Mexborough and Swinton Times May 2, 1925
Sensational Death at Rotherham
Denaby Man accused of Manslaughter
A story, as amazing as it is sordid, was told to the Rotherham Borough magistrates on Wednesday morning, Patrick Galvin (20), joiner, a native of Denaby and a married man living apart from his wife (now at Hull) was committed to the Leeds Assises for trial, charged with manslaughter and further with obtaining “Rodine” (rat poison) for an unlawful purpose.
Prisoner was first brought before magistrates on Monday, charged with the lesser offence, and was remanded until Wednesday.
In the evidence it is alleged that the accuser was living with Mrs Nora Beeby, a married woman, also separated from her husband. According to a statement alleged to have been given by prisoner to the police, she was in a certain condition and he was responsible. They had talked the matter over and she told him to get some Rodine, which he did. She took it in tea and sometimes in water, on April 22, at 9 PM had a miscarriage. On the following Saturday she was taken seriously ill and died at the Rotherham hospital.
The deceased is a daughter of Mr T White, miner, 23 Norwood Street, Rotherham, who came to this part of the country four years ago from Lancashire on account of shortage of work in his native town. Deceased had a baby boy by a husband, which is now 10 months old and in the care of Mr and Mrs White.
Dr J.J.Horgan, House Surgeon at the Rotherham Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital in a comatose condition on Saturday afternoon. The prisoner accompanied her. He asked the prisoner if deceased had been taken anything. He said, “Yes; rat poison.” Witness asked him in what form, and he replied, “In the form of paste.” Prison at all witnessing did not remember the name of the poison, but began with “Ro.” The doctor asked him if it was Rodine and he replied, “Yes.” Deceased remained comatosed up to her death
witness said a post-mortem examination on Monday revealed acute gastro enteritis. The call of death in his opinion was acute irritated poisoning. Rodine, said witness, contained phosphorus.
Prisoners Alleged Statement
Detective Sgt Hemsley, said about 5:15 PM on Saturday he went to the Rotherham hospital in there so Dr Hagen. In contrary to what was said he saw the prisoner and warned him that he was a police officer.
He replied: “I thought you were when you came in.” Prison made a further statement in which he said:
“I am 28 years of age. I am a married man, but am not living with my wife, she is in Hull. The woman in here is Nora Beeby. I believe she’s 23. She is a married woman separated from her husband. I have been living with five weeks, at 42, Oxford Street, but have been keeping company with her for some time. She had a miscarriage about 9 o’clock on Wednesday night. I was responsible for her condition. She had been taking rat poison. It was Rodine. I bought it for her a fortnight ago today at a chemist shop. I bought a’s seminar D in. She has taken several lots, sometimes in tea and sometimes in water. The last time she took and it was last Wednesday. I have never known anyone taken it before, but we were talking it over the night before I bought it, and she suggested “Rodine.” We came to town together, on the Saturday, and I bought it for her. I tested it myself once, and I thought it was funny stuff.”
Witness pointed out to prison that he was making a very serious statement, and he said, “Yes, I suppose I shall have to go to the Police Station with you. I expect it when you came in.”
Detective Sgt Hemsley continuing, said he visited 42, Oxford Street, whether to had been living, and in the bedroom he found blood on the clothes and floor.
In reply to Mr W.J.Clark, witness said he had not prepared to have corroboration of witnesses statements because he did not expect him to make such a serious statement.
Mrs Ada bad no, widow, 42 Oxford Street, said Galvin came to live at her house five weeks ago. Is “wife” came first and then they both came to live there as man and wife.
The use of the kitchen. On Thursday last week, Mrs Beebe stayed in bed and said she had a bad cold. She was still in bed on Friday, and witness attended her. On Saturday witness went up to her in the morning and as soon as she opened the door the bedroom was in a state of disorder. Witness said, “This is a nice state of affairs,” and permits the said, “what?” Witness replied, “You know what.” Prison went out for about 10 minutes, and on returning went to the cupboard and got a can and poured some hot water out of the kettle. He went upstairs and came down again.
Witness went upstairs and then saw Mrs Beebyin a dazed condition. Dr Core came and he tried to rouse her, but failed to do so. He ordered her away to the hospital. Witness said to Galvin, “You have given her something,” and he replied, “Shut up, don’t shout.” Afterwards witness examined the bedroom and it was in a terrible state. Bail was refused.
The Inquest Adjourned
The Inquest on Nora Beeby was opened on Tuesday by the Coroner (Mr W.J.Bradford) but after formal evidence of identification was adjourned until Friday.
The coroner (Mr W.J.Bradford) said it was necessary that the police should complete their investigations, as he believed some other person might yet be implicated.
Mr Thomas White, father of deceased, gave evidence and said deceased married Edward Beeby in 1923, and they lived together at 21 Kelvin Street, Dalton Brook, six months, when they separated, and he had not seen her husband since. He knew that she had been keeping company with Galvin, and that they had lived together five weeks.
Prisoner was present at the inquest.