The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-08-03
LATEST MAIL NEWS.
Icorrsmondenee ID ,he Dlspa,ch. |

IC0rgegponde ace OF tHc btsfhfSaj
LrxrsGroN, Va, July 3lst. 1854.
NJ Editor Ora Jordan and Estill, and Ma.
/, or GiIham Professor OF Chefnistry in the Military
iasitute returned to this place late last night from
coving,on, where they bad goue for the purpose Of
attending post morfem examination OF Miss Pharr,
whose death took place 10 the month of March last
Rumors had been rife In the community, and had
found their way into the public priuts, that sue
came to her death by foul at the hands OF her
physician, DIR. Thompson. TO whom she was said 10
be engaged. These had become 50 common thet
Dr. t. 10 order to viudcate himself instituted suits
against several prominent citizens OF Covngton for
SANDER LAYING his damages at high amount. The
defendants In order to relieve themselves, deter
mi,ed upon an examination, and at their instance
the Coroner summoned jury OF inquest, and Sc
yersl physicians from distance 10 vited to be
present on Saturday last; the time fixed for the
inquest, OF whom Drs. Jordan and Estill of this
place and Dr. woodson OF Fincsstle. (,he latter at
the instance of Dr. T were in attendance. Major
Gillian was also present to submit 10 a chemits al
analysis the contents of the'stomach.
On Saturday morning they repaired to the place
of burial and took up the body, which was recog-
nzed by several witnesses, and conveyed il to
room near at hand. All were required 10 leave the
room except the pby sicians and Maj g., though DR..
T. said to have done so with great reluctance The
body, though somewhat decayed and very much
blsckened, was still in remarkable state Of pre-
servstiop. upea examination she discovered
TO have been eReiente, as had been suspected
fntus about five months old being found in the ute
rus. They next examined the stomach and found
IL to be entire. twas taken out and placed in the
possession of Major Gilman, who will leave here in
day or two for some of the Northern cities in
der to have the assistance of experienced chem.
let In submitting to the chemical tests It Is very
doubtful whether they will be able to discover any
thing, ss strychnine, the agent supposed TO have
been used disuses itself very rapidly through the
system, and is very difficult to detect at any time
and much more so after four or five months shall
have elapsed.
After completing the examination they repaired
TO the hotel, where after consultation, they com
municated the result of the investigation 10 William
Skeen, Esq, the attorney for the commonwealth
and one OF Thompson counsel in the SANDER suits,
who Immediately had warrant issued, and Dr.. l.
taken into custody The jury then met in the court
house, and after hearing the testimony of the ply
scians and other witnesses, adjourned until this
morning. large crowd in attendance, and
manifested great interest in the proceedings DIR.
T manifested considerable anxiety during the ex.
animation, but appeared perfectly composed after
his arrest
Such are the facts as gathered them from those
who present. Whether he be guilty not re-
ruaps TO be determined. If he be guilty of what is
alleged against him he has upon his head the most
horrible crimes that can be conceived, seduction
and double murder the seduction and murder OF
his betrothed, and the murder OF his own unborn
offspring. OF his guilt or innocence we express no
opinion it would be improper, the matter hav-
ing to undergo judicial investigation We can
scarcely believe, however, that any human being
be guilty of crimes of such enormity as is
laid at his door