The Boston Guardian (Extracts) 10th October 1868 Suspected Poisoning at Stickney

On Saturday last an inquiry was opened before W. Clegg Esq., Coroner on view of the body of Richard Biggadike aged 35 years. Deceased was a cottager and lived with his wife and three children and two young men lodgers. For some time past the deceased and his wife had not lived on good terms. On Wednesday afternoon September 30th, Mrs Biggadike and the young men who lodged with her (Thomas Proctor and George Ironmonger) had tea together at 5 O�Clock. Mrs Biggadike had made three short cakes and the above parties ate two. The third was reserved for Biggadike who came home to his tea at 6O�Clock. A few minutes after he had taken his tea he was seized with sickness and purging, and other symptoms of poisoning. Dr Maxwell was sent for, but the man rapidly got worse and died in great agony at six the next morning. Dr Maxwell made a post mortem examination and found extreme inflammation of the stomach. At the inquest he expressed an opinion the death had been caused by an irritant poison. The coroner ordered the contents of the stomach etc. to be sent to Doctor A. S. Taylor and the inquest adjourned.

The Boston Guardian (Extracts) 24th October 1868 The Stickney Murder

On Monday last the two prisoners Priscilla Biggadike and Thomas Proctor, who are charged with the wilful murder (by poisoning) of Richard Biggadike, the husband of the former, at Stickney, were brought up before a full bench of magistrates at Spilsby. Mr J. F. Philips stated Professor Taylor had not been able to complete his analysis and asked for further remand until Friday 23rd Inst., when that Gentleman would be able to attend. They were remanded accordingly. - The adjourned coroners inquest was fixed for that day at 11 O�Clock at Stickney. The magistrates examination to take place immediatly after Mr Philips. Mr Philips also stated that the female prisoner had made a statement to him which he read. It was to the effect that she had herself administered the poison to her husband nd lso deeply implicated the male prisoner in the dreadful crime. The latter it is reported, said that he should say nothing until his examination, when he should tell all he knew.

The Boston Guardian � Saturday 31st October 1868 The Stickney Murder

The horrible tragedy which on Monday last was subject of investigation recalls to our memory former terrible murders that occurred within a short distance of this village a few years since, and exhibits a state of demoralisation so disgusting as to almost surpass belief. In the centre of this village, situated a few miles from Spilsby, resided Richard Biggadike, a labourer in the prime of life, far more attractive in appearance than most of his compeers, ? in his habits, industrious in his pursuits, much respected by his neighbours, and valued by his employers. He was a married man, his wife about thirty-one years old, and they had five children. With them lodged Thos. Proctor, labourer, aged thirty, and George Ironmonger, fisherman, aged about twenty-one. The first mentioned lodger was probably the most uncooth-looking (sic) individual in the whole parish, his countenance is very repugnant. He has a high back and his legs appear to have a serious malformation. Ironmonger on the other hand, although by no means intellectual, has a rather smart appearance. But one miserable hut, with only two rooms, formed a home for the whole party! The deceased, his wife, family, and the two lodgers slept in one wretched compartment, in two beds, nearly side by side! Biggadike generally quitted his bed early in the morning; the other two were not, as may be supposed, from this fearful state of things, quite so regular. Jealousy arises, quarrels between Biggadike and his wife increase with far more virulence, and the husband, who has been in the enjoyment of excellent health, is foully murdered. It is the Garner tragedy re-enacted, with all its sickly, immoral and terrible details. The inhuman outrage, as might be imagined, causes great excitement to the district, and in the village itself, every man, woman, and child are discoursing on the indelicate particulars connected with the crime. The adjourned inquest was held on Friday last, at the Rose and Crown Inn, before Walter Clegg, Esq., Coroner, who arrived about 11am., accompanied by Professor Taylor, the eminent professor of Medical juris-prudence. The Coroner re-opened the inquiry without any comment, when the following evidence was produced:- Professor Taylor deposed: I am a fellow of the College of Pysicians and Professor of Medical Juris-prudence at Guys Hospital. On Tuesday 6th October, I received certain jars from Supt. Wright containing the contents of the stomach of Richard Biggadike. I now put in my report. It is as follows:- [the report was read, It was rather lengthy, full of the usual scientific details, and terminated by stating there was not the slightest doubt deceased had died through the administration of Arsenic.] Those were the only conclusions (continued Dr Taylor) that I could draw from the result of my analysis. Dr Maxwells report was then put in. It related to his being called in to see the patient, his suspicion of foul play, the death of the deceased, and the post-mortem examination which followed. Dr Taylor: how long did deceased live? The Coroner: he was taken ill about seven o�clock and died about six next morning. Dr Taylor: I have heard the depositions, and I have no doubt in my own mind that death was caused by arsenic. Everything is in accordance with death by arsenic, when approved remedies have failed. I infer that the deceased had taken a large dose of arsenic, but some of this had been discharged from the body by vomiting and purging. There was enough left in the body to destroy the life of another person. Here (showing a phial) we have vomited liquid and the coats of the stomach. I never saw a clearer case of death from poison. Death took place rather earlier than usual. The average time is from eleven to twelve hours. The coats of the stomach showed great indammation. The case is so perfectly clear that portions of the arsenic were found even in its perfect state. It is impossible to state what the arsenic was taken in, because it always mixes with whatever is in the stomach.

This report is continued overleaf....