Another letter was then handed to her, and she gave a similar answer.
Mr. Lockwood next handed to the witness a scrap of paper on which she wrote some words when before the magistrates, and asked her to look at it. This having been done, Mr. Lockwood asked: Did anybody know except yourself, your husband, and the prisoner, that you wanted the portrait of your husband’s mother framed?—His wife and daughter knew.
Did you talk to them about it?—I mentioned it to the daughter. I remember going on one occasion to Mansfield. That was in the summer of 1876. I don’t recollect the month. Mrs. Padley went with me. I had not told Peace that I was going. I went by an afternoon train to Mansfield.
Did you ever write to the prisoner, telling him you were going by the nine o’clock train?—No.
Did you tell him he must not go by train, “because he (Dyson) will go down with me,” and also say, “Don’t let him see anything if you meet me in the Wicker. Hope nothing will turn up to prevent it. Love to Janie?” Did you write that?—No.
Just look at that (handing up the note just read).—That is not my handwriting. I was not in the habit of dealing with Francis Walker, wholesale and retail grocer and Italian warehouseman, at High-street, Attercliffe.
At any rate, when you got to Mansfield he was there?—Yes.
And you told him you were going?—No.
Can you account for his being there?—No, I can’t. He was a constant source of annoyance to me, and was always following me.
Do you remember the prisoner giving you a ring?—Yes. He gave it to me in the winter; at least I cannot tell when it was, or the year.