A CLERGYMAN'S FAMILY POISONED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

A CLERGYMAN'S FAMILY POISONED.

A COOK COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. As extraordinary charge of poisoning was investigated by the Fakenham (Norfolk) magistrates a few days ago, when Sarah Vysc, aged 03, was committed for trial on an accusation of having administered arsenic to the Rev. Samuel Francis Barber, rector of West Kaynham, to Mrs. Barber, to Miss Maiden, lady's companion, and to Ann Mitchell, kitchcmnaid, and Ann Clave, parlourmaid. In September last prisoner was engaged as cook in tiie rev, gentleman's service. She did not give general satisfaction, and, as she could not work harmoniously with her fel-low-servants, Mrs. Barber gave her notice to leave. This was to expire on February 19, but before that date arrived prisoner" was sent- off hurriedly in consequence of a quarrel with the kitchenmaid. Before she departed, however, Mr. and Mrs. Barber and other members of the household felt a hot, burning sensation in the throat, and subsequently became very seriously ill. Dr. Rowell, of East Rudharn, attended them, and the result of inquiries led to grave suspicions falling on the prisoner. It was reI membered that she bad persuaded ber mistress to us 3 white instead of black pepper, and that after this she had professed to have | been engaged in drying a fresh quantity which had been bought. It was: lumpy and of peculiar colour. A portion of it was sent j to Mr. Sutton, county analyst, and threequarters of a grain of arsenic was found in j two ounces of condiment. She was arrested I at her father's house, where quantities of j arsenic used by her parent in his occupation as a rat poisoner were discovered. - >