Dublin, Ireland – In a courtroom drama that has garnered significant attention, a peculiar case involving an undertaker accused of engaging in a romantic encounter with a widow in a cemetery unfolded before the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland on Thursday. The trial has been compared to the infamous case of Bardell v. Pickwick in its notoriety. The defendant, Mr John Grose, a grandfather of 40 grandchildren, faced the plaintiff, Mrs. Kate Meagher, who herself is a grandmother with six children. Counsel highlighted that Mrs. Meagher’s grandmother’s status is relatively recent and limited compared to her alleged lover. At 48 years old, she stood in contrast to Mr Grose, aged 67.

Mr Barry, the counsel representing Mrs. Meagher, outlined her background as the widow of a respected man from Limerick. Following her husband’s passing, she had taken a position as a housekeeper in Galway, earning £60 a year. It was during this time that the prospect of marriage emerged on the horizon.

According to counsel, Mr Grose, known locally as a sombre undertaker, paid Mrs. Meagher a visit to collect payment for a funeral bill. Struck by her charms, he impulsively proposed marriage. Though initially hesitant, the widow eventually accepted the offer after a day of careful consideration. They marked the occasion by celebrating with refreshments. From that point on, Mr Grose would visit the widow daily, twice on Sundays, and frequently take her for walks. On one of these outings, they found themselves in the cemetery where Mr Grose’s late wife was buried. Pointing to the monument, he made a solemn vow to Mrs. Meagher, declaring, “In the presence of my wife’s remains, I promise that you will be my wife, and I will marry no woman but you.”

However, over time, the undertaker’s ardour waned, and Mrs. Meagher’s daughter expressed disapproval of the relationship. Frustrated by the opposition, Mr Grose implored Mrs. Meagher to run away with him to Dublin. Nevertheless, she refused, and he subsequently attempted to retract his promise of marriage.

During the trial, Mrs. Meagher’s daughter, Mrs. Lilian Keate, took the stand. When asked about her impression of the defendant, she humorously remarked, “He was a very good holy man, with means,” prompting laughter in the courtroom. She had believed that her mother would have a happy home with him.

Mr Grose denied making any promise of marriage, and his counsel, Mr Pat Kelly, contended that when elderly men desired to marry, they typically sought the company of younger women rather than elderly ones. He quipped that old bones don’t typically emit the same allure as the vibrant glow of youth, eliciting further laughter. He concluded by quoting Sam Welter’s advice to “beware of widows.”

After deliberation, the jury found in favour of Mrs. Meagher, awarding her £150 in damages. The trial’s peculiar circumstances and unexpected twists and turns have captivated public interest, making it one of the most intriguing legal cases of the year.

Derby Daily Telegraph – Friday 13 May 1904