THREATS TO “MERRY WIDOW.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 337, 19 January 1937, Page 8

THREATS TO “MERRY WIDOW.”

VfIXAGS BKNBATION OF “ POISON PBN. rt PARISH CLERK SENT TO GAOL. Polson pen letters which caused a big sensation in the little’ Norfolk village of Salle had a •sequel at Norwich Assizes, where the clerk of the Salle Perish Council was sent to gaol. Sentence of nine months’ imprisonment in the second division was passed on Horace Samuel Hall, 51, ol Salle, who sent letters threatening tc murder a woman to whom he referred as "the merry widow." He was also convicted of repeatedly threatening the woman, whose name was not disclosed, with bodily harm. It was revealed at the police cour l that Hall had been employed, by the widow. Letters passed through the letterbox of her home, one of which ran "Your life is in danger. You are l.ht one we want. The Merry Widow is to be shot. The Avenger is waltinfl in ambush to pounce on you. We mean to lay you out flat," an extract from another letter read, "and if yov ire not a corpse by the end of the week, you will be very lucky.’’ Superintendent Mann now told Mi Justice Hawke that Hall bore an excellent character, and nothing else was known agianst him. "I cannot understand why Halt has ever done such a thing. It Is a mystery to me,” continued the officer. Hall, added the superintendent, was an excellent workman, and it was 6 great surprise to everybody in the parish when it was found that he had been committing offences. The Rev. W. L. E. Parsons, rector of Salle, gave evidence that he had known Hall for 18£ years, and he had been reliable as a workman and churchman. It had been known in the’ parish, however, that Hall was peculiar in the mind. The judge pointed out that he had seen the medical report on Hall, and gathered that although Hall was dull, lie was hot certifiable. He’ was satisfied that Hall did not intend to murder, the woman. The facts of the case showed that. The threats, however, must have caused the woman a great deal of alarm. Sentence as stated was passed.