Cook, John Parsons, -1855; Palmer, William, 1824-1856 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London
Cross-examined by Mr. SERJEANT SHEE--I treated Cook as if he had taken
poison. I took him at his word, that he had taken poison, not from his
symptoms. He seemed a little excited by drink.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: E. Mills]
ELIZABETH MILLS, examined by Mr. JAMES--I was chambermaid at the Talbot
Arms at Rugeley in November last. I had been there about two years. I
knew the prisoner. He was in the habit of coming to the Talbot Arms. I
remember on Thursday, the 15th, between nine and ten at night, Mr. Cook,
along with Mr. Palmer, came to the Talbot Arms. He retired to rest
between ten and eleven. He said he had been poorly, and was feeling
poorly then. The next morning he got up about twelve o’clock, and said
he felt no worse, but still he was not well. That night he retired to
bed about half-past ten. He said he had been to Mr. Palmer’s and had
dined there. On Saturday morning about eight, Palmer, who lived opposite
to the Talbot Arms, came over. He ordered a cup of coffee for Mr. Cook,
which I believe I gave to Mr. Cook in his bedroom. Mr. Palmer was in the
room at the time. I did not see Cook drink it, but about half an hour
afterwards I returned into the room and found that the coffee had been
vomited. On that occasion I observed a jug in the room which did not
belong to the Talbot Arms. It was sent down to me by Lavinia Barnes to
make some more toast and water. During that Saturday I saw Palmer
perhaps four or five times in Cook’s room. I heard him say to Mr. Cook
that he would send over some broth. I did not see it brought over, but I
saw the broth in the kitchen. The cook told me that it had come over
from Mrs. Rowley. The broth had not been made at the Talbot Arms. Later
in the day I took up the broth to Mr. Cook. About a quarter of an hour
after the broth came over I met Palmer coming up the stairs to Cook’s
room. He asked if Cook had had his broth. I told him I did not know that
any was come for him. During this conversation Lavinia Barnes came
forward and said she had taken up the broth to Mr. Cook as soon as it
had come, and he had refused to take it, saying that it would not stay
in his stomach. Palmer said that I must go and fetch the broth, which I
did, and took it into the room. Mr. Palmer was there, and I left the
broth in the room. About an hour and a half afterwards I went up to the
room again and found that the broth had been vomited. About six o’clock
that evening some barley water was made for Cook. I took that up to him,
but I cannot remember whether that stayed in his stomach or not. At
eight o’clock that evening I took up some arrowroot to Cook. The first
time I saw Mr. Bamford [the doctor at Rugeley] was about three o’clock
on the Saturday afternoon. Between seven and eight on the Sunday morning
I went into Mr. Cook’s room. During the night Mr. Smith, a friend of Mr.
Cook, had slept in the same room. I asked Mr. Cook if he felt worse. He
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account