Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-03-14
LABORATORY U. S. PATENT OFFICE,

STEINER settles the question as to the cause of
Dr. GARDENERS death:
LABORATORY U. S. PATENT OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, March, 10, 1854.
GENTLEMEN Having, in conformity with
your Instructions, instituted careful chemical
lnyeshgatlon of the contents of the stomach of
the late Dr. Geo. A. Gardiner, and also of the
powder found in his pockets, both submitted to
US by you on the 4th instant we hereby report
/ that In the stomach we have detected substances
atfordlng the chemical reactions characteristic of
strychnine and brucine; and, from the large por-
tons fthe contents of the stomach not yet com
Pleely analysed, we are convinced that these
vlrulent polsons are present in quantity more
man sufficient to have produced death
Inc powder found in the pocket of the de-
ceased has proved to be commercial strychnine,
4 Vr lchemiealy) mixture of that poison with
ofucne according to the tests for these alkaloids
as gwen by the most eminent toxcologists.-
he weight of this powder is ninety-five MILL
grammes.
We would also mention that we have found in
ne stomach several pieces of paper, one of which
was folded at the margin in the manner that
druggists wrap powders.
DANIEL BREED, NJ. ID.
~ ~ LEWIS II. STEINER,M. ID.
10 THOMAS WOODWARD, Coroner, and
lumbia W
Inc verdict rendered yesterday by the Jury of
Inquest is as follows:
1--WE of the opinion that Dr co--
Gardiner came to his death from strvchpine and
orucine, voluntarily taken after conviction and
sentence" '''>'
A writer in the New York Courier and En-
Iquirer says
lie was committed in August 1851, and after
year preparation he was tried, and so con-
mcti'9 was the evidence against him that the iu-
~ disagreed. The whole power of the govern
ment was arrayed against the accused. He new
er received the slightest assistance or encourage
ent from his distinguished counsel in the claim.
ney iett the law to its course. The Commits
81 Y:S' one OF them composed of lawyer employ
ou IN the prosecution and two associates. pro-
ceeded to Mexico to investigate the fact q ,p-
e,NhR refused to accompany the Commissions,
NJ some reason stated by him, but he went to
,oA'oo with one OF them, the invitation of the
ootefnment. 1t is alledged that an agent of his
Io'iheu the hrst Commission that he would show
:seI the mines claimed by GARDINERfor a spec
, uuo reward, but they declined the offer GARDI-
MEX returned from Mexico to the IT, S.
bay E;,i.aflly and in apparent security, after
tor,:6 .uiiy tested the power and the de-
termination of the prosecution. He had thus
We os ~ placed himself under the Jurisdiction
va .ne court before which he was arranged, when
coercion could possibly have compelled his at
Lon ice. And the second time he came to lis
rom the arms of his mother in distant land.
AMI g,e mas never been any explanation of this
on A = seeking for verdict of his countrymen
SELF e charges against him. except what he him.
ond baVe'. namely, that he knew he was innocent
or vas resolved to make his innocence appear,
1er Luz inc fearful consequences of failure. I'm
no obligation of honor to friend or foe for the
u winch he was recognized was portion Of