Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-19
Mrs. Kinney-.Poison.

1t is no doubt, a matter Of some surprise to many
alter all that has been publisheda.er what discio
against the unfortunate prsoner-aier so many hun
drcds OF columns have been occupied in the news
papers to crafty the excited public with whatever
triipg matter that could possibly be tortured into
any kind oil interest latter all this it may be con-
sidered surprising that any thing can be brought
to light-but il is less true. The public have
yet seen bat one side Of the picture-they rave
been made TO sup full Of horrorsof tales Of blood
and guilt-Mrs Kinney has been represented as
devil manufacturing more sins at her back than
ever possessed Satan himself. Before the dea h OF
Mr.. Kinney one denied her responsibility or ho-
nesty She had opened large millinery in Brom-
field street, and by her strict attention to business
and good standing, she gaining for herself and
family handsome living-nany OF the most essec-
table and wealthy families in tho city were her
| constant patrons MIR. Kinney died, and circum-
stances led to the belief that his death occasion
ed by poison. Then the scene changed Mrs Kin
ney was charged with administering the poison.
The work Of public condemnation did not end here.
She was not only charged with poisoning Mr.. Kin
ney, but with poisoning all her other husbands, and
her husbands fathers; and some even went so far as
| toaceuse her of poisoning grandfather Of one OF
| her husbands. The box Of Pandora was emptied
| upon her head; the public were made to believe
that destructiveness was the ruling fac uy in her
miad-that Richard could not exceed her In cruelty
that the crimes OF Lucretia Borgia or Madame
Lafarge, the poissner Of France, were nothing in
comparison to hersin short that her only prototype
was the famous "Wifc Of Seven Husbands" who
destroyed six of them by pouring hot lead into their
ears Not single redeeming trait has been disco
vered, not solitary virtue been made manifest
Let us now review very briefy the life of Mrs. Kin
ney: she born in New Portland, Me-. her maiden
name was Hannah Hanson. Her parents were in
excellent circumstances, and highly respected. At
the age Of eighteen Hannah Hanson was remarkably
beautiful and pshed-shs the belle Of the
village. In early life she formed attachment for
Enoch w. Freeman, who resided in an adjoining
town-that gentleman paid his addresses to her and
he towns people all believed that the young couple
woud make match oft. Mr. Freeman was then
study ing for the ministry, and in compliance with
the wishes Of his parents, he was removed TO a
his studies. This circumstance broke off for some
time all verbal intercourse between the parties,
though it did not prevent frequent interchange OF
feeling BY letter II we may judge from one # the
Freeman must have felt the truth Of the common
adage:
otis distance lends epchantmcnt to the view.''
For his VOWS Of love and consistency were more
rvent than ninetcnths of the billetdoux that have
fallen under our observation In the absence Of MIR.
Freeman, another lover presented himself TO the eye
of Miss HaRsOn-no less q person than Mr.. Ward
Withum, wealthy tanHerof Dover, Me. He was
received with some favor by Miss Hanson, and still
more SO by her PARENTS who promised to unite with
him in winning her heart. The parental influence
and the circumstances OF wealth and pectabity
| OF the lever succeeded, and Miss Hanson after o
moderate courtship changed her name to Mrs Ward
Wthum. She lived with her husband in Dover for
seven yea ., and by hin had three children who are
now living, one daughter, a very beautiful girl,
amiable in department and highly accomplished
Mr.. Withum became embarrassed in business, and
variety Of circums tances which will not be prope
here to detail, occasienea a family feud, AMI MIR.
w. came to Boston. For some time no tidiRgs were
gained Of him, Mrs. Withsm then removed with her
children to Boston; here she learnt important
| and "unwritten" facts, which cccasioned a final
| separation from her husband.
In 1882 she came to board in the house Of Mr.. G.
| Knapp, where she first saw Mr.. Kinney, and being
thrown on her own resources for the support Of
herself and children, she learnt the trade OF a tai
loress. Her brother, then residing at Lowell, was
| taken sick. and sent for her She went in company
with Mr.. Kinney. On her first visit to Lowell hei
brother Informed her that her cousin, Enoch Free
man, was settled minister in Lowell, and tina: h
| had expressed great desire TO see her. Mrs. Wi
taum lost time IN calling upon the Rev. Mr.. Free
man, aud readers may well suppose, this steJ
led to renewal Of all their former friendship and az
lection. The fire OF love, though years had elapsed
was still warm, and the remembrance Of past asso
Citations, easily rekindled the flame.
| After this interview, Mrs. Wnhum returned Z,
| Boston with MIR. Kinney, but there was now a load
stone at Lowell which attracted her thither. Mr.
| Kinney often accompanied her, but he was NOT
| aware how powerful rival he had to encounter
that ofa TIRsr Lows. Not many months elapsed be
fore Mrs. Witham became the wife elect Of the
Rev Mr. Freeman, having obtained a divorce from
| her first husband.
After her marriage with Mr.. Freeman, Mr.. Kin.
ney eften visited them and he was looked upon as
| friend Of the family. They lived very happily to.
gether for about year, when Mr.. Freeman died.
Some months subsequent to this, Mrs. Freeman
came to Boston aud established herself in bus,ne,
| in Breomield street. Mr. Kinney exhibited towards
her every friendship which genually ri pened into
love, and after living q widow for two years, she
married him. She lived with him little moro than
year to all appearances happily, when he died. :
What followed his death has already been before the
| public.
In concluding our brief and imperfect sLstsh,
we shall advert to one or two important 4, IS
growing out Of the main charge preferred az ainst
Mrs. Kinney.
Our readers will recoect that at the early stage Of
| this exciting case, Mrs Kinney was directly and In
directly accused OF poisoning the Rev. Mr. Freeman
and 20 satisfy the public mind upon the subject, IL
was thought proper that his body should be disia
tered bat there has beon evidence that his death
| was occssioned by poison.
| Mrs. Kinney has been also accused OF attempting
| to poison her frat husband, Mr.. Wthum, and this
Dame with her million tongues, says was the
cause OF their separation. Tose,te this question
letter sont TO Mr.. Withnm, who now resides al
bangor, and in hisprompt reply he denies positively
| this charge.
Mrs. Kinney has also been accused Of poisonin,
| the father of MIR Freeman. To satisfy the publ
mind letter was sent to a brother Of Mr.. Frscnan
| Of Mnot, Me, and the following is a copy Of the
letter eontainin Z his answer g.
| Mssr, Sept, lo,h, Isae.
Drs sm-I received yours Of the Sin inst You write
that stories have been in Giro uaton that Mrs Ksnncy
poisoned my father while on visit 10 Minot Ism swar,
that the report in relation 10 my father is entirely false
with him in his last sickness ne taken sick be
fore Mrs Ksnnsy and my brother arrived at his house
| the family with him.
| I am, very respe ,tfully, your obsiient servant
| Minot Ne. ABBA g. FREEMAN
| Bat the most important faet-the grand turnins
! point IN the ease yet remains TO be told-we do MOI
deem Il prudent 10 give IL publicity to-dsywe ma,
| do 81 In another publication Among the many no
liabilities in favor Of the innocence Of the accused
and Of truth and justice, this 10 the strong test
| Boston Herald
| Latest from Texas.
| The fast running steam packet Neptune, Captain
Rollins, arrived yesterday morning from Galvest on
The ". brings Houston dates 10 the ID inst. ans
| Galveston 20 the 81
The Au,,in City Gazette confirms the secoun'