1936-03-05 — Page 15

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, · MARCH- 5, -1986.

RUXTON MURDER TRIAL COMMENCES

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE IN POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS

at the back, but later she had it commonly termed an Inflamod bunion in a long bob with curls at the joint on the great toe of the left foot. bottam. She had a grey patch Ho had taken measurements of ber

Mina Doris Squires, who manicur-foot and said she would take aiza 7, ed Mrs. Ruxton's nails at the same wide sitting, in the type of shoe which establishment, said she had very his firm would supply, but it would be long fingern and the skin of the much loss in an ordinary type of shoe. hands

was very smooth and very All her toes, except the big ones, were Noft.

"humped." Bernard Boattle, an engineer, sald

John Thistlethwaite, a dental sur that while riding a bicycle in Finklo geon, of Great John Street, Lancaster down by Mrs. Ruxton with a com

HIG

threy tooth-the left upper caniac,__and _frst

DISMEMBERED BODIES OF TWO WOMEN Street, Kendal, on September 14 he said that in October, 1033, ho atted

FOUND IN LANCASHIRE RAVINE:

GREAT

DOCTOR CHARGED ·

REAT interest is being displayed at Home in the trial, which opened this week, of Dr. Buck Ruxton, who is charged with the murder of his wife, Isabella Ruxton.

The prosecution alleges that he dismembered her body at his house and that the human remains found in a ravine at Moffat were those of Mrs. Ruxton. -

Contrary to expectation the only indictment to which Ruxton was called to plead at the Manchester Assizes, concerned his wife Isabella, no charge being pre- ferred regarding his housemaid, Mary Rogerson whose dismembered remains were also alleged to have been discovered.

In evidence at the Police

Mrs. Ruxton's company until

a motor-car which did not stop. took the number of bho car and shouted to the driver, who just way. ed his hand and went on.

"I think there was a passenger with the driver, the witness add ed. "I thought it was a woman at

the time."

INTERVENTION OF POLICE

Detective-mergent Stafaton,

office.

wife.

and

ench

The denture was secured. by means of two clasps of gold-case wire fittal to the premolars on side. In February, 1934, he extracted the right lower caning.

which he had shaved

camo on

he could have a few words private with me. I invited him into the back room. and there he told me that he

and asked

Arthur Howson, hairdresser, of Dalton Square, Lancaster, PRVC of evidence at various occasions upon

Dr.

Ruxton Lancaster, told how on April 6, 1034, Mrs. Ruxton called and made from September 10 to October 12. a complaint, and he went in search He came most days in that period for a shave, sail Howson, although on of the doctor. He found him in his car and invited him to the police Sundays he (Howson) went over to the doctor's house, where ho shaved When, he saw his wife he went him. He did not come on September into a temper. He accused her of 19, and when he came on the follow-

• being

unfaithful, and said:ing day he had a two days' growth of would be justified in murdering beard." her. I told the doctor he should Mr. Paling-Did anything unusual give the man a good hiding. He occur when Dr. Ruxton wald that he was loyal to his wife Saturday, October 127—(This was the and would not give the man's asme Saturday of the week-end during The accused pleaded not guilty.

away."

which Ruxton was arrested.) "I invited him to the police office," man. Pull yourself together. What On May 26 last, the witnow 'com.

Howson-Dr, Ruxton naked me if Court proceedings Mr. James he said: "He was seen there by the in the trouble?' He said, y wife inued, he went to Dalton Square then Detective Inspector Thompson and your son. I am sorry for you. in consequence of a telephone mess. Edmondson, assistant solicitor to When he saw his wife he went into I think a lot about Bobble. Bobble age The doctor, his Lancaster Corporation, stated a temper. He accused her of being is in Edinburght and my wife was Police-constable Wilson were there had found out that his wife had been that he had never been out in unfaithful, and said, I would be going to Edinburgh. He said that Ruxton was in a very excited con-

I said: atided in murdering her. I told Robble and his sister Barbara haddition. He said: "Sergeant, I feel away with another man, and the doctor he should give the man been to Edinburgh with Mrs. Ruxton, like murdering two persons is Dal-if I know him,

"Then he told me that it was a near a good hiding. He said that he was and I said, Yes, I can explain about ton Square. My wife is going out

to meet man." The witnesa Bak- neighbour, young Edmondson, of the loyal to his wife and would not give Edinburgh'." the man's name away, ..

Mr. Edmondson said that he ex- el:"Is that man Edmondson ?" and Town Hall. He said he had definite "On May 26, 1935, I went to plained the trip, and Dr. Huxton Ruxton replied: "So you know about proof that they had gone away to- the doctor's house and found Dr. stated that his wife told him she it?" He (Stainton) tried to reason gether, and that he had followed them Tuxton in a very excited condi- stayed with her sister, whereas she with hint and get him to be quiet. to Edinburgh. As Dr. Ruxton opened call and ace the the door, he said that they were after tion.

Ile said. Sergeant. I feel stayed at the Adelphi Hotel. At the He arranged like murdering two persons in close of the interview Dr. Ruxton magistrates on Monday to take out him for the murder of Mrs. Ruxton He naked Mrs. Ruxton and Mary Rogerson and Mrs. Smalley. Dalton square. My wife in going asked to see him and his son Inter. a summons. out to meet a man.' I asked, 'IN

THE INTERVIEW

if ahe felt all right, and she sud

INQUIRY AT MORECAMBE that man Edmondsun? and he

Thomas Harrison, house furnisher "The next day," he said, "I went she would stay, so the witness left replied. So you know about it.'

Detective-inspector Moratt, of and jeweller, carrying on businces in tried to reason with him and get with my son to Dr. Ruxton's house. with Police-constable Wilson, him to be quiet. He arranged to My son said to the doctor, I want Blackburn, read a long atatement Morecambe, said that he had known call and see the magistrates on know where Mrs. Buxton is.'

to make it quite plain that I do not alleged to have been made to him: Ituxton approximately three to three the Monday to take out a sum-doctor seemed not to trouble about by Ruxton, after the inspector had and a half years. On Sunday, Sep- of tember 22, he was in Dalton Square monk. I asked Mrs. Ruxton if she

been inquiring into the death that. He felt in his pockets nnd Mrs. Smalley [Mr. Paling has pre- about 4 p.m., and saw Ruxton there. felt all right and she said she pulled out what appeared to heaviously made it clear that there was The doctor brought the children would stay.

lot of letters and papers. He then Chief Constable William Thompstarted telling about Mrs. Ituxton's no suggestion against Ituxton in this across the square to him, and with

connexion]. In this he said:-

Ruxton and the children he went to son, of Oiltheroe, formerly a detec faults.

"What

the hell

de the police a sweet shop and bought some loc tive inspector at Lancastur, told of

“He said she had been extravagnat | want, inquiring inta iny private cream for the children. He carried Come across and search the youngest child back to the house. the police station on April 6, 1934, and that same man--he mentioned affairs?

naame-war coming with bills for my house and Interview the whole went into the waiting room, and placed ALLEGED THREAT

betting. I said, 'Excuse me, doctor,

3.45 am. Nor had he been to Blackburn and met Mrs. Ruxton thero three times.

"I was a friend of hers," added Mr. Edmondson: "there was certainly nothing more than friendship."

con-aquare,

next hour Mr. Slinger spent the and a half questioning the witness on every detail of h movements from September 6 until more than a week after Mrs. Ruxton and Mary Rogerson had disappeared.

MOVEMENTS IN LONDON Another half-hour was oceupled in cross-examining Mr. Edmondson

I

an interview with Mrs. Ruxton at

The

Mr. Edmondson was then cross-examined by Mr. Slinger, who asked him what make of car he drove, and he replied that it was a

1930 Austin Seven. On September 7, after| going to the swimming bath; until 6.55 p.m., he took Mrs.į Ruxton and Mrs. Anderson to Dalton-square. He got home about 7.15, and did not recollect going out in the evening.

Mr. Edmondson was also cross- examined in detail about his niove-

am the ments on other days. On September

house more than perhaps a couple of In this minutes, and then went straight 10, he said, he went to the swim came in with Detective Sergeant want to hear anything about that most progressive doctor ming bath, and later he drove Mra. Stainton," he said, "I and to him, All I am concerned about is that town.

to my son." Ruxton to Dalton-square and went. Now, doctor, what is the matter? you wanted to speak

"I have over 2,000 patients on my across the road to an omnibus.

Later the doctor took him by car and every doctor is Jeulous to an address in Lancaster, and on home On the 13th he drove Mrs. He threw his hands and arms into The doctor said, I want to tell you.'panel, Ruxton and Mrs. Anderson to Dal-the air and began to shrick and and then he went on to enumerale of me. Why should you be making the way he asked the doctor how he foam at the mouth. I attempted to a number of bills for clothing, con- inquiries about a professional man's mannged to cut his hand. Ruxton ro

fectionery, calm him.'"

gumbling and betting private affairs can have my He haid, 'My wife has been un-letters. He also complained that house cleaned and decorated when plied that he had cut it with a tin faithful will kill her if it con- Mrs. Ruxton hail removed a desk ever I like, and I can help the paper-opener. Later he said that his wife tinues. I tried to reason with from the consulting-room and said

"October 8, Ruxton culled at the wit walls without you interfering. him and finally took him into an-that he had had reason nome in hangers to scrape the paper off the had gone to Blackpool. On Sunday, other room with Inspector Clarke. for losing his temper, and added, am a house proud man. Why should ness's house and asked if they had seen Mrs. Ruxton. They told him He then began to sob, He nit,admit have struck her twice.' idly wife in breaking my heart.' "This was

near the end of the you interview my servanta

He then held up his right hand, they had not, and that she had not He calmed down and I went to conversation, and the doctor stood up the little finger of which was heavl been there for some time.

Arthur John Holmes, a master have another talk with Mr. Rux and said to my son that if ever hely bandaged, and continued:

heart where Mrs. Ruxion was would "Look at my finger. 1 cut that and painter and decorator, of Ullswater "I returned to the room," he said, he use his influence to get her back. almost severed it with a fruit tin Road, Lancaster, told how he had Univarsity towards the end of Sep-"and told Dr. Ruxtone Your wife My son said, I have nothing to do that I was opening for my children papered the bath room and the wait-

still insists upon leaving you." with it? Dr. Ruxton said, I don't

of this year. While the work was On October 1 till October 4, the asked him if he would give her some any that; I love my wife and want last week. I am the most, miserable Ing room at Ruxton's house in July

man on earth, witness stated, ho was in Edinburgh money to pay her fare to Edinburgh her back."

"My wife leaves me. Now you being done Ruxton said he would He stayed the first night

at the and he did so. Dr. Ruxton then "As we were leaving the room." come bothering me. 1 go home from want the staircase doing about the Cockburn Hotel. (This was the Ocwent across to his house and short- adited Mr. Edmondson," said to visiting my patients a fortnight go middle of September. The order was casion when he visited Edinburghly afterwards I accompanied Mrs. the doctor, Do you infer that my I go into the study, call her name. received only verbally. He had not with his mother, father, sister, and Huxton there.... Later Mrs. Rux son had anything to wa Mrs. Ruxton.) On the followington agreed that she would stay."

with No answer. I go to her room. I find seen Ruxton since that time. He had said fin your wife going away?' morning he want to stay with a re-

Palier Constable Wilson gave evi- Oh, no, I paid, 'Well, if I hear of a note. It said: "I am going away, made no arrangement to call on him

Don't worry." Left me with three

on September 10. lative of his father in Edinburgh.

dence of the incident on May 25 you or anybody mentioning his name kids crying for their mother, and do The hearing was adjourned til fast, and said that Dr. Ruxton, who mixed up with Mrs. Ruxton going not know where she is. She is sup next Tuesday at 10 a.m. was behaving like n man insane, away there will be trouble. He re

In adjourning the hearing the summons against a man cross-examination stated his intention of taking out anlied, 'Oh, they will soon be back. posed to have gone to Scotland.

do not know. I wish she who had said I hoped they would soon be hack. It is driving me could come Chairman (Mr. D. Cress). Bald the prisoner would be remanded fn cus- enticed away his wife's affections," back, and the doctor shook handy

At this point Dr. Ruxton made with us in a very friendly way, and then took hold of his head in his chester.

Inspector Moffatt said that Ruxton tody to Strangeways Prison, Man- an extraordinary outburst in the we left."

REVOLVER SHOWN duck which held up the proceed-

hands and shook his head backwards Police-constable Land, of Lancas and forwards. He then said: "And ings for some time.

ter, stated that Ruxton enlled at the then you come inquiring about my He leapt to his feel, his face police offler on September 18 and private affairs. I know nothing about contorted, and, shaking als dat to produced a form issued by Police- wards the police, he shouted:

constable Lowther, of the Cumber Mrs. Smalley and was never out of speak. This is a court of Justice. teenth.

"Please wait a minute. I must land Constabulary, on the seven my house last Thursday night. It is professional jealousy. You will hear With that he walked Inspector Thomas Clarke, of Lan- there would be two dead bodies in His soliciter got up and whisper-caater borough police, gave evidence Dalton square. I meant and Edmondson. Mrs. Ruxton sailed to him.

professional jealousy: "Shortly afterwards Dr. Ruxton this is your business, really, I don't a lot of them. It is nothing but the child down. He was not in the

about his movements when he was attending an examination ut London

tomber.

On October 4 he spent the night at un hotel at Moffat.

Mr. Slinger's consisted clmost entirely of ques tions concerning the detailed dally movements of Mr. Edmondson. For each day he asked a series of ques- tions which hardly varied. The main

ones were:

What time did you leave for the office?

Did you go by car?

What lime did you arrive at the office 7

Did you go out during

morning 7.

the

What time did you go home to luncheon?

What time did you arrive home?

What time did you leave home after luncheon 7

What time did you arrive at the afitco ?

Did you go out during the after- noon?

What time did you leave the office 7

go

ton.

1

A revstyler and ha axe were among the exhibits at Lancaster Police court, when the hearing was resumed on the following day. Mrs. Mabel Smith, who had been employed as a charwoman by Dr. Ruxton since last August, stated that on Tuesday, Sept. 17, she went to Dr. p.m. Dalton-mquare about two Ruxton was not in.

Mr. Faling: Was anybody in the of an interview with Ruxton when the latter arrived at Lancaster Station at house?-Only patients in the consult

I seek justice. I did not say that Ruxton. It is n mistake. You moro about it."

I would commit two murders in sald, the eighteenth. That is a mis-out of the police office.

but simply Bald take. I 'inalat.

Dalton-Ruare,

myself

he was going to kill me and l ⚫ IN MOTOR ACCIDENT

room.

a.n. on October 10. The doctor said | ink Smith said that the doctor's said. If he kills me I will kill Police-constable Lund agreed that he had been trying to find his wife Mrs. him first.

the date on which the certificate was in Edinburgh and added: "Edmond surgery hours were from two p.m. "That is giving the very words issued by Lowther was the seven-son knows where my wife and maid until four p.m. "I went upstairs,"

are. ... A few weeks ago my wife of truth on the oath as a Chria- teenth. He said that when told he

din-stair-carpets were up." of Justice. I never used the wordance with his driving licence Ruxtonburgh to see her sister. I became

"This is a court must produce a certificate of insur-asked me for the car to go to pair she continued. "I noticed that the

tion," he said.

'murder. Give me Justice."

"YOUR INJUSTICE"

Did you immediately go home? What time did you arrive home? And

Dkl you out during the

Turning towards Mr. Vann, the eroning : This had continued for four hours; Chief Constable, he exclaimed, "What and had reached November 1, when court you have in your country' Mr. Paling

My Fall & interventials is relevant

Mr. Vann, the Chief Constable; it

is your injustice. Go and shoot

to the issue that is before the yourself. It is a court of bribery Bench," he stated.

not

120

word

all closed.

Did you try any of them?—Yes. Which ones? The drawing-room

and the doctor's room on the top land-

ing.

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Mr. Paling Did you notice any replied: "I hired the ear from suspicious My wife's car and garage at Morecambe" and Raid the Edmondson's drove off together thing about any of the doors? They owner would produce the certificate, followed. Next morning I found they "I noticed," aid the constable, had been staying together in the nume "that the doctor's right hand was heavily bandaged. I said to him: of Mr. and Mrs. Buxton." What have you done to your Inspector Clarke said that he asked

What did you notice about those hand, doctor?' and he replied: I Ruxton whether he kept the hired cur have badly cut myself"."

long, and he replied, "No, but while doors? They were locked. In this country."

What time did the doctor como in? When the doctor called again on I had it, I was stopped by the police Mr. Slinger, one of his solicitors, September 20 his hand was still at Milnthorpe. They wanted parti--About 2.80.

Mr. Smith continued: "I Mr. Slinger I would

bandaged and he said it was not yet culars of an accident which I hauj through every day if it were not tried to calm him,

"How can I be quiet at this?" better.

nt Kendal." He said he had not been standing in the kitchen when he came. demanded Dr. Ruxton, who was Police-conslabic Lowther, who Carlisle way that day, but to a place He told me there was no need to do! shaking in the dock. They are stopped Ruxton in a car at Miln called Seattle, returning via Kendal, any work downstairs. He asked me trying to make out I murdered thorpe, Westmorland, seven miles Ile then got out of the car and said to go upstairs and to strip the land- CALDBECK MACGREGOR & Co., Ltd. her. Can't you see? Dirty pro south of Kendal, on September 17, to the witness:-"Inspector, you make ing and stairs of their paper. secution! Can't you see the point? stated: "I asked him if he had inquiry of Mr. Edmondson at the also said, "Put plenty of water on I am not blind.

came through Kendal. Ho said he town hall, and he will be able to tell where you take the paper off." When Mr. Robert Blackburn Edmond-had, and asked him if he knew you where my wife and maid are."I got to the top landing Dr. Buxton Bon; father of Mr. Robert James he had been involved in an seeldent, Mr. Slingor (cross-examining) told me not to bother with that. He Edmondson who was in the box ali and he replied that he did." Rux- The doctor was quite open? Very would do the landing in his sparo day on Thursday, described the visit ton, however, declined to maks an open.

essential for the defence.

DEVIL'S BEEF -TUB

Mr. Stinger's last question was: "Can you tell me exactly where there is a place called Deville Bridge on the way to Edinburgh7"

Mr. Edmondson There is a Devil's Beef Tub. I know that, but not Dovil's Bridge. The Devil's Beef Tub is about two miles, and a half through Moffat on the road North. Mr. Edmondson was in the wit ness-box goven hours.

to Edinburgh early in September, explanation.

"I was in my son's car, my son The witness added:-At this point.

DENTAL OPERATION

Was

Ho

time, he said. I was to start from the top stop of the landing. driving," he said.

"On the following day I 'did' the "Mrs. Ruxton he became agitated and excited. I Samuel Fawcett, a dental surgeon, wall-paper as far as the bathroom. drove my wife and daughter in the had great difficulty in getting what of King Street, Lancaster, said that On a pair of curtains on the landing Frederick Wilkinson Barwick, a doctor's day.

above the bath room I noticed director of the testing house labora-Adelphi Hotel and returned the fol-Ife seemed very engor

I stopped at the few particulars I needed from him, he had professionally attended Mary

to proceed Rogerson in December, 1982. He ex- amear of blood. It was about half- tory, Manchester Chambor Com- merce, sald he had compared four lowing night, Sunday, again in my on his way. He kept telling me not tracted four teeth, the positions of

way up the curtains. I do not know plecos of sheet handed to him with one car, my wife and daughter bo to be excited. He volunteered the which

Iro described

what happened to them later. I did *not see them afterwards." There was no ing driven by Mrs. Ruxton." a whole bod shoot.

Dr. Ruxton, he said, went to his liste on businen had been to Car James Priestley, dentist, of Bolton- significant difference; The width and number and type of stitches, of the ouse on Saturday evening, October child of three or four sitting on the lo-Sands, who practised In Dalton Mr. Paling: Did you go into the Square, Lancaster, until June this bathroom, at all?--I wiped the bath 5, and naked whore his son was, front seat with him. kita

laft homs wore in agreement.

He told him that he was in Edin- Miss Clara Mauroon Grosse, hair. year, and that he had professionally room over before

Did you notice anything on tho burgh, staying with friends, dr dromer, employed at an establish attended Mary Rogerson on one occa

Dr. Ruxton," he said, "asked ment in Cheapside, Lancaster, said sion about 18 months ago, when he wall-I saw two stains of blood just "What--is-- the ⋅ address of your that Mrs. Ruxton came sometimes extracted two teeth under an anaona you go into the bathroom on the friends 7 I said It was in Dalkeith-two or three times wook during thetic

DETECTIVE'S EVIDENCE Detective Bergeant Walter Stainton, of Lancaster, sald that on April 6, 1934, Mrs. Ruxton called at the police office and made complaint to him, and he then went; in-search of Dr. Baxton

statement. that

road, and naked the dootor: "What do the past 2 years. She last attend-Brost

manager and chiro-

you want to know fort Then he ad har on September 14: She state pediat for a firm in Lancaster said burst out crying. I tapped him oned that Mrs. Huxton's mid-brown that he had attended Mrs Ruxton on the shoulder ari sald, Come," come, hair was at first done in a "bun" May 29 this year for acute bursitis,

right-hand sklo

Did you go to the house on Sept. 191 yes, about two p.m.

At this stage the police court pro ceedings were adjourned.

Sole Agents:

WHEN AT HOME

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