ENGLISH TRAGEDIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2593, 12 March 1923, Page 5

ENGLISH TRAGEDIES.

BOY’S STRANGE SUICIDE. — t— MAN ACCUSED OF MOTHER’S MURDER.

A MYSTERIOUS DEATH, [By Electric Cable —Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. ! Benjamin Bourne, a fourteen yea ' old chemist’s apprentice, of Leiceste ; committed suicide in amazingly dra . matic circumstances. Bourne was rc primanded for taking a bottel c [ sweets. He went home, then attepde r church, after which he proceeded t j force an entry into the shop. Late 1 a policeman heard moaning, an ; found Bourne dead. The boy ha ; taken prussic acid, and a bottel c , the poison and an empty’ glass wa ; near by. The boy had written awi . beginning, “Satan and God are m ’ witnesses.” He wrote to the Coroue) I “I am going to kill myself, because > am not fit to live. Y r ou will say 1 killed myself during a fit of temper ■ ary insanity.” He then wrote a time 1 table; " 11.10 —have just taken ou 1 the poison. 11.15 —poured it out an • taken it.” A verdict that the lad was no responsible for his actions was return ; ed. WILL IN SON’S FAVOUR. ACCUSED COLLAPSES ON HEAR ING VERDICT. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. At Newport, Monmouth, the Coro ner's jury returned a verdict of wil ful murder against William Morgan a son of Jennie Morgan, win died in very mysterious circum stances. A doctor withheld a certi fleate, and reported the death to th Coroner. It was stated in evidenci that the woman had bequeathed he property to her children, including William, and excluding her husband The startling character of the cas* developed rapidly, recalling man; features of the Greenwood and Arm strong cases. The facts established were, firstly that the woman died of arsenical poisoning, secondly that she was toe weak to feed herself, thirdly, that t mysterious box of arsenic weedkiller was found in the office where William was employed. The complications were increased by the extra, ordinary disappearance of a 21 yea: old girl, Ethel Doris Andrews, the Morgan’s maid, who was summoned as a witness. Mrs Anthony, a neighbour, gave evidence of strained relations between Alt Morgan and his wife, alleging that the former complained that he was treated like a dog, and that his wife wanted a separation. She alleged that the wife complained that when her husband prepared her food it tasted salty and burned her mouth. The foreman of the jury intervened, and asked witness if she was not drawing on her imagination. The husband, examined by the Coroner, said there was no occasion for anybody to take weed-killer home. It would not be brought home to kill weeds. Four fowls which were fed on table scraps soon died mysteriously. His wife’s brother informed him that she had made a will, under which the property could be sold after her death, and her husband could be turned out. Witness said he was entirely ignorant of his wife’s takingarsenic. He and his wife were not estranged, and were on affectionate terms. William Morgan gave evidence that he never touched the weed-killer found in his office. He had noticed specks in his mother’s food. Witness made a statement to the police that he had been worried because his mother complained of the saltiness of her food. He admitted throwing away a tin and a bottle. Deceased’s brother-in-law stated in evidence that he drew up a will at the request of deceased’s sons. William Morgan collapsed on hearing the verdict.