The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-04
LOCAL MATTERS.

IHE CASE OF POtsDNIN6.-Ihe ne conunued case
OF Phillis, slave in the employ of Patrick H. But
ler who stands charged with attempting to kill
son of Mr. BIS, aged i've years. by poisoning him on
Monday morning last, came up before his Homer
on yesterday. From the testimony of Mr.. Butler,
it appears that Phi,lis had lately become so nso-
lent and abusive towards his wife, tn At he had 10
whip her two three times and finally sent her to
Jail for correction, about week since. Since her
return home, she had been unusually sulen, treat
ing the little boy in partcular-whOm she had al
ways appeared to dislike-in harsh manner. We
will now give the evidence of Mrs. Ann Butler,
the childs mother, which gives history of the
murderous act Mrs. B. stated to the Mayor on
yesterday, that she had been ordered morphine in
solution, by the doctor, and had taken about tea
spoonful out of an ounce viol oft, leaving the
| mainder on a mantle-piece in the child's ROOM
Monday morning, between and o'clock, she
went up into the room and found the morphine
bottle on the mantle piece with the cork out and
entirely empty. There wasa tumbler on the man.
de-piece empty, containing spoon with a lit.
tie morphine in the bowl oft Her son had went
to bed in good health the night previous. He told
her Monday morning, when she found the bottle
empty, he felt sick, and she went down stairs to
procure some brandy a medicine. While re-
turning, she met him coming down stairs appa
rently quite sick Soon after he commenced foam
ing at the mouth, and was affected spasmod c4y
when she sent immediately for DR.. Conway From
the child's appearance, the Doctor judged tnat ne
had been taking some morphine other narcotic,
and asked Mrs B. il this not the case. Mrs. B.
Immediately procured the empty vial and tumbler,
hat bnra ~, ;il,-
| room, PhiIlis had uashed the tuxbIer and spoon
etean SO as to tedre no trace Of morphine upon them.
Dr.. c. perceiving that there was every symptom
apparent of the chids having been poisoned i'm.
rnedately applied the proper restoratives, and in
an hours time-assisted by DR. rfHaxa-suoceeded
in clearing off from the stomach of the child the
poison, and in rescuing him from his death strug-
gle. The boy is siil weak and languid necessarily
though improving. Mrs. B. further stated that on
asking Phillis how the morphine bottle came to be
empty, she replied that probably Mr.. B. had thrown
the morphine cut. The boy recollected waking up
in the morning and asking Phillis for drink of
water, and she gave him one. He said that the
drink acGS sour. (The acid mixed with the NOR
phine would have given it pungent tiavor9
portion OF the contents thrown off the childs
stomach was given Professor Maupin Tuesday
for analyzation. DR.. Conway remarked on yester-
day that Professor NJ had stated that, owing to the
different irritant medicines applied to the stomach
and throat relieve the child it would be impossi.
bic for him to say positively that poison had been
taken by the child. He would give his opinion,
judging from the analysis however, this morning
The different medicinal restoratiyes taken by the
child rendered it matter of great difficuty-es-
pecially when the morphine was in solation-to de-
ermine IS to the presence of any poison. 1t was
DR.. C's opinion, however, judging from the con.
vulsions and stupor of the child, aud other strong
manifestations always attendant upon taking an
over dose OF some powerful narcotic, that he had
| taken the poison. From Mrs. BIS statement, he
said there was evidently remaining in the vial three
| quarters of grain of morphine, and half grain
would be sufficient to kill child five years of age
! Halt grain OF morphine equivalent to two
grains OF opium or fifty drops of laudanum. The
child had thus taken aporon equivalent in strength
| to seveDty.hve drops of laudanum. The case was
| further continued until this morning, in order to
allow the introduction of DR.. Maupn's testimony
respecting his analysis.
| The circumstantial evidence of the commission
of this diaboicai act by Phillis, is very strong.
The fact that Mrs. B., ON first going to her boy,
found the bottle of morphine empty, and portion
| OF its contents in spoon and tumbler, and that
soon after, when the Doctor enquired as to whether
he had not been taking morphine-it was found
| that Phillis had carefully cleaned the tumber and
spoon-was certainly strong indication that Phil.
lis had been seeking to hide her guilt hen the
previous good health OF the boy and her antipathy
towards MIN, because of his often plsyfuly teazng
| her, together with his statement that Phillis
had given him water that tasted sour-the empty
morphine bottle and the evidences of poisoning on
the chids part, all go to prove the cupabiliry of
! Phils and her murderous intent 1t is to be hoped
that Philis will receive the fullest measure of pun
ishment for her hendish offence prescribed by law
Let there be no more combinations to invite to re
beilion and murder our slave population.
| SONS OF TEMPERANCE JUBILRE.-Full particu.
lars of the order of proceedings in this great de-
| monstration will be seen in our advertising col.
urnns The city is thronged with visiting teetotalers
and the procession will undoubtedly be a magnif.
| cent one. The National Grand Division were in
session yesterday, at Bosher's Hall, some seventy
| heino in attendance Sauoa of tho ,S,o.,