FULL TEXT: It is a singular fact that the female convict
[Ann Miniver Davis] in the Melbourne Goal, who has to look after condemned
women, is a “lifer” for poisoning her husband. She was sentenced to death, but
her sex saved her. After serving twelve year’s of her sentence, she escaped
from the Melbourne Gaol. She was then a servant to Mr Castieau, the governor of
the establishment, and was allowed considerable freedom. No trace of her could
be found for years, when she turned up in an extraordinary manner. She was
looked up at Brighton on a charge of attempting to murder her husband by
poisoning, and on being remanded was recognised as the escaped “lifer.” “Truth
is stranger than fiction,” and the story of this woman’s life after her escape
proved it. She actually lived in a spot near where she had poisoned her first
husband, inveigled an elderly man into her meshes, married him, and then put
him through the same torture as she had her former victim. The doctor, however
discovered it, and she was arrested m time to save her second husband. Thus, Mrs.
Martha Needle was consoled in her last moments by the presence of one who had
just as great a respect and admiration for the secret art of poisoning.
[“A Female Poisoner.” The Marlborough Express (Blenheim,
Marlborough, New Zealand), Nov. 5, 1894, p. 3]
***
NOTE: Another article published the same week – and which,
unlike the article above states the killer’s name – offers an entirely
different account of her recapture, making no mention of a second
husband-poisoning. (“Poisoning By Women – Another Female Poisoner in Victoria.”
The Caulfield and Elsternwick Leader (North Brighton, Victoria, Australia),
Nov. 3, 1894, p. 8)
***
For links to other cases of woman who murdered 2 or more husbands (or paramours), see Black Widow Serial Killers.
***
[694-1/2/21]
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