Saturday 14 Jun 1845 (p. 3, col. 5-6) Part 1 THIRD EDITION. ----- Journal Office, Friday Evening, Six o'Clock. ----- EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES RESUMED. It was quarter past two o'clock before the examination of witnesses was resumed. Benjamin MITCHELL, re-sworn-I remember something particular taking place at my master's house, at last Carlisle races. It was a disturbance about supper. Mr. GRAHAM came home, and mistress asked if he would have tea to supper? He said no, he would have some milk, and he took milk. The servant girl then came in, and the mistress was taking the pot that had the milk off the table. The master told the girl to get some supper, and she said no, she would never break her fast in that house more, because Mrs. GRAHAM had removed the things off the table. The master asked deceased what she meant by doing so, and she said she had only removed the pot that had his milk in. Mr. and Mrs. GRAHAM went to bed, and there seemed to be a great disturbance in the house. CORONER-Have you anything more to add? Witness-Nothing, only that the girl's conduct towards Mrs. GRAHAM was very improper. Mr. WHEATLEY-You are still of opinion that the packet of poison was unopened, are you?-I am, and I will stand to that till the day of judgment. CORONER-On the occasion we refer to did GRAHAM go into the parlour and find fault with his wife, for not letting her have her supper?-Yes. And do you mean to say that the conduct of the girl that night was very insolent and improper?-Yes it was. Did John GRAHAM take his mistress's part?-He did not say much either way. Mr. WHEATLEY-Did he rather take the girl's part?-Rather. Mr. MOSS-She was a kind mistress to you?-The kindest I ever had. My master and mistress lived happy together till the last half year of her life. At that time he never checked the girl when she was insolent to his wife. CORONER-Up to that time you never observed any improper conduct on the part of the girl to your mistress?-Yes, that's what I mean. She always waited very dutifully on her till then. What change did you observe,-was John's conduct to his wife changed?-No, he always seemed friendly to her. Mr. WHEATLEY-Was the girl's conduct not changed?-Yes, it was not so good. Do you recollect Mr. ANDERSON coming to see Mrs. GRAHAM?-Yes, and I believe Dr. DALTON was once with him when he came to cut something out of the roof of her mouth. Were RICKERBY and your master in the habit of meeting at ELLIOT's?-Yes. When did that begin?-Towards the back end of the year. Was that while RICKERBY was in his service?-Yes. What time of day did they meet?-In the evening. Did they stay long?-Yes. Nine o'clock was the hour for going to bed both in winter and summer. We got supper at half-past six, and they used to go off immediately after supper, and stay till nine, and sometimes later. Have you sometimes gone to bed before they came in?-Not often, but sometimes I have. Your mistress was home?-Yes, I still left her up. How long did they carry on these meetings at ELLIOT's house?-They began at the harvest, and it continued till Martinmas, the time she left. Did you ever know her there after she left your master's service?-Twice. I only said once at first, but I now recollect it was twice. Did you mention it at all before?-Yes, I said I had seen her at the market. Yes, but at ELLIOT's house?-Once. I was not in, but I saw her through the window. I think she was sewing with her sister. It was about Martinmas. Was John GRAHAM there that day?-Yes, I did not see him, but in going past I heard his tongue. Was that before or after his wife's death?-Before, I am certain. His wife gave me the information, and her sister Mary HIND had told her: she had seen her coming through the village. How often did he visit her there?-I can't say how many times. They were oftener missed from the house than they were in it. And it was their practice both to be absent at the same time?-Yes. What means have you of knowing that they went to the house?-I have often heard them when they were in. ELLIOT's house stands by the road side, perhaps fifty yards from Mr. GRAHAM's house. Do you ever remember Mrs. GRAHAM finding fault?-No. Used they to come in the house together?-No. Which generally came back first?-Sometimes one and sometimes the other. Did you of your own knowledge know they were in the habit of meeting at ELLIOT's house?-I have reproved him for going to it. Why did you reprove him for going to that house in particular?-Because it was a house that was blamed for clash. Or perhaps something worse?-I don't know about anything worse, but I said people were taking notice of him going so often. You are not aware of them meeting more than twice since Mrs. GRAHAM's death?-Three times. Which was the other time?-I saw RICKERBY leave the premises about four o'clock, some time between Christmas and Candlemas. My son said they had been in the front kitchen together. Do you remember being sent to seek him late one Saturday or Sunday evening?-Yes. Was anything said by Margaret RICKERBY on that occasion?-John GRAHAM said to her in the morning, "Margaret, if I'm not home at three o'clock you'll not see my face again." This was on the Saturday morning, before he went to market. Mrs. GRAHAM was not present. He was late in coming home that night. I came to Mary BESWICK's and to the Black Swan to see after him, but, as I could not find him, went home without him. Margaret ELLIOT was standing at the door whispering to somebody when I returned. Mrs. GRAHAM said, "Don't stand there; come in and say anything you have to say; there has been enough of that whispering." Mistress was very troubled. About 12 o'clock LITTLE and I went for him, and met him on the road. Did he ever send his wife to bed, and sit up with RICKERBY?-I cannot affirm that, I didn't see it. Did you hear Mrs. GRAHAM say anything to him on the Sunday night before she died?-She said, "John, you can never find a bit time to stop with me,-but all will work over." Were you in bed?-Yes; my bed-room is opposite the kitchen, and I could hear what was said. He made no answer. Did she take any supper on the Sunday night before John came home?-Yes, to the best of my recollection, she boiled some bread and milk. I saw her cut the bread on the table. Did Betsey ROBINSON or you go to bed first?-I think she did, but we were near about the same time. Was the pan on the fire before she went? I am not sure, but she knew of the boiled milk. How long was it after you went to bed that John came home?-A very little bit; I had not fallen asleep. Catherine BURTON-re-sworn-Mrs. GRAHAM used to come to me and make complaints. She said she was badly used by Margaret RICKERBY and her hushand. She said he ordered her to bed, and sat up with the servant. She said he used to go and see if she (Mrs. GRAHAM) was undressed and gone to bed. Did you ever hear John GRAHAM or Margaret RICKERBY say anything to her?-Nothing amiss. Do you live far from ELLIOT's?-Not far. Have you seen either John or Margaret go in there?-I have seen John, but never Margaret. Do you know if they were more friendly than master and servant should be?-I don't know, except what Mrs. GRAHAM complained of. Benjamin MITCHELL, junior-I am sixteen years old. I am not living at Kirkandrews now; I live at Bleatarn. I left Kirkandrews about a month after last Candlemas. That was when John GRAHAM left the farm. I had been there since Martinmas. I was there when Mrs. GRAHAM died. Did you ever see John and Margaret RICKERBY together?-No. Was she at the house after Mr. GRAHAM's death?-Yes, she was in the back-kitchen talking to the servant girl. I don't know whether my master was in or not. I did not see him. RICKERBY was in the house perhaps three quarters of an hour. I never saw the master and her go to ELLIOT's. The Rev. Isaac DODGSON-I am curate of the parish of Beaumont. John GRAHAM sent for me on Sunday night week. I was from home at the time, but Mr. GRAHAM met Mr. PEARSON and me. We accompanied him into his house, and sat down. He said, "In the presence of you Mr. DODGSON, and you Mr. PEARSON, I declare before God that I am innocent of the crime that is laid to my charge." He was referring the death of his father. I told him if he was innocent he had nothing to fear. He said what put him about more than all was, that he had heard they were going to take up his poor Peggy; he said it was more than he could bear, and he would sink under it. I said if he was innocent he ought rather to insist on taking her up. I don't think he made any reply. He said his friends had all forsaken him, and that he had never done harm to any one in his life. He mentioned the small parcel that had been found, and said that was nothing, he had bought it to poison rats with, and had had it a long time. He said little more, but protested many a time that he was innocent. He said nothing as to whether poison would be found in his wife or not, but he protested that he was innocent of her death, and wished he was with those who were gone. He said if they hanged him they would hang him innocent. I thought he was quite sober. I saw him last Sunday, but did not speak to him; he was very ill. During our conversation Mr. PEARSON talked about a heifer sent to grass, and Mr. GRAHAM said "don't talk about it, I will be hanged before spring." I understood him, in this conversation, to refer to the death of his father. It might refer both to him and to his wife. He said he had been worst to himself; that he had frequently taken a glass too much. We consoled him as much as we could; he was in great distress. I said it would be much more satisfactory if his wife's death were inquired into, but I did not press the matter further, as he was much troubled. He said he had been in bed and could not rest. He had heard that his wife was to be lifted on the following day. [to be continued]