WHO HILLED HAROLD FREDERIC ?

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11128, 21 January 1899, Page 6

WHO HILLED HAROLD FREDERIC ?

Under the skilled handling of experienced counsel the facts with regard to Harold Frederic's death are assuming much greater clarity. That the Christian Scientist ladies accused of manslaughter will be much benefited b/ the deservedly severe fright they have received I don't doubt, but unquestionably no jury will couvict them of having caused the American novelist's death. (Writes a London correspondent.) The person who brought that about was Frederic himself. The evidence at the magisterial inquiry on Monday last made this very plain. Frederic's motives in agreeing to receive Mrs Mills were complex. He had a fad for Christian Science, and was not unwilling to please Mies Lyon by indulging it,

but lie cared far more about getting rid of the doctors and eating, drinking, and smoking just what he chose. Miss Lottie Sayer, a lady help in the extraordidary household at Kenley, gave some important evidence on this point. She said that Mrs Mills came on an average three or four times a week, and once or twice a week stayed the night. Mr Frederic came down once or twice a day, but could not walk from one room to another without assistance. The last time Mr Frederic drove out was on a Tuesday, a week before his death. He was accompanied by Miss Lyon, Miss Frederic and Mrs Mills. He was assisted into the carriage by witness and another, and remained away from about half-past one till half past-six. On drives before that he was away from the house six or seven hours at a time. He used to smoke three or four cigars a day. He Had his meals by himself in the library. Witness sometimes took them in. He took Munich beer with his meals. He had whiskey between meale, but he could not and did not take it in the last three weeks. She could not say he had whisky more than once between meals during the afternoon. Mr Avory (for the Grown) : Bo you remember any occasion when he had whiskey more than once between meals ? The truth will have to come out. — "Well, he had whiskey two or three times more than once between meals. When he drove to Bedhill he went to the hotel. There he had some beef and ale. On another occasion they went to friends at Oxford. Twice he was carried in and out of the carriage. The .other times he walked. After the doctors left, and while Mrs Mills was in attendance, were the directions ever carried out? — He walked to the carriage. Asked what Mrs Milk's treatment consisted of, she said she understood it was purely mental. Mrs Mills read a book in his presence, but read it to herself. And that was the treatment? — Tes. Once she misquoted a passage from the Bible, and Mr Frederic set her right. While Mrs Mills was there did you hear her put any restriction on his diet? — No; she said he must have what he wanted, and he had it. Once, when deceased was tired and wanted to sleep in the middle of the day, Mrs Mills said it was rubbish. He did not alwaya get what he aßked for. Who was responsible for his not getting things when he wanted them? — Mias Lyon would tell him the doctors had said he was not to have it. There was no real difficulty in preventing him except that he was angry. Was he different from other men when he was well ? — Witness (smiling) : He was the Bame as most men. — (Laughter.) She had heard him say things of Christian Science which she would not like to repeat. — (Laughter.) Mrs Crane, wife of Stephen Crane (the writer of American war stories), said that on the Monday before Frederic's death she went over to Kenley. He lay on the couch, supported by pillows, and slept. Mrs Mills said nothing to her about Christian Science, nor about Mr Frederic. Mr Frederic said something impolite to her about Christian Science, but not in Mrs Milk's presence. From what Miss Sayer told her, Bhe urged on Miss Lyon the necessity of having a doctor. She thought Mr Frederic was dying. Miss Lyon said she had every faith in Christian Science, but if the sick man's friends thought she ought to liave doctors she would consent. Miss Lyon said Mrs Mills had told ■ her that it was a critical time, and that he would be better next day. She said this was something that always happened with Christian Science patients. Mr Avory did she give it a name ? — Chemicalisation. Did you understand that meant dying?— Oh, no. By Mr Lawless (defendant's counsel) : We had known Mr Frederic ever since he came to England, aud knew him to be a singularly intelligent aud strongminded man. About eighteen months ago he talked with witness on Christian Science, and appeared to believe in it. used to make fun of the book, but ahe thought he believed in Christian Science more than ho did in anything. Asked as to his opinion of doctors, when she and her husband were injured by being thrown out of their carriage,

Mr Frederic said Kate would treat them for their injuries. He also once said he believed Dr Freyberger had thought rheumatism into his leg. — (Laughter.) A man servant who had partial charge of Mr Frederic, deposed to his free consumption of beer, wine, and spirits during his illness. That Harold Frederic not merely despised conventionalities, but managed to enforce his views on relatives and friends, is apparent from the fact that he persuaded his mistress and his wife's daughter to live amicably under the same roof, and got neighbors and friends to visit them. [It will be remembered that the two women — Mrs Mills and Mis s Lyon — were acquitted].