ALLEGED BLACKMAILING

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8197, 13 June 1892, Page 5

ALLEGED BLACKMAILING

STARTLING REVELATIONS EXPECTED.

KOMA_wc_dlo_—Electric Telegraph—Copjrtjht London, June 10.

The London police have a prisoner in custody who is suspected of levying blackmail by means of letters charging the recipients with murder, and demanding hush money.

June 11.

Thomas Neill, an American, has been arrested on the charge of attempting to levy blackmail on Dr. Harper in connection with the poisoning of two girls in Stamford street, Lambeth, recently. The police hint that startling revelations are likely to be brought out, proving that there has been systematic poisoning of girls, aud that there were eeven or eight victims.

The case referred to in the cable message is reported in the London papers to hand by tho last mail. On April 13th Mr Wyatt, Deputy Coroner for North-East Surrey, held an inquest at St. Thomas' Hospital relative to the deaths of two young women named Shrivall and Marsh, residing at 118 Stamford street, London, who are supposed to have been poisoned. A mystery surrounded the case, and considerable excitement was attached to the occurrence in consequence ol a rumour that the deaths were due to poisoning by tinned salmon, while it was also alleged that some hours before death some sugar-coated pills were given to the deceased by a male acquaintance. From the evidence it appeared that the women came to London trotn Brighton with very little means recently, and took apartments on March 22nd at the address given. They described themselves as professionals expecting a theatrical engagement. The landlady saw little of them, as they were away from the house a great de_L At half-past six on Monday evening thelandlady heard cries, and asked what was the matter. They Btated that they both were very ill. They had been, they stated, eating some flab, and that pills were given to them. Witness observed a salmon tin on the table, with two plates, and other signs that the girls had had a meal. Miss Shrivell was found at the foot of the stairs, and Miss Marsh was found in her room. They were both suffering, and Miss Shrivell said, "How is Alice? Do you think we have been poisoned ?!' The police were summoned, and the women were conveyed in a cab to St. Thomas's Hospital. % Miss Marsh died in the cab. In the hospital Shrivell said they had taken tea with a gentleman the previous day, and he afterwards gave them two pills and accompanied them to their lodgings, remaining till _ a.m. Sho added that they had some fish afterwards, and also described the man as known by the name of "Fred.". Several articles were found Marsh's pocket, including upwards of a sovereign in money. On searching the room the police found a letter from a man at Chatham addressed to Miss Marsh, accepting their invitation to tea at Stamford street. The letter has been sent to the provincial police to assist them in discovering the man. - The coroner's officer deposed to finding at .the lodgings a sum of money, a good stock of clothes belonging to the girls, and also pawn tickets far jewellery pledged at Brighton. , . Replying to the Coroner, the landlady of the house in Stamford street said that the deceased had no visitors to her knowledge. She told the girls they were very foolish to take pills from a stranger, and they said it wasn't a stranger; it was a doctor. The witness had no complaint to make regarding their conduct. They paid witness 15s per week for the second floor furnished.

A medical man who was called to the deceased expressed a belief that death was due to poisoning from strychnine, and the enquiry was adjourned to admit of an analysis being made.