Malicious Mischief? Women’s Suffrage in Scotland

Covering sheet with the words ‘Suffragettes. Maude Edwards’ and the archive reference ‘HH16/47’ handwritten on the front.

Paper headed ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ and the name ‘Maude Edwards. Confidential’ written. Date stamped 9^th July 1914, Prison Commission for Scotland.

Letter from John Lamb, the Scottish Office, Whitehall, to the Master of Polwarth, 13^th July 1914. The Secretary for Scotland agrees to the liberation on license of Maud Edwards. Notes that a report is being prepared as to Dr Muriel Jones’s allegations.

Handwritten note stating that the Secretary for Scotland decided not to re-arrest Maude Edwards whether she had broken conditions of her licence or not, but to remit the remainder of her sentence.

Letter from Maude Edwards to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 18^th July 1914. Informs that after 20^th July she shall be returning to Edinburgh to reside at 19 Royal Circus.

Letter from J. Dodds, the Scottish Office, Whitehall, to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 18^th July 1914. Transmits an order of licence in favour of Maude Edwards.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 15^th July 1914. Reports that Maude Edwards was liberated yesterday and showed no evidence that artificial feeding had in anyway done damaged to her physical condition.

Copy letter from Helen Gardyne to Perth Prison, 15^th July 1914. Reports that with Dr Watson she visited Maud Edwards in her cell and found her ‘sitting up in bed enjoying a very nicely served tea. She talked to me quite freely, was on perfectly friendly terms with the doctor, made no complaint of any kind and thanked me for my visit.’

Short report by the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 10^th July 1914. Records that Maude Edwards was tried in Edinburgh Sheriff Court for Malicious Mischief. She was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment. She is noted as being ‘very quiet.’

Note stating that Maud Edwards is to sign an enclosed document before being liberated. J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison confirms that she has done so. 15^th July 1914.

Letter from Maude Edwards, 10^th July 1914. Submits application to be liberated on licence on the understanding that she refrains from militancy in the future. Medical Officer has told her that excitement is injurious to her health.

Photograph of Maude Edwards, dressed in white, with another woman.

Signed agreement by Maude Edwards, dated 14^th July 1914 at Perth Prison. Maude undertakes to abstain from any militancy in violation of the law and from the organisation of or incitement to illegal acts.

Letter from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison, to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 14^th July 1914. Reports that Maude Edwards was liberated that afternoon and was accompanied to Greenbank Terrace, Glenfarg, where she is to reside for a few days.

Telegram from the Assistant Under Secretary for Scotland to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 13^th July 1914. Approves Maud Edwards release.

Copy of Maude Edward’s signed agreement to abstain from any militancy in violation of the law and from the organisation of, or incitement to illegal acts.

A draft copy of Maude Edward’s licence and conditions for liberation under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913.

A draft copy of Maude Edward’s licence and conditions for liberation under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act 1913, with handwritten comments and suggested amendments.

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 7^th July 1914. Sends two letters received that morning addressed to Arabella C. Scott and Maude Edwards and asked whether they should be given to the prisoners. Records that the Medical Officers are of the opinion they should not. D. Crombie, the Secretary of the Prison Commissioners notes that the letters should not be given, but the Medical Officer may wish to read to Maude Edwards the part about ‘not hunger striking’. Records that this was done.

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 9^th July 1914. Forwards letter received that morning from Miss Olive Walton, Dundee, giving an address to which Maude Edwards could be sent on liberation.

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th July 1914. Forwards letter received that morning from Miss Olive Walton, 77 Nethergate, Dundee, also copy of medical certificate regarding Maude Edwards. The Prison Commissioners note that in the circumstances ‘the opinion of the medical officer is a better guide for treatment than anything contained in Dr Fleetwood Taylor’s Certificate. The prisoner is doing well and artificial feeding may be continued.’ A cardiac stimulant may be given two or three times daily if there is an irregularity or marked feebleness of the pulse. p1

Report from J. Grant, the Governor of Perth Prison to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th July 1914. Forwards letter received that morning from Miss Olive Walton, 77 Nethergate, Dundee, also copy of medical certificate regarding Maude Edwards. The Prison Commissioners note that in the circumstances ‘the opinion of the medical officer is a better guide for treatment than anything contained in Dr Fleetwood Taylor’s Certificate. The prisoner is doing well and artificial feeding may be continued.’ A cardiac stimulant may be given two or three times daily if there is an irregularity or marked feebleness of the pulse. p2

Letter from Olive Walton, The Women’s Social and Political Union, Dundee to the Governor of Perth Prison, 4^th July 1914. Enclosed statement signed by Maude Edward’s London doctor which states she has serious heart trouble and it will be exceedingly dangerous to have her forcibly fed. Requests that she is sent to 12 Queens Avenue on her liberation.

H. Ferguson, Watson, Medical Officer, notes that he does not consider the medical statement of much importance as it was written ‘by a lady doctor who is not able to judge whether forcible feeding will do any harm. Her report is in my opinion much exaggerated.’ p1

Letter from Olive Walton, The Women’s Social and Political Union, Dundee to the Governor of Perth Prison, 4^th July 1914. Enclosed statement signed by Maude Edward’s London doctor which states she has serious heart trouble and it will be exceedingly dangerous to have her forcibly fed. Requests that she is sent to 12 Queens Avenue on her liberation.

H. Ferguson, Watson, Medical Officer, notes that he does not consider the medical statement of much importance as it was written ‘by a lady doctor who is not able to judge whether forcible feeding will do any harm. Her report is in my opinion much exaggerated.’ p2

Medical report from G. F. Fleetwood Taylor dated 14^th April 1914. States that ‘Maude Edwards was confined to bed for 4 months with a dilated heart, weak action, irregular rhythm and mitral murmur. Under these conditions – forcible feeding would certainly cause the return of all these symptoms and might event cause death if persisted in.’

Telegram to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 6^th July 1914. The Secretary for Scotland authorises proceeding if necessary and if prisoner Maude Edwards is medically fit.

Telegram to the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, 4^th July 1914 from John Lamb. Notes that he ‘hopes to Secretary that evening but failing further instructions commissioners will exercise discretion conferred on them’.

Minutes of the Secretary of Scotland, 4^th July 1914. The Secretary for Scotland decided Maude Edwards should be forcibly fed if necessary and if medically fit.

Notes relating to the case of Maude Edwards, July 1914. Notes that Medical Officer is a better guide for treatment than anything contained in Dr Fleetwood-Taylor’s certificate. Maude is doing well and artificial feeding may be continued. A stimulant may be given if there is any irregularity or marked feebleness in her pulse. p1

Notes relating to the case of Maude Edwards, July 1914. Notes that Medical Officer is a better guide for treatment than anything contained in Dr Fleetwood-Taylor’s certificate. Maude is doing well and artificial feeding may be continued. A stimulant may be given if there is any irregularity or marked feebleness in her pulse. p2

Notes relating to the case of Maude Edwards, July 1914. Notes that Medical Officer is a better guide for treatment than anything contained in Dr Fleetwood-Taylor’s certificate. Maude is doing well and artificial feeding may be continued. A stimulant may be given if there is any irregularity or marked feebleness in her pulse. p3

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 13th July 1914. Maude was persuaded to take her own food yesterday and today. Slept but complained of faintness. Pulse is good. Watson concludes that she is ‘fit for further treatment’.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 12th July 1914. Maude has not been fed per tube since last report but took 2 cups of coffee and a soft boiled egg. Has had an enema. Condition is satisfactory and fit for further treatment.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 11^th July 1914. He records that: Maude took tea and toast with butter, and has agreed to continue to do so nightly until she receives a reply to her petition; she was fed per tube that morning and allowed a bath; that her heart is satisfactory and she is ‘fit for further treatment’.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 10^th July 1914. Reports that: Maude was fed twice in the past 24 hours; she has had less nausea; her cardiac condition does not appear to have become any worse; and her health shows no evidence of being unsatisfactory.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 9^th July 1914. Reports that: Maude was fed twice in the past 24 hours; she had some sickness during the night, but neither retching nor vomiting, and this has eased; food is to be increased slowly due to the unsatisfactory condition of the stomach; and she has had an enema with good result.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 8^th July 1914. Reports that: Maude has done better in the past 24 hours; her nausea has eased; she had an enema and was fed; and that although she is getting weaker, Watson does not consider health to be in danger, concluding she is ‘fit for further treatment’.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 7^th July 1914. Reports that: Maude has remained quiet during the last 24 hours and seems ‘fairly rational’; she was very sick yesterday; she was fed by tube; her cardiac condition remains unaltered; she stated that she frequently has attacks of sickness and vomiting, but that is has lasted longer than usual; and she is ‘fit for further treatment’. p1

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 7^th July 1914. Reports that: Maude has remained quiet during the last 24 hours and seems ‘fairly rational’; she was very sick yesterday; she was fed by tube; her cardiac condition remains unaltered; she stated that she frequently has attacks of sickness and vomiting, but that is has lasted longer than usual; and she is ‘fit for further treatment’. p2

Letter from W. Harvey, the Secretary of the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Governor of Perth Prison, 7^th July 1914. Commissioner’s Medical adviser has noted that Maude Edwards ‘apparently cannot be certified as insane now. The Medical Officer to kindly report if she has any other symptoms of exophthalmic goitre.’ p1

Letter from W. Harvey, the Secretary of the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Governor of Perth Prison, 7^th July 1914. Commissioner’s Medical adviser has noted that Maude Edwards ‘apparently cannot be certified as insane now. The Medical Officer to kindly report if she has any other symptoms of exophthalmic goitre.’ p2

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 8^th July 1914. Reports that the chief cardinal symptoms of exophthalmic goitre are not present in Maude Edwards. Watson goes on to report that she is not a good case for force feeding as there is much congestion of the stomach owing to cardiac dilatation, but that he is satisfied that she can be detained as long as Frances Gordon ‘without doing any further damage to her diseased condition’. Concludes with a note recording that her thyroid gland is visibly enlarged.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 6^th July 1914. Notes that Maude Edwards has done very well since admission and that she has been fed by tube. Watson records that her attitude has been passive that the heart is not weak. “I cannot think that there is the slightest change of causing death by the feeding unless she begins to behave in a different manner, in which case I would use my own judgement and report”.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 5^th July 1914. Records that: Maude Edwards has had an uneventful 24 hours; she seems rational and gives no trouble; she has remained in bed; and today she has refused all food. “I do not consider her a very good case for feeding, but… I wished to try the effect and report. Today she made no resistance and under these circumstances I cannot make her physical condition worse. In fact she herself opened her mouth, attempted to swallow the tube when told to so, and when told to keep breathing she did so there was very little attempt at retching”.

Report from H. Ferguson Watson, Medical Officer, to the Governor of Perth Prison, 4^th July 1914. Maude Edwards was admitted yesterday. It was noted that her mental condition was abnormal and she ‘did not behave like a sane person. She spoke in exaggerated tones, spoke of her illnesses and at once produced a medical certificate that ‘forcible feeding with her diseases would cause a return of the symptoms and would cause death.’ It was dated April 14, 1914. When asked why forcible feeding was mentioned on a certificate dated April 14 1914 she at once replied “I did not get it till the end of May”. She seemed incoherent at times, did not seem to realise the gravity of the situation. Laughing she said ‘you are bound to know many people who can live for 3 months without food”. Careful observations will be made. I could not certify her today.’

Letter from the Governor of Edinburgh Prison to the Prisoner Commissioners, 3^rd July 1914. Reports that Maude Edwards was admitted to Prison today and transferred to Perth Prison on the same date. She took no food.

Newspaper clipping from the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch, 3^rd July 1914. Headline reads ‘Stormy Court Scenes. Extraordinary Proceedings at Edinburgh Trial. Suffragette Sentenced.’ Article details Maude Edwards’ appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, charged with ‘slashing the King’s picture in the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh’.