Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-10-17
Case OF Poisoning az saeramento.

A named James Murdoch and his sister, Ju-
! liza Mason wife Of A. f. Mason, who resides in
or about MaIysvile) arrived in the city about nine
! o'clock on Saturday evening, accompanied by five
! children of Mrs. Mason. Receiving Information
that her husband would soon join her here she
! leased small frame building on the south of
street. between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and
moved in it with her family and brother yesterday
The brother relates that, just before sundOWn yes
terday they partoOk of a watermelon and in a short
time afterwards eat supper. After supper be and
Mrs Mason's oldest vent down the street, and
on their return he (AurdOch) bought three peaches
which he had purchased at a stand near the Father
Rhine House, opposite the public square He d-
vided two of the peaches equal between four of
the smallest children. OF the other peach he gave
one half to Mrs Mason, dividing The other half be
tween herself aud her eldest daughter. All eat the
portions given them. In about ten or fifteen min
utes afterwards Mrs Mason complained of sick
ness-nausea-but kept stirring abOut-made up
the bed on the floor and put the children to bed
Murdoch laid down on one Of the beds and soon sf.
forwards complained of being siok-said that his
tongue wa dry, etc. Shortly afterwards Mrs. Ma
son called him urgently fir m the porch for assist
ance. He went out Immediately, and she told him
she was going to die, and wished him to 60 for
DOCTOR He returned and dressed himself and start
ing out met Mrs. MasOns eldest daughter, who had
meantime been at the National Hotel adjacent, re-
turning with several ladies from that house Dr.
Oatman who was called, arrived there at eight o.
clock precisely. When he arrived, Immediately
af erwards Mrs Mason was taken with a spasm,
and exhibited other symptoms clearly indicating
that she had been poisoned by s'yrchnine.
Everything that was possible done for her,
without success-death resulting in thirty minutes.
Just before her decease Murdoch complained of ex-
cessive gripping of the bowels and nausea and ran
out several times to vomt but did not succeed I'm
mediately her decease. a powerful emetic was |
administered to him, followed by large doses of |
warm lard, which fUaly caused him to vomit. At |
this time, DR.. Nixon was also in at enhance, and |
the same treatment adopted as in the Of the |
deceased At III p. m. Murdoch was much better
considered wholly out of danger
II rumOred that the poisoning was caused by |
the eating Of the peaches; but the fact that neither
of the children were effected thereby and Murdoch
but slightly Of at ALL and the symptoms in Mrs
Mason,s clearly indicative of stry chnine
sufficient warrant entirely different conclusion
We understand that Murdoch came to this city in
1858, arriving the day of the burial of Mrs. Ma
sons first husband; that he and the deceased open
ed hotel or boarding house on L street, but being
unsuccessful removed soon afterwards to the Mo !
keumne where The purchased property. She mar
rivd subsequently,, and for some reason became es-
strauged from her husband Latterly they have |
been in correspondence, and, reunion being agreed
20, she disposed Of her property, and was on her
way to join him, above. This is certainly a case
that calls for close aud rigid investigation which
we hope it will receive from the Coroner. A post
norton examination viii be necessary to this end
and doubtless will be ordered The inquest, we I'M
desstand will be held at hafpast eight O'Clock this
morning, at the rooms of Mr.. Reeves, as above
Sac Union, 18Th Hh