POISONING CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 695, 15 December 1902, Page 3

POISONING CASE.

LONDON PUBLICAN ACCUSED OK MURDER. STARTLING EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Dec. Id. The evidence of the analysts in the Chapman case tend to show that Maud Marsh died of antinjonica poisoning, some arsenic being present in small quantities.

HISTORY OR THE CASE. The following is taken from the London Daily ExpreHH of October 28 : Charged with poisoning a former barmaid with arsenic, a Southwark publican is the central figure in what promises to bo ono of the most remarkable cases in criminal records. The accused man is George Chapman, lessee of the Crown public-houso, at 2155, Borough High street. A girl named Maud Marsh, aged 20, who had been employed as barmaid, and who was living with Chapman as his wife, died on October 22, under circumstances which uroused tho suspicions of tho doctor attending her. Tho symptoms of -Miss Marsh's illness wero almost identical with thoeo of Chapman’s second wife, who died on .February 10, 1901. A post-mortem examination of Miss Marsh’s body revealed traces of arsenical poisoning, and Chapman, as already reported, was arrested by Detcctivo-Inspector Godley, whilo sorving customers at tho bar. When Chapman was brought before Mr l’aul Taylor in Southwark, Detcctivo-Inspector Godloy stated that tho bodies of tho first and second Mrs Chapmans might be exhumed, Chapman was remanded for a week. Chapman, who is 97 years old, is undersized, with sunken cheeks and a long drooping moustache, and speaks with a slight Gorman accent, He lived for a number of years in South America, and caino to England in 18915. First sotting up at Hastings ns a hairdresser, bo afterwards leased a pnblie-house at Dover. STUDIED POISONS.

Wlion at Hastings, Chapman went in for photography, and, it is suggested, studied toxic chemistry. About threo years ago Chapman took tho Monument public-house, Borough. Hero his second wifo died. Ho removed last spring to tho Crown public-house. Tho girl Marsh was ongoged by Chapman 14 months ago as barmaid, through an advertisement while ho was at tho Monument public-house. She lived with her paronts in Longfellow road, Croydon. Sho was attractive, vivacious, and woll-likod by Chapman’s customers. After sho had been two months at tho Monument a fire broko out one night thoro. It did not do much damage, but Chapman immediately gave up tho houso, which has boon empty over since. Threo wooks ago Maud Marsh bccatno ill, and Hr J. Morris Stoker was called to attond her. Hr Stoker had attended Mrs Chapman in February, 1901, and had, aftor threo consultations, certified that death was duo to diarrhoea, vomiting, and exhaustion. SINISTER COINCIDENCE.

The doctor noticed a romarkablo similarity to Mrs Chapman’s caso in that of Miss Marsh. Ho requested Mr Chapman to engago a nurso for tier, and Jessie Toon was called in. A servant at tho Crown had heard that Miss Marsh had boon mado ill by oating somo rabbit, but sho horsolf exporioncod no ill effects. Wlion Miss Marsh died on October 22, Dr. Stokor insisted on a post-mortoin examination. Ho was assisted by Dr. Cotter, of Caledonian Road, Islington, but no satisfactory cause of doath could bo found. Then a portion of tho stomach was sent to the borough analyst, who certified that ho had discovered un “ appreciable quantity of arsenic.” Chapman was quite cool and collected when taken into custody, merely Baying to Inspeetor-Detcetivo Godley: 11 i know nothing about it. I don’t know how sho got tho poison. Sho has boon in Guy’s Hospital for tho same sort of sickness.” Later ho said : “ I am innocent. Can you lot mo havo bail When arraigned beforo Mr Paul Taylor, tho accused man was quito composed, and followed the evidence closely. Mr Sydnoy appeared for him.

PREPARING THE FOOD. Detective-Inspector Godloy, who described Chapman’s arrest, said that the girl Marsh died at Chapman’s house. From inquiries he found that Chapman .was tho only person who used to food her, and he would not allow any other person in tho kitchen whilo ho proparod tho food. " Tkcro havo boon three deaths in fivo years,” addod the inspector quietly, 11 two Mrs Chapmans and Miss Marsh.” “That is a coincidence, but it has nothing to do with this charge,” observed Mr Sydney. “I am afraid it is not a coincidence,” rojoined tho inspector, “and it has a great deal to do with the case.” Continuing tho inspector said they hud really to thank the doctor for thoir information in this caso. He (tho doctor) was now of opinion that tho second Mrs Chapman had beon poisoned. “ This is a caso which may roquire threo or four remands ?” queried tho magistrate. “It may require a dozen if we havo to exhume those bodies,” was tho reply. Tho prisoner was remanded for eight days, and bail refused. After Chapman's arrest tho polico scarchod the Crown, and found fivo books relating to modicincs and drugs, somo white powders, £ll2 103 in gold, Tl 5 in silver, 16 .£5 notes, and throe .£lO notes. Tho polico also found bills relating to tho burial of Miss Marsh ; of Mrs Chapman, who died on February 21, 1001; and of Mary Isabella Chapman, aged 11, who died in ISO 7. ______