New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-09-25
TIE ALLEGh.D MURDER or MRS.
STE. 'HENS.
INVESTIGATION by COROs.% Tx CoNNERi.
EXAMINATION BEFORE JUSTICE WELSH

INVESTIGATION by COROn- IN ,oNNERi
EXaMSATIOS BEFORE JUSTICE WELSH
Coroner Ccnnerv proceeded to Bellevue nc.yt "a
Yesterday, accompanied BY the Misses Bell for h.
purpose Of commencing an investigation rs to the
cause of desth of M. Sophn stephens alleged
IVES murdered twelve months since BY her husband
The ladies' viewed the body and identified il as being
hat Of Mr. stephens, after which the corpse de-
-. red over to DR.. James X. Wood who forthwith
- led tn make post -norten examination in pre-
-. Professor Doremu-. Dr.. George W. Wool
- " |;ouley. Charles Phelps and other physi-
clans.
-. A. Go, h.,d -, ri brains, which were perfect
mass of decomposition. a. was removed from tn'
coffin without d.-nleInberInen> - "a' H'H' ~ Inc
touch and plump; very little Tn &C " d,' it'''''on
were visible. excerpt about the i:ss,> anu 'acei 10
external marks Of violence were obsYssb.e 'he an
terror portion of the body Of deep ;elc,f Color
WHERE the limbs were III contact, the color snn ap-
pearsnce of the flesh was natural. upon turning the
hodv over. the neck Was found to be soilened and
much decomposed; the posterior aspect of the body
otherwise was well preserved. Upon opening tho
cavity of the abdomen, considerable aIn0un, ot gas
eSealei: the abdominal yiscera vel preserved
the large intestine was nv. changed 1T all the great
omartum wa. loaded with fat. and several ounces of
clear oil were found free in the cavity of the perito
neum; the stomach and duoienum with tho cordac
extremity Of the former aud the lower
tremities tied. the right kidney and a por-
ton OF the right lobe Of the liver, with the
gall-badder attached placed in a jar b. them
selves without being brought in contact with any
other portion of the body. The nte-,nes were in ike
manner placed in another jar for further chemical
examination. The examination "a far as described.
was conducted without opening into the thorscic
cavity. On opening the thorax, the lungs were found
collapsed and both pleuretic cavities dry. The
breast and lungs preserved IL jar by them
selves Upon examining the head, 10 injuries to the
skull were Observed the brain collapsed and in q
state of extreme decomposition portion OF the brain
was likewise preserved for further examination.
All the internal organs placed in charge Of
Professor Doremus for analytical purposes. The
analysis will be completed speedily possible, but
it will take several days to ascertain beyond doubt
the presence of mineral poison.
On the lid of the coffin was silver plate bearing
ar inscription as follows: Sophia Stephens, died
Sept %, 1857, aged &c years" II i. rather singu
lar circumstance that the body should be disintsrred
exactly one year from the time she died.
Coroner Connery was busy yesterday afternoon in
hunting up and subpensing Witnesses and at 10 O'Clock
this morning he will impannel jury aud proceed with
the investigation at Bellevue Hospital. Among the
witnesses will be the Misses Bell, who preferred the
charge of murder against Mr.. stephens.