MURDER OF BABIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 807, 23 January 1903, Page 4

MURDER OF BABIES.

The following from the Daily Express of Nov. 110 throws further light on the sentencing of Annie Walters and Amelia Sach to death at old Bailey A detective crossed the road opposite the South Kensington railway station, and, accosting a middle-aged woman of matronly appearance, pointed to a bundle in her arms and said sternly, *• I want to see that babe.” a Why ? ” asked the startled woman. *| I have reason to believe it is not as it should be,” rejoined the detective. He took tho woman into tho. station waitingroom. “I suppose you will take mo to the station," said she. “ I want to sec the child first,” responded tho detective. Thereupon sho exposed to view a dead male child, with its hands elonched tightly. It was wrapped up in ealieo and a bedgown, on its head was a bonnet, and encircling tho body was a slmwl. || I shall take you into custody on suspicion of murdering the child,” said the detectivo. *' I never murdered the dear,” was tho answer. Tho woman was Mrs Annie Walters, 54, of Danbury street, Islington, who was accompanied in the dock at Clerkemvell yesterday to answer tho charge indicted by Mrs Sach, 20, of Claymore House, Hertford Road, East Finchloy, who is alleged to have been accessory to the crime. Mrs Walters is said to have been engaged as a nurso. She is short and stout in build, and was respectably dressed. Her companion in the dock is much younger in looks, although older apparently than the age stated on the charge sheet. Mrs Sach has long been tho proprietress of the Claymore House nursing establishment in East Finchley. She was neatly attired, a faded blue opera cloak trimmed with white fur almost covering her brown jacket. For a considerable time sho has been publishing the following advertisement in several weekly papers : “ Doctor recommends comfortablejhome; skilled nursing ; every care ; terms moderate.—Nurse, Claymore House, Hertford Road, East Finchley.” How he watched the lodgings of the woman Walters for 15 hours on Monday was told by Detective-Sergeant Wright. At nine o’clock a.m. on Tuesday he saw Mrs Walters come out with a bundle, which ho suspected to contain a baby, followed her to the South Kensington railway station, and arrested her as stated. Detective-Inspector Kyd gave evidence to going later to the nursing home at East Finchley, and informing Mrs Sach of the arrest of Mrs Walters. She said : “ I don’t know Mrs Walters, and I have never given her any babies. I take in ladies to be'confined. There is one in my bouse at present. She was confinod ast Saturday morning of a baby girl. It

is with its mother now.” The inspector said he should like to see the baby, and she said, “ The mother is too ill.” The officer sent for Dr Bussell. Mrs Sach then said: 11 The baby is not there ; it has been taken away.” “ I shall take you in custody for being an accessory in the murder,” said Mr Kyd. « Murder? Never ! Do you mean to say really that these babies are dead, and that she has killed them ? ” replied Mrs Sach. “ I know the woman, as she worked forme,” Jsaid Mrs Sach, when confronted with Mrs Walters. When charged, Mrs Walters said: “I never killed the baby ; I only gave it two drops in its bottle, the same as I take myself. I took the other baby back to her,” indicating Mrs Sach. From her cell she shouted out later, 11 Mrs Sach knows where the other baby is. I itook it back to her on Friday. I never murdered this one. I was going to give it back to her.” v