The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-07
THE CASE OF MRS. CHAPMAN.


and handsome sun collected.
THE CASE OF MRS. CHAPMAN.
In opening the cause on the part of the
prosecution against Mrs. Chapman, or Tor
Nina Mr.. Ross, the Prosecuting Attorney,
made the following statement:
The indictment contained three counts,
in all of which Mrs. Chapman WIS charged
with being the principal, in the murder Of
William Chapman. The following is the
subs tance of the Testimony, to sustain which
Mr.. K. said the prosecution were able, and
should proceed to adduce evidence.
About the middle of last May, a stran-
ger appeared, in lone and distressed con-
dillon, at the residence of Mr.. William
Chapman, at Andalusia, Pennsylvania. He
asked protection for the night, which was
readily granted. His reception being
cordial, as he was considered an object of
pity, he prolonged his stay. In a short
time he contracted an intimacy with Mrs.
Chapman, which continued to ncres Sc dali
ly. unit. Mrs. Chapman's affections became
entirely divorced. from her husban d, and
given to the stranger. The evidence ON
this point will disclose n scene Of the basest
and blacklist crime. An illicit connection
was known to exist between the str anger
and Mrs. c. Her friends and family saw
1t, and II aroused their warmest ndign alton.
50 onen and barefaced was the woi mans
lnfamy, that no admonitions from her friends
had the smallest effect upon her. She was
repeatedly heard to express wish that
her husband was gone.
On the 10th OF June, this stranger left
Andalpsla, and went to PhiladeIph ia
Whlia in the city he purchased qua ntity
of arsenic, for tho purpose n = no s,a, d. Isl
preparing collection of birds for the South
American market. lie returned to Llnda-
lusia in day or two, and shortly after Mr..
Chapman WIS taken i'll. On the 18th of
June, physician was sent for he rame,
but thought it unnecessary to pres, crihe
medicine. On the Monday following, Mrs.
Chapman made some chicken soup for her
husband she seasoned 1t while in the lsitch-
en-, and conveyed it to the parlor, where no
person was present but this stranger. InI
his presence she mixed poison with it, and
took it up to Mr.. Chapman. Mr.. C. par
took of a small quantity, after which it was
thrown away, as also was the CHECKER of
which it was made. Ducks belonging to a
neighboring farm, which were obse rived
over the chicken and soup, died in a short
time after. Mr. Chapman grew worse rap
idly; he complained Of burning heat n his
stomach he complained of suffering the
most excLnciating pain, and vomited at in
tervals of ten or fifteen minutes. Mrs. |
Chapman was requested to send for a ply |
stefan, but she refused. On Tuesday a |
similar request was made, bnt without eff |
feet gentleman who visited Mr C. was |
driven from his room, notwithstanding Me- |
Us. earnest request that he might remain. |
Late in the evening, however, physician |
was sent for; he came Immediately and
prescribed calomel, but by Mrs. C's. orders, |
not particle was administered. In the |
the physician called again, and
asked if the medicine had been given.-t
Mrs. c. replied no, and that it should not be.
Mr.. c. fingered until the Odd June, W hen
he expired in great pain, from the effects Of
poison in his stomach.
Three months after, suspicious as to the /
cause OF Mr.. Chapman's death were exct-
ed by subsequent transactions, and his body
was disinterrad, and his stomach examined,
by several physicians. They came to the
conclusion that his death had been occa-
stoned by poison, and not cholera morbus.
as bad been given out. In the course of
the examination, said Mr.. r., we shall Law
before you letter of Mrs. Chapman to Mi
ma, in which are several curious ex2res-l
sions, which can only be explained by ref |
erence to the heinons transaction.
Mrs. Chapman ascribed her husbands |
death to variety Of causes. To some she
averred that he had died from eating a
large quantity of chicken: to others she !
called the meat beef: 10 others, pork; to
others, veal. In nine days after the death |
of Mr.. Chapman, she was married to Nina. |
and as soon as she became informed that |
suspicious were excited against her, with
out offering q word of explanation, she |
promptly attempted an escape. These are /
the points which the counsel for the prose- |
cution informed the jury they should now
proreed to prove"
Mrs. G.. was acquitted.
We learn TINT the trial of Nina has
been postponed till the April session of
the Court In granting this postponement it |
was made condition that the prisoners |
counsel should allow the dispositions of all
witnesses beyond the reach of summary
process, to he taken, and used as evidence.
MR Writ. We learn, with prest regret.
that Mr.. Wrts appearance during his recent
argument before the Supreme Court in The
case Of the Cherokee Nation, Indicated the
rayages that disease has made upon his frame
His intellectual powers are stl as vigorous as
ever, but sickness has laid its blight upon his
person. We have heard that it is his intention
III settle in Louisiana, where, we trust. tho
climate may roinvigorate his health, end add
many days to a life which has already been so
Honorable and 40 rseful --ai.zaudria Gazssis