Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-07-26
From tho Massachusetts Journal.
SINGULAR CASE.

iSSofu. Our Information was communicated to
US oy one who was personally engaged in the in
vestigations attending it.
In country town in the state of Maine. few
months since, the wife of labouring man. who
lived Tor long time on very indifferently terms
with her, suddenly died. AS she was in anna
rentiy perfect health the day of her death, and
there had been violent guards between them,
the man was regarded with considerable degree
OF suspicion. AT the burial ofthe wife, her rcla-
.lons attended; TO these tho husband had al
ways cherished great hostility but OIL this oc-
CASTOR ne was particularly urgent that they should
IctasH With hH, after tho infs ITO partake of
meal at his table. They were III disposed to do
TINS, both On account Of their recollection of the
treatment OF his wife, his uniform hostility to
tnem' and the very suspicious circumstances of
tue Wiie's death lie continued to urge them to
return 10 his house and partake of the entertain
mem WIN SO much earnestness, that after resist
ing tor long while, they found that they could
refuse no longer! The meal was placed before
them, at which dish Of baked beans was ab,iu-
dainty served, and of which they were uroed TO
Patake literally Much time had not ELAPSED
after the meal before every individual of the party
was taken sick; some were So Violently affected
TINT thet lives were despaircd of These very
suspicious circumstances determined the neiah-
poufs 10 nave the man arrested and this was ac-
c0rdingly done. The house was searched. and a
Quantity OF arscnic was found of which it was af-
terwafds ascertained that he had bought consid.
|fraDie quantity oil an apothecary short time be.
lore the death of his wife Another corrobora.
ing circumstance, was that the accused had on
Tho day on which his wife died; carried to her
~hile at work in the field glass of lqior-an
act OF courtesy which, such were the terms on
Which they had lived it was quite out of his GUS
tom to profcr-1hc man was placed in custody
ana preparations made for his trial The
physician who attended tho deceased was satisfied
tnat the death was from poison, and would give
his evidence to that efIect.--Public option was
greatly excited ON the subject, and the conviction
oil tue individual was confidently anticipated at
the approaching session of the court
Things being thus circumStancdd; the phvsi-
clan whose evidence, as we have related, was do.
cided on the point of death being occasioncd by
Poison happened to be on visit to the town of
d. Inc circumstances being generally known;
Df. M who was personal friend of this physi-
clan, sought an interview with him; and inquired
OF him II ne examined the hH9y internally after
tsath asa c Oh se Negative. M;
placed before him in a stros manner the situa-
| uon III Which he would find himself when called
on before court and jury for evidence of he as
sertion that the death was by poison.
Ii was soon decided that dsintermcnt and an
examination of the body should be immediately
made, and Dr. Nj. with another medical friend
accompanied the first named physician to the
pace OF the presumed murder The people of
the vicinity expressed great satisfaction at know
ing o. tnis Intention, and were eager to assist in
the disslnterment, assured that it would only add
continuation to their belief in the guilt ofthc ac-
cused. The body was quickly removed from the
| oatlh' a question then arising where the exam
| inaiioh should take place-for as it had been bu-
,icu 'hree weeks no one willing that it should
DC brought into his dwelling house "a neiob.
ooflng barn was first proposed, but to this the
physicians objected on account of the wan; of
suhcient light: The Meeting house was then
named; and thther the body was carried II was
P'aceo on table IN the centre aisle, and the cx-
ANIMATION commenced in the presence of the as
se'noied and eager multitude who filled the pcws
40 the galleries. DR.. NJ prepared to open the
| aoooNhen' and the gentleman who accompanied
Dim undertook in the meaiwbile, the examination
oi the mead 10 the fortner, Of course the atten-
non VI oil was chiefly directed. The operation OF
opHhing OF the head however, advanced more ra-
Piaiy 'hah that OF the abdomen and the removal
Vi 'he Uranium discovered to the surprise Of the
oPe'a'ois and spectators, sIfIusion of blood in
inc organ and all the unequyocal marks of apo.
Pee1y, while the stomach end the other digestive
organs were fonnd to exhibit not the slightest in.
ui0auohs Oh the presence of am poisonous sub
stance! The surprise, and probably in their ex-
'i'od state OF mind against the supposed criminal
-''he olsappoIntment of the spectators was ex-
"O iSouiI vi tue examination was how
ever irresistible in proofthat the death was occ,.
sloneo oy apople KY and not by poison, and the
man lie was saved for il is scarce to be doubt
Gu that jury would have convicted him upon tho
evidence OF the circumstances which we have
enumerated.
VIII be asked, bsw is the circumstance Of
the sickness OF the wiie's relatives which was CIV
iden''y caused by the neal which the man urged
mem 80 earnestly to take, TO be accounted for 2
IL IS explained by singular fact, of which one or
TWO other instances are known TO have occurred
ne beans OF which the meal was principally com.
posed had. been baked in oatthern 7cssels and
we're allowed to grow cold they had been kent
long euough TO have turned acid 10 sIirht dc.
gree, ana when they were placed in the oven 10
Ue Ieheated the action of the acid on the sides of
the JAR decomPoScd the glazing with which the
interior OF the jar was coated and of which suI-
Pnuret OF lead is the chief Ingredient; a poison
gus substance was thus developed, and infused in
70 inc contents of the jar and those eatng Of the
Deans Were attacked with symptoms of illness
more or less severe according to the part OF the
jar from which the beans were taken Of wb;cL
they ate. Alter this If was not d;a;cuI, o..