TJnitarian, but the friends requested her to be buried in the parish. The application was at once granted by the Rev. S. S. Keddle, vicar.  BOROUGH POLICE, Friday.—Before Charles Ednaundii, Esq. (Mayor), and Dr. Hay, M.A. ROBBERY CASE.—The woman, Mary Martha Legg, who was again remanded on Wednesday, appeared on remand on a charge of stealing articles, property of Mrs. Charlotte Phillips, value 200.—Mr. C. G. Nantes, as on Wednesday, did not put in an appearance, having no doubt thrown up the case.—Prisoner appeared to be very excited, and when formally charged with the offence, elected the case to he summarily dealt with. She elicited a deal of laughter by her circumlocutory answers. Finally she pleaded guilty, and, during the consultation of the bench, gave herself up to sobbing and wailing.—The Mayor said they had given the case every consideration, and they wished to do what was right ; the case was a very had one, and she would be imprisoned for one month.—Upon hearing the sentence prisoner said " Thank you," and immediately relapsed into a species of hysterics. COUNTY POLICE, Thursday.—Before J. M. P. Montagu, E •q. William Butler, son of a naval officer of Chardstock, was charged with attempting suicide by shooting himself with a pistol on the previous day.—Mrs. Agnes Butler, wife of Thomas Bagshaw Butler, R.N., deposed prisoner is my son. Yesterday, about half-past 10 a.m., he was very excited, and threatened to put me out of the house. I said "If you are going to do that, I shall fetch your brother from the college." He then ran up the stairs. I heard him say " I am going to get out the pistol," and said something else which I did not hear. Fearing he might do harm, I sent for a constable. I returned with P.C. Paull. 1 called for my other son, James Bagshaw Butler, who came to the house. As I came up the field to the house I heard a repert of firearms. The prisoner had locked himself into my bedroom. I heard my son, J. B. Butler, ask prisoner to open the door and give up the pistol. Prisoner tried to undo the door, but failed to do so. The policeman burst it open, when I saw prisoner's forehead stunning with blood. I noticed a large pied of blood on the counterpane. The prisoner was standing up. He had been very ill indeed. He bad ten fits last week. He has been so for nearly five years. The pistol was locked up that the prisoner might not use it. I feared he might injure any of us. I went to the policeman to ask him to get prisoner to give the pistol up. Dr. Spicer has attended him for 12 months. The doctor advised me six months ago to send Pritioner away.—P.C. Paull said on the previous day (Is December) he went to Ransoms Hill House. When he got there the front door was fastened, and the back door shut. Prisoner's brother got in through the window and opened the front dour. He followed the brother upstairs, and the brother asked prisoner to open the doors, which was locked. He refused. His brother called witness, and he went up, asking prisoner to open the door and give him the tibt,l. He said he should not open the door, and witness told him he should break it in. Witness then heard a report, and again asked prisoner te open the door, when he said he would. Prisoner then tried to open it, hut said he could not. Witness then burst the door open. Prisoner was standing near the door, and the blond was running doWn his face. Witness said to prisoner 'You have shot yourself." Prisoner replied, "No; you have struck me with the door," hut afterwards said, " I did shoot myself." The pistol (produced) was lying on the floor. Specimen of the bullet was also produced, with a cap, which was given to witness by prisoner's brother. He bathed his head, and sent for Dr. Spicer. Witness asked him what he did it for, and he replied. "I thought my brother was come home to thrash me." Witness charged him with the offence, and took him into custody.—Dr. F. Scott, of Bridport, taid he had that day examined prisoner. lie found a bullet wound on the top of the heat, between the bone and the skull. Witness thought prisoner was a person of weak intellect, and not able to take care of himself, and did not think him responsible for his actions. He has suffered from chronic epilepsy, which has weakened his mind, and he required great care. Did not think he knew right from wrong at times. and at times would be dangerous to others.—After this evidence, the Bench directed the necessary forms to be filled for his immediate admission to an asylum. 

Article type: Incident