THE TRAGIC RUDDLE MYSTERY
SIR BERNARD SPILSBURY MAY BE WITNESS AT RESUMED INQUEST
It is more than likely that Sir Bernard Spilsbury. the Home Office pathologist, will be a witness when the inquest is resumed next Wednesday on Miss Ellen Ruddle, the 28- years-old drug addict, whose body was exhumed at St. James’s Cemetery, Bath, on Tuesday, October 26th.
Miss Ruddle died at Frome Road House on August 31st, 11 days after she had been found wandering lightly clad, and in a frenzied condition, in the Royal Victoria Park.
After the exhumation the coffin containing the remains were removed to Frome Road House, where an examination was made by Sir Bernard Spilsbury, who took away with him certain organs for examination.
So far as can be ascertained, his report on his investigations has not yet been received by the police authorities. In addition to Sir Bernard Spilsbury, it is also possible that Dr. Roche Lynch, the Home Office analyst, may be a witness at the resumed inquest.
INQUEST ON MISS RUDDLE POSTPONED
The inquest on Miss Ellen Ruddle the 28-years-old Bath drug addict whose body was exhumed from St. James’s Cemetery on Oct. 26th — has been further adjourned.
It was to have been resumed on Wednesday at the Guildhall; it will not now be reopened until Thursday, December 16th, at 2.30 p.m.
The task of tabulating all the information obtained as the result of the police inquiries and making a card index of the various features connected with the mystery, is nearing completion.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE POLICE HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF AMAZING DISCOVERIES
DEAD WOMAN’S FRIENDSHIP WITH SEVERAL MEN
CONCERNING THE LIFE OF MISS RUDDLE — AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT SHE WAS ON TERMS OF CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH SEVERAL MEN, WHO VISITED HER FROM TIME TO TIME.
A Close Secret Whether Sir Bernard Spilsbury’s report has yet been received concerning his examination of certain of the organs of the dead woman which were removed at the postmortem, is a matter concerning which the greatest secrecy is being observed. The duration of the inquest is also largely a matter of conjecture, but it is almost certain to extend over several days.
MISS RUDDLE’S LIFE STORY
Miss Ellen Ruddle, who was 28 years of age, was the daughter of Mr. T. S. Ruddle, who formerly farmed at Majors Farm, Whitbury, near Fordingbridge, Hants — ten miles south of Salisbury, and who, since his retirement, has been living at Barton a Hampshire resort.
Her mother died when she was quite young, and she was brought up by her father, and a nurse-housekeeper, until she was thirteen years of age, when she entered St. Monica’s School, Warminster, which is conducted by Anglican Sisters of Mercy, in May, 1924.
Her chief interest was needlework, of which she produced exquisite examples. She took no part in games and had no intimate friends, with the exception of Sister Bridget, who sympathised with her lonely temperament and interested herself in her welfare.
When Sister Bridget died, she was left without a woman friend in whom she felt she could confide. Part of the time she was at Warminster she was at St. Denys, a hostel.
SCHOOL DAYS AT WARMINSTER
In connection with St. Monica’s, and, in 1929, at the age of 20, she went for a time to the Royal School of Needlework. Kensington.
Thought ot Taking Vows
She did not remain there for any length of time. For a while she thought of becoming a nun, but eventually gave up the idea of taking vows, reasons being pointed out to her which made it inadvisable.
Miss Ruddle is well remembered by her former school fellows at St Monica’s, and her expressed wish to become a Sister of Mercy is recalled by some of them.
While at St. Deny’s Home, she used to do needlework for the poor. “She was always a very serious girl at school,” one of her old school companions told a representative of this paper, ” and not one who would join in games.
She rather kept herself to herself, and other girl observed why she was: “Ellen was outstanding just because she was so retiring,” said another companion of her schooldays to representative of the “News-Chronicle.”
She never discussed her home, she took no part in organised games, and appeared to take no interest in social life. Although some of us were her age, she always appeared much older than any of us.”
Reserved Nature Another girl said: “If Ellen Ruddle were ever in trouble, she would rather die than seek the sympathy of Miss Linda Carling, a scholar at St Monica’s, Warminster when Miss Ruddle was there, told [ILLEGIBLE] money – variously stated at from £2,000 to £2,600 — and shortly afterwards she went to live at Bath. ™ She purchased the house, No. 2, Marlborough Buildings, the flats in the upper portion of which were let to tenants, and she herself occupied the basement flat which led out on to small garden at the rear.
Her constant companions were two dogs — one a Dalmatian — and several cats. Of these she was very fond.
On August 20th, 1934, Miss Ruddle gave birth to a son at Forbes Fraser Hospital. He was named Peter, and only lived 11 days, passing away on August 31st.
In the register birth the mother’s name is given as ” Ellen Ruddle, of no occupation, of Olcote, Combe Road, Combe Down.” The name of the father is not stated.
THE SUMMER-HOUSE
Miss Ruddle’s Retreat After Sun-bathing In the garden at No. 2, Marlborough Buildings there was a garden shed, once used as a garage. This she had converted into a summerhouse and here she used to spend a good deal of her time. Fond of sun-bathing, she used to spend many hours in her garden, clad only in a sun-bathing costume and the summerhouse was favourite retreat of hers afterwards.
Subsequently she went to live ai Combe Down at a house called “Olcote,”in Combe Road. [Combe Road is a turning off Bradford Road, which leads Monkton Combe. It is some two hundred yards beyond the water tank.] Here she went under the name of Mrs. Gray, and she told people that her husband held a medical appointment abroad. A person who came to know her well there, Miss Allen, an elderly village dressmaker, told a “Daily Mirror” reporter: ” She had only been here a few months when she went into a Bath nursing home to have a baby. * When she returned from the nursing home, she made the terrible disclosure to me that she was a drug addict.
MISS RUDDLE’S LOVE AFFAIR “LONG BEFORE SHE CAME TO BATH”
On Wednesday a representative of this paper chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Tom Walters, of 18, Denmark Road – Twerton. who were caretakers at Miss Ruddle’s house in Marlborough Buildings for three years.
“We were engaged four years ago to look after the house,” said Mrs. Walters. “A year later Miss Ruddle went to live on Combe Down, on account of her health. She needed more bracing air. I made the arrangements for the purchase of the house. We stayed on at Marlborough Buildings as caretakers until last October, when we had to leave owing to a breakdown in health I had.”
“I want to make it clear that all the stories about Ellen Ruddle which have appeared in the London papers are greatly exaggerated, and many of them are untrue. There was no secret in her life. She was a sweet little thing. All this talk about her walking about naked is absolutely untrue. One paper said she had seven Persian cats. All she had were two ordinary white kittens, the same as anyone might keep as pets.
She was very fond of her dogs When we went to her first, she had two, and later on she had another.
“She had her baby soon after we were engaged by her, and I nursed her through it, and went to see her at the hospital. She worshipped the child and was heart-broken when it died.
UPSET OVER LOVE AFFAIR
“She told me she had a love affair long before she came to Bath. She was in her teens at the time, and the man let her down very badly. She was going to sue him for breach of promise, but the matter was settled out of court, and with the money she received she purchased the house in Marlborough Buildings.”
Mrs. Walters added that she did not know who the man was. ” Soon after we went to Marlborough Buildings, she had two or three visits from a tall man in a grey suit with a trilby hat. He was not a young man and had rather a red face. I do not know who he was.
He called just before the birth of the baby, and Miss Ruddle told me not to admit him as she did not wish to see him again.
I told him he could not see her, and although he protested, he had to leave. “Before we went to Marlborough Buildings a man spent a weekend with her.
I do not know if he was the same as the man whom I saw. or whether, if they were one and the same, he was the man with whom she had had a love affair before she came to Bath. “I was not surprised to hear of her death but was dumbfounded when I heard of all the fuss that is being made. I knew she took morphine, of course. She used to inject it into her thigh, and she often said it would drive her mad or kill her in the end.
TOOK DRUG TO KEEP GOING
“She was a nervous wreck and had to take the drug to keep her going and to make her life worth living. But there was no mystery about her. She was not a recluse. I often went to the pictures with her and my daughter, who is nearly 15. often went up to her house on Combe Down and spent days on end with her. She was very fond of my little girl.”
“She never drank, or smoked, and the drug was the only vice she had. She told me after she had the baby that she was going straight, and she did.
She never went to bed without reading an extract from the Bible. She was not underhanded in any way. think all these stories which have been published are a shame.” Mrs. Walters added that she. had never seen any of Miss Ruddle’s relatives. She only saw Miss Ruddle once after she and husband left Marlborough Buildings.
POLICE TRACE THE DRUGS GIRL’S “MR. GRAY”
BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT BATH, Friday.
WHO IS “MR. GRAY,” THE MAN WHO DOMINATED THE LIFE OF ELLEN RUDDLE, 28-YEAR-OLD DRUG ADDICT whose death in padded cell started four months of police activity?
He was mentioned at yesterday’s inquest. None of Ellen Ruddle’s friends ever saw her elusive “husband,” though they heard much about him. The police believe that they know his true identity. They have travelled thousands of miles throughout Britain to check it. But the moment they cannot make any further move.
Yesterday’s Inquest verdict will not stop police activity, unless it is decided by the authorities that no useful purpose can be served continuing.
“MY HUSBAND”
One of the first things the police found after anonymous letters caused Inquiries was that Ellen Ruddle had lived at seven different addresses In Bath. At most of them she was known as “Mrs. Gray.” She spoke of “Mr. Gray,” her husband, and said that he was often away from England. None of her neighbours ever saw the but the police were able to trace a man who might be “Mr. Gray.” He had travelled from town to town. They followed in his path.
MISSING FACTS R. A. OFFICER SHOT IN WOOD
For weeks police made inquiries in London, Reading, Bournemouth, Cirencester, Weymouth, Oxford,
CAPTAIN CHARLES F. MERMAOEN, a Royal Artillery officer, of Buxton-road, Brighton, was found shot dead through the head yesterday in a wood at Heywood between Trowbridge and Westbury, Wiltshire. A sporting gun lay beside him.
He had been dead two or three hours. His body was found by gamekeeper, and in his pockets were visiting cards and six £1 notes.
WARMINSTER AND TROWBRIDGE.
At each place they are believed have found traces of “Mr. Gray” Their dossier Is fairly complete—except for certain essentials.
For four months detectives made the inquest will open in the Town Hall at Westbury this morning. hundreds of Inquiries concerning the life of the dead girl.
Many strange features her life were brought to light, some of which were touched upon the inquest. To-day the police have been busy re-examining their dossiers. A decision will probably be made during the next week whether there are any matters which need further investigation or whether, with the inquest and its verdict, the Ellen Ruddle case is closed.
******DEATH RIDDLE OF BATH BUSINESSWOMAN’S DAUGHTER MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AT BRISTOL
71-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ACCUSED
Ellen Ruddle’s Kinsman Gives Evidence
A RELATIVE of Ellen Ruddle, the Bath morphine poisoning victim, whose body was recently exhumed, was a witness at Bristol Police Court on Wednesday, when the hearing of a manslaughter charge against a 71-year-old Bristol woman was resumed.
Witness was George James Ruddle a wholesale butcher, of Bristol, who is the son of a man who claims to be a cousin of Miss Ruddle, and that there are only three families of that name in England.
THE CASE IS ONE WHICH MRS. ELLEN COTTERELL, OF ST. MICHAEL’S HILL, BRISTOL, IS ACCUSED OF THE MANSLAUGHTER OF JOYCE LILIAN PORTER, 18-YEAR-OLD BRISTOL MANNEQUIN, WHO WAS THE DAUGHTER OF MRS. GERTRUDE LIXIAN PORTER, RECENTLY MANAGERESS FOR BATH COSTUMIER.
MRS. COTTERELL IS ALSO CHARGED WITH PERFORMING FIVE ILLEGAL OPERATIONS ON WOMEN.
At Wednesday’s hearing a Trowbridge woman was called to give evidence
TROWBRIDGE WOMAN AS WITNESS
Mrs. Porter when she gave evidence on Friday last week. Wept bitterly. She told the court how she found her daughter dead in bed at her home in Watley Road, Clifton, in the early hours of March 6th. Mr. A. C. Caffin prosecuted on behalf of the police and Mr. T. D. Corpe appeared for Cotterell.
At last week’s hearing Mr Caffin said that Miss Porter had left her employment in Bristol shortly before her death and was at the time keeping house for her parents. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Porter were aware of their daughter’s condition A post-mortem examination revealed that the girl died from septicaemia, and the pathologist would say that infection had taken place when Miss Porter had recently undergone an operation. George James Ruddle, a wholesale butcher, who lodges at St. Michael’s Hill. Bristol, and was one of the witnesses, is the son of a man who claims to be a cousin of Ellen Ruddle and says there are only three families of that name in England.
APPLIED FOR MANNEQUIN POST
The first witness was Mrs. Dorrie Sattin, who carries on business as a gown manufacturer in Poland Street, London, W.1, under the name of Dorrie Leadenhall. She said that she remembered a girl coming to her business on March 3rd.
Shown a photograph of Miss Porter, she said it was that of the girl she saw. She applied for a post as mannequin but was not engaged because she was not suitable. Mrs. Sybil Myers, a Court dressmaker, carrying on business at Knightsbridge, London said that February she advertised for a mannequin, and received a letter from someone in Bristol She believed the name was Miss Porter.
Her firm replied, and on March 3rd, a girl called. She recognised the photograph as that of the girl she saw She was not engaged as she was not suitable.
As Ruddle was not in court at the time, a Trowbridge woman was called to give evidence, and was warned that she was not bound to answer any incriminating questions. At this stage, however, Ruddle entered the court, and his evidence was taken first.
A TEA-TIME CALL
He said that he knew a man named Jack Cousins, who lived at St. Michael’s Hill. He (witness) remembered something happening at the house at the end of February, or the beginning of March. He was in the kitchen having his tea. on a Tuesday, and Mrs. Cotterell was in the scullery. He heard a knock at the front door and. on opening it, saw a girl whom he had seen once before at Castle Street with Jack Cousins. As a result of what the girl said, he told Mrs. Cotterell there was a girl at the door asking if Mr Cousins was in.
Mrs. Cotterell asked who it was. and he said. “It’s a tall young girl.” Mrs. Cotterell went to the door, the girl came in. and she and accused went into the sitting room.
Ten minutes later Mrs. Cotterell came into the kitchen, and he noticed that the sleeve of her right arm was turned up to the elbow. She went to a dresser and took a bottle of olive oil, and some towels from a chest of drawers, and then went into the sitting room, the door of which was locked. Just after this, witness left the house.
ALLEGED CONVERSATION
The following morning, he had breakfast with Mrs Cotterell, who said that Jack Cousins could have gone to London that morning with the girl who was there the night before, but he had other business and could not go.
The following Saturday evening, said Ruddle, he was in Queen’s Road. Clifton, and had a conversation with a man. When he returned home, he said to Mrs. Cotterell,
“What’s that I hear about Jack Cousins and his girlfriend?”
Mrs. Cotterell looked startled and asked him what it was about.
“I said the girl was dead,”
witness went on.
“Mrs. Cotterell looked rather frightened.”
Mrs. Cotterell said,
‘Don’t you say that you know me or know that Jack Cousins is living here.’
I said.
‘No. it doesn’t concern me.’
“Mrs. Cotterell told me not to say those things because it would get her into trouble.”
From that time, witness continued, Mrs. Cotterell appeared restless and worried
On several occasions during the following week, she told him she could not rest.
Jack Cousins continued living at the house for a few days after the girl died. Cousins and Mrs. Cotterell had conversations together, but he (witness), did not overhear them.
MAN’S OTHER ADDRESS
He knew that Cousins had another address, at Ravenswood Road, because he had seen letters addressed to there. Cross-examined, Ruddle said that when Miss Porter called at Mrs Cotterell’s house, he did not know she was in trouble, and neither did he know what Cousins’s associations with the girl were. He first knew she had been in trouble after he had heard she was dead.
He knew that if he suspected that the visit of the girl to Mrs. Cotterell’s house had anything to do with her death, it was his duty to communicate with the police. He first communicated with the police in October, seven months later He approached them because he thought it his duty to say something about the matter.
Ruddle then said that he had suspicions after the girl’s death that her visit to Mrs. Cotterell had something to do with it.
“I was thinking about people getting away with things, and I thought it duty to report,” he said.
Mr. Corpe: It was a bit late?
— I could not prove it.
WHY HE TOLD POLICE
Witness went on to say that it was on his conscience, and people were talking about it outside, saying,
“Have you heard any more about Jack Cousins? He has got himself into a tidy mess.”
It was not because of any row with Mrs. Cotterell or Jack Cousins that he told the police. It was the result of other people telling him of conversations he had heard, and of the fact that he did not want to get himself mixed up with it.
Mr Corpe: You realise it is unsatisfactory that you should keep this information bottled up for seven months’ told you, there were people talking about it, and I didn’t want myself drawn into it so, I went to the police
The reasons why I didn’t go to them before were that my suspicions were slight. I had nothing to go on.
With regard to his conversation with Mrs. Cotterell about Jack Cousins going to London with the girl. Ruddle said he did not understand that the girl was going to London for an operation. or that she was in trouble. He did not know the name of the man with whom he had had the conversation in Queen’s Road when he learnt of the girl’s death.
HEARING ADJOURNED
Ruddle then said that in a later conversation with Mrs. Cotterell he told her the girl had died through being stopped from having a child.
To reply to further questions by Mr Corpe. witness denied that he was making up the statement that he had a later conversation with Mrs. Cotterell when she told him not to mention the fact of the girl going to the house.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday, bail being granted in a personal surety of £100 and another of a like amount. Mr Corpe said that the police were not opposing bail, provided that adequate surety could be found. He mentioned that previous opposition to bail was because there was some fear of the witness Ruddle being itinerant but. as Ruddle had given evidence, that objection had disappeared.
EXHUMATION
While police officers patrolled the boundaries of St.James’ Cemetery, Bath, Sir Bernard Spilsbury, famous Home Office pathologist, and local police chief watched a coffin being carefully lifted from a newly-opened grave.
The exhumation marked the end of the first stage of secret police investigations into the death of drug-tormented girl who died eight weeks before in a padded cell at a public assistance institution.
The woman whose death has given rise these tremendous police activities was Miss Ellen Ruddle, 28, of Marborough-buildings Bath.
A mystery woman in life, in death she is less mysterious. A pretended wife, and mother of a son whose father she refused to name, neighbours looked upon her as a person of eccentric habits. They did not know that she was a drug-taker, whose craving finally drove her mad.
It was in August last that two men found her, practically naked, wandering in the Royal Victoria Park, Bath. She was taken to Frome Rood House, the local public assistance institution, where days later she died raving in a padded cell.
A tarpaulin shelter hid them from the road, and police patrols kept would-be spectators on the move.
SAMPLES OF SOIL
When the coffin was raised samples of the sandy soil that had surrounded it were taken and sealed in labelled bottles. Then, in a glass sided hearse, with police cans before and behind, Ellen Ruddle’s body was taken back to Frome Road House.
After Mr. Thomas Skeats Ruddle, a retired farmer, New Milton, Hants, had identified the body of his daughter, Sir Bernard set to work while Supt. Ashworth and his assistants stood outside waiting anxiously for news of his discoveries.
Upon his report depends the future course of the police Investigations.
INQUEST ADJOURNED
When the Inquest on Miss Ruddle was opened only formal evidence identification was taken, and the inquiry was adjourned.
Before evidence was called, Mr. A. C. Hillier, solicitor, said he appeared for Dr. Ronald Gordon, the well-known Bath neurologist, who had attended Miss Ruddle.
In view of what has been mentioned in the Press,” he said, Ur. Gordon has seen fit to have himself represented to-day.” Another solicitor, Mr. B. D. Ruslon, of Lyndhurst, represented the father of Miss Ruddle, who was the only witness.
BATH WOMAN’S BODY EXHUMED
Follow Drug Addict’s Death
ADJOURNED TO AWAIT PATHOLOGIST’S REPORT
Mother’s Secret Life the Bath Police have been making progress during the weeks – into the life of a former Warminster schoolgirl circumstances surrounding and preceding her death on Tuesday, August 31st, that have resulted in sensational developments during the past few days.
The investigations, which started as the result of an anonymous letter sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in London, concern Miss Ellen Ruddle, also known as ” Mrs. Gray,” aged 28, who formerly resided at Combe Down, on the Southern heights of Bath, and more recently within the city area itself at 2, Marlborough Buildings a house in a fashionable residential district, overlooking the Royal Crescent and the Royal Victoria.
Miss Ruddle, it has been disclosed was an unmarried mother and a confirmed drug addict.
She was buried at St James’s Cemetery, the Lower Bristol Road, Bath, and the police inquiries resulted in an order being made for the exhumation of the body.
This took place on Tuesday afternoon, when Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the famous Home Office pathologist, was in attendance.
Samples of the earth above, below, and at the sides of the coffin were taken by him and carefully sealed in labelled glass bottles.
The body was afterwards conveyed in a hearse to the mortuary at Frome Road House — the Bath Poor Law Institution — where Miss Ruddle died in a padded room eleven days after she had been discovered, on August 20th, wandering in the Royal Victoria Park, in a frenzied condition, and wearing only a dressing gown.
‘MARLBOROUGH SIR BERNARD SPILSBURY GS ‘ REMOVED CERTAIN ORGANS ‘ AND CONVEYED THEM TO LONDON
SINCE HE HAS RETURNED TO THE METROPOLIS
HOME OFFICE EXPERTS’ EVIDENCE BATH DRUG GIRL INQUEST
There were only about a dozen members of the general public in the public gallery, and a few sat in other parts of the court.
The first witness was Dr. Frank Summers medical officer at Frome House. He said that Ellen Ruddle was admitted to the institution about 1.15 a.m. on Saturday, August 21st. He saw her later the same morning. She had periods of excitement, alternating with depression. Her conversation was rapid, rambling and incoherent. She was continually shouting. Her general condition was poor, her pulse poor the heart feeble She had some abdominal scars.
The Coroner Were you informed she was in the habit of taking drugs?
Dr Summers: Yes, sir Witness said he was thus informed by the attendant of the ward who received information with the patient. Morphia Addict 18 Years “As I was finishing examining the patient was told Dr. Gordon had called to see me,” said witness. “‘I understood he was her private medical adviser, and he gave me her history.”
What was the history?
— She had been a morphia addict for about 18 years The present dose was about six grains daily. The addiction dated from an operation. He (Dr. Gordonj had been attending her for about eight years.
He had attended her recently.
—l understood so.
Did he give you his views how she came to be in the condition she was?
—That her general health collapsed following the constant administration of the morphia.
Did he visit the patient?
— Yes; he told me she had been having six grains of morphia a day. I said. “Two grains three times a day?” He replied, “Oh, no; one gram six times a day would be better.”
Did he tell you anything about the administration?
He said that the patient had been in the habit of giving it herself.
Was that for any reason?
—I understand she resented other people doing it. In view of that, you took that into consideration in giving your prescriptions.
—Yes. MORPHIA PRESCRIPTIONS One Grain Six Times Daily What were your prescriptions?
—l ordered one grain of morphia six times daily, to be given by the patient herself, if possible, on the day of admission
—August 21st. On August 25th I reduced the morphia to a half-grain dose up to six times daily. Who decided when it was necessary?
— The nurse in charge of the ward when her general condition needed it. What was your reason for reducing the doses?
— Because she had longer periods of drowsiness and did not appear to need much Later it was increased again—on the 28th. The dose was brought up to one grain six times a day again. That continued until her death.
Witness added that the patient only had it when necessary, actually, he did not think she ever had six grains in day. There was a record kept, but he had not got it with him.
DROWSY AND STUPOROUS
She was visited at the infirmary by her own doctor. Witness met him there on four occasions, as far as he could remember. After the 25th Miss Ruddle appeared to have longer periods of drowsiness and she laid a rather stuporous state. He felt some of this condition was due to toxaemia due to the constant administration of morphine. On the 28th she became a bit more excited and resistive to nursing attention. Therefore, the dose was increased. She got weaker and died on the 31st at 6 a.m
He formed the opinion that death was due to toxic myocarditis due to chronic morphine poisoning.
The Coroner: Were there any other unusual circumstances connected
COUNSEL. Mr. Gerald A. Thesiger, instructed by Messrs Le Brasseur and Oakley, solicitors, London (on behalf of the London and Counties Medical Protection Society, Ltd.) appeared on behalf of Dr R Grey Gordon who had been Miss Ruddle’s medical adviser and who sat behind his Counsel. Mr. B. D. Rustom, of Lyndhurst, appeared for Mr Ruddle, the deceased’s father who was also present in person. Mr. J. T. Moloney, instructed by the Town Clerk (Mr. J. Basil Ogden), represented the Police, and Mr. H. P Hind, Chief Constable; and Supt. T. Ashworth were also present in court. with the death?
—No sir. Witness was present when the post-mortem examination took place. The jury had no questions to ask.
Mr Moloney (representing the Police): Was there any history given to you by Dr Gordon of dementia praecox?
—No, sir replying to further questions, Dr Summers said he was not told the patient’s age by Dr Gordon It appeared as 35 on the death certificate and he presumed it was on the order from the Relieving Officer. “Disinherited by Her Father”
The Coroner: Did Dr Gordon say whether his patient Ruddle, had relatives?
—He said a father, who had disinherited
INQUEST ON DRUG ADDICT
FATHER THE ONLY WITNESS
BEQUEST TO DOCTOR
LEGACY MAY PROVE OF LITTLE WORTH
Dr. Ronald Grey Gordon, M.D., D.S.C., F.R.C.P., who attended Miss Ruddle for eight years and to whom she left her property, resides at Woodex, Limpley Stoke, and has consulting rooms at 2, Catharine Place, Bath.
It is believed that, by the time debts and mortgages have been liquidated, the legacy will be of little if any, value.
Very distinguished neurologist and psychologist, Dr. Gordon formerly resided in the Circus. He has an international reputation and is Deputy Chairman of the representative body of the British Medical Association in London, and chairman of the Bath branch.
He was born on March 25th, 1889, the son of Alexander Gordon, J.P., D.L., and Amy Grey Irvine. He married in 1913 Agnes Theodora Henderson, and there are two sons of the marriage.
He was educated at Charterhouse and Edinburgh University, where he took his M.D. degree in 1913, having previously taken the degrees of M.B and Ch.B. (with second class honours) in 1911.
In 1909 he took his degree as Bachelor of Science, with distinction in zoology, and became Doctor of Science in 1926. In 1913 he qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, of which he was made a Fellow in 1926. Came to Bath in 1913. From 1915 to 1919 he served the R.A.M.C. with the Mediterranean and British Expeditionary Force and in latter year was appointed Neurologist to the Ministry South-Western Area, holding the appointment until 1924.
He holds many important appointments member of the Council British Medical Association. His recreation is gardening, and he is a member of the Caledonian and Bath and County Clubs occasionally lectures, and never hesitates to speak public upon medical subjects.
It will be recalled that he was one of the principal speakers the ratepayers’ meeting on Dec 30th, 1935, when he advocated the erection new building for the Royal Mineral Water Hospital. Several years ago, Dr. Gordon gave a series of lectures.
He had tended Miss Ruddle for eight years, returned to Bath late on Sunday night, from Durham, where he gave a lecture.
During his absence newspapers had published statements about Miss Ruddle’s death.
Many reporters from London came to Bath in search of stories. Come to London from Durham he had passed through London, and in reply to an inquiry by a London newspaper man at Paddington, he said, “You will understand that I am unable to discuss the affair. As a doctor, I am unable to talk about my patients.”
At the G.W.R. Station on his arrival at Bath GWR, station, soon after 10 p.m. he was approached by about twenty London newspaper representatives, who inquired whether he would care to make any statement. He declined to do so. and, entering his car, which was waiting in the forecourt of the station, drove away. It would, of course, be contrary to medical etiquette for Dr. Gordon to divulge any matters concerning the personal affairs or medical history of a patient, but we understand that has offered to give the police any assistance he can.
He also intimated that he wished to see the Acting-Chief Constable (Supt Tom Ashworth) on the matter. Upon receiving this intimation Ashworth drove at once to Gordon’s residence at Limpley Stoke! On the way he was met by Supt. J. Meaney, in charge of the Trowbridge police district, who accompanied him to ” Woodex.” The two officers remained at the house about an hour — until nearly 2 a.m.
DAUGHTER NOT SEEN FOR YEARS
Evidence was given by the father at the Bath inquest today on Miss Ellen Ruddle, the 28- years-old drug addict, whose body was exhumed yesterday. Miss Ruddle died in a padded cell at Frome-road House, the Bath Public Assistance Institution, on August 31.
The inquest was opened by the Bath City Coroner. Mr. C. S. Elwell, local solicitor.
DOCTOR REPRESENTED
Mr. A. C. Hillier, Bath, represented Dr. Ronald Gray Gordon, and Mr. B. D. Ruston appeared for Mr. Thomas Ruddle, the dead woman’s father, who sat by his side. Before evidence was called,
Mr. Hillier said to the Coroner: “In view of what has been mentioned in the Press quite recently, Dr. Gordon has seen fit to have himself represented.” Mr. Ruddle stated that his daughter was 28.
The Coroner; Was she unmarried?
— To my knowledge. Mr. Ruddle added that he did not know at what address his daughter lived in Bath. The last time he saw her was between eight and nine years ago.
TOOK FURNITURE AWAY
The only communication he had from her was when she came to take her furniture away from home. Mr. Hillier asked the Coroner if the inquest was to be adjourned until the end the Home Office inquiry, or sine die. The Coroner said that the inquest would be adjourned until 2.30 p.m. November 24.
Bath police chief in London to probe death mystery of Ellen Ruddle’s friend!
The strange mystery surrounding the death of miss Ellen Ruddle, the Bath and drug addict whose body was recently exhumed, spread to London when superintendent Ashworth, deputy Chief Constable of Bath, arrived at Paddington to reopen investigations into the death of a friend, Miss Eve Maud Mabbott, a 34-year-old nurse, at Highbury.
Miss Mabbott died at Highbury and an open verdict was returned at the inquest. Superintendent Ashworth is also investigating the death of Miss Ruddle, who he was established, died from morphine poisoning. Photo shows, Superintendent Tom Ashworth with his wife on arrival at Paddington. 3 November 1937.
SUPERINTEND TOM ASHWORTH, ACTING CHIEF CONSTABLE OF BATH, HAS DISCOVERED THAT NURSE MABBOTT WAS A FRIEND OF MISS RUDDLE.
MOREOVER, DR. J. F. TAYLOR, PATHOLOGIST, SAID LAST MARCH THAT MORPHINE MUST HAVE PLAYED A PART IN THE DEATH OF NURSE MABBOTT.
The result of these findings is that Superintendent Ashworth will ask the Home Office to order the reopening of the inquest on Nurse Mabbott.
St. Pancras Coroner May Travel Should this request be granted, Dr. Purchase could then reopen the Inquest at Bath at the same time as the inquest on Miss Ruddle is resumed.
It would be possible for Dr. Purchase to take over the case of Miss Ruddie from the Bath Coroner and to conduct the two cases together; for Metropolitan Coroners have jurisdiction anywhere in the United Kingdom if they have Home Office sanction.
NURSE MABBOTT MISS RUDDLE AT WARMINSTER, NEAR BATH. MISS MIDDLE THERE AND NURSE MABBOTT WORKED IN A NEARBY HOSPITAL.
THE STRANGE CASE of TWO DRUG ADDICTS
Did Miss Ruddle Know Nurse Mabbott
HOUSE AT WARMINSTER WHERE BOTH STAYED
Puzzle for Bath Police
Is there some link between Miss Ellen Ruddle, the Bath drug addict who died in a padded cell at Frome Road House, and whose body was exhumed in St. James’s Cemetery on Tuesday of last week, and Miss Eva Maud Mabbott, a 34- years-old Northampton nurse, who died under circumstances which were never really cleared up at the home of her sister, Mrs. Edith Hunt, at Averell Road, Islington, London, on March 9th, 1936?
IT IS COINCIDENCE THAT BOTH WERE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOWN OF WARMINSTER, WHILE MISS MABBOTT, HER CAPACITY AS SISTER-TUTOR TO PROBATIONER NURSES, VISITED HOSPITALS AT WARMINSTER, TROWBRIDGE, CHIPPENHAM AND DEVIZES.
Actually, they both stayed (at different times) at the same house in Warminster. But the problem confronting the Bath Police to-day is to establish whether there was any association between the two women, and to this end they are engaged in visiting various towns in Wiltshire in the pursuit of their inquiries.
WOMAN WHO STOLE MORPHINE
Supt. Ashworth has requested Scotland Yard to renew their investigations into Miss Mabbott’s death, and the St. Pancras Coroner has furnished a copy of the depositions taken at the inquest.
The coroner’s injury on Miss Mabbott was resumed on April 3rd, 1936, having been adjourned from an earlier date when it was stated that she looked tired when she returned to her sister’s home at Averell Road, Islington, after visiting her mother at Northampton. Next morning her sister found her in a deep sleep and could not rouse her.
THE MORPHINE DOSES
Mr. Lewis Charles Nicholls, a chemist at the Metropolitan Police Laboratory at Hendon, said that he received for examination some of the organs and some tablets. The tablets were ordinary medicinal ones, and there was nothing unusual about them.
From the organs he obtained between one-twentieth and one-tenth of a grain of morphine
The Coroner (Mr. Bentley Purchase): Nothing to suggest a vast dose of it?
— No. I would not say there was a large dose.
Mr. Nicholls said he would imagine that the morphine had been taken a fairly long while before death. Dr. John Taylor, who made a postmortem examination, said that the morphine must have played a part in causing the death of the woman. There were indications that a larger dose had been taken.
Miss Mabbott’s sister and mother were recalled and expressed surprise to hear that she had taken morphine.
The Coroner said that it seemed unlikely at the moment to get very much further with the matter. He did not know where the morphine had come from but that it had played a part in the women’s death there was no doubt. He would record a verdict to that effect and that the source of it was unknown — that was to say an open verdict.
STOLEN MORPHINE
According to the “Daily Herald,” nearly three years before her death Miss Mabbott had been bound over at Westminster Police Court for stealing morphine from Brompton Hospital where she had been an assistant nurse. It was then stated that eight bottles of morphine, missed from drug cabinets, were found in her case along with two broken hypodermic syringes, and that at other hospital where she had worked, she had procured morphine or other drugs.
It was not until the early hours of Tuesday morning that this unexpected twist in the events which have created such interest, came to light.
Supt. Ashworth caused inquiries to be made in a number of places, in Wiltshire and further afield, and himself visited Warminster, where he was until a late hour in the evening. A number of statements have been taken from various people.
STAYED AT SAME HOUSE
People Who Knew Both Women
The police are working on a theory that possibly Miss Mabbott and Miss Ruddle may have met some time or another at Warminster. After Miss Ruddle left St. Deny’s Hostel she resided with Mrs. Poolman, of Upton House, Victoria Road, Warminster. This was about the year 1930. She did not stay there for any length of time. It was her intention to return there after she had her baby in 1934, at the Forbes Fraser Hospital, but did not do so, staying at the Hill House Cafe. Miss Mabbott at some time during her associations with Wiltshire from 1932 to 1935, also resided at Upton House, Warminster.
KNEW MISS RUDDLE
Mrs. Miles, of 7, Myrtle Avenue, Warminster, told one of our representatives, “I have never seen Miss Mabbott.” She (Mrs. Miles) met Miss Ruddle on one occasion at the establishment of a Warminster ladies’ hairdresser, and she added her son was employed at the Hill House Cafe.
He knew Miss Ruddle very well when she stayed there for about three months. Mrs. James, wife of Mr. Fred James, of the Hill House Cafe, Warminster, told our representative that she could not recollect having seen Miss Mabbott, and, as far as she knew, the latter never met Miss Ruddle, and she never heard Miss Mabbott’s name mentioned.
HYPODERMIC INJECTIONS
Mr. Bert Poolman, of Warminster, at whose house the two women had resided, said that at least a year passed between Miss Ruddle and Nurse Mabbott boarding with him.
Mr. Poolman said to a “Daily Mail” reporter: “I recall Miss Ruddle’s being here, and I knew at the time that she was taking drugs of some sort. I saw her using a hypodermic syringe on her leg. She used to be in bed most of the day.
“She told my wife and me that she was recovering from an operation. I knew she had some connection with St. Monica’s Convent in Warminster. “Nurse Mabbott had a little car, and she used to travel between the various hospitals. That would be at the end of 1932 and the beginning of 1933, I believe. “Naturally I saw very little of her, but she seemed a normal, healthy woman. She was exceedingly proficient and was a sister-tutor.”
Our Chippenham Correspondent writes: “From inquiries made here I have ascertained that some years ago, the Chippenham Cottage Hospital was one of a group of similar institutions functioning in North Wilts and North Somerset (of course excluding Bath) which mutually agreed to appoint a “sister-tutor” who was expected to reside in some conveniently central spot, and to give lectures at each of the institutions associated in the scheme for one hour each week. “Miss Mabbott held this appointment for a short time some four years ago.”
LINKS WITH WILTSHIRE
A lady residing at Warminster, who was formerly on the nursing staff of a hospital in West Wilts, said to our Trowbridge representative, “I remember her visiting our hospital to lecture to probationer nurses. She seemed very keen on her work, and in every way an excellent nurse. She used to show us examination results from various hospitals at Warminster. Chippenham, Devizes and Trowbridge, and apparently took great pride in educating young girls who were interested, to become qualified nurses. At that time — from 1932 to 1935 — it was most difficult for an ordinary hospital nurse to obtain possession of any drugs such as morphine. There was a very strict check kept in all West Wilts hospitals.”
One of the hospital visitors at Trowbridge Hospital has a vivid recollection of Miss Mabbott visiting that institution, and the Matron at Warminster Hospital remembers her quite well.
Mr. Bentley Purchase, the St. Pancras Coroner who held the inquest on Miss Mabbott (at which an open verdict was returned) told a Press representative on Wednesday evening, “I am given to understand there may be some association between the two cases. “If it turns out that evidence becomes available that may lead to a conclusive verdict in the case, I shall certainly endeavour to get permission to re-open my inquest.”
If there is any suggestion of re-opening the inquest on Nurse Mabbott it is understood that it is a matter for the High Court on the application of the Attorney General, and no action in this respect has been taken. The Home Office has no power to order the re-opening of an inquest.
INQUEST ON EXHUMED BATH WOMAN.
Drug Addict for 14 Years.
At the much-postponed Coroner’s inquiry into the death of Ellen Ruddle (28). formerly of Warminster, the Bath woman whose body was exhumed from St. James’s Cemetery on October 20th, the jury on Thursday, at Bath, returned a verdict accordance with the evidence of Sir Bernard Spilsbury:— That death was due to general exhaustion caused by chronic morphine poisoning.”
Dr. Gordon gave dramatic evidence of his six years’ tight against Miss Ruddle’s addiction. said that she told him that she had taken morphia since an operation when she was about 14 or 15.
INQUEST VERDICT ON BATH DRUG ADDICT
Ellen Ruddle’s Death from “Exhaustion”
GIRL’S FATHER SAYS “I AM SATISFIED”
Gordon Tells of Vain Attempts to Cut Down Morphia Doses
DRUG PROLONGED HER LIFE
After a five minutes’ retirement, the jury, at the resumed inquest at Bath Guildhall Thursday afternoon on Miss Ellen Ruddle, drug addict, returned a verdict that DECEASED DIED OF EXHAUSTION AND GENERAL MENTAL DETERIORATION ARISING OUT
MISS ELLEN RUDDLE’S WILL BATH DRUG ADDICT LEAVES £911 GROSS
The will was proved on July 1st, in the Winchester district probate registry, by Mr. Hugh Alexander Wakeman.
Warminster, solicitor, the executor, of Miss Ellen Ruddle, late of 2, Marlborough Buildings, Bath, who died on August 31st, 1937.
One of our Wiltshire representatives understands that the gross amount of the estate was £911, which sum, however, includes the amount of a mortgage on her property at Bath, and is also subject to payment of certain debts. The total amount paid in death duty, our representative understands, was £1 15s.
The body of Miss Ruddle, a 28-yearsold drug addict, was exhumed on October 26th last year. A former Warminster schoolgirl, she died a padded room at Frome Road House, the Bath Poor Law institution.
At the inquest in December Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the Home Office pathologist, was one of the jury found that the cause of death was exhaustion and general mental deterioration arising out of chronic morphia poisoning.
Mr H. A. Wakeman, of the firm of Messrs. Wakeman and Son, solicitors, Warminster, the sole executor of the will, told our representative on Thursday that there had been delay in completing the will for probate owing to the fact that the police were in possession of Miss Ruddle’s flat for so many months and all her belongings. “Now,” he said, “the whole unfortunate affair has ended, and, after many months of waiting, I have been able to ‘wind everything up.”