A MOTHER’S DEMENTIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 July 1924, Page 2

A MOTHER’S DEMENTIA.

LONDON, July 5. A heartrenderiug story was told in the evidence at WandswortlT. at the inquest on Betty Beadon, a girl aged 7. who died of morphine poisoning. Mrs Beadon, and a younger daughter, aged five, aie both in hostiital suffering from the effects of morphine. A nurse gave evidence that Mrs Hendon .when she heard of Betty’s death, said:—“l did it! My only regret is that I hadn’t enough poison left to finish off myself after the children. I thought that 1 had arranged for us all to go and join daddy together. My life finished live weeks ago. when my husband died. I went to his shop, a chemist, and tried to carry on; but it was Hell. Even the bottles Imre his writing. People were always asking about my husband, and that made me want to scream and shriek. Therefore I decided that we should all go to daddy. I watched the children all night long after giving them the morphine. hoping that they would die peacefully and quickly. 1 did not take morphine myself till three o’clock in the morning. Betty was awake for a long time after the first dose, talking about daddy, and asking for water. I gave her a. second dose. That’s why there wasn't enough left to finish mo off.” Tito inquest was adjourned.