INQUEST.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1848, 16 March 1869, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday at tha Albion hotel, Lytcelton, upon the bo&f of Emma Fleming, of Port Levy, boforo Bt Coward, coroner. Mr H. Dunsford was chosen foreman of tie jury. After the jury had viewed the body, Richard J. P. Fleming was called, and stated—l was husband of the deceased. Sha was alive and well at four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when we were about sitting down to tea. While calling the children to tea I noticed something peculiar in her manner, and it caused mc to make some remark about it, Sbo appeared to be excited at the time, and it took my attention bo much co that I said— "What have you done?" she replied, "Itis too late; now it is all over." I did nofc know what she meant. I took her into the bed* room, shook her, and begged hey to toll rus what she had done. She said it wae in her pocket. I put my hand in and pulled out the bottle. It was a email bottle of strvoßßiua that had been in the house for eomo years, Only a little was left in it (bottle produced.) I forced some mustard and water down her throat; she was slightly convulsed, crying and breathing heavily, seemingly in pain. She lived about an hour after I gave heat the emetic One man servant and one maid servant were there all the time. She had been quite sober, and never threatened to ta&e poison. , By a Juror —I have remembered sines the occurrence, but did not observe before, thsfc her manner eeemed different to usual. Ouo of the servants had noticed something stage and desponding about her at intervals. Ellen Power, sworn—l live with Mr Hem* ing. Mrs Fleming, the deceased, was well ea Saturday. She was in the garden. I head her talking to herself. I was present wheo she died. She remarked just before expiring that she had taken it. I did not know eks meant that she had poisoned herself. By a Juror—-She eaid she waa thankful to mc for my kindness. By a Juror—l never aaw the bottle pfO s duced before. She did nofc speak to mo when she was in the dairy. It was about Sea minutes after she was in the dairy that Xssw her.- in the bedroom. I heard her take gome* thing out with a cup, but did not aeohefmnß anything. Dr Donald, sworn—l received c m«sg® from Mr Fleming about half-pasUm oa Satnrday night, telling mc th&tMw S* e!BUl f was supposed to have poieoned hcreelr s ana asking mc to go and see her. I could not W what she had taken, and consulted wife in Bouse as to the best medioines to take with «& It was half-past two before we reached tfia house. She was then quite dead, and by w& report of the byestandere hud been dead «x hours. Mr Fleming gave mc this WW» (produced) that was found in her poe&eS, asa told mc that only he and hie wife Wf sc f® to the drawer in which it was kept.. I| n voured to ascertain if anything M& wee noticed in her manner. I know UiaWbe wa at the critical period of female life. »» B f* got from being a spare thin woman.to w«* ceodingly fat. Her manner on »/;»•*'*; previous to her death waa altered. After W always welcomed, I felt in the way, and g»e to get away. I could not understand h» * made enquiries, and Mr Fleming said.that M. had noticed it after its being called t» ■*- m j a d mea Harris eaid he delivered » lett**; Mrs Fleming at four p.m. on Saturday. ij». letter stated that a dinner party waa^ Vf%l and deceased seemed annoyed at the lawui ge Thomas Power, sworn-I Uve m®J& Fleming. I was about the lwuee on Bang day. I saw deceased daring £•«»£ l ijj obeerve something peculiar about wr. g was talking to herself about one o clocfc w was in the habit of doio f bo. I «rb*g the evening standing by Serosa dmt *£ looked very pale and troubled, gSingallaJoundher. About mhm ■»* wards® she came into the Ht and with a cup took some »gf in I did not ccc her after that until [ «** « her own room in convulsions, B, »rL* w a. dying i nothing else. I never saw tux go ZJ milk before. When abe «■£&.. bed she eaid it waa too late to go fiw

jt *.ire<l us not to touch her as it doctor, and asked «s n Sb dberhuflband brought« for as I know. Ido ysr* ™j -wg * ■""■* ggainsther. nnaT ter of an hour's conatWrSSa a verdict "That SfSe-eV died from strychnine under mental derangement." -