A Remarkable Case.

Hastings Standard, Issue 82, 31 July 1896, Page 4

A Remarkable Case.

A DOMESTIC SERVANT INSURED FOR £B,OOO.

When the mail left England the police at Birmingham and in the local suburb of Acock Green were making inquiries on behalf of the Westminister and General Assurance Company into . the death of Mary Elizabeth Finch, aged twenty-nine, who for the past twelve months had lived as servant with Mr and Mrs Mason, bakers, Acock Green. Deceased was known to suffer from hysteria, and in September last she consulted Dr. Bradford, of Acock Green, who told her that she was drinking too freely, and must leave off stimulants. She was taken ill again on May 27, and on the 28th was found in violent hysterics, but the doctor succeeded in quieting her. At 7.80 on June 3 she seemed in a normal state of health ; but at halfpast eleven on the same night Dr Bradford received a note from the Masons asking him to call as the girl was dead. An inquest was held on the sth, at which Police Inspector Parkinson deposed to finding two empty brandy bottles in the deceased's box; but the sister stated that she was not in the habit of taking stimulants. Mrs Mason, who gave her evidence in a straightforward manner, said the girl had nothing to drink at her house, they being temperance people, and she could not tell where deceased obtained the brandy. A prut wort,-m examination showed considerable inflammation of the stomach of long standing, but upon the medical evidence generally the jury returned a verdict of " Death from natural causes." So far the case had excited little interest, but on the same evening Mr Woods, manager of the Westminster and General Assurance Company, arrived at Acock Green to make inquiries respecting a sum of £BOOO for which deceased life was insured. The claim had been made by Mr Mason direct to the company's head office in London, it being represented that Finch had made a will and had left all she possessed to Mrs Mason. The policy was only taken out on May 13 of the present year, and only one instalment of the premium had been paid. The annual premium was to be £2OO, but as the girl's wages were only 4s she was scarcely in a position to pay this amount. As a matter of fact she had been represented to the company as a lady of independent means, living alone with her maid. She had some nephews and nieces, and wanted to make provision for them. The company had not the slightest idea that she was a servant. The police sent up the evidence to the Home Secretary.