Carlisle Patriot
September 1st 1855
Poisoning Case at Darlington | Poisoning Case at Darlington |
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| Carlisle Patriot - September 1st 1855 | ||||
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THE POISONING CASE AT DARLINGTON. DARLINGTON, FRIDAY AFTERNOON. PART II. By the Bench: The symptoms of the patient would depend on the dose. If taken in large quantities the symptoms are very marked.. Among the symptoms produced by arsenic taken in small doses and for a long period are numbness and tingling of the hands, itching of the skin, and redness of the eyes. Tetanic spasms are occasionally caused by arsenic in small or large doses. There was in his opinion no known antidote to arsenic, except in the case of oxide of iron being given when arsenic was in solution, and the iron was given immediately after the poison is swallowed. The more perfectly the arsenic is dissolved the more rapidly it is absorbed into the system. Mr. J. R. FOTHERGILL said that he wished to correct a statement that he made in the evidence which he had previously given, that arsenic was not present in the acid that he had used in the analysis that he made of the enemas. On subsequent examinations he had ascertained that it did contain a small quantity - a mere trace - but so small as not, in his opinion to alter his opinion that the matter in the enema contained arsenic quite independent of the trace found in the acid. He made a comparative and most careful analysis, and his opinion as to the result was confirmed. Dr. TAYLOR remarked on the exceedingly dangerous and pernicious effects that might arise from arsenic being present in muriatic acid. He said it arose from iron pyrites being used in making a cheap kind of acid. He understood that it was used in making bread, and the arsenic thus became incorporated in the loaf. It was disgraceful that so dangerous a substance was allowed to be sold, and he had intended to communicate with the Committee of the House of Commons inquiring into adulterations, but it had risen before he had reached town. Dr. HASLEWOOD produced a medicine basket and its contents, which were in the possession of Mr. WOOLER at the time of his wife’s death. Among the ingredients in the bottles were laudanum, opium, and other drugs; but he had found no arsenic or Fowler’s solution. Some spirit of nitre had a suspicious appearance, and he suggested that it be analysed. [The whole of the bottles were ordered to be handed over to Dr. TAYLOR, with the medicines prescribed by the medical men for analysis.] Mr. MARSHALL said that hi client was perfectly satisfied with Dr. TAYLOR’s evidence. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. MARSHALL asked if the Bench had made up their minds to send the case for trial. If they left the case open he would enter into a defence, as he did not think that the case was at all advanced by Professor TAYLOR’s evidence. His client was in such a weak state of health that he would probably not live out a long imprisonment. The Bench said, after a necessarily protracted inquiry, they had unanimously come to a conclusion that the case should be tried by a jury, and the prisoner would stand committed to Durham Gaol for a trial at the next assizes. **** SATURDAY AFTERNOONMessrs. R. H. ALLAN and J. L. HAMMOND and Colonel COLLING were present at the magistrates room this morning at 10 o’clock, when Mr. Joseph Snaith WOOLER was again brought up, and the reading of the depositions was proceeded with. Mr. ALLAN asked if it had come out whether Mr. WOOLER had effected any insurance on his wife’s life, either in England or India? Mr. MARSHALL replied that not a farthing had been insured on the deceased life by his client. Ann TAYLOR, (prisoner’s servant) corrected her deposition by stating that all who were in the room on the certificate of death being read told her to gather up the medicine bottles, and she believed her master did also; Miss. LANCASTER, Miss. BRECKNELL, and her master were present. All depositions having been signed, with the exception of that of Dr. RICHARDSON, for whom telegraphic messages had been sent to Newcastle in vain, the prisoner was called up and the charge read over to him by Mr. PEACOCK, the magistrates clerk, as follows: - “For that he, in the month of June last past, at the township of Great Burdon, in the county of Durham, did feloniously, willfully, and of malice of aforethought, kill and murder Jane WOOLER, the wife of him, the said Joseph Snaith WOOLER, by then and there administering to her, the said Jane WOOLER, a certain poison called arsenic, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided. The prisoner was then addressed by Mr. ALLAN in the usual form, viz., Having heard the evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge? To which Mr. WOOLER replied, “I thank God Almighty that I can say from the bottom of my heart that I am as innocent as any of you three gentlemen sitting there; and I trust that Almighty God, before whom I stand, will bring to light the atrocious criminal who had perpetrated this foul deed. Mr. ALLEN then (addressing the prisoner) said, - It is our duty - and a painful duty it is - to order you to be committed to Durham gaol, and you are now committed accordingly, for trial at the next assizes, on the charge of poisoning your wife. The prosecutor (Mr. BRECKNELL) having been bound over in a £300 recognizance to prosecute at Durham Assizes , and the witnesses in £50 each to give evidence , all the parties left the court about 2 o’clock. About 3, we believe, Mr. RICHARDSON arrived, but too late to complete his deposition. Mr. WOOLER was taken to Durham shortly after the close of the proceedings. |
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