New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-11
A MODERN BORGIA.
London. FEB. "A. 1853.

A correspondent Of The News furnishes the follow
fpg particulars in regard to the atrocities of Mrs,
Phebe Westlake.
Mrs. Phebe Westlake formerly Of Ulster County,
whose maiden name was Irwin, aged about 45 years,
died at Chester, in Orange County n Y, the 9TH
int doubt from the effect of poison taken for the
purpose Of selfdestruction
Pbebe had lived in Chester ten or twelve years. She
was industrious, and knew how TO do ell kinds OF
wonsns work. and able and willing to do it WELL
Wiihsl che professedy pious. She gained friends
in the beet families 10 Chester and when any of them
needed help they thought it loss if they could not
get Phebe
About twenty years ago, we hear, her husband died
suddenly paper OF arsenic was found in his pocket
and upon POSTING examination arsenic was
found in his stomach. 1t was supposed he hal COM
mitted sEicde, and no further action or inquiry was
had
-Four or FIVE years ago, Mr.. Pelser, who kept hotel
In Chester, died of eryspelas. He was widower,
and lad but one daughter at home, noble young wO-
man, who before that time had been afanced to Mr..
Hiram Colwell, wealthy and respectable drover well
known In Orange County. She and her fathers as
stant Mr. Heard thought it best to secure Phebe as
cook In the hotel, and they did So Shortly after
lhebe came there, Miss Peser was taken sick with
strange disease that her physician could not un
derstand. Her only sister, and her husband, Mr.
CLARK, were sent for and came from the South, and
took The management of Mr.. Pelser's business and
property at Chester. From that time Phebe was left
mainly to and for the sick and dying Miss
Pelser She fingered and died under circumstances to
lnQuCe strange suspicious, DuJ no one suspected
faithful nurse, Phebe. About the time of her death
air. Cclwtn received afectionate letter, while he
was at the West bringing cattle, puporting to come
fom Miss Pelser, but at time when 1t is known she
could not wIte, requesting him, among other things,
10 remember Phebe for her kindness to Miss Peser.
Last Fall Phebe az employed as domestic in the
house Of John b. Tuthil respectable merchant OF
Chester in view of the prospective confinement OF his
wife, wbo was the only daughter of the late FRANCIS
1nthin, esQ-lttle Martha, as all who knew her, aud
many knew and loved her-caed her. She was con-
fined; her babe never knew life. Some unusual symp'
toms after ded her case. DR.. Smith, her physician,
sad they indie sed poison; but yet they might be the
commissions which sometimes attended parturition.
Phebe was her nurse and she could not be suspected
Msrths died, and
blossom and bough lie wtherei n blight"
Mr.. John b. Tuthils family being thus broken up
for little Martha was all he had-he went to board
with his brother and partner in business Mr. Charles
s. Tuthil and Phebe was duly transferred TO that
estsbl shm emit as cook and maid of all work.
On the LIST of April last, Mr.. Fuller, clerk in the
Tuths store took possession of Mr.. John Is. Tuthi 9
house under an arrangement that Mr.. John b. Tuthil
was to board with him. Mr.. Fuller had no family but
his wife. Phebe was thus thrown out of employment,
but still ste was retained temporarily between Mr..
Tuthils aid Mr.. Fuler's. Phebe did many acts Of
kindness for both Mrs. Tuhll and Mrs. Fuller ana
carried delicacies 20 and from them.
On the 9Th day of April last Mr.. Fuller had provide
were not all eaten at dinner. Phebe was at Mr..
Fulers After tea, and after Mr.. Fuller had gone to
his business, ste suggested to Mrs. Fuller that the
corn and beans might spoil, and they might as we'll
eat the little there left. Mrs. Fuller consented,
aud Pbebe brought up two small plates Of corn and
Jams one of which she ate herself, and the other
Mr. Fuller ate. That evening Mrs. Fuller taken
sick, with symptoms indicating poison; She died
shortly after No one could be suspected Her hus
band loved her. lie had no one else to love. Phebe
was kind obging assiduous and aflectonate, and re-
manned by Mrs. Fuller to the end Who could sus
pect her IN, ;, BON.
porsrilv at Mr. Charles s. Tuthil's, where both the
bo,htis were par force brought into the iamiiy
Some ten or twelve days ago botn the Tuths and tht
vile Of Mr. Charl s., also Mrs. Derrlck-an lrisi
woman with whose husband Phebe had had had some
difficulty about portersge-were taken sick with symp
toms nearly akin t. those of Miss Pelser, little Marths
and Mrs. Fuller. Ibeyl1ave been all treated on Ia,
by potht sis of poison. The brothers Lutni are GU
about their business Mrs. Charles ). lutnlli IL dont
well aad Mrs. Derrick is still dangerously III.
Suspicious began to thi;ken about Phebe. Las'
Mondsy she was taken violently Ill with the same
symptoms. On Friday morning she died. In her las
neopies che said, "She had spnukled TIL
.Tserc ON John b. Tuthill toast that she knew Their
was poison on the window sill here his soup sat
and Il mig hit have blown I'M AMI that she sprinkled
little arsenic on Mrs Fulers corn and beans and fur
ther ssid rot. The grave has closed over Phebe an'
her yc,ims No more of the facts will probably eve
h. knoyo Her motives must be left To conjecture
md IMAGINATION must I'LL up the table OF horrors