The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-06


in oil Of which mrs. Chapman was charged as
being the principal, in the murder OF William
Chapman. The following IL the substance
Of the testimony, to sustain which, INF. X.
said, the prosecution were able, and would
proceed to adduce evidence.
"About the middle of'last May, stranger
appeared, in lone and distressed condition,
at the residence of William Chapman, at An
dalusis, in this county. lie asked protection
for the night, which was readily granted.
His reception being cordial, as he was con-
sidered an object Of pity, he prolonged his
stay. In short time he contracted an init.
macy with mrs. Chapman, which continued d
10 increase daily, until mrs. Chapman's affec-
tions became entirely divorced from her hus-
band and given to the stranger. The evl,
dence on this point will disclose scene OF
the basest and blackest crime. An Illicit
conneXion was known to exist between the
stranger and mrs. G. Her friends and fami-
ly saw it, and it aroused their warmest indig-
nation. So open and barefaced was the wo.
mans infamy, that no admontlons 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 An
dalusia and went to Philadelphia. While in
the city he purchased qusntity OF arsenic,
for the purpose, as he stated, of preparing .
collection of birds, for the South American
market. He returned to Andalusia in q day
or two, and shortly after mr.. Chapman was
taken i'll. On the 18th of June, physician
was sent for he came, but thought il un.
necessary to prescribe medicine. On the
Monday following, mrs. Chapman made some
chicken soup, for her husband sho seasoned
it while in the kitchen, and conveyed il to the
paror, where no person was present but this
stranger. In his presence she mixed poison
with Il, and took it up to mr.. Chapman. Mr..
G. partook of small quantity, after which it
was thrown away, as also was the chicken of
which it was made. Ducks belonging TO a
neighboring farm, which were observed over
the chicken and soup, died in short time
after. Mr.. Chapman grew worse rapidly; he
complained of burning heat in his stomach,
he complained of suffering the most excruc'
ating pain, and vomited at intervals Of ten or
fifteen minutes. Mrs. Chapman was request.
ed to send for physician, but she refused.
On Tuesday similar request was made but
without effect. A gentleman who visited mr..
c. was driven from his room, Notwithstanding
mr. C's earnest request that he might remain.
Late in the evening however, q physician
was sent for; he came Immediately and pre-.
scribed calomel, but by mrs. C.'s orders not
a particle was administered. In the morning
the physician called again, and asked if the
medicine had been given. Mrs. G.. replied
no, and that it should not be. Mr.. G. linger-
ed until the 23d June, when he expired in
great pain, from the effects of poison in his
stomach.
Three months after, suspicious as 10 the
cause of mr. Chapman's death were excited
by subsequent transactions, and his body was
dsinterred, and his stomach examined by
several physicians. They came to the con.
clusion that his death had been occasioned
by poison, and not by cholera morbus, as had
been given out. In the course Of the exam.
ination, said mr.. Il. we shall lay before you
letter from mrs. Chapman to Nina, in which
are several curious expressions, which can
itrahsaction. -
Mrs. Chapman :, ,ascribed her husbands
death to a variety Of causes. To some she
averred he had died from eating large
quantity Of chicken, to others she called the
meat beef, to others pork, to others veal. In
nine days after the death of mr.. Chapman,
she was married to Nina, and as soon as she
bee ame informed that suspicious were excit.
ed against her, without offering word ofex.
planation she promptly attempted to escape.
These are the points which the counsel for
the prosecution Informed the Jury they should
now proceed to prove.
Mrs. Chapman. trial Of this woman
Cor the alleged murder Of her husband, which
commenced at Doylestown on Monday the
18th of February, terminated on Saturday
night last. At 9 o'clock, the Judge finished
the delivery Of his charge, and at II. thsJu.
ry returned vrdicf of NOT GUILTY.
The evidence, which was Of a very CON
plicated nature, was examined with great
care by the Court and Counsel; and the
pleadings were ofa very spirited character.
The trial of Nina will come on at the next
court.--Philad. Gaz. FEB. 27.
| Odd. Con gress-1st Session.