STRANGE DEATH OF A WOMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

STRANGE DEATH OF A WOMAN.

CORONER STOPS FUNERAL.

FOUR WOMEN DIE IN TWO AND A-

HALF YEARS. De. Geo. E. Yarrow opened an inquiry at Shoreditch lately into the death of Elizabeth Harriet Chitts, 42, the wife of a warehouseman, who died at Beech-street, St. Luke's, on March 19, under circumstances which led to the coroner stopping the funeral and ordering a post-mortem arid an analysis. The coroner, in opening the case, said that it would require considerable attention, on the part of the jury. Deceased had gone under several names, and lately had been living with a Mr. Taylor. She was described as being a healthy woman, but addicted to drink, and not given to eating much. On March 7 the woman became ill and a doctor was called to see her. She got better, but on the 13th the doctor had to be called again. He found her suffering from the same illness, and wanted to operate upon her, but the man she was living with refused permission. The doctor said he should refuse to give a certificate in the event of death, and the slight operation was then performed. She continued to drink very heavily until her death, the doctor being in attendance. He gave a certificate to the effect that death was due to alcoholism and coma. The friends of the woman having heard of her death made inquiries, and, not being satisfied, communicated with the coroner's officer. Inquiries were made, and it was ascertained that this was the fourth woman who had died while living with Taylor within two and a-half years. Under these circumstances the coroner thought it advisable for an independent man to make the autopsy, and this had been done. An analysis of the contents of the stomach and internal viscera was being made. An inquest was held in November last on the third woman, the verdict being that she was accidentally suffocated by a bead necklace while intoxicated.

Joseph Frederick Chitts, a warehouseman, of Caesar-street, Shoreditch, deposed that he identified the body as that of his wife. They mutually agreed to separate 12 years ago," and he allowed her 7s 6d per -week for eighteen months afterwards, but nothing since. lie did not know how she had been living or where, but supposed she had been working at her trade, that of a furrier. He last saw her alive three months ago, but did not speak to her. Henry Thos. Cambridge, Queen's Road, Dalston. a fancy goods maker, deposed that deceased was his sister. He heard of her death, and, on going to the mortuary, found that the name on the coffin-plate was Owen." As this was not decaesed's name witness went to Dr. Dorran. who gave him a letter for the coroner's officer. Witness last saw his sister alive five months ago, and she then told him she was going to live with an old gentleman, and was going to do herself a bit of good. He advised her to take care of herself. He had never seen deceased the worse for drink. He first saw Mr. Taylor in Court that morning. Louisa Hayes, the wife of a pocket-book-maker, of Hollywell Place, Shoreditch, stated that deceased was her sister. Deceased lived with a man named Owen for eight years after leaving her husband, but Owen died about a year ago. Last November deceased told witness she was going to be housekeeper to Mr. Taylor, who, she said, had been a good friend to her. Dr. Isaac Dorran, of Old-street, stated that he, was called to deceased on March 7 by Mr. Taylor, who said the woman was his housekeeper. She was very ill, sick, and unable to eat, and could not sleep. lie prescribed for her, and found her better next day. On the 13tb witness was sent for again, and found deceased very ill, and fearing impending death. She said she had no pain or sickness. All witness could get from her was that she was greatly worried. Coma set in on March 17, and death ensued on the 19th nit. Witness gave Mr. Taylor a death certificate, which gave the cause of death as alcoholism and coma. The death was registered, and witness heard no more of the case until the brother called on him. Witness then referred the brother to the coroner's officer.

By the Coroner : Witness had known Mr. Taylor three years. During that time he could remember two other women dying, and would not swear that there were not four deaths altogether which he had certified. Witness stated in the previous case that death was due to suffocation, caused by a bead necklace during intoxication. Witness thought one of the other cases 'was described as Mr. Taylor's housekeeper. The deaths were all connected with the effects of drink.

The coroner remarked that that was all the evidence he proposed taking that day. The specialist who performed the autopsy and was now making an analysis would give evidence at the resumed inquiry. The inquest was then adjourned.