The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-06-30
Fearful Tragedy in Kentucky.


A Physician Aecasedof Forgery Attempts
to Poison the Prosecuting Attorney, and
not Succeeding, KaHs Himself
We published yesterday, an item from
the Henderson. KY, Commercial of last
week, in which it was briefly stated that
DR.. A. j. Morrison had been arrested for
an attempt at poisoning the Prosecuting
Attorney of that Judicial District. We
ind in the Evansville, Ind, Journal, of
Tuesday morning, detailed account of
the circumstances which led to the attemp.
ted crime, and the suicide of the disap-
pointed murderer.
DIR. Morrison, who had been for four
teen years highly respectable and suc-
cessful physician In the city Of Hender-
son, removed from thore last Autumn to
Springfield, Illinois. ID the adjustments
of his professional accounts he took notes
from Numerous persons; among otbers,one
from man for two dollars, which, when
presented some months after for payment,
bad grown to one for twenty two dollars.
The maker preferred the charge of forge
ry aud the Doctor was arrested and held
to bail in the sum of 5000 for his appear
ance at the recent term of the Court The
charge, though supported by the testi-
mony of creditable person, was scarce
y credited in the community. The Doc
tor in his long residence had won the es-
TEEN, respect, aud confidence, we under
stand, of the whole community. He was
sklllful physician. honorable and prompt
u his dealings, and an Intelligent and
intellectual gentleman. Moreover, be
had been emiuently successful. and had
accumulated fortune of sac, 900 and was,
therefore above suspicion.
In compliance with the condition of bis
bond, last week, he appeared in Court for
trial. He took lodgings at the same ho-
tel with Mr.. Arnold, the Prosecuting At
torney. 10 the morning be called one of
the black walters to bis room, and gave
him what appeared small piece OF mo-
lasses candy. aud told him to drop it into
Aruold's S cup of coffee. as he handed it to
him at the table. The negro professed
an assent to the request, but went to Ar
mold, aud told him what had occurred,
and gave him the substance. The Doc
tor was immed iately Suspected o! foul
design upon the life of the prosecuting
} attorney, and measures were taken to de-
D tect him. The negro was instructed to
D take part. He went back to Morrison
after breakfast, with word that Arnold
e had rejected coffee and taken tea after
the lotion was thrown into the coffee. A
) second drug was given to the negro to
put into a glass of milk; this the negro
pretended to do, and Arnold was after
e reported to be sick. During the day
: however, be appeared to have recovered,
and the Doctor was led to suppose the
: drug had failed of its effects.
z The Doctor then left Henderson. came
, uIsto this city, and purchased two large
s doses of corrosive sublima.e of drug
: gist, and returned Immediately to Hen-
: edrooD. During his absence, an aperture
f had been made through the partition ot
t bis room from an adjoining one, tbrough b
;. which all bis movements and words could
a DC seen and heard By witnesses who were
!, to watch him. On reaching the hotel, be
e went to bis room and again calling the
), negro, and giving him two doses of the
poison be bad brought from Evansville,
: instructed him bow to administer them to
: Arnold. The interview with the negro
1 was seen By persons in the adjoining room
= The Doctor was simmediately arrested, ex-
amined, and committed to Jail on Frid a J
J, night. During the night be had &c
changed in bis personal appearance as
scarcely to be recognized by his acquaint
j. ance of fourteen years standing. lie had
c grown cadaverous, his features haggard
= and sunken, and be was in a most violent
state of nervous excitement. He asked
e for n morphine, which was given him, and
; on Saturday night he begged to be fur
J nished with bottle of fliqnor. 1t was
e given him. On Sunday uorning he was
S found corpse in bis cell. He bad bro
ken the bottle, and with the pieces o
: glass had attempted to open an artery il
a his neck; failing there. be severed one il
: bis leg@. and bled to death
e On Monday morning, the remains oi
f the unhappy man passed through here OF
e theis way to his bereaved family il
! Spring field. As bis corpse passed up OF
the morning train, his wife and daughter
I warened By telegraph that be was il
: trouble. but ignorant of the terrible ca
e Iamity. passed hfm on their way to Hen
e derson. They did not probably learr
F.. their heart rendering bereavement til
they reached their former home.
Wealth Is the ore eatest hnmhn Of thf