SUICIDE OF A WITNESS.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 118, 16 November 1895, Page 3

SUICIDE OF A WITNESS.

I Per Press Association] Sydney, Nov. .13. A tragic incident in connection with the Dean poisoning case occurred at North Shore recently when Mrs Elizabeth Adye committed suicide rather than attend as a witness on behalf of Dean at his ap. proaching trial. Mrs Adye was one of of the most important witnesses for the defence called before the Boyal Commission. With her husband and daughter she kept a shop in Millar Street, near Dean's honse, and she was on intimate . terms with the Deans. Her statements were thought to be of such importance that she was subjected to such an exceed. insly severe cross-examination by Sir Julian Salomons that she was completely overcome at the time. She had since been qnite unnerved, and had stated tnat she would rather die than be subjected to a repetition of the torture she then underwent. Her fear had aged her and turned her hair quite white. All her apprehension was revived when she received a subpoena from Mr Gorrick, Dean's solicitor, to attend the court to give evidence on behalf of Dean. Her husband was absent at the time the subpoena was delivered, and on his return he fonnd it almost impossible to console bis wife, though he assured her that she had only to tell the truth and havenothin« to fear. Neither bis attentions nor those of his daughter, hewever, removed the despondency she felt at having again to face the ordeal of a cross examination. Atbalf-past 2 o'clock this morning she rose to make her husband a cup of tea prior to his departure to collect newspapers for delivery to his customers. She then returned to her daughter, who remained with her until 6 o'clock, when she too had to leave. Miss Adye was absent an hour, and on entering the house found that her mother was missing- She called in a neighbor, a close search was made, and the body of Mrs Adye was discovered in a well near the house, life being extinct. The poor woman had left a note on the table in her room, addressed to her husband containing farewell message "Goodbye, my darling husband." Adye was deeply affected when the news was conveyed to him as he and his wife lived on the most affectionate terms. Yesterday was the twenty-third anniversary of their marriage.