MOTHER AND SIX CHILDREN POISONED BY THE FATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9022, 7 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

MOTHER AND SIX CHILDREN POISONED BY THE FATHER.

A SAD STORY. U'HB following particulars are published of the casein which achemistinGarfield-street, Balford, poisoned himself, wife, and six children:—Dr. Wilson, of Pendleton, who Jnado the autopsy, dissected only two of the bodies, and satisfied himself that they had l»een deprived of a life by malignant poison. An external examination of the remainingsix bodies convinced himthatthesameagenthad been employed in each case. Thepost-mortem revealed that the poison had not been inhaled but administered, and the theory finds general acceptance that after .Derby poisoned his wife and family in their bedtoom, he descended to the sitting-room, where he sat for some time inditing farewell letters to his sister and friends, afterwards committing suicide by poisoning himself. It Is stated on good authority that the letters which the deceased wrote, and which is now in the hands of the police, indicate that Mrs. Derby took a passive part in the commission of the crime. In one of the letters it is said the following passage occurs :—" My, dear wife took her dose like a lamb. The inquest on the bodies of Samuel Hill Derby, aged 36, bis wife, aged 43, and six children, was held on Monday at Salford, when some extraordinary facts were disclosed. Evidence having been givon as to finding of bodies, Mr. John Cooper deposed that on Tuesday, 31st {January, Derby came to his shop and asked « Mr. Bitson to sign a will which Derby would not allow them to read. He then Beemed to be in a normal condition. In the will, which was read to the jury, the deceased bequeathed to his father and two brothers and to his sister Sarah Jane one shilling each. To his sister Catherine he bequeathed the whole of the residue of his furoperty, including his interest under the will of the late John Derby of Magherafelt and Derry Garden, Ireland. The following letter to a Mr. Brooke was read indicating the state of mini of the deceased man :— "' I could not go without saying good-bye. You have always been kind and considerate With me. You know, my boy, how three years ago my money, health, and friends all "went at once. My hopes were crushed ;my life became a misery, barely supportable. I struggled hard fof a while against the horrible feelings that possessed me, and I thought that "by leaving Gross Lane and taking a good holiday would set me right, but it was only a temporary benefit. I became worse instead of better. A year ago, bs I told you, my attention was attracted by the railway rails, and that certainly roused me more than I had thought possible. My greedy brothers and sisters have taken care that I should not benefit by it. I have found out that my idea was not a t\ew one, and was not patentable. My dear Iriends did not know that I had only learned It about a fortnight ago. I was disappointed, •>[ course, but very little compared with the bitterness I felt at. the treatment I had received from those I had a right to Expect kindness from. However, my bitterness will soon be at an end. I cannot allow

my wife and children to suffer more than they have already done." The postscript of the letter, addre&3d to Mr. W illiam J. Derby, Masrberafelt, dated Tuesday mornSag, wns as follows :—" Yesterday morning I would have thanked you from my heart It is now too late. My darling wife and children are now past the aid of man, and I will soon follow. What a terrible ordeal you might have saved me if you would but have agreed, but money has blinded you to everything." In a letter to another relative, Derby wrote :—"My darling wife and children are now out of the reach of trouble nnd storm. I am about to follow. The world has no more use for heart-broken men. Money misfortunes three years ago and the selfish greed of my relations have made my life a misery. I could endure it no longer. Annie always said she would like to go when I did, and a few days ago declared she was ready any time. She was a nobl«minded woman, and a devoted wife and mother. I could not leave any of them behind. They are better of than millionaires. They have not had a particle of pain. I hope you will not think too much t>f this. Annie took her dose as comfortable * »3 her tea, with the understanding that we should all go, and wished to be remembered to you all. I wish you every earthly blessing. lam sorry for [mother. 1. The medical man who made the post-mortem examination expressed the opinion that death in all *ases was caused by poisoning with prussic *cid. The jury found that Derby murdered his wife and children by administering poison, and that he afterwards committed euicide in a similar manner while temporarily insane. The funeral took place in the afternoon in the Borough Cemetery, and was attended by thousands of persons.