FIVE YEARS’ VIGIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1926, Page 9

FIVE YEARS’ VIGIL.

TERRIBLE DISCOVERY: IX CHESHIRE. DAUGHTER’S AWFUL ORDEAL. Bv Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. A terrible discovery was made at Nantwicli (Cheshire), when the sheriff’s officers forcibly entered a house which was occupied by three sisters, named Nixon. The house was barred, compelling the officials to break down the doors with iron bars. When the officials entered, they were confronted by three sisters, with uplifted hands. One exclaimed: “We're in God’s hands. This is God’s house. There’s fire and brimstone in every room. Mother mustn’t he touched. She’s in God's hands.” On entering the kitchen, the offiers saw a couch, on which something lay covered by a white sheet. On uncovering it they were horrified to discover the body of a woman, wrapped in paper and rags. It was the mother obviously long dead and practically mummified. Nearby was a table spread with fruit, nuts, bread,, and butter, and a bowl of tea. Pointing to the. table, one of the daughters exclaimed: ‘That’s God’s table. It is mother's: don't touch it.” Another daughter said she had not been to bed for five years. She had lived in the kitchen with the body. The youngest daughter was a pathetic figure in rags. ( She ran from the house weeping, and seated herself on the garden wall. The three were certified insane, and removed to an asylum.