THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1936.
" AM INNOCENT AND I SHALL PROVE IT:" RUXTON COMMITTED TO STAND TRIAL
DR.
DR. RUXTON,
DUNGEON LABORATORY SEEKS CLUE TO MYSTERY
FUNCTION OF OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
London, Dec. 31.
DEFENCE RESERVED IN SENSATIONAL CASE
POLICE CHIEF TELLS OF ALL-NIGHT INTERVIEW: -“STAINS LIKE BLOOD DR.
BUCK RUXTON, the 36-years-old medical practi- tioner, of Dalton-square, Lancaster, will stand his trial at Manchester Assizes on Wednesday next week on charges of murdering, at his home between September 14 and 29, Isobel Ruxton, aged 35, and Miss Mary Jane Rogerson, 20-years-old nursemaid to his children.
When committal charges were heard at Lancaster last month Ruxton said: "I sincerely plead not guilty and re- serve my defence and I shall prove it."
He then broke down and sobbed, "It is too much." The prosecution alleged during the to this man. The conversation was police court hearing, which Inated in lovers' terms. 12 days, that dismembered human re mains found in a ravine at Moffat, Dumfriesshire, were those of the subjects of the two charges.
During the evidence at committal proceedings, the name of Mr. R. J. Edmondson was mentioned. He is a 28-years-old solicitor to Lancaster Corporation who, it has been stated, was one of a party which paid a and week-end visit to Edinburgh which also included his parents and Mr. Ruxton.
Detective-Inspector William Green, of the Lanenshire County Police, sta tioned at Morecambe, said that on October 11 he was making inquiries Into the disappearance of Mary Jane Rogerson, and called at Lancaster borough, police office, where he saw
Dr. Ruxton.
"I said to the doctor," the officer
C11,
a doctor's
"I paid "What time did Mrs. Ruxton and the mald leave the house on September 157 and he said 'My sym-wife is always changing her mind.
In a damp and dismal cellar near the heart of Lon-went on, "How do you know Mary don a group of scientists Rogerson was in a certain condition? from scattered parts of the replied "I have not examined her,
but. it does not require world are struggling to solve examination to tell that. a great medical mystery, the exact functions of the
We had arranged that we should all pathetic nerves.
go away for the day, and I got up Their researches, conducted with early. We had not arranged to go a conglomeration of apparatùs col-anywhere in particular.
When she told me that she had lected from the "Junk heap," may changed her mind and who was going reveal the root cause of many to Edinburgh and taking Mary with sufferings and open the door to new her I was not surprised, as she was
always changing her mind. cures for hervous breakdowns, some
and forms of paralysis.
The cellar laboratory is beneath the National Hospita! In Blooms- bury, the only school of neurology: in the world, and which was reci-
Insanity
#
About, 9.15 am. I was in the even bathroom when she tapped at the door and said, "I am going, dear." I replied "All right," or something! like that. I un not certain of the exnet words.'"
pient of a recent £120,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.
อา
Writing On Photograph Mr. Edwin Slinger (for Ruxton) questioned Inspector Green about Rome writing on the back of a photograph which the officer said he had erased the instructions of Mr. G. B. The "dungeon laboratory" con Paling, prosecuting. The inspector tains an intricate arrangement of explained that the photograph had paraphernalia used to test the sym-been handed to him by a journalist pathetic nervous system. Made whose name he did not know, and from adds and ends, it includes na did not know what the writing was Dr. Ruxton-suddenly interrupted. old music stand, a trench periscope "Is this your fair way of British jus, that is a relic of the work war lee?" broken bita of looking glass, an ancient plate camera and a series of discarded lenses.
•
he
The chairman of the magistrates and Mr. Slinger motioned to him to be silent, but Dr. Ruxton went on "I am not shouting. He intentionally erased it."
I have seen the telephone peapla and the calls are all 990-990. Have you any authority to intercept letters in the peat?'
"I told him I had not. He sobbed n little at this point."
Mr. Paling: Did you subsequently make a statement to the Prens 7-Yes, About 7 pm, on October 12 did Dr. Ruxton speak to you on the telephone? I recognised his voice. He said, "I am very pleased with what has appeared in the Press. It is just what I desired."
Yeя. I
Did you see him at your office an October 127-Yes. I told him that Inquiries were still being made with a view to tracing his wife and maid, who hnd apparently not been seen since September 14.
I told him I thought he could pos- sibly give some useful help in finding them, and that I proposed to nek him to account for his movements be tween 'September 14 and 30.
I cautioned him, and explained what the caution meant, and told him that he would be required to sign the statement.
PEACE-MAKER ?
The latest photo of Leopold, King of the Belgians who is alleged to be negotinting between Britain, France and Italy in an endeavour to find a formula to end the African War. King Leopold recently underwent an opora- tlon in England in order to have the scars, resulting from
the tragic motor accident in Switzerland, removed.
be earlier than that. I sent officers
ncross.
It was five o'clock in the morning when the statement was finished?uit to do
Approximately ten minutes to four.
What time in the morning was he charged with having committed this utfence? Twenty minutes past ever After the doctor had finished giving his statement was he allowed to leave the premises?—No.
those occasional days when I did operations in the house.
What date did you last wear that an operation7-It was Toner's operation, about August,
Why did you go next day and ask Mrs. Hampshire to give you the suit back? I did not ask for it back. I had given it to her on the Monday because she suggested she should take it as well as the carpela.
Did you cut the label from the pocket? No. I said, "if your son would be ashamed he could cut it but himself.”
"Why Were Your Amused ?"
Did he say anything? Yes, he said,
Charged At 7.20 am. "I shall be only too pleased to tell you all I possibly can." He then took
What happened from ten minutes to from his pocket a number of papers. four until twenty past seven?-From including an envelope marked "My ten to four until five the doctor rend movements." From this he produced and checked his statement, pausing
Why did you tell Mrs. Hampshire your wife had gone away with another two sheets of typewritten matter on for intervals of a minute or so to
man?--Unfortunately I could not paper hended, 2, Dalton-square, Lan-weigh up the paragraphs, some
which he repeated under his yulce, caster."
300 Interviews
What happened from five o'clock?-control myself and was very depress- Mr. Paling produced what was I put a series of questions to him. stated to be a copy of this suttement,
Mr. Vann, who said he cautioned and said that he did not propose to the doctor, here detalled his questions, read it at present.
and Dr. Ruxton's alleged replies, which included:
Resuming his questions, Mr. Paling
On September 7, did you follow snid: Did he then make a statement to you?--Yes. It was typed out, and Edmondson to Edinburgh Most em he read and signed it. It was purely phatically. I meant 1 followed the a voluntary statement.
two cara in
a hired ear. Bobbie Mr. Slinger opened his cross Edmondson and Mrs. Ruxton were in examination by asking the chief the same party. constable, "How many people have you interviewed in connectio
tion with this case?" Air. Vann replied he had interviewed no one
Mr. Slinger:
How many has the prosecution Approximately 300.
Do you remember October 11, when the doctor may vary over 12, when view he stated that he had received
a letter7-Yes.
that
Did, the doctor read to you a letter he had sent to Mrs. Ruxton and which had been returned by the postal authoritien? Yes.
When the doctor was arrested, were
(Mr. Vann said Dr. Ruxton describ ed the journey north, and told him that the party stayed at the Adelphi
driven away.
Why were you amused that the police should question you about Mrs. Smalley? [Mrs. Smalley was found dead on a plece of waste land near Morecambe. Mr. Paling, in his open- Mor
ing statement, said that no suggestion was made against Dr. Ruxion in con nection with her death.]—It was a real cock-and-bull story; I have never teen the woman in my life.
on
A
Whiteside called to see you Sunday, September 15, about
11a.m. 7-Yes.
At 10 a.m., or thereabouts, you cut your hand?It was earlier than (10a.m.
How do you account for cutting your hand at 10 n.m. and when Mrs. Whiteside called at 11 and you showed your hands to her, there was no cut her. I distinctly showed her or bandage? I showed my hands to hands. She is wrong. Certainly she Is it true that you have on
is wrong,
my
A
Hotel and he at another. The follow- ing morning he arose early.1
Continuing his evidence the chief constable said Dr. Ruxton went on:
My object was to go away from the hotel and got my car out of the garage and keep it a distance away. At the Edmondson's car, EC0346--I could garage, what do I and? Bobbic find it in a million-ready to be Then, when I was taking my ELT, you present when he was searched? I did a bit of detective work. I number of occasions threatened to Yes.
Among his possession, id you find casually asked the garage man, "Isn't take your wife's lifel--No, definitely
there a brand now Illiman car in no.
What have you said, then?-When n letter usted September 20, which company with this one?" and he said purported to have been written by "She hus
this car."
vocation, I have said did say that a man feel like -No,
once"You make
I did not mean that. I murder." have only struck her once, when she came home at a quarter to four in the she had been with morning when Edmondson.
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An adjustable chair was needed
Mr. Singer: "If there is ay for the subjects of the experiments.
nahouting I will do the shouting this A second-hand shop revealed derelict dentist's chair which was morning.
Dr. Ruxton then bowed slightly to pressed into servico. An adjust-
I took my car and stayed a little wooden door, rigged with ingenioussirs I beg your pardon.""
Mr. Paling, referring to the writing
On October 12 you telephoned for distance away: The point in this, straps and lovers, was made to suit on the back of the photograph, said: the doctor to conte and see you?-Mire, Ruxton came to the Adelphi at -the purpose.
About 9 o'clock. I waited until 10.5, "I am not in a position to be able to: Yes. it give evidence, but, if will assist my { I am going to put it to you thut and then they brought out their lug Several old oil drums, a bicycle friend. I will tell him the words-in you said to the doctor, "Hello, doctor, gage and put it in the cars. They pump and a few home-made "test-fairness in this officer."
Later Mr. Paling handed to Mr. this is the chief speaking. Con you drove away, and I went to the Adelphi
como over here for a moment?"-Yes, and rushed in. your-strength" gadgets also play their part.
Slinger a slip of paper.
And the doctor replied, "Yes, but it will take me at least five minutes come, because I have to see to the children? Yes,
And the doctor subsequently arrived at your office?--Yes.
able couch couldn't be found so the chaininau, saying: "I am sorry, the doctor to his wife at Edinburght back for this one, and is coming I have had strong grounds for pro PLEASE MAKE APPOINTMENT—————
Chiof. Constablo In Box The doctors themselves-there
Mr. Ifenry James Vann, Chief Con-to are 20 from the United States and Canada-net as patients during the stable of Lancaster, said that on October 11 he saw Dr. Ruxtop at the experimenta, sitting in the dentist's police office, "I said," he went on: chair with their feet immersed in a. It would be desirable that a photo.
of hot water. pan
graph of your wife should bo cir- culated as this would assist in tracing Tubes attached to the forefingers her, and you have told me you are enable the nervous impulses to be anxious that she should be found. recorded continuously, on a large It will be necessary for you to chart. If the patient laughs, holds give me a writtes authority for the his breath or works out a mathe-reproduction of the photographs in want to refresh the chief's memory
Writing Six Hours When the chief constable was speak- ing about the number of police officers present when he had one interview with Dr. Ruxton, the doctor jumped from his seat in the dock, and said:
"Our Billy Boy"
In the vestibule I did another bit of detective work. I asked if all the party were staying at the hotel, and they said the party had just
I
also asked what rooms theyed,!
and the boots sald 28, 40, and 60.
I said, "All right." I was satisfled
at
Have a look at theso (showing a pair of woollen rompers). Have ever seen any rompera like these? No, not this particular one. I have not seen one like this.
Did your children wear rompers?— No, they wore silk suits. Not this sort of thing.
Have you ever seen Mary Rogerson wearing a blouse like that? (showing a blouse), have never seen her
matical problem in his mind the the newspapers.' Dr. Ruxton signed that Mr. Cook (a witness) was preto London when I set af on Saturday. Dr. Huxton, Mr. Singer, renewing
an authority.
sent."
Replying to Mr. Slinger, the chief constable said that at an interview when Dr. Ruxton made a statement he
after twolve.
healthy nervous activity and con- can't you do something about these and was handing the notes to a typist. repliesd you particularly nak Mrs. Very serious charge against you. ) trol. This basis will be used to newspaper reportal Pointing are hours," he said.
paragraph at the bottom of ono page
was to leave someone in charge.
Do
These tests are expected to show particularly at a time when Lami his.request id that at 2 o'clock they earpot)-It is possible that some of
they stayed there. I didn't look at wearing anything like this. the hotel register, but made straight
A Chargo Whon Chief Constable Vann had for Lancaster, reaching, there
three.
given this question-and-answer, ver- Dalton-square at ten minutes past
I had told the servants I was going aton of his alleged interview with Mrs. Ruxton came home that night his eresa-oxamination, said to him: stimuli are recorded instantly.
"When I saw the doctor later. be
the doc
doctor then?-After an interval. By means of the strange ap-had a newspaper in his hand. He
after twelve o'clock, mont definitely "As to these questions: did you charge Here Mr. Vann said he put the When you arrested the doctor what paratus the doctors hope to eatab came towards me and, taking hold lish a basis for a record of perfectly of my hand, said, 'My dear Vann, was taking notes as the doctor spoke following questions and recclved the did you say?—I said: "Listen very
from Dr. Ruxton: f
carefully to me. I intend to prefer a to "I was writing for approximately six
Mr. Slinger: I formally call for the Hampshire to do work for you?-It You are charged that between Septem- determine the damage to nervous which referred to one of the bodies
ber 14 and 20, 1935, you did felonious control from various maladies, in- found at Moffat having a whole net notes made by the chief constable.
you know anything about any ly and with malico aforethought kill cluding nervous strain due to of bottom teeth, he said, 'Look at Mr. Paling: I understand from what bits of straw on the stairs? Our and murder one Mary Jane Rogerson." tumors, infections and accidents. this! This newspaper saya that this the witness has said that he took Billy Boy goes to the cellar and gets I.cautioned him and he said, "Most woman has a full set of teeth in the something down in writing which was handfuls of straw and gets bottles emphatically not. Of course not. The farthest thing from my mind. What While a doctor "pationt" is sit- lower jaw, and I know of my own subsequently handed to a typist to be and other things.
Was this your stair carpet? (show motive and why? What are you talk- ting with his feet in a tub of hot knowledge that Mary-Rogerson has typed. As it did not come to the wator a piece of ics may be applied at least four teeth missing in this knowledge or the notice of the pri-ing him a pices of stair carpet)ing
soner he never saw it-I fall to see This is the stair carpet on the the proposed formally to object to the Slinger said that, at this stage quickly to his leg, producing nervous jaw.
"He then got very excited," went on how it can be evidence.
floor of the landing. reactions which send the recording Mr. Vann, and sald. All thin Mr. Slinger said that in view of Mr. I want to call attention to these statement which was alleged to have Instrumenta palpitating.
publicity ruining my practice, Paling's objection he would not press stains, which resemble blood in largo been made by Dr. Ruxton being put
splashes (showing another ploco ofin as ovidence.
At the end of the case for the pro- Mr. Vann ultimately how the musclos and negotiating for sloan.
the bloodataine may be from my own secution the magistrates announced "He produced a letter and sold, "I had some coffee. even the glandular accretions of the didn't want to show you this, but here Mr. Slinger: After you had had hand. Three years ago, in April 1932, that a prima facie case had been body function under various norve it is. Read it and you will see. coffee approximately half-past two Mrs. Ruxton had a very serious ne modo out nginst Dr. Ruxton.
Mr. Slinger anked that he should be -tensions. 7).
it I put it to you that the doctor sald:cident round about two o'clock. On "Bofore I was able to rend
Assizes; as if he were committed to With the £120,000 grant from the properly he again became very excited. "Please. "I am absolutely, too tired, the landing I found her unconscious committed for trial to Manchester
He eat on the table with his feet on and I cannot concentrate?"Definite and a child born dead. Rockefeller Institute the National a chair, and bangel with his fiets only no.
This facket and trousers pointing Lancaster Assizes on January 22 there Hospital hopes to take its research the back of the chair. one, dependent upon the raising of
"Ho Sobbed"
I am also going to put it to you to them) have been recovered from would be only three or four weeks in that the doctor said: "I am sorry. Mrs. Hampshire-I remember giving which to prepare the defence."
The chairman said that on both cannot go on because I am very them to Mrs. Hampshire. I had uned work out of the dungeon" and lató
"Ho rin his fingers frequently sleepy No.
this ault when doing rough work in charges Ruxton would be committed fine, modern laboratories. But the through his hair and said, "This I boliove at 12 o'clock a certain the house,
to take his 'trial at Manchester As- Rockefeller grant is a conditional damned Bobble Edmondson in ruining woman telephoned to your office in I should draw your attention to sizes, and in the interim ho would be another $120.000 by the hospital my home. One day I tapped a teleconnection with wanting to loave the stains like blood on the coat and Laken to Strangeways Gool; Man- itself.-United Press..
phone conversation when she spoke doctor's home?I should say it would trousers also word the suit
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