MS
a
tf the body, bat only in the bod 7 itself. If it
bad been introduced in the form of powder.it
would bare produced a- gritty feel under the stir
ring rods used in '.ha manipulation, and I shoald
have at once suspected the presence of solid rse
siouaaoid. To make a solution of arsenrous aoid
axd introduce it in (hid form.would not bars been
an easy matter, wing to the difficult sotubili:y of
arsenioos aoid. I lound the raost in 'Be matter
obtained from the pelvis. If a patient -lie. alter
baring an attack ot aent gsatritU.a.-eompnnied by
violent burning paiu in the scorncu and thorax,
with swollen face, bloodshot and watery eyes,
with frequent vomitings, parched thro.t, ulcera
ted mouth and tongue, accompanied with great
re&tletsnea and inleure thirst, and after death
upon poet tuorteiu examination the rtomauh ia
found empty, eontraeied and opaque, with evi
dence of violent inflammation, the internal coat
of the stomach raised up in the form of blister in
come parts, no evidence of disoase in the heart or
lungs, and upon chemical examination of the
stomach and duodenum, no arsenic found, but ar
senic found in the remains in the uaniiur an4 in
the form I have detailed, all the symptoms hav
ing occurred witbiu thirteen days antecedent to
the death, I would attribute his deaih to some
form ot arsenio, and most probably to arsenious
acid.admistered in a solid lorm. When arsenious
acid is put in coffee, a small portion is dissolved,
and the rest is administered in a solid form, being
suspended in the solution.
Thursday's Proceedings.
Court re-convened at 9 o'clock, A. M.
Prof. B. Howard Rand, re-called. It
would not change my opinion, in the hypo
thetical case stated, if the deceased had
tweuty-four hours before taken two bites of
arum triphylluui. In most cases where ar
senic is taken it is in large quantities, and
hence a certain quantity passes out of the
stomach whilst the balance remains. Ar
senic, when taken in a large dose, is a rapid
ly fatal poison, and death ensues before the
stomach has had time to eject the irritant.
Again, in soine cases, the stomach is much
less tolerant of the poison than in others,
and the vomiting and purging are less ur
gent. In these cases, the arsenic would be
much leas likely to be expelled from the
stomach, and would be found there in lar
ger quantities.
Cross-examineiL The probabilty of find
ing arsenic in the stomach would be increas
ed by the shortening of time between its ta
king and death. The medical opinions L
have given are based upon the books ; the
chemical opinions upon my own observations.
Where the arsenic was taken within 24
hours before death, and where Jhere was
little vomiting, under the general rule, it
would be found in the stomach. Practical
ly, as far as my observations go, in the ex
aminat on of remains, not less than the
three-hundredth part of a grain of arsenio
could be detected. The smallest quantity
of arsenic in organic matter that might
be detected as giving presumptive evidence,
I can only opproximate say perhaps the
750th part ot a grain. If taken within from
24 to 4S hours before death, under the gen
eral rule, arsenic would be found in the
stomach. In cases where arsenic has not
been found in the stomach on analysis, it
had also disappeared from the coatings of
the stomach altogether. There are cases
where arsenic has been found in the earth
surrounding the exhumed body. It has
sometimes been found in the so'.l of ceme
teries. The symptoms of poisoning from
arsenic vary very much. It will depend
upon the dose, whether large or smalL wheth
er a single dose or repeated doses, whether
on a full or empty stomach, 011 the general
strength of the patient, and on his or her
susceptibility to arsenical poison. With a
full dose of arsenio, one capable of causing
death, there is a genaral resemblance in the
symptoms in the recorded cases, with few
exceptions. From 2 J to 5 grains is the
minimum dose that will prove fatal you
may say from 3 to 5 grains. Arsenic is a
heavy substance, and three grains would lie
on the bevelled portion of the blade of a
pen-knife. The time in which deat h endues
after taking arsenic, varies from live hours
t twenty days sixteen days is the longest,
best marked recorded case. A lingering
death generally pre-supposes a small dose,
though in the case mentioned a large dose
was taken, but remedial agents applied. The
average period of death, where a fatal dose
is given, is about 2 1 hours. Arseniu acid is
used in certain prints, and I might also add
that arsenic acid is also poisonous. Arse
nious cid is the white or ordinary arsenic.
Arsenic acid is a different article, and is used
in making dye as an oxydizing agent, but the
arsenic does not enter into the composition.
1 he green in colored paper is bchweinturth s
green a compound of copper and arsenic.
Acute gastritis arises from other causes
than arsenic. Aeute gastritis is inflamma
tion of the lining membrane of the stomach.
Any powerful irritant taken into the stomach
would have a tendency to produce gastritis.
The strict chemical name for orpiment is
eulph-arsenioin acid or ter-sulphide of Ar
senic. Orpiment can only be produced
by a combination of sulphur and arsenio.
A substance similar in appearance might be
found in a dead body, and not contain arsen
ic. Orpiment would not be detected by
Reinch's test I think it might by Marsh's
test. I am familiar with the test employed
by Mr. Williams. I am satisfied if the stom
ach had contained arsenic, he would have dis
covered it. The absorption would begin in
the duodenum ; it would not remain in the
membrane, but would enter into the viscera
of the whole body. We have no recorded
cases of the effect of the ordinary indian
turnip (arum triphyllum,) when taken into
the stomach. The acridity of t he indian tur
nip is much lost by d-ing. It is used, when
dry, as an expectorant in coughs and colds.
Copland's Medical dictionary is an accept
ed authority. The European plant, called
the Wake Robin (arum macculattum) is a
different species from our indian turnip, but
plants of the same genus have generally
the same properties. "Wood & Bache" is
a medical authority. In the arum uiaceu
lattum we have cases of death from its use.
From the general character of the indian
turnip, if the root were taken into the stom
aoh,tbe tendency would be to produce acute
gastritis. If gastritis existed, its introduc
tion would intensify the symptoms. The
symptoms of poisoning by arsenic are differ
ent from those that would be produced by the
vegetable irritant. When arsenic is adminis
tered, the symptoms are soon observed
they are more violent at first than they are
subsequently, but they do not cease. From
my examination of the remains, I cannot
tell what quantity of arsenic was taken.
From my chemical examination, I could not
say whether a sufficient quantity had been
taken to produce dcth or not, nor could I
say that arsenic was the cause of this man's
death. A teaspooolul ot arsenic, 1 think
I could safely say, would contain more than
sixty grains jbut this is only guessing. My
own opinion is that the quantity of arsenio
taken up into the system by absorption, is too
small in quantity to have any effect in retard
ing decomposition. There are cases where
bodies have been found well preserved after
a lapse of two months, but their preserva
tion, as a rule, is not attributable to the
presence of arsenic. I did not make a
quantitative determination of the arsenic,
can't say how much was found. The sum
oi my testimony is that 1 tounu arsenic in
the remains I collected and analyzed, but
can't say that ar.-enic was the cause oldeath.
Heath might have been produced by si mj
other cause. There are peculiarities about
arsenical poisoning which differ from any
other irritant swimming of the eyes it nd in
jection of the conjunctiva, and a difference
in the burning feeling; the great disturb
ance of the nervous system, would not be
found in cases of vegetable poisoning.
By Cm'th. The opinions of experts as
to the cause of death in cases of poisoning
are founded on the symptoms, the post mor
tem appearances,aftd the results of theehem
ical investigation. I would not feel justified
in predicaiing an opinion on the cause of
death on the result of chemical analysis a
lone. Arsenic exists in soils in an insolu
ble combination with iron. The idea that
arsenic can not get into a dead body from
the soil of a cemetery is a matter of com
mon authority. The general belief is that
the preservation of a body is not due to the
antiseptic powers of the arsenic, but to the
nature of the soil.
Charles P. Williams, re-called. Prof.
Rand showed me slips containing arsenical
deposits. (Slips shown witness.) I find the
arsenical deposits upon No's 1 and 2 on
No. 4 I see none. Have heard Prof. Rand's
testimony as to the presence of arsenic in
remains he examined. Assuming that he
has made the examination as stated here, it
would carry conviction to my mind. The
method of examination is one recommended
by the best chemical authorites.
Mrs. Raciiael Cranston, affirmed. My
husband has a store in the vicinity of French
ville. In his absence I attend it. On the
11th of July, Mrs. Lena Miller came to the
store. I was not in when she cuie, but
when I came in found there 'Squire Ilall,
Mr. Sehnarrs, my husband, Lena Miller and
her little bo5 Mrs. Milter remained there
nearly an hour, after my husband had wait
ed on her, before she asked lor anything.
All the persons went out except Mrs. Mil
ler and her boy. She then asked me for a
box of coffee essence. She then asked for a
paper ot arsenic said the rats were so bad
that they were running over the floor in
daylight that 'Joe' had got a paper that
they had used part of it, and given the rest
to the neighbors. She said the rats were
lying dead under the floor, and that Joe was
going to take up the floor to take them out.
I told her this was not the time of year to
poison rats. I then asked her if she knew
how to use it. Sh.3 said she did, that she
put it on bread and butter, and then set it
in a pan of dish-waterl I gave Iter the pa
per of arsenic. She also got a broom -from
me, paid for the arsenio and 15 cents on
the broom. I think it was nearly three o'
clock when she left. I think the arsenic
was in blue paper they are all in colored
rapers. It was marked "'Arsenic Poison.'
gave a similar package since to Professor
Rand. The arsenic is put up in quantities
of about an ounce in a parer, each labelled
in the way stated.
Cross-examined. We keep other medi
cines. It was dinner when she came to the
store left about three. She purchased
things there before; we had an account with
her husband. Did not observe any differ
ence in her conduct had seen her before
but never spoke to her before. Think she
had bought vinegar, perhaps some sugar.
Didn't say anything to me about illress of
her husband. It is 3 miles from our store
to Millers. She said the children were a
fraid of the rats. The little boy said one
had bitten him or came very near biting
him. I believe I stated in a previous state
ment, that one of the rats had bitten him
on the toe, or something to that effect. The
arsenic was kept to sell for the purpose of
killing rats. Never said that if Mrs. Mil
ler had said that her toy was not along that
she was a liar, and that she had poisoned
her husband. I said I believed she had got
the poison for that purpose.
By Com tli. Said this since the investi
gation at the inquest. Was not personally
acquainted with Mrs. Miller prior to the
day she purchased the arsenic ; knew her
1 I 1 .. 11 1
uuiy oy signt. one paiu ior an sue got ex
cept the balance of 35 cents on the broom ;
that was charg id on the book.
Prof. B. II. Hand, re-called. I have
the package given me by Mrs. Cranston.
(Witness produced package.) I have exam
ined the contents and found it to contain ar
senious acid. It is a commercial acid ; do
not know that it is entirely pure. Should
think this was an averdupois ounce think
probably it would kill a hundred men take
them all the way through, a man here and
there might escape, but I shouldn't like to
take the chances of escaping.
Mrs. Rachael Cranston, re-called. I
wish to make an explanation. I was mista
ken as to the color of the paper. It was
not blue,but like the paper exhibited to the
Court and Jury.
AFTERXOOX SESSION.
Da. 3.0. Hartswk k, re-called. Was asked a
question similar to that propounded to Professor
Hand, and said he would attribute the death of
the patient to the effects of arsenious acid.
Cross-exa mined . It would notchange his opin
ion if he had taken two bites of Indian turnip
(or arain triphyllum) 21 hours previous to death.
If the symptoms described existed, and arsenio
were found in the remains. I would not recede
from the above opinion. Choloratic symptoms
are. in some respects analagcus. The condition
of the atmosphere during the past summer pre
disposed to attacks of this nature. The average
period in which death ensues after arsenical poi
soning isfrom IS hours to 3 days, but the time at
which death oecurs. may vary from 2 or 3 hours to
20 days There is one case recorded in which
death tot k place at the end of sixteen days.
My opinions and statements are based exclusive
ly on authorities, and not upon my own experi
ence. Repeated doses would tend to shorten the
period at which death ensues
By Cometh. Cases of poisoning are classed as
acute and chronic Acute poisoning is where one
or more poisonous doses produce death within the
limit already specified Chronic poisoning is
where repealed doses are administered, neither
one of itself sufficient to produce death. or where
the period of death is prolonged beyond the time
fixed under the general rule given. If the
symptoms of the last illness correspond with those
produced by arsenic. and the pot mortem appear
ances are those ordinarily caused by arsenic, and
upon chemical examination arsenio is found in
the remains, there is no other reasonable hypoth
esis upon which death can te accounted for ex
cept to the effects of aisenio. There was no chol
era m vicueia oouniy l.wt summer to my
knowledge.
Da. R. V. Wilsox, re called The hvphotheti
cal question was read to witness. Under such a
late of facta as is described in this question. I
would say that death was produced by arsenical
poisoning. If the patient had 24 hours before ta
ken two bites of arum triphyllum, it would not
change my opinion as to the cause of death. A
planfof theAmerican Indian turuipfaruui triphyl-
luni) was placed iu my hands by Alex Conway.
Cross-examined. A portion of the yellow pasty
matter was put in the jr siren to Dr. Burchfield.
fuuzjq eviuences vi ucruia - j - .&ui-
ir.ed the sarue, but found no evidence of daaih
from this cause. Cannot say that hernia would
produce similar appearances to poisoning In
tennis-ion of symptoms wjuld depend upon tbo
period between the administration of the doses.
Where death was pioduced by two agencies, I
would naturally attribute it to the most potent
cause, if. upon chemical analysis, the stomach
and duodenum, which were taken expressly for
examination, were found to eontaiu no arsenic, it
would greatly shake confidence, in my opinion,
provided it was not found in any other portion of
the remains. If the invetigatiou were to stop
after the examination of the stomach and duod
enum and no arsenic fouud I could not with
absolute certainty, attribute the deat'a to that
cause. Some of the symptoms described in the
question put, it would be difficult to explain except
upon the supposition that they were produced by
mineral poisoning. The effects, of taking arum
triphyllum would be felt more in the mouth and
throat than lower down. They are similar to
those produced by cayenne pepper. Taken in
sufficient quantities it might possibly produce
fatal effects, but there is not a single ease recorded
in the books of the American indian turnip pro
ducing death, The arum macculattum. (the Eu
ropean plant,) has produced death. There is a
case recorded of three children dyingfrom having
eaten its leaves. Taken in large quantities, the
American indian turnip, might produce violent
irritation. It 1 had the evidence that a patient
had swallowed it iu large quantities, 1 would be
uisposea to atnDute acute gastritis to Us effects.
By CoirCtk The vehicular appearance of the
inner coating of the stomach t.roduced bv min
eral poisouing has only been observed in cases of
Asiatic cholera. It is always the evidence of in
tense inflammation.
Andrew Ppesceu. afFd. I know what indian
turnip is it grows plentifully whero I live.
have often bition. eaten and swallowed of it.
-Sever produced any serious effects. Have eat
them my brothers and I, plavfully. tried to see
which could eat the most of them. lid not
make either of us sick
1rice Conwat, re called Know the indian
turnip, ilave used them in liquor, to make bit
mm. mem in green, usea me Ditters tor a
cough, was greatly benefitted by the use.
Daniel Mowhy, re-called. After I bad carried
the body into the house. I immediately started
for Mr Flood. The horse broke out of the stable
and followed me down through the meadow. Mrs
Miller came out and hollowed to me that she
couldn t keep that d d John horse in the stable
This was 12or 15 minutes after Mr. Miller died
I then went for .V.r. Flood, and told him to come
up that Mr. .Miller was dead. I went to Floods
of my own accord, He was a relative of Miller's.
I was there when the funeral left. I was there
when the eofSn was closed. Didn't see hercrying
at me time ot tne ueatn nor oetween then and
the funeral.
lross-'xammea. ilo.idswife was agister of
-Mr. Miller. Mri Miller, so far as I know, was a
quiet woman. She harrowed, hauled rails, and
did other work.
Lawrence Fi.oon, re-called. On the 12th, the
day on which Miller died, the Doctor asked Mrs
Miller if she had given the meaicine in the bot
tle every two hour. as directed. She said she
had. I contradicted her and said I didn't think
she had as the bottle wnestamling in the window,
untouched as I thought. he gave him no med
icine out of the bottle that niht that I saw. Af
ter midnight Mrs. Miller came in and went to
bed. Remained there unil her husband called
her to get up the next morning. and prepare some
breakfast as these people had l.een there all night,
taw her at the time of his death ; sho didn't weep
or talk about him. Miller was buried the next
day after he died at about five o'clock. Mrs. Mil
ler was standing in the kitchen when the coffin
was closed. 1 a,-ked her to come in. but she said
she didn't want to. I asked the children also.but
they wouldn't cniein: they said they were
afr&id. The ooffi r w m.m eloaotl without her seeing
uiui- ins iiojLi uuie x bah uer was on a ounuay.
at Urice Conway's. Next time, when Vollimont,
Mowiy and myself went to see her at Pretett's,
where she was staying. After we went in. I ask
ed her if she had any objection to her husbind
being raised, tshe wanted to know wh8t they
wished to raise him for. I toid her it was report
ed in the neighborhood that Joe was poisoned. I
asked ber if she hadn't bought a paperof arsniec
at Cranston's store a few days before his death
She said she hadn't bought any such thing. Vol
limont said there was no use in her denying it as
it was charged on Cranston's book. Then the
acknowledged that she had got it, that Joe bid
told her t buy it to poison rats. I asked ber if
she had it there she said she hadn't, that she
had thrown it away; Siiid she thought sho could
find it I told her if she could find it whole, as
she had got it, that there would bo no more fuss
about it; if not there would be something done
in it. .""he went along with Mowry, Voliimont
and myself where she said she had thrown it. to
Mowry's run, about a mile from where they had
lived We huutcd for it about an hour and a
half, but did not find it. .She started to go to
Preiett s,and restarted home. After Igothome,
Vollimont got my horse ami went lor a warrant
to 'SquiroGormont. When be started I went back
to Pretett's, and Eill McCartney. Mrs. Pretett,
Mrs Miller, Mary Miller, one of Mrs Pretett's
little girls and myself went to the run and hunt
ed for tho powder until about noon. Bill McCart
ney told her she might have left it up in the
bouse where Joe died. She said she thought she
didn't. I told -her I thought it wasn't in the run,
and we might as well go up there and hunt lor it
as any where else as we weren't going to-fin i it'.
We went to the house. but did not find it. On the
way home we met Vollimont at Mrs Lutz's place
with the warrant. He deputized McCartney to
execute it, and he went with her to Mrs. Prttett'j,
as fhe wanted to get some clothes. Thay then
wnt to 'Squire Uoruiont's, and be committed her.
She wes taken to my house to stay that night.
Win. McCartney, and Mrs. Pretett.at Mrs. Miller's
request, staid with her up stairs. In the morn
ing, McCartney, Mrs. Miller and myself started
for Cleurliuld.
Friday's Proceedings.
Court re-convened at 'J o'clock, A. M.
Lawrence Flood, re-called. I lived with Mil
lers 13 or 14 years ago. They have lived togeth
er since. I have since then been frequently at
their house up to the time of Mr. Miller's death.
Didn't see anything particularly wrong betiveen
them.
C'o.is-tx.imine'l . The place where we hunted
for the arsenio was on the township road between
Miller's house and Pretett's On the day of the
funeral, I was outside most of the tune, arrang
ing teams, was in the room only a few minutes
before the coffin was closed. The body was lying
in the- room prior to its being placed in the coffin.
A large number of persons were in and about the
house. It was on the 23d of July, when Volli
mont. Mowry and myself went to Pretett's to see
Mrs. Miller. "Joe" told me he married her at
Bellefonte. I never learned whether she was born
in this country or Europe. They had no children
when I first knew them. There are now three
living, one dead. Mrs. Miller is a very quiet
woman A I afterwards went to look for the poison
with Mr. Thomas McCollough at the run. On
the night of the 1 1 th, the evening before he died,
was the first time I went to see Miller after he
took sick ; got there between 9 and 10 o'clock.
He died about 4 o'clock on the I2th. During the
time I was there Mrs. Miller was attending to her
household duties and to her children.
ByUom'tk When I was there on the 11th I
smelt nothing offensive. There if no cellar it is
partly dug out underneath It is a log house, not
plastered, the lower part lined with boardsj the
upper joists covered with boards, not ceiled. A
few days after the funeral, having heard that Mrs.
Miller was not at the house, I went up to see.
The house was clo.-eJ. There was a cow and a
couple small pigs there She was quiet when
she was intoxicated.
Mrs. Assa Maria Pretett, re-called. On the
morning of the next day after Miller was buried,
when I oame home, X 'found Mrs Miller at my
house Thj children were with her. She said
she had come the night before. She remained
there until she was arretted. She stated that she
was afraid to stay in her own house, that she
couldn't content herself, that Joseph was such a
wicked man that she was afraid of him and
couldn't bear to stay in the house. She went to
the place to milk her cow, she said aa tho was
coming out of the door she thought something
had caught hold of her clothes and tried to hold
her back. On Sunday evening before she was ar
rested, I came home, and she was sitting in the
door. I took a seat outside the door, when she
afked me it I had heard anything of the talk that
was reported about her. I asked what talk. She
said he had heard that thev had taken Mr.
Cranston and put him in jil. She spoke of hav
ing been at the store the day before her husband
died. I then aked her what she had got at the
store. She said she bad got 2 pounds of sugar,
a quart t,f vinegar, acorn broom, and a bottle
of castor oil. 'lhatisail she said she got. She
said she didn't get any arsenic there ; if Cranston
said she got any, he wss a linr. When at Miller's
bouse. I never perceived any offensive smell as
though there were something dead about it. 1
staid with Mrs. .Miller, at her own request, at Mr.
Flood's the night after she was arrested.
Cross-examined Mrs. Miller was arrested on
I Monday. She went back to attend to the cow af
ter me rime wnen snesaid something bad caugn
hold of her.
Brice Conwat. re-called. On the evening of
the 11th of July, before I went to Miller's house
aoout six o ciock, x saw airs. Miller, the came
to my bouse and said she wanted some of us folks
to come np and stay with Joe that night, that Joe
was going to die that night. I told her I thought
ii couiun (, oe possioie. ior l had seen nini in the
corn field worEin around that day. She said he
would die, and that she wouldn't stay alone
told her then that some of us would try and come
up alter a while and she left.
Cross-examined I went up that evening. Mil
ler appeared a great deal worse. He told me he
would die, that he was burning up. I was of the
same opinion.
By C o in th. Stitt Mrs. Miller and Mrs Pretett,
a lew days after the funeral, going to Miller's
place. 1 asked her why she didn'tstay on the
place and take care of it and the stock. She said
you kiow Joe was a very bad man. and I am
afraid to stay. I told her I thought she ought to
stay there as it would all go to destruction. She
made the reply that she wouldn't stay there for a
mousana aouars. i toid her 1 thought she had
better, as the horses and cows would eat all the
grain up. She said she wouldn't stay there at
any raio
Jacob Mowry, re-called. I saw Mrs. Milier
aboutr) o clock, on the eveningot the 1 1th, at my
place. One or two of her children were with her.
She said she wanted me to come up that Joe was
going to die that night. I told her it couldn't
bo that he would die that night. She said, yes he
would. I tuked her if there was anybody with
uuu nnu tue saia mere w is not.
Cro-rxami)iH. I went up, found him bad
thoughthe would die. Several persons were there
John Bonner, re-called I laid out the
corpse ot Mr. Miller. John Mignot helped
me. Alter shaving him we nut on him a
new "hickory" shirt, a pair ot woolen pants
almost new, a tjlack silk neckerchief, and
next day a shroud, made of white muslin
Whilst I was about the house on the 11th,
there was no offensive smell. I did not see
or hear of rats about the house.
Dr. R. V. Wilson, re-called. I was pres
ent u hen the remains were Dlacd in the
jars by Prof. Rand. 1 hey were clean. They
Had been washed, ine small degree or os
sification of the semi-lunar valves of the
heart; to which I have referred, would not
account tor the acute gastritis. It is fre
quently found in persons dying from other
diseases.
Cross-exumineil. There are many known
ui.-ninces in which aosorhed arsenic was
found in other portions of the remains and
; lot in the stomach and duodenum. Ihey
are European cases. Accordirii to my pres
ent recollection, this is the first case of the
kind in America. 1 he truth is, much less
attention has been paid to toxicology in this
country than there should have been, much
leas itmu m lurope.
Mrs.Bi.on-di.va Bo.vxer, re-called. Was
at Miller s the day of the funeral. His fa
ther and other relations were there. Didn't
see Mrs. Miller weep. At my solicitation
she went in to see the corpse. When I
came out she followed me out. I took her
m again when her father came, but she did-
not remain a minute. Her father went but
she did not.
Croxs-e.ciminc'l. The cornse- was nut in
the coffin about half an hour or an hour be
fore it was taken from tho house. The sec
ond time I took Mrs. Miller into the room.
it was in the coffin. The body was very of
fensive. F. F. Volltmont, re-called. Iwasalomr
with Mr. Flood when he went to see Mrs.
Miller at Mrs. Pretett's. (Witness detailed
a similar state of facts to those already testi
fied to bv Mr. Lawrence Flood.) She want
ed to take her little girl alons: we told her
it was no use. She said she would that
maybe it was the last time she would see
her. When we got balow Mulsonburir. she
wanted to po up and see John Mulson to so
bail. Mulson was not at home. We
then went to S-juire Gormont's, and he
committed her. Oormont told her she was
brought there for poisoning her husband;
she said it wasn't so. At Mulson's we all
took a drink. We wouldn't allow her to
take any strong drink, and Mrs. Mulson
gave her a small glass of cherry-brandy.
vrosn-examiae'l. JJidn t hear the little
girl say she wanted to go along. Didn't see
the mother cry when we refused to let her
take the girl along. Don't believe I told
her the arsenic was charged at Cranston's.
AFTEBNOOX sessiox.
Lawrence Flood, re-called. Wm. M'-
Cartney Thompson is the right name of the
person who went with me.whcn we met V ol-
iiuiont with the warrant. He was working
for me on my saw-mill. On the second
search for the arsenic, I asked Mrs. Miller
at what time she had thrown the arsenic a
way at that place. She said on her wav
down to Pretett's after Joe's death. After
wards Wm. M'Cartney asked her what time
she had thrown it away. She said on her
way up to the place to milk the cow. She
said Mrs. Pretett and little Jane Pretett
were with her. I asked Mrs. Pretett wheth
er she saw her throw it away, and she said
she hadn't. Mrs. Miller made answer and
aid fche had thrown it away as she walked
bcbid them, that they couldn't see her. I
asked her how she came to throw it away ;
she said she had it in her pocket with her
tobacco, and for fear of getting it mixed and
poisoning her, she had thrown it away.
Cross-examined. Can't say whether I
told this before the inquest, don't remem
ber. The roadside where she said the poi
son was thrown away is all brush and laurel.
The paper would not be easily found.
m. McCartney Tuompson, sworn. I
went with Mr. Flood to Pretetts. He asked
me to go with him. Flood and Mrs. Miller
had some conversation about tho arsenic
bought at Cranstons. She said she would go
and hunt the paper. We then went to hunt
it at Mowry's run. In the conversation
there we asked her why she had thrown it
away. She said she had it in her pocket
with her tobacco and pipe, and she was
afraid she would get some of it and poison
herself. We hunted for some time but
.-iil.ln't-. find ir T tolrl hr kIia mio-ht. bav
mislaid it at the house. She said she (
thought not. I insisted upon eoing and look-
ing tor it and we started. We hunted and
looked around the house but found nothing
except one powder that she said Dr. Litz
had left-. On the way back we met Volli
mont with the
wanted me
wish to do
him to get
was tho hrst. 1 took tha warrant, and up
weit to Pretetts, and afterwards to Gor
mont's, who committed her, and placed her
in my custody to take to jail. On the way
from Mulson's to Flood s house I had some
conversation with Mrs. Miller. She com
menced the talk.. She asked me whether I
wouldn't let her go that night. I told her I
could not. I then asked her the reason for
wanting to go.
Objection was made to the admission of
confessions made by the prisoner, and testi
mony taken to enable the Court to deter
mine the question.
Adjourned to Saturday morning at 9 a. m.
Saturday's Proce9ding3.
Court re-convened at 9 o'clock, A. M.
The Court after hearing some further tes
pu the admissibility ot the confessions of
Mrs. Miller decided against receiving evi
dence relative to the admissions of the pris
oner to the witness on the stand.
Brice Con wav, re-called. Not to niv
knowledge there were no rats or smell of
rats about the house. At the place where
Miller moved from a few weeks before
his deathv the rats were pretty nu
merous. Xone at the other house. I was
in the cellar frequently, on the garret and
through the house. Saw no rats, saw signs
ot where they had been before.
Mrs. Anna Maria Prittett, recalled.
In May, u.y house having burned, I lived a
couple of weeks with Miller's. They quar
relled some. Most every day or every other
lay they had some words, they quarrelled
about her not keeping the house clean, her
self and her children.
Cross-exnminetl. lie complained. She
was a careless, dirty woman. She worked
in the open fields. I have seen hor harrow
ing in grain, and hauling rails. I have heard
hor husband aking if she wouldn't do these
things. She would go. Miller was not. in
the habit of getting drunk. She was. When
he complained, she was at times quiet, but
sometimes would answer him roughly. They
mostly talked English while I was there.
She never had a great deal to say. Mrs.
Miller had 3 children, and I had f there.
By Conith. 3Ir. Miller was a hard-working
man. t is customary for most of the
women in this neighborhood to work out in
the fields. I have heard her swear at him.
Commonwealth re.-ts.
Testimony for Defence.
The case for the prisoner was opened by J. B.
McEnally, Esq.
AFTERSOOS SESSION.
Joseph P. Mulson, sworn. Was at the house
when Xavier Miller died there the night he
ied. Was never in cellar. I have seen Mrs.
Miller don't know thatl cverspoke to her. Isev
er heard anything . about the woman is reputed
peaceable. Live within 2 or 3 miles ef ber houe.
Knew Xavier Miller well; he was a quiet,
industrious hard-worn ing man. Wm. McCartney
lived in Green Woods, about 3 miles froji my
place. Knew him since last winter. His repu
tation for truth and veracity not very good. Went
by namo of McCartney.
Cro-fxaniiieit. Never had any conversation
with Mrs. Miller know nothincr nersonallv of
her reputation never heard of Ler beinir Quar
relsome.
Bkicb Coxway. re called bv def jnen Knew
Xavier Milier. Knew Mrs. Miller. Never knew
her to be a quarrelsome woman amongst her
neighbors, never heard that of her. ilave been
in the cellar of the house where Miller died, 's
only a temporary cellar, part du? out nart not
dug out. floor within about 12 inches of ground,
small sited cellar from annearanco runs rast
kitchen, not sure; goes in from kitchen end.
ouie of the sills lie on the srouti l. no sione wall
under the bouse onn side boarded un. Dugout
Within 4 Or 5 fppt nf tht nrnor aiila s,f the knnu
think flooring boards do no: touch the ground,
The entire upper part near the ground
Cross- x,i muted. If there weie dead rats un
der the house they could be taken out Without
raisin? the floor. It has been the general talk
that she quarrelled with others than her neigh
bors.
Joh.v MrLSOX. sworn Was at the house when
Xavier Miller died, after his death not Ions af
ter more than a week after. Was in the cellar
and loft. Found evidence of rats. Kits had
been there lately iu the garret. Some old iron
in the garret, and about t bushel of rye in a basj.
Cellar was empty. About three weeks after the
death of Miller, don't know exactly. Cellarun
der lower part, or kitchen. Couldn't walk
straight in cellar. Part of the floor of house on
ground. Could see some holes made bv rats.
.Never heard anything against Mrs. Miller as a
..., .i,.au. ..iaiiucj
....... . u nun uiui IV'I a , cur. 1113 I t 1 1 U I U
lion tor truth and veracity not very eood
Knew
him part of the time as Jim McCarty
1 1 ofs-exumi next . Live about three miles from
Mrs. Miller'. Never hail much intercourse with
her. Don't know as I ever talked with her. The
signs of rats in the garret was at the rye baz
not much rye lyinir about, if any. Strong smell
about the house don't Know what it was. The
smell was all through the house don't recollect
if the house is lined. Mr. Flood. T. J. MoCul-
lough, and Mr Bigler, were with me at the
house Went there with Mr. MuCullouzh.
Dr. J. W. Ptjttf.r, sworn I have lived in the
neighborhood of Mrs. Miller. I never heard any
thing against her as a quiet, peaeeable womau.
Cross-examined. Can't say that I ever heard
her reputation discussed by anybody.
Joh.v Briel. sworn Live near Frenehv'lla.
2fever heard anything aeainst Mrs. Miller as a
peaceable woman. Know William MuCartnev
Thompson ; his reputation ior truth and veracity
is not very good. He went by the n.ime of Wm.
McCartney.
Cross-examined Never heard anvthinz about
it one way or the other.
John Kin, Kobert Wilson. Robert McFaddea
and Edward MctJarvey. after being sworn, testi
fied that the character of Willi am MeCartnev
Thompson for truth and veracity was not good.
Mary Miller, faired about 12 years sworn.
Was at home when my father came back from the
Horse Shoe. He was sick when he came-home.
mind when he was sick after he came home.
He didn't eat any dinner that day. He went to
bed. Hecollect that mother and Johnny went to
the store- Father told her to get some sugar and
rat poison. There were rats about the house ;
they eat tome oats up stairs Father was on the
bed when he told mother this.
Cross-examined . I laid before that father rot
sick half an hour after supper. Father plowed
n the afternoon. I saw my mother since my fa
ther's death before this week. I saw her in the
jail. It was after supper that father got sick. I
have said before that there were no vats. Nobody
told me to say that father had asked mother to
bring rat poison. Bonner and Fred. Hartline
were at our house plowing for us the day father
came. home. Joooay was present the first time
I saw mother; that was before Court. This week,
when I saw mother, two men were there.
Jobs Briel, re-called. I was on the coroner's
inquest. I was present when the surgical exam
ination was made. Went to Mulsonburg, the in
quest having adjourned thero for dinner. The
body was left in the house where it was examin
ed. It was left in charge of Vollimont, Biegle
man and others, the men who exhumed it. I
wasn't present when it was raised the second
time. One tide of the coffin lid was smashed in
the first time it was raised. It was about twelve
o'clocK in the day when we adjourned to Mulson
burg. There were a great many persons there.
They went out an4 into the room as they pleased.
warrant. vhirh ho e-nJ 1,
to execute. I told him I did not I wa, taken up the second tim. V!6 i
so. He said the .I.tW tnl.l "V0!!:. 11 W.V PMi boZ
- , ; i-"j""oa came aown vollimont hii
the first man hri nipt and thnt. T ' f it. s.. x- ,77 nl ei..
y-f - . ..
Jo
'",v. tome house. Thelid ... -'
down like a w"iuit-
Crost-examiHcJ. The District Attorn,,,
down the evening before and took charr. -V5
matter b.mseir The next morning 5f
came. I be coffin was still in the eriv. k !cr
District Attorney and myself got there ee;i
Dr. R. V. Wilsox, re-called. If FowW. .
tion of arsenio had been poured into ih. ''
where the stomach and duodenum had
ken out. arsenio would have been found??
The solution would have no gritty feel 7Jt
symptoms before death were consistent will
symptoms producd by any other violent irH.'
and the post mortem examination of the
and duodenum disclosed the presence of B.
mom acid, and the iolution of artenic h."
placed upon the remains after the removal T
stomach and duodenum, I should hesitat. t
that death was produced by the admini,t.Uj
of ars enie before death . Fowler's iolution
senite of potash. Any other wlution of
oui acid would produce the same effuct vT"1"
arsenio is held in proper solution there wo-H?
no gritty feel m
Crosi-examinrJ The symptoms eoibrtj i
the hypothetical case, and the post mortem .
pearances are not consistent with any form!
disease produced by natural causes as I haT rJi
them or observed them in my own expriiT
exoept, perhaps. Asiatio cholera.
Court adjourned to 9 o'clock, A. M., on MonJ..
morning, January 21st. "
Monday's Proceedings.
Court re-assembled at 9 o'clock, A M
S. S. Crakstos. aflTd I keen th tnr. .. v. .
it e .i. . .. . ""voiwu t.i..'
the arsenio was
i purchased. Mr. Miller stoDtJ
at niv store after he had been down tin.
He h ill ?Yit tuwn a a.ri Mwtk -i .,
beriii.
some hickory" shirting. I am not positive k
o--- , r , . . J uu HUMine 4ti
- "w 6" uiuii.iuu. i-io complained of
having head-ache. I was at the store on the d
the arsenio was purchased. I was outside th
store when my wife called to me and asked wW
the arsenio was I told her where it was B0 tin
she could get it. B. D Hall and Wm. H. Schunt
were there at the time. Mr. Hall asked me it
was in the habit of giving arsenio to every out
I told him I was to those I was acquainted witi
to my customers.
Crox-examinr4. I was there when Mrs ifil
ler came to the store I waited on her and fur
nished her with the ai tides she first bought tt
pounds sugar, a quart of vinegar, a bottle ofew
tor oil and five cents worth of candy After bar.
ing these articles, she sat on a chair in the or
for half an hour or an hour. Mrs. Cranitonw
in the store, reading a paper. Mr. Hall started
out of the store and I followed to speas to hie
Xt was while Mr. Hall, Mr. Sehnarrs and wyxi
were outside the store that my wife called to ni
and asked where the arsenio was. There watio
body in the store but Mrs. Miller, her little bej
and my wife.
Re-examined. It was only a few mlnutei af;er
she had purchased the articles from me ttat I
went out with Mr. Hail.
Mas. Ansa Maria Phbtett, re called Af;sr
the death of Xavier Miller, Mrs Miller broucU
the children to my house. She Kept them i;i
her at my house until ber arrest. After henr
rest I took them to Mr: Flood's. He is atroiU-in-law
of Mr Miller. The little bov. siuoo :b-u
has lived with F. F. Vollimont, the girl wiia Mr.
liiiard. Mrs. Miller has no blool relntivM ia
the neighborhood that I know of. It wim'i mi
than a few weeks from the time they moved il.
the house, until Mr. Miller died.
Crot '-examined . The youngest child is liri j
with Mr. Coudriet. He is no relative Mr
i Miller's; neither is Mr. Girard.
Tit. J. V Pott br, re called In the urns ut
arsenio and calomel it would require olu in
spection, for a person not a physician, to distin
guish them. They are both white. I cou'i dis
tinguish them at sight. An unski'Ied pei
would, perhapf, not be able to distinguish
at all. Arfenio is not used extensively as a a,ti
iciue. Fowler's solution is used.
Cromt-ex irniited. Calomel is cot prescribel bf
a physician in ounce doses. I know of ro othe'r
form in which it is used as a medicine except in
Fowler's or Donovan s solution. It ia uiefl wi:h
potash to make it soluble and cause it to yf4
from the system.
Dr. K. V. Wilsox, re-called. Arfenio sod 1
oniel are somewhat similar in sppcariiiice llitr
are not identical. Areenic is u?ed in solutioi
and powder. I gave it in doses of f of a greiu,
not, however, by itself. It is generally used ia
solution. The la rarest doso of Culomcl "for aJuiu
j 3 genera lly lroin lfl to 12 grains.
JonN W. Buiel. re-called. I live In the noii-
borhood where Mrs Miller resided. New
heard any.hing against her reputaticn as a quie:,
peaceable woman.
CioM-txamiued. Live about three m;lei fn.a
defendaat.
Jobx B RouGEArx, re called. I know the ten
is which Miller died He bought it from i'
sons. The house had been used by ti-y son! l.r
ten years, for from one day to two weeks, a o
, casion required, when they were engaged wotk
j ing the farm. They used to put their grais io
i the house, after threshing, except for a cuupie of
: years. During the last couple years they bid uo
grain there. During that time, whilst thev wert
I farming, they Kept their provisions and fedtin
; and lived in it. Saw formerly a great may rtu
mere, during the past two years not so ciej,
; though there were some
there were some. Have seen plestv el
dead rats there recently. Did not see any rats
the last time I wss there, a year ago last t'J
harvest. ;
Defence rests.
The Commonwealth, ia re-buttal, call
Frederick Hartlise, sworn. Jobu Bocrer.
F. F. Vollimont and myself, appraised the per
sonal property of Miller. We examined frerj-'"
thing in the house, was on the garret, there wm
flour there in three barrels, they were opeo tbere
was no sign of rats or fence squirrels ia the btr
rels. Didn't notice whether there were aajold
signs then or not. There were no dead rauti
the house that I know. I was one of the nen
who helped to raise and re-bury the bodv of Mil
ler. The body was not taken out before'tbepbr
ficians got there. When it was tasen into tfc
bouse, the first time, it was washed by Augnit
Mulson and Mr. Hoffman. I was present all tt
time from the raising of the body until it wu re
buried After it was taken to the boaie, th
doctors told us to come out and they pat mb
thing in like smoke, (disinfectants ) After the
room was again opened. Dr. Hartswick wu tie
first man who handled it. Hoffman, Ma!a
Biegelman and myself put him back into
coffin. We then buried him again. The
was put in a rough box. I staid there until
grave was filled up. JNo other person tbatlee1
touched the body.
Cross-examined. It was over half n r
from the time the doctors got through until tie
body was put into the coflin again. There were
great many persons going in and outof tb roo
As soon as the doctors got through the body
put in the coflin and August Mulson screw
lid on. The coffin was not taken out until
the inquest left for Mulsonburg. It was on
orday, August 4th, that we made the ppr:
tnent of the property.
Acsust Mulsow, sworn. I assisted to rat.
body of Xavier Miller. I was thre all
until it was put back ia the grave I
wash it. From the time the doctors were tbw
with their examination until it was putbsc f
the grave no-body touched it. The body
watched from ouside of the door.
grave and helped to bury it.
Lirossrexamined.l was in
lime, except aunng me ia or iv . wjfj
Mr. Swoope was generating gas. I WH i" . tf
Biegelman soatterea lime over the floor. al
water was sprinkled over the floor. Don
lect that I was out when a certain person csm
me and said that the flies were cad.
Christian Bieglem am. sworn. When e?.
the house, they were beginning to wash tns
Did not help to wash but carried water an a
things ready. I was there from that time
the body was buried. I saw the wdy
that time. Saw do person touch the body or r
any thing on it. Did not see the grave fin"
I came back to the bouse to wash the ro k
Cross-fzxmmed. When I would go14
i . i - . i , r OA HtinnUll
bea
onburg after the phy.?1
tho post mortem examination. lt
....... in, i-i.i-1 II-- , . . . i - c . i rn p.r i