1936-03-06 — Page 15

THE HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, MARCH

EVIDENCE AT DR. RUXTON'S TRIAL

HOUSE STAFF TELLS OF BLOOD STAINED.

CLOTHING

1

Further sensational evidence was given when the trial of Dr. Buck Ruxton, charged with the murder of his wife, was resumed at the Manchester Police Court.

At the Police Court proceedings, Ruxton was also charged with the murder of his housemaid, Llary Rogerson. Contrary to expectation, only the charge, referring to Mrs.. Ruxton's death was mentioned in the indictment when the case came before the Manchester Assizca this week.

The prosecution alleged at the Police Court proceedings that Raxton dismembered the body of his wife, and that human remains found in ravine at Moffat were those of Mrs. Ruxton,

The accused is pleading not guilty at Manchester Assizes. Mrs. Mabel Smith, charwonian, for. morly employed by Ruxton, resumed evidence when proceedings re-opened. Did you noticò anything unusual in the house that day?-When I was upstairs I noticed a horrible

Mr. Smith said she went to the houso again on Monday, Sept. 23, at two p.m. There was a dirty linen basket kept on the tap landing, and it was emptied mostly on Mondays.

Did you notice anything in tho hankot-Yen, I maw a silk nightgown with blood on the right shoulder.

What did you do with It?-I washed it, and then put it up to dry in tho collar with the other things.

Did you ever neo it again?—No, ~ Have you ever seen Dr, Buxton in the yard of his house?-Yes,

making fires,

-

Mrs. Kerwan stated that she put AUTO of Mr. Ruxton's clothes on the doctor a bed in the spare bed room, which previously had been locked.

MRS. RUXTON'S CLOTHES

#Tho next morning," continued] Mrs. Kerwan, “ho said that he had norted the best clothing for Mr. Ruxton, and he naked me to put them in a case. I did so, When I went into Dr. Ruxton's room I found that the clothes were sorted, the best being on top of tho bed and, the others on the fluor."

For nearly 25 minutes Mrs. Ker- wan, sat identifying articles of wo- men's clothing which she said she bad packed.

heard the knife click. Dr. Ruxton went to his waiting-room door, Ho came back and sold that he had no knife.. I said to him, Yes, you have, because I heard it click. "

Mr. Paling: What sort of knite was it? It was a white knife, but I cannot say what type.

Did you make Dr. Ruxton's bed when you were employed by him?----- Yen.

Did you find anything in his bed? --Yes,

What was it?—A revolver. Whereabouts, did you find i war under his pillow.

Won this only on one occasion or more than onef-On one occasion.

About' when was that?—I did not taka any notice of the date.

Do you think you would know the revolver again?I do not know.

pillow,

Mrs. Kerwan stated that after she had packed the clothes the doctor Mr. Paling banded to Mins Hunter Isaid that she could have those on a heavy Service-type revolver, and the floor. The doctor went out for she said that it was similar to ano a shave and when he returned sha which she found under the doctor's asked him if he was going to tako the nuitcase with him tako to Mr. Ruxton's sister, He replied that he could not be bothered. He left the house, and did not take the suitcase. Once she was having breakfast in the kitchen with Mrs. Oxley, when Mrs. Smith went in. The doctor was reading a nowapaper and remarked: Thank goodness the Moffat crime la

man and not two women.”

Mrs. Kerwan. "Dr. Ruxton said he was going to stay up all night. He said he could not sleep because Mra. Ruxton was away. On the following day when I got there at 8.30 n.m. Ï went into the yards. I swept up a lot of burnt material. It was under neath the doctor's surgery window."

Mr. Paling: What sort of materiala was it? There was a piece of blue material and a piece of red material;

The red material was similar to the dressing-gown that Mary Rogerson

ware.

Mr. Paling: What about the blue material?--It was the same as tho coat she used to wear.

Two exhibits in the case-iwo berets, ono a light blue and the other n darker blue-were then handed to Mrs. Kerman. "It was like that one," nhe said, holding up the lighter

Mr. Poling:

cloure here Did you see anything else in the yard?--Yes, some cotton wool with blood on It.

What was he doing there?-Mostly When was that?-Continually from when I went in on September 17.

You saw fires there all that week?——| Mrs. Kirwan said Dr. Ruxton went Yos.

[down that morning to the yard, What was the doctor actually doing? where she was "willing" the car -Ile was just watching the fires.” I pets.

air. Slinger naked that the photo- graph of Biary Rogerson with two children should remain in the hands of the magistrates' clerk. This was agreed to,

ALLEGED SCENE IN BEDROOM

Vera Shelton, a domestic sorvant, who was employed by Mrs. Ruxton Mrs. Kerwan added that before nu a maid 'from the middle of May the doctor was arrested she saw last year to July 15, stated that she him in a recess in the yard. "He elept in the same room as Mary had an axe in his hand," she went Rogerson. When she had been there 03. "He was scraping round the three weeks or a month she heard nink and he said that there must Mrs. Ruxton calling her about 11.30 not be any signs of blood or the one night. police would be saying that there had been a murder."

An nxe, with a handle 2ft. long and a large blade, was identified by Mra.

Kertvan

the one she had seen Dr. Ruxton using,

ALLEGED KNIFE INCIDENT

Miss Eliza Hunter, who was Cal- ployed as a domestic servant by Dr. Ruxton from July 1934 until April 1935, said that she shared

"I was in my bedroom," she added. "When I went 1 found the doctor was in Mrs. Ruxton's room. Mrs. Huxton told me to get the doctor away from her. I could not see where he had got hold of her, because I was so flustered. I thought he had hold of her arm. The doctor ran out of the room."

Asked by Mr. Paling if Dr. Ruxton said anything. Miss Shelton said that he used an objectionable expression regarding his wife.

a bedroom with Mary Rogerson. Mrs. "After he had gone," proceeded Ruxton slept in a bedroom, with the Miss Shelton, "I shut the bedroom

children.

door. On the floor in the bedroom

did not notice in particular what he Mrs. Kerwan said that when she was doing. I was busy with other first saw them the carpets were ly-Mr. Paling: Why did you leave?-was the telephone, which was broken. things.

ing “ail in a heap."

Mr. Paling: Did you notice any My health wax down owing to the Mrs. Ruxton's nightdress was torn.

about them apart from the doctor's conduct. thing

Where were the fires?—In several places, at the top and the bottom of the yard

She showed me a bruise on her arm." Mr. Paling Did you hear him call her anything else at any other time? Yes, ong Sunday afternoon the doctor said that Mrs. Huxton had one of his letters and she said that she had not.

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"He shouted to her, though I can- DELICIOUS not really say what he was anying," said Miks Sholton. "Afterwards I heard the doctor down the stairs, and | RICH MATURED he said something like I will shout

round the square

You are a cheat, You are opening my letters." After that they went out in the car together."

fact that they were wet?-Nothing. What do you mean by the doctor's

Mira, Kerwan

that stated Did you do anything to the fires? following day, Sept. 19, she made the for ever quarrelling.

the conduct 7--Mrs. Ruxton and he were Yes. Once I saw a fire smoulder octor's bed in Mrs. Ruxton's room

Do you remember ing, so I got a broom-handle and the room where the children slept. when Mrs. Ruxton left the hours?opened

one occasion lifted it up a bit. I noticed a large During her work she went into the Yes, pieco of wedding smouldering in the lounge and also into the bathroom. fre. It had blood on it. It wAR

Did she take anything with her?- Mr. Paling; Did you notice any-Yes, all her clothes. scorched when I Grst saw it, and thing unusual? -Yest, I noticed a Miss flunter was distressed as she subsequently the fire burnt it up. nasty smell coming on the top floor gave evidence. find you seen fires in the yurd next to Mrs. Ruxton's room, and Mr. Paling: About how long was before that week?—No.

faces the door of Mury Rogerson's that before you left?-About two room.

months. Did you go into that room: Yes.

After she had left the house did Had you been into the room before Dr. Ruxton say anythink to you?—,

week? No, because the door Yes. He said Mrs. Ruxton wouldNo, 1 gave in my notice partly was locked. The drawing-room door not come back alive. He would because of the rows and because my and the dining-room door were also bring her back to the martuary.

Do you know If he said anything

Mory? Yes.

DR. RUXTON 'RATHER ANGRY' Did you take some clothing away from the house? Yes, on Oct. 9. I book the clothing from a chair in the kitchen. I was told I could have it.

Mrs. Smith Identified a jumper and two pairs of shoes as being among articles abu took from the house.

that

locked

Mrs. Paling: Were you discharged?

mother wanted me at home. BRUISE ON ARM

Mr. Paling: When were you first SCENT TO TAKE AWAY SMELL seen by the police-before or after

On the Friday, Sept. 20, Mrs.

MRS. RUXTON'S SHOUTS Miss Charlotte Smith, who had the doctor was arrested?-About a Kerwa maid Dr. Ruxton told her week before.

been employed as a charwoman by What did he say to Mary in your Dr. Ruxton, recalled a Sunday about that the previous day he had been presence-He said, "Mary, will you the end of November or the begin- Did you go one morning to Dr. to Blackburn to sonie offices which be mother to my children from now ning of December in 1933 when the Ruxton's house after you had been Mrs. Ruxton had taken.

He had on?" seen by the police?--Yes, the follow-been to see, he said, if he could find

Did Mrs. Ruxton return?—Yes. docter and Mrs. Ruxton had a quar ing day.

anything of Mrs. Ruxton, and that

rel. "He accused her," she said, "of Mrs. Smith said that she went into the walked up and down where the

How long afterwards-The next taking men out in his car and she the kitchen. Mrs. Kirwan and Mrs. offers were. Ile could not see any Hud Dr. Ruxton left the house?-wald she did not. She said he would Oxley were there, having breakfast. | thing of her, so he went back.

go home. He replied: "You won't Dr. Ruxton wont in while they were

mother to have them.. Lake my children. You are not a fit talking. Ilo asked her if she had been Interviewed by the palice and she re- plied,

"Yes,"

A brasa syringe was handed to Mrs. Kerwan, and she stated that she bought it at an ironmonger's shop in Lancaster on Sept. 29.

day.

Усн.

When he left the house did he any Edinburgh for Mrs. Ruxton, anything 7-o sald-he-was-going-to

When did he come back? Early in the morning on the same day that Mr. Ruxton returned.

Mr. Paling: Did Mrs. Ruxton show left arm, which was badly bruised. you anything 7-Sho, showed me her Mias Bessie Philbrook and she had

had

Mr. Paling: Did he say anything then 7Hu got rather angry,

"The doctor said that there was a What did he say?-Ho referred to nasty smell the house, and' that the bou

and the doors always being the house smelt stuity," added Mrs. room once when you heard a noise?

Do you remember being in a bed-lated Mrs. Ruxton at different social functions. Ocensionally she open, and that we all went in and out Kerwan. "I had to get a bottle of Yes,

it was about three or four walk. On Friday, Sept. 20, Dr. Rux- taken the children. out for a za wo pleased!.

Dld be say anything else?-He handed the syringe and the Acent to did you do?--I heard Mrs. Ruxton sho could take the children out for

eau de Cologne with the spray. Imonths before I left

When you heard this nose what and b p.m. and wanted to know if ton went to her house between 4.30 stated they were trying to draw him Dr. Buxlan." into Mr. Smalley's affair. He said,

call me, and I went into the room. "Thank God that the other person Mr. Paling: Do you know whether It was the doctor's bedroom, and Dr. hour or two while Mrs. Kerwan found in the Moffat affair was a man, or not the syringe was ever used ?—and Mrs. Ruxton were there.

went shopping. She did so. After- What not a woman, or they would say next Yes.

Dr. Buxton said that Mis. were they doing?-Dr. Ruxton and Mary Rogerson were in I had murdered my wife and Mary.”

Ruxton had Mrs. Ruxton down on Scotland. He also asked her, if she the bed. Mrs. Ruxton was shout-knew Mary was pregnant, Sho Raid ing in a strangling voice. When "I don't know because I have not went in he let her up off the bed, scen Mary for a while." and he and it was not my affair

BURNT MATERIAL

tho

Who used It?-Dr. Ruxton. Whereabouts 7--He

coming Was down the staircase when I saw him; with it.

During the week beginning Sept.

Mrs. Elizabeth Kerwan was next witness. Her address was not, disclosed, but was written on a slip 17 she saw a blanket in a recess in of raper. She burst into tears when the yard. The blanket was in

she took the oath. She stated that {bowl.

she had been a cook-general for Dr. Ruxton. On Sept. 18 ho arrived at the house about two p.m. and saW Mary Rogerson, with whom she had a conversation.

Ho

Afterwards Dr. Ruxton went into the room and told her there was noth- ing for her to do that afternoon. asked her to lock in on the Monday. She went to the hours next on Tues day, September 17,

·

"STAY UP ALL NIGHT". "On Tuesday, Sept. 17, I made a mico fire in the waiting-room," added

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but his and his wife's

wards

Where were Dr. Ruxton's hands? Д

-Round Mrs. Ruxton's neck.

"VERY AGITATED" Winifred Emma

Roberts gave

"I wrung it out," she added. "I pening in the kitchen 7-Yes, it was papers

Do you remember something hap- evidence that when Ale dolivered at Dr. Ruxton's house on

was all stained with blood, and about three months before the incl- Sunday, Sept. 15, she said to him; put it in the washing machine.dent in the bedroom. Dr. Ruxton "I am sorry to disturb you," and Mrs. Smith Bnished. It'

4

AXE IDENTIFIED

had a knife at Mrs. Ruxton.

in reply ho remarked: "My maid is How did you come to see it7-Iaway with my wife." was in the back yard. Mrs. Ruxton "understood him to say in Scot- Replying to further questions by chen. Dr. Ruxton had a knife in his

called me, and I went into the kit land," she continued.

Mr. Paling: Did you notice any-

peared very agitated, Then," Miss Hunter continued. "I The hearing was adjourned.

Mr. Paling, Mrs. Kerwan atated that hand. Mrs. Ruxton said he had had thing about his manner 7-Hepp-

Dr. Ruxton told her that Mary a knife up at her throat. Rogerson was prognant, and that Mrs. Ruxton had taken her away to Edinburgh to some young doctor he ing back, he said, after all was over. know up there. Rogerson was com

After Mrs. Kerwan had stated that there were some curtains on the window between the dining-room and the top landing, Mr. Paling asked. "What happened to those curtains 7"

Mrs. Korwan: They had blood on the bottom during the first week after Sept. 13. I took them down. I put them in a linen basket at the top of the stairs, Dr. Ruxton asked me where I had put them. I took them out of the linen basket, and the doc tor then toro the bottom off the cur tains and said that the police would be saying next that he had murdered Mrs. Smalley.

TSHEKEDI

WEDS

IN LOUNGE SUIT,

BRIDE HAS A VEIL

Captetown, Feb. 24.

Chief Tshekedi, head of the Bamangwato tribe in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and wealthiest native bache-

Mr. Paling: When were you first lor south of the Equator, was married to-day to Bagakga- seen by the palicof-I think it was metse Sekgoma, daughter of his father's half-brother.

Supt. 20.

Mrs. Korwan, added: I came back

and told the doctor. He seemed very The marriage took place with Christian rites in the agitated and asked me to tell him mission church in Tshekedi's capital, Serowe.,

everything the police had asked me.

Did you tako somo of Mrs. Rux- For days native headmen and other tribesmen had been arriv ton's clothes out of the wardrobe Ting at Serowe on foot. Until late on Sunday night Bamangwatos Yes, about Oct. 8. The docter asked and Masares chanted and clapped in huts and in the moonlight. ime to take Mrs, Buxton's clothes to

Edinburgh the next day.

Inside the church, packed as close as possible, were natives

Mr. Paling: While you were doing swathed in blankets, and natives in their Sunday best, consisting that did you matica nnything in a of all manner of uniforms. Many carried helmets and top hats, box there? Yes, thero", was... · S

hox in the wardrobe. There was a

V-shaped ring made of gold. loft

But

Chief Teheked drove to church in a motor-dar, perfectly Itin Mrs. Ruxton's room on her groomed in a lounge suit and soft hat. His bride wore a modern dressing table.

Had you ever soon it before dress, specially imported for the occasion, with conventional white Yes, on-Mrs, Ruxton's finger, voll. She had four bridesmaids.'

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