WOMEN’S STRANGE OBSESSION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 25 March 1926, Page 7

WOMEN’S STRANGE OBSESSION.

VIGIL OVER DEAD MOTHER. By Cable- I —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z.. Cabio Association. LONDON, March 23. The strangest evidence was heard at the inquest on Mrs Nixon, aged 80 years, who was found dead in a liouso oecqpied by her three daughters, who were subsequently certified as insane. Neighbours attested that the noises suggested that the daughters were.screaming and quarrelling. A constable gave evidence that one of tile daughters declared: “Mother is not dead; God is looking after her.” Another said: “She was never ill; God toqk her and told us to leave her alone.”

A doctor expressed the opinion that the woman probably died in the chair, to,which the corpse was found fastened by a belt. The daughters Were firmly convinced l that the youngest sister was a prophetess and heard Gccl’s voice. The others obeyed her implicitly. The youngest told him that a bird whistling in a tree Was God’s way of telling her what to do. Witness found all three daughters in a completely ecstatic condition.

~, A verdict w us returned that there was insufficient evidence to show the cause of death.

A previous message said: —A terrible discovery was made at Nantwich (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 ill God’s hands. This is God’s house. There’s lire and brimstone in every room. Mother mustn't be touched. She’s in God’s bands. On entering the kitchen, the officers 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. Jt was tlie mother, obviously long dead, and practically mummified. Neaibv 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 tile kitchen with tho body. The youngest daughter was a pathetic figure in rags. She ran from tho house weeping, and seated herself on the garden wall.