The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-01

from the shop to the cellar was unfastened
the next morning, but this was nothing un,I-
sual; he frequently left il so
Cyr1ts WSihdnS, sworn--Saw the body of
Edward Mathews in the cellar; there were a
number present, and witness described its
position similar to that given by other wit
nesses, and also condition of dress, boots, &c
After he was taken out and laid on a plank,
examined wounds on head and u cut on the
| groin-body was then carried into the Hail.
was present at the examinations; saw the
stomach removed--Dr. Coolidge removed it.
The contents were put into a wash basin, and
given to DIR. Hayes. DR.. Hayes said it smell
strong Of brandy. 1t was set aside, and few
minutes afterwards Coolidge said we had bet
ter carry IL ont AS it would scent the ROOM
carried them down stairs and hid them be-
hind an old hogshead, where they remained
until the next morning, when Iremoved them
TO the ice house and locked them up. Some
time in the afternoon carried them and de-
ivered them to Professor LOOMS. DIR. Cool
idge was present when delivered the con-
tents to Loomis. The contents Of stomach
were under lock and key after they were put
into the ice-house, and l had the key.
| Professor LoomiS, sworn-I executed the
plans submitted to me. . f.
| received from Mr. Williams a bowl on
Saturday morning, containing Viscid or
semi fluid substance. Several were present,
and il was in room in Williams Hotel. 1
took it down the stairs 10 go to my Laboratory,
but either at the foot ofthe stairs or on the
platform, DIR. Plaisted proposed TO put it into
a bottle for convenience.
lie took it and we went together to his
shop. turned it into a bottle, ard we went
to DIR. Boutelle's office, where called for
hnnk TIL. h,,ftIa al IN,
sion or sight all the time. We then went to
my laboratory to analyze it, to ascertain if it
contained poison. My plan was to test to
discover some of the volatile poison. Prussic
acid is the most volatile poison known, and
therefore proceeded to test for that ! first
strained the substance through cloth. The
fluid portion was subjected to heat 10 obtain
n portion of it in a transparent state. The
vnpor which came over it was condenSed.-
This condensed liquid, amounting to about
haitian ounce, was tested for prussic acid
A previous preliminary test of the same fluid
rather indicated the presence of prussic uc-
id. This was done by placing u portion of
the matter upon paper and applying a chem
ical test.
This test produced blue color, which in
Dictated Prussic acid. This was before get
ling any portion distilled. The distilled liquid
Iseparated into three parts-one portion ]
added n small quantity of solution of caustic
of potassi--then solution of sulphate of iron,
and finally drop or two of sulphuric acid:
when the POTASH was added there was no
change--when the sulPhate ofiron was add
ed there was change, showing turbid state
when the sulphuric acid was added it pro-
duced deep blue color, indicating prussic
acid. ..I- lad.
A second portion tested as follows-1st.
with q solution of caustic potassi-2d. solution
of sulphate of copper--3d. muriatic acid, &,
this testsgave Indication of prussic acid
The third portion was treated with nitrate
ofsilver which gave at once white curdy
precipitate. The white precipitate is produc
ed by several other substances besides prussic
acid; but am not aware ofany other sub
stance which will produce that peculiar cur
DIV preci2jtate. This was then dried, placed
i'm retort, subjected to heat, and lamp APP
piled to the beak of the retort. If pruss;c
acid had been present in sufficient quantity
as that the gass produced had filed the retort
and escaped it would have iguited and pro-
duced peach-blow colored fame which /
failed 10 get. .al 90 -at.l
Afterwards distilled another large portion.
On Monday evening washed solid portion
left in cloth, and again strained and added
the fluid to the retort-distilled over another
portion Of clear liquid. treated the whole
Of this with nitrate of silver producing the
same white curdy precipitate, but less dense.
although larger quantity --dried-placed i'll Il
much smaller retort--subi ectedto heat-and
u fame passed by the aperture of retort so
that if any infammable gas escaped it would
ignite. Ignition was produced, and produced
a peach-blow colored flame. This fame
would be produced by the gas only which is
the basis Of prussic acid. These are the or
binary andapproved tests.
On Sunday was present at post mortem
examination, after the body had been once
examined. We examined the brain in order
to detect any peculiar smell. do not feel
satisfied that discovered any thing to lead
me TO any definite conclusion from that
stomach more infiamed thnn in natural state
blood in fluid state as far as ] observed,
although did not particularly examine the
arteriaI blood or the vessels-liver darker than
in natural condition-lungs were of very
dark blue color except very small portion
at the lower point. The anterior surface was
more uniformly blue than the surface adjacent
to the spine. This discoloration extended to
the substance oflungs. On Monday there
was further examination of brain, kidney,
liver and spleen-spleen very much softened
and very dark-kidney opened and Judged
il to be in natural state--brain at this time
softened, and blood vessels not SO tull---inside
appearing almost white. Iperformed none
of these dissections myself When the tho
rax was opened j detected peculiar odor
which resembled the odor which i frequent
ly caught while Analysing the stomach.
have no doubt now that it was the odor of
prussic acid. ] have since frequently wit
IL ,fr on amin