SUPPOSED POISONING CASE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2622, 1 September 1882, Page 3

SUPPOSED POISONING CASE.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.]

AUCKLAND, August 31,

The mysterious death of the young woman, Sarah Emily Johnston, who wai awaiting trial on a charge of concealment of the birth of her infant at Cambridge, cause* intereat. The doctor* found extensive traces of arsenioal poisoning. There is no doubt whatever that arsenic wa* the cause of death. Before her death, Mr* Cleaver, mother of the supposed father of the child, who is a young tailor, summoned a clergyman, and the girl Johnston wa* married while supported by lillows in bed. She died soon afterwards. STom remarks let drop by the young woman while on her death bed, Dr. Walker ascertained the following facts:—The deceased stated that she left Hamilton in excellent health j at Mercer she had a cap of tea, and in the evening of the day of her arrival at Auckland she had tea at Mr* Butters, Cleaver being present. An hour or so later she went to bed, and at ten o’clock last night symptoms of stomachic) irritation first became apparent. During the whole of her illness she gave no reason to suppose she had taken anything deleterious, and cheerfully took the medicines prescribed for her. An inquiry has been commenced on tho body of Sarah Emily Cleaver, before Dr. Qoldsborougb, coroner. Superintendent Thomson watched the case for the Crown. The inquiry was adjourned for a week, to enable the analytical chemist to analyse the contents of the stomach of the deceased. Robert Johnston, father of the deceased, aged 76, states that he is perfectly certain hie daughter had no intention of suicide, and that she has not died through any act of her own. He also says that the Bov. Willis and other residentsof Cambridge persuaded his daughter to come to Auckland and marry Cleaver, which was done against his wishes. He could throw no light on the affair. Cleaver is a fine looking young man of about 25 years of age, and say* ho can throw no light on the occurrence.