Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-06-13

" THE PoIsoYISG CAsEs.-We learn
from the Danville papers that on Monday of
last week, Coroner Haas, and the juries sum-
moned in the two poisoning cases at Danvile
met at the Court House. DR.. Simngton
testified TO the finding of arsenic in both sto-
machs, and to the fact that the death of Da-
vid Twiggs and Mrs Clark was caused by
poison. Curtis Herrington, Clerk in Chal-
fant & Hughes Drug Store, testified to SELL
ing arsenic to w. J. Clark, and Robert Nc
Carly testified 10 selling arsenic to Mrs
Twiggs.
The verdict Of the juries were that the
deaths were caused by poison, supposed to
have been administered by Mrs. Twiggs and
w. j. Clark Upon this verdict, both pri-
soners were committed for trial. There was
u large attendance at the Court House to
hear the evidence. The following is sketch
of the suspected murderers:
civilian John Clark was born in the town
of Morass. in Donegal county, in the North
ern part of Ireland, on the lst day Of August
lSGI, and is, therefore, only ~ years Of age.
His parents, one Of whom This father) is still
living and resides in Sugar Creek township,
Armstrong county, in this State, belonged to
the Presbyterian Church, in which persuasion
the prisoner was brought up. In the spring
of 1851, he came to this country, his parents
having gone before him about two years, and
landed in New York, where he worked at q
brickyard during the early part of the sum.
mcr In the fall he went to Philadelphia,
drove cart for Thomas Bronson, coal mer.
chant on Broad street, and married his late
wife (who was poisoned,l on the 9th of Au-
gust, 1851. With her he had three children,
two of whom are dead. The eldest, now
about years old, is still living, and in charge
Of his brother Henry Clark, in the City Of
Philadelphia.
In March, 1852, he went to Armstrong
county and Worked at the Rolling Mill OF
Brown, Philips x Co., at X kittaning. where he
remained for about two years and three
months, and then returned TO Philadelphia
residing there for about two years again, part
Of which time he worked as puddler at the
Kensington Iron Works On the l4th No.
veniber, 1885, he came to Danville and was
employed at the Montour Rolling Mill as a
puddler, where he has worked ever since
He has three brothers who are living Phila.
delphia.
In stature Clark is about feet or 6 in.
ches in height has dark luxuriant crop Of
hair, heavy black eyebrows, very low forehead
small mouth black eyes, and pale though
fair complexion He is rather intelligent
wears downcast look, and has hitherto
borne good character ns far as we can
learn. lie was prominent member Of the
Protestant Association of this place. re
the charge laid against him, he pleads inro
cence.
Mary Twiggs, the other prisoner, whose
maiden name was McClintock, was born il
ireland, Ct Protestant parents about one
half-mile from the town of Conway and is now
- years of age She arrived in this country
on the 18th Of July, 1850, resided for several
! years in Philadelphia, and lived in Dauvlle
! since August, 1856. She was married to hel
late husband David Twiggs, before she cam,
! to America, and had four children, two o
whom are dead, and two still living with her
father and brother who reside in Rudys ad
dition to the borough of Danville. She is O.
a medium height, has black hair, low flat
! forehead, blue eyes, coarse features, and tol
cradle fair complexion. She seems to be ra
ther Indifferent as to the charge made agans,
her, protesting innocence, and processes to be
! enciente.