The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-16

first to the body having beer found. The feet
were out of the door-thinks both feet were
out. The body remained i'll the shed some
tlme-witness did not remain-does not know
that any one did. Does not know who called
the physicians in at the examination. The
constable was Simeon Keith. The hogshead
in the shed lay on an out door sink-the hogs
head was used to haul water in. Witness
placed the wash bowl between the hogshead
and an iron poland set basket between the
dish and the door. This shed is roof mere
ly to protect the back door from the rain
The wood shed is beyond the open shed, and
those who get wood pass by the hogshead.-
Did not discover any appearance of the basin
having been removed when he found it the
next mornng-there was no covering over it.
1t was an earthen basin, glazed on the inside.
Does not recollec. whether it stood in the hall
or in one of the bed rooms when he got it
thinks it was in the hall. DIR. Coolidge has
been boarder with witness about four years
ever since he has been in town. His prac-
tice has been extensive-has paid attention to
his business-d does not know anything but his
general character and standing in society have
been good-has been physician in witness
family. Was not acquainted with him prev
iously, Does not know that the removal of
the contents of the stomach was generally
spoken of. Thinks he showed Mr.. Boutelle
the place where he had placed the wash bowl
after it had been removed to the ice house.
Direct resoned.-The position of the locali-
ties on the plan by Prof. LOOMS is correct
No one had accese to the passage from back Of
house but the family, but it was open to the
back yard. The hogshead was between the
passage way and the contents of the stomach.
he wash bowl was glazed white on the in
| side-not old enough to be damaged, though
worn some.
Prof. Loomis sworn. Ident; fed the plans of
the PREMISES and localities as having been
made by him. The wash bowl if it was plac-
ed as stated by Mr.. Williams, would be nearly
surrounded by the wall of the shed, the hogs
head, iron kettle and basket. On Saturday
tuorning, Oct. I'd, about 9 o'clock, witness re-
ceived from Mr.. Williams white earthen
wash bowl containing viscid or semi-Auid
substance. Docts Thayer and Plaisted were
there, and witness thinks Mr. Eben Shaw 1t
was in the passage near Williams hall. Took
it down stairs, and at the foot of the stairs or
on the platform DR.. Plaisted proposed to put
the substance in bottle. Dr. P. took the
bowl and we went to his Office, and we put
the contents of the bowl in bottle. Called
at the Office of DIR. Boutelle to get book
which was needed. The bowl was an ordinary
white wash bowl. Does not recollect wheth-
er plain or figured. 1t was left in DIR. Plais-
ted's Office. The bottle was in witness sight
all the time, and most Of the time in his
hands. Witness was requested to examine it
to see whether it contained poison, without
referring to any particular substance. Found
plan Of procedure, by which he proposed to
test it so as to ascertain first as to the more
volatile poisons. The most volatile is prussic
acid-therefore it was searched for first. He
strained the substance through linen cloth,
leaving the solid parts in the cloth. The fluid
was placed in a retort. and heated, and the va
per condensed. Previously small part Of
the fluid was taken on a piece of paper, and a
drop of the solution of pure potassium, drop
of the solution of snlphate of iron and drop
of sulphuric acid put on the paper-this gave
blue color as far as it spread. 1t indicated
the presencs of prussic acid, though not with
positive certainty. Witness then took the dis
titled portion and divided it into three parts.
To one portion he added small quantity of
potassium, then a solution of sulphate of iron.
and drop of sulphuric or muriatic acid (does
not recollect which,. The potassium produc-
ed no eifect-the sulphate of iron showed q
turbid yellow-the acid showed a deep blue
color. This indicated prussic acid. The Sec
ond portion was tested with potassium, sui
phate of eopper-then with muriatic acid
The effort OF the potassium, OF sulphate OF
copper was much as before; but when the
acid was applied, it produced white color.
partially clouded which soon subsidized. This
too, indicated prussic acid. The third portion
was tested with nitrate of silver-it gave
white cprdled precipitate. This white precip-
itate would be produced by prussic acid and
by several other substances-but nothing but
prussic acid would produce the curdy appear
ance. This precipitatate was dried, heated,
and lamp applied to the retert. If there
had been pure acid sufficient to fill the re-
tort with cyanity, it would have produced
a peach colored fame, which in this case
was not obtained.