Village History
On Tuesday last prisoner,
Catherine Muir, was taken before magistrates at Steeple Claydon, charged with tbe wilful murder of Bruce Dunlop Logan, aged five years. There were tbe Bench the Hon. P. Harrington, chairman ; Rev. B. H. Pigott, C. Higgins, and E. Parrott, Esqrs. The prisoner appeared to in a very weak and prostrate condition, and had to be brought from the police station to the STEEPLE CLAYDON School-room in carriage. During the examination she lay on couch, with which she was accommodated, in apparently half-conscious state, uneasily moving at times, and moaning as if mental bodily pain. She was attended by two women, who occasionally gave her some water. She is a respectable looking woman of years of age, with well-cut features, and a refined rather than cruel or repulsive expression. Mr. Mullens, of Cbeapside, London, appeared on behalf of the friends of the deceased; the prisoner was not professionally assisted. Miss Mary Emma Macdonald was the first witness examined. Her evidence was the main a repetition that given at the inquest, and need not to be repeated. She stated that the four children who were left i:i her charge were David Finlay Logan, aged 8 years; Ethel Mary Logan, GJ- years Bruce Logan (the deceased), 5 years and months ; and Boss McGregor Logan, 4 years. The eldest boy went to school at Beading about three weeks ago. The witness now gave one or two further instances which bad occurred recently of the prisoner’s awkwardness with the children, and the violent language used by her. The prisoner was to have gone and stopped with the children’s aunt, Miss Brainier, at Eltham, until answer could be received from India. Some difficulty was experienced making prisoner understand tbat she could ask the witness any question she wished. At length she replied that she had none to ask. Ann Ladyman and Ann Lavinia Smith gave evidence precisely similar to that which they gave at the inquest……….to be continued
Northampton Mercury – Saturday 20 May 1871
