“UNLUCKY WITH WIVES.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18352, 24 August 1929, Page 17

“UNLUCKY WITH WIVES.”

Allegations Of Poisoning. CORONER'S INQUEST IN SYDNEY. (United Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, August 23. The inquiry into circumstances surrounding the death six years ago, of Mrs Marion Pearson, whose body was recently exhumed, was resumed today. Mrs Eleanor Pearson, present wife, when called by the Coroner, was informed that she was privileged to refuse to give evidence, if she so desired. She replied: “I don’t see that anything that I can say will assist you. I would rather not give evidence.” She then left the box. Detective Quinn, who interviewed Pearson, after his arrest, said to him: “I am going to search your Louse.” Pearson replied: “You won’t find any poison.” Pearson added: “I have been married three times, my first wife dying of pneumonic influenza. I have been very unlucky with wives. We all have poisons in our bodies.” Pearson’s present wife was also interviewed, while she was an inmate of the Sydney hospital. She stated that Pearson asked her to marry him, after his second wife’s death. She demurred when Pearson said: “I have taken a fancy to you. What would your people think if they knew you were living under the same roof as me, after my wife’s death.” She became very worried, as she had been reared in very strict manner, and agreed to marry him. She had excellent health until last March, when she became ill. Her husband used to bring her tea, which was too sweet. She complained and he replied, on one occasion: “It is a pity I married you, as I could have got somebody with money.” Then while she was in hospital, her husband said: “You won’t live, you will die like the other one.” After further evidence the Coroner found that the second wife died in October, 1923. Her body contained zinc, but whether her death was caused by the administration of such poison or from some other cause he was unable to say. Pearson was then acquitted of murder, but remanded on a charge of attempted murder of his present wife.