1936-03-05 — Page 3

THE HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1936.

RUXTON MURDER TRIAL COMMENCES

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE IN POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS

DISMEMBERED BODIES OF TWO WOMEN FOUND IN LANCASHIRE REAVINE:

DOCTOR CHARGED

GR

TREAT 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.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

at the back, but Inter she had it commonly termed an Inflamed bunion at the joint on the great toe of the left foot. In long bob with curls bottom. She had grey patch, He had taken measurements of her. Miss Doris Squires, who inanteur-foot and said she would take a slze 7, ed Mrs. Ruxton's nails at the same wide fitting, in the type of shoe which establishment, said she had very his firm would supply, but it would be long fingerk and the skin of the much loss in no ordinary type of shoe. linunda was very amooth

and very All hor toes, except the big ones, were soft.

Bernard Bentile, an engineer, said that while riding a bicycle in Tinkle Street, Kendal, on September 17 he was knocked down from behind by

"humped."

John Thistlethwalte, a dental sur- geon, of Great John Street, Lancaster said that in October, 1933, he fitted. Mrs. Ruxton with a denture com- a inator-cur which did not stop. priking three teeth the left upper took the number of the car and shouted to the driver, who just war. Interal incisor, a canine, and first ect his Jinn and went on,

pre-molar. The denture was, secured

"I think there was a passenger by means of two clasps of gold-ense with the driver, the witness add-wire fitted to the pre-molare on each ed. "I thought it was a woman at alde. In February, 1934, he extracted

the right lower canine.

Arthur Howson, hairdresser, of

on

had found out that his wife had been

asked

the time."

INTERVENTION OF POLICE

Dalton Square, Lancaster, Kive Detective-sergeant Stalnton, of ovidence of various occasions upon Lancaster, told how on April which he had shaved Dr. Ruxton 1934, Mrs. Ruxion called and inde from September 10 to October 12 a complaint, and he went in search | He came most days in that period for of the doctor. He found him in his shave, said Howson, although on car, and invited him to the police Sundays' he (Howson) went over to office.

the doctor's house, where he 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-

and being unfaithful. would be justified in murderinging day he had a two days' growth of

beard. her. I told the doctor he should Mr. Paling-Did anything unusual give the man a good hiding. le wald that he was loyal to his wife occur when Dr. Ruxton camo

Saturday, October 12?--(This was the and would not give the man's name Saturday of the week-end during away."

which fuxton was arrested.) In evidence at the Police "Invited him to the police office," man. Pull yourself together. What On May 25 last, the witmeas con-

Howson-Dr. Ruxton' asked me if Court proceedings Mr. James he said, "effe was seen there by the is the trouble?, le said, 'My wife tinued, he went to Dalton Square he could have a few words private

then Detetive Inspector Thompson, and your son. -I am sorry for you, in consequence of a telephone mess Edmondson, assistant solicitor to when he Anw his wife he went into 1 think a lot about Bobble Bobbie nge The doctor, his wife, and with me. I invited him into the back Lineaster Corporation, stated temper. He accused her of being is in Edinburgh and my wife was Palice-constable Wilson were there, room, and there he told me that he that he had never been out in unfaithful, nad said, "I would be going to Edinburgh. He said that Ruxton was in a very excited con.

Justified in murdering her. told Bobbie and his sister, Barbara had dition. He said:"Sergeant, I feel away with another man Mrs. Ruxton's company until 3.45 am. Nor had he been to the doctor he should give the man been to Edinburgh with Mrs. Ruxton, tike murdering, two persons in Dai- if I knew him. I roid:

"Then fie tolil mc 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 „Blackburn and met Mrs. Ruxton loyal in, bis wife and would not give | Edinburgh."

to meet a man." The witness ask-neighbour, young Edmondson, of the there three times.

the man's naine awny,

Mr. Edmondson said that he ex-es that man Edmondson?" and Town Hall. He said he had definite "On May 25. 1935, I went to plained the trip, and Dr. Ruxton 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 rensan gether, and that he had followed them Ruxton in a very excited condi- stayed with her sister, whereas she with him and get him to be quiet, to Edinburgh. As Dr. Ruxton opened ilon. He said, Sergeant, I feel stayed at the Adelphi Hotel. At the He arranged to call and see the the door, he said that they were after like murdering two persaus in close of the interview Dr. Ruxton magistrates on Monday to take out him for the murder of Mrs. Ruxton Dalton square. My wife is going asked to see him and his son Inter. n summons. He naked Mrs. Ruxton and Mary Rogerson and Mrs. Smalley. Mr. Edmondson WBS then

out to meet a man. I asked. *

THE INTERVIEW

if she felt all right, and she said. cross-examined by Mr. Slinger. that man Edmondson?' and

INQUIRY AT MORECAMBE who asked him what make of reptled. So you know about it." "The next day," he said. ", went she would stay, so the witness left)

with Police-constable Wilson.

Thomas Harrison, house furnisher tried to reason with him and get My son said to the doctor, want with my son to Dr. Ruxton's house.

Detective-Inspector Moffatt, of and Jeweller, carrying on business in car he drove, and he replied i that it

a 1930 Austin bim to be quiet. He arranged to to make it quite plain that I do at Blackburn, read a long statement Morecambe, said that he had known

call and see the magistrates on

know where Mrs. Ruxton is." alleged to have been made to him Ruxton approximately three to three Seven. On September 7, after

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 Sare

mons, I asked Mrs. Ituxion if going to the swimming bath

been inquiring

of tember 22, into the He fell in his pockets and Mrs. Smalley Mr. Paling as pre- about & narght the children that. felt all right and she said, she until 6.55 p.m., he took Mrs.

would say."

pulled out what appeared to be a Ruxton and Mrs. Anderson to

doctor brought Hot of letters and papers. He then viously made it clear that there was The Chief Constable William Thompstarted telling about Mrs. Ruxton's no suggestion against Ruxton in this across the square to him, and with Dalton-square. He got home son, of Clitheroe, formerly n deter-faults.

connexion. In this he said:

Raxion and the children he went to about 7.15, and did not recollect | tive, inspector at Lancaster, told of

What the hell do the police a sweet shop and bought some ive an interview with Mrs. Ruxton at

"He said she has been extravagant WOHL, inquiring intu my private cream for the children. He carried

Mr. Edmondson was also cross-

a name was coming with bill for my house and interview the whole went into the waiting room, and placed examined in detail about his move-

betting. I said, Excuse me, lector, ama lot of them. It is nothing but the child down. He was not in the munts on other days, On September "Shortly afterwards. Dr. Ruxton this is your business really, I don'i

professional Jealousy, 1 11111 the 10, he said, he went to the swim-game in with Detective Sergenal want to hem anything about that.

house more than perhaps a couple of Inost progressive dector in ming bath, and later he drove Mrs. | Stainton,” he said. "I said to him, All I am concerned

and then went straight about is that

minutes, Lown. Ruxton to Dalton-saare and went 'Now, doctor, what is the malter?!

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

Later the doctor took him by ear panel,

and every doctor is Jealous

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

WIS

he

The

was

Ruxton there.

going out in the evening. the police station on April 6, 1934, and that some man-he mentioned affairs? Come across aid search the youngest child back to the house.

ton-square,

Mr. Stager spent the next hour and half questioning the witne on every detail of his movements from September 6 til more than week after Mrs, Ruxton und Mary Rogerson Bad" diauppenrist

MOVEMENTS IN LONDON Another half-hour was occupied in cross-examining Mr. Edmondson about his movements when he was attending an examination at London

ton.

ALLEGED THREAT

doctor said, want to tell you,

the

home. On the 13th he drove Mrs. He threw his hands and arms into The Wanted Ruxton and Mrs. Anderson to Dal- the air and began to shriek and and then he went on to enumerate of me. Why should you be making to an address in Lancaster, and on form at the month. I attempted to a number of bils for clothing, coninquiries about a professional mun's way he asked the doctor how he calm him."

fectionery, gambling and betting

sunnaged to cut his hand. Ruxton re- private affairs? I can have, my

tin He said. My wife has been un-letters. He also complained faithful. I will kill her if it con- Mrs. Ruxton had removed a desk ever I like, and I can help the paper and gone to Blackpool. On Sunday,

that house cleaned and decorated when plied that he had cut it with a

Later he said, that his wife opener. nucн* I tried to reason with from the consulting-room and said him and finally took him into an-that he had had reason sometimes angers to scrape the paper off the October 6, Ruston called at the wit.

walls without you interfering. other room with Inspector Clarke, for losing his temper, and added, "fam u bout pantan Why should! ness's houer and asked if they and He then began to sob. He said, admit I have struck her twice."

seen Mi Ruxton. They told him My wife is breaking my heart." This was

near the end of the you interview my servants?"

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. have another talk with Mrs. Burnud said to my son that if ever hefy-bandaged, and continued:

Arthur John Holmes, A master heard where Mrs. Ruston was would;

"Look at my finger. I cut that and palater and decorator, of Ullswater University towards, the end of Sep"and told Dr. Buxton, Your wife My son said, I have nothing to do that I was opening for my children papered the bath room and the wait- "I returned to, the room," he said, he use his influence to get her back, almost severed it with a fruit tin Rand, Lancaster, told how he had tember.

still insists upon leaving you." Iwith it. Dr. Raxton...said, "I don't↑ On October till Getober 4, the asked him if he would give her some say that; I love my wife and wan last week. I am the most miserable|ing room at Ruxton's house i July witness stated, he was in Edinburgh inoy to pay her fare to Edinburgh her back."

than on earth,

of this year. While the work was He stayed the first night at the and he did so fr. Raxton then

My__wife_leaves......... me, Now you being done Ruxton said he would Cackburn Hotel. This was the went across to his house and short- added Mr. Edmonton, "I said to visiting my patients a fortnight ago, mive only verbally. He had int come bothering me, go home from want the staircase doing about the casion when he visited Edinburghly afterwards accompanied Mrs. the doctor, 'Do you infer that my I go into the study, call her nece Ruxton since that line. He had of September. The order was with his mother, father, sister, and Ruxton there.... Later Mre, Rux-son had anything

with On the following on agreed that she would stay." Mrs. Ruxton.)

I go to her room. No answer.

I find seen your wife going away 27 Ir said, morning he went to stay with re- Intive of his father in Edinburgh. Police Constable Wilson gave evi Oh, no, I said, "Well, if I hear of note. It said: "I am going away, made no arrangement to call on him

Don't worry Left me with thres on

16 September dence of the incident on May 20 you or nobody mentioning his name kids crying for their mother, and de On October 4 he spent the night last, and said that Dr. Ruxton, who mixed up with Mrs. Ruxton going not know where she is. She is sup next Tuesday at 10 am

The hearing was, adjourned was behaving like a man insane, away there will be trouble. He re Mr. Slinger's crasi-examination stated his intention of tuiting out aplled, Oh, they will soon be back.posed to have gone to Scotland. I In adjourning the hearing the consisted almost entirely of ques-summons against a man. whas had snitt. I hoped they would back. It is driving me that Ruxton tody to Strangeways Prison, Man- tions concerning the detailed daily enticed away his wife's affections."

know. I wish she would come Chairman (Mr. D. Cross) said the

crazy."

prisoner would be remanded in cus- movements of Mr. Edmondson For

Inspector Moffait rach day he asked a series of ques tions which hardly varied. The main ones were:

at an hotel at Moffat,,

What time did you leave for the office?

Did you go by car?

What time did you arrive at the office?

Did you go out during the morning 7.

What time did you go home to luncheon ?

What time did you arrive home? What time did you leave home after luncheon?

What time did you arrive at the office?

Did you go out during the after- noon?

What time did you leave the office?.

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

Did you go out during the evening?

This had continued for four hours, and had reached November, 1, when Mr. Paling intervened.

"I fail to see that this, is relevant

÷

an extraordinary outburst in the dock which held up the proceed. ings for some time.

As we were leaving "the" "rooni,"

to

ใน

He leapt to his feet, his face contorted, and, shaking his ant to wards the police, he shouted:

Please wait a minule. I must speak. This is a court of justice, teenth. Ţ ́neck justice. I did not say that Ituxion. It is a mistake.

11

not

REVOLVER SHOWN

were

A revolver and an among the exhibits at Lancaster Pollee-court, when the hearing was resumed on the following day, Mrs. Mabel Smith, who had been employed as a charwoman by Dr.

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

we left."

Police-conatable Lund, of Lancsa-hands and shook his head backwards "And and forwards. He then said: ter, stated that tuxton called at the then, you come inquiring about my police office September 18 and produced a farm. Issued by Pers. Smalley and was never out of private affairs. know nothing about constable Lowther, of the Cumber-

and Constabulary, on the seven-my house last Thursday night. It is professional jealousy. You will hear You more about

office. police Inspector Thomas Clarke, of Lan- His solicitor pot up and whisper-caster borough palice, gave evidence I meant myself ed to him.

of an interview with Ruxton when the latter arrived at Lancaster Station at 4 am, on October 10. The doctor said he had been trying to find his wife

I would commit two murders fanid the eighteenth. That is a mix. out' of the it,” with that he walked Ruxton sinco last August, stated that

Dalton-square. but Himply wnid Luke I insist,

there would be two dead bodies in Dalton-square.

tim," he said.

IN MOTOR ACCIDENT

in Edinburgh and added: "Edmond

on Tuesday, Sept. 17, he went to Dalton-square about two

p.m. Dr. Ruxton was not in.

Mr. Paling: Was anybody in the house?-Only patients in the consult ing room.

Mrs. Smith said that the doctor's surgery hours were from two p.m.

p.m. "I went upstairs," until four

stair-carpets were ap.#

and Edmondson. Mrs. Ruxton said: lic was going to kill me and t said, 'If he kills me I will kill Police-constable Lund agreed that him Brat,'

the date on which the certificate was That is giving the very words issued by Lowther was the seven- of truth on the oath as a Chris teenth. He said that when told he knows where my wife and maid "This is a court must produce a certificate of insar- A few weeks ago my wife if justice. I never used the wordance with his driving licence Ruxton asked me for the ear to go to Edin ele continued. "I noticed that the burgh to see her sister. I became Mr. Paling: Did you notice any. replied: "I hired the car from a

and thing about any of the door?-They garage at Morecambe" and sald the Edmondson's drove off together, I were all closed. fwner would produce the certifiente.

"I noticed." said the constable, followed. Next morning I found they that the doctor's right hand was had been staying together in the name

of Mr. and Mrs. Buxton." heavily bandaged. I said to him:

'murder.* Give me jastlee,”

"YOUR INJUSTICE" Turning towarda Mr. Vann, the Chief Constable, he exchemed, "What court you have in your country, Mr. Vann, the Chief Constable It Go and alioot is your injustice.

to the issue that is before the yourself. It is a court of bribery

Behch," he stated.

in this country."

Mr. Slinger--I would not

ко

through every day

were not

essential for the defence.

DEVIL'S BEEF TUB

Mr. Slinger's last question was: "Can you tell me exactly where thero a place called Devil's Bridge on the way to Edinburgh 7"

Auspicious.

Саг My wife's

What have you done to your Inspector Clarke raid that he asked

hand, doctor and he replied: "I have badly cut myself."

Ruxton whether he kept the hired car

Did you try any of them?--Yes. Which ones?The drawing-room and the doctor's room on the top land-

what did you notice about those long, and he replied, "No, but while doors? They were locked.

I had it, I was stopped by the pollee What time did the doctor conte in?

When the doctor called again on Mr. Slinger, one of his solicitors, September 20 his hand was still at Milnthorpe. They wanted part!--About 2.30.

bandaged and he said it was not yet culars of un accident which I had had Mra, Smith continued: "I куда tried to calm him.

"How can I be quiel at this?" botter.

at Kendal." He said he had not been standing in the kitchen when he came. demanded Dr. Ruxton, who was Politc-constable Lowther, who Carlisle way that day, but to a place He told me there was no need to do

doctor's

car.

open.

MORRIS

EIGHT

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A PLEASURE TO DRIVE.

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WHEN AT HOME The

in dock. stopped car at Miin-called Seattle, returning via Kendal any work downstairs. He asked me trying to make out 1 murdered thorpe, Westmorland, seven miles lie 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:-

w:"Inspector, you make ing and stairs of their paper. He secution! Can't you see the point? atated: "I asked him if he had inquiry of Mr. Edmondson at the also said, "Put plenty of water on I am not blind.

come through Kendal. He said he Mr. Edmondson-There is a Devil's Mr. Robert Binckburn Edmond had, and I asked him if he knew town hall, and he will be able to toll where you take the paper off." When you where my wife and maid are." I got to the top landing Dr. Ruxton Beef Tub,

know that, but not Ron, father of Mr. Robert James he had been involved in an accident, Mr. Slinger (cross-examining) told me not to bother with that., He Dovil's Bridge. The Devil's Beef Edmondson who was in the box all and he replied that he did." Rux- The doctor was quite open? Very would do the innding in his spare Tub is about two miles and a half day on Thursday, described the visit ton, however, declined to make an

time, he said. I was to start from through Moffat on the road North. to Edinburgh early in September. jexplanation.

"I was in my son's car, my son

DENTAL OPERATION the top stop of the landing. The witness added: "At this point Mr. Edmondson was in the wit-

"On the following day I 'did' the driving," he said. "Mr. Ruxton he became agitated and excited. 1 ness-box seven hours.

Samuel Fawcett, a dental surgeon,

wall-paper-as far as the bathroom. 1errick Wilkinson Barwick, a drove my wife and daughter in the had great difculty in getting what of King Street, Lancaster, said that

On a pair of curtains on the landing director of the testing house labora

I stopped at the few particulars I needed from him he had professionally attended Mary above the bath room I noticed tory, Manchester Chamber of Com-Adelphi Hotel and returned the fol. He seemed very eager to proceed Rogerson in December, 1982. Ha ex- smear of blood. It was about half-

res, and 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 pieces of sheet handed to him with son's car, my wife and daughter bo- to be excited. He volunteered the which he described.

what happened to them later: Tald a whold, bed shoot. There was no ing driven by Mrs. Ruxton."

statemont that he had been to Car Dr. Ruxton, he said, went to his isle on business."

not see them afterwards." Ruxton Ind 'a James Priestley, dentist, of Bolton- significant difference. The width and

Mr. Paling: Did you go into the number and type of stitches of the house on Saturday evening, October child of three or four sitting on the le Sands, who practised in Dalton

5., and asked where his son was front sont with him.

Square, Lancaster, until June this bathroom at all?--I wiped the bath- hema were in agreement,

He told him that he was in Edin Mias Clara Maureen Gresse, hair-year, said that he had professionally room over before I left. burgh, staying with friends.

Did dresser, employed at an establish attended Mary Rogerson on one occa

you notice anything on "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 anne as you go into the bathroom on the friends?' I said it was in Dalkeith two or three times a week during thetle,

right-hand side... road, and asked the doctor "What do the past 24 years. Sho last attend Enoch, Edge, manager

and chiro-

DETECTIVE'S EVIDENCE Detective Sergeant Walter Stainton, of Lancaster, said that on April 6, 1934, Mrs. Ruxton called at the police olice and made a complaint to him, and The then went in search of Dr.

Ruxton.

---

the

Did you go to the house on Sept. 197

you want to know for? Then heed her on September. 14. She atat. podlet for a firm in Lancaster, sold-Yes, about two p.. burst out crying, I tapped him on cd, that Mrs. Ruxton's mid-brown that he had attended Mrs. Ruxton on At this stage the police court pro the shoulder and sald, “Come, come, fair was at first done in a bun” May 20 this year for acuto bursitis, eeedings were adjourned,

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