MYSTERY CHRYSTALS

Shannon News, 6 July 1926, Page 2

MYSTERY CHRYSTALS

GIVEX AS NERVE TONIC. DYING MAN'S'STATEMENT, MOTORIST'S MISTAKE. That he had taken strychnine given him by a passing motorist, who mistook it for Epsom salts, was the extraordinary statement made by Mervyn Webb (26), a salesman and rentcollector, a few hours before he died at his home last Monday. Police arc now busy investigating this startling claim, and while they are satisfied that Webb's statement •vas correct, they have been unable lo get into touch with the strange motorist. »

Webb was? employed by a real estate firm having offices at Auburn and Sl-rathfield. It was part of his duty .to collect rents, and for this he used a motor car.

On Monday afternoon he drove to the Stratli.ield office in, a state of partial collapse. He told a friend that earlier in the day he had been starting his car, and when he used the liorn he received an electric shock. He was in the main road at the time. His actions attracted the attention of a passing motorist, who asked him what was the matter. When Webb explained, the stranger said to him, 'j'Epso'm salts crystals are the thing to help you." At the same time the stranger produced a white paper package from his pocket, and gave some of the contents to Webb. "Dissolve those on your tongue," he said, "and the effect of the shock will pass off." Wedd did as was suggested, but remarked to the stranger that" the crystals had a most bitter taste, and were not like ordinary Epsom salts. At this the stranger seemed most perturbed. "Good God," he said, "I hope I have not given you the wrong stuff." Then he jumped in his own car and drove away. Welob did not consider this anything suspicious, but Jater in the day he became very ill, and drove to the Strathfield office.

He was able to walk home with a friend, who put him to bed. At that time Webb said ho felt better, and was left alone in the house .

An hour later, , however, when his office manager went to visit him, he was lying on - the bed in great pain, fro.hing at the mouth. Tolicc and ambulance were callea, and Webl) was taken to hospital, where he died a few hours after admission.

The Government analyst has reported that traces of strychnine were found in his stomach.

The suggestion was made at first that the strychnine might have been self-administered, but Webb's accounts were all in order, and he was not financially embarrassed, and the police have been unable to discover any other reason for him to 'have poisoned himself. Though the facts have been broadcast, the strange motorist has not been traced. Police are still looking for him.—Auckland "Star" #