Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-19
From the Massachusetts Journal.
REMARKABLE CASE.

From the Massachusetts Journal
REMARKABLE CASE.
A case Of deceptive circumstantial evidence
lately came 10 our knowledge, than which, we
believe, more remarkable cannot be found on
record Our Information was communicated 10
us nv one who was personally engaged IN the IN
yestigations attend'ngit.
In country town in the State OF Maine, a
few months since, the wife OF labodr'ng man.
who fived for a long time on very indifferent
terms with her. suddenly died.. AS she was IN
apparently perfect health on the day OF her
death, and there had been violent quarrels be-
tween them. the man was regarded with con-
siderable Dr. gree Of Suspicion. At the burial
of the wife, her relations attended. To these
the husband had always cherished great aos'il-
ity; but on this occasion he was particularly urg
ent that they should return with him, after the
funeral, TO par,ake Of a meal at his table. heF
were i'll disposed TO do this, both on account OF
their r-col' ec,ion OF the treatment OF his wiie.
his uniform hostility to them, and the very sus-
picious circums, ances OF the wife's deaib- lie
continued TO urge them 10 return 10 his mouse
and partake of the entertainment with so much
earnestres that after resisting for long WINE
they found that they could refuse no ionger'-
The meal was placed before them, at which
dish Of baked beans was abundantly served. and
Much time had not elapsed after the meal, be-
fore every individual Of the party was taken sick
some were so violently afftc,edfhat their lives
were despaired Of These verv suspicious cir
cpms,ances determined the neighbours TO have
the man arrested, s. this was accordingly done.
The house Was searched, and qeanthy OF ar
senic was found, Of whichi' was afterwards as
c,rtainrd that he had bought considerable
quantity OF an apo,hecary short time before
The death { his wife. Another corrnborating
circumstance, was that the accused had on 'ne
da, on whic!, his wife died, carried 10 her "hne
a, work in the field glass OF liquor
IAN act of courtesy which, suih were the
t.rms on which thev had lived. it was
ouite out Of his custom to profier. The
man was placed in custody, and prepare
lions were made for his trial. The physician
who attended the dsceased was satisfied that the
de,,b was from poison. and would give his evil
dencs 10 that effect. Public opinion was great
" excited on the subject, and the conviction OF
the indiviausl was confidently anticipated at
the approaching session OF the court.
Things being thus oireumstanred, the physi-
clan. whose evidence, as we have related, was
def ided on the point Of the death being occa-
si"ued by poison, happened to be on u visit TO
rbe town Of B. The circumstances beinh gem
eraliy known, DR.. NJ. who was personal friend
Of his physician, sought an interview with him,
and 5nouired of him if he examined the BODY
Internally after death, and on being answered in
the negative, he placed before him in strong
manner the situstion in which he would Ind
himself when called on before court and jury
for evidence Of his assertion that the death was
by poison. ,
II was soon decided that disinterment and
an examination Of the body should De immedi-
,tr,v made, and DR.. Nj. with another medic al
friend. accompanied the first named physician
IN the place Of the presumed murder. he
nrople Of the vicinity expressed great sa'isfac-
lion n, knowing of this intention, and were ca
ger to asss, in the disintr rment, assured that
would only add confirmation TO their belief IN
the guilt OF the accused. The BODY vas quick
lv re moved from the earth. A question thenari-
siap where the examination should take place
for as il had been buried three weeks no one
wa,'willins tina, j, should be brought INFO has
dwelling house; "a neighboring barn was hrs'
nroposed, bu, to this the physicians objected on
account Of the want Of sufficient light. The
Meeting house was then named, and 'hiihsr the
BODY was carried IL was placed on a table in
Oh. centre aisle, s. ,he examina ion commenced
in he presence Of The assembled and eager mul.
titude who FLIED the pews and the galie-
ries. Dr. NJ. prepared 20 open the abdomen,
ana the gentleman who accompanied him un.
ds,,ook In the mean while, the examination OF
the head. To the former, Of course, the a'ten-
,;,, Of all was chiefly directed. The opera
,;o, ,,t o,rnirg the head however, advanced
,,or, uit;y tnau thai Of the abdomen, and bp
,.,,oval Of the Uranium discovered to the sur