Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-18

HorribIc- Poisoning Case in New YorI-A
Step uother Accused of Numbering her
Daughter. " Di~ ra.
"A correspondent Of the New York Tribune
thus writes from. m..Medford, N. Y, on the 10th
b. For the past four weeks, the McCraney
poisoning case, which occurred at Oneonta,
has created an intense excitement in this
neighborhood.
The victim of the poisoning was Huldah
Ann McCrauey, "a young lady of attractive
deed, aged at her death about seventeen
years. She was girl Of most agreeable man
ners, and possessing a genial humor which
endeared her TO large circle OF friends. On
the 28th of April after a slight illness a
physician was summoned, and remedies were
prescribed as for an ordinary and not serious
disorder. The patient rapidly grew worse
till the llth of May, and then died. She was
buried in day or two, but the suspicious OF
the neighbors caused the body to be exhumed
and Coroner's jury 10 be summoned.
The Jury held several long sessions and
examined many witnesses, including several
members Of the family of the deceased. At
last, on the 23d ult. the following verdict
| was rendered:
"That Huldah Ann McCraney came to her
| death by arsenical poison, and that such
poison was tDilLtiiIly aud feIoniously admins
| tered by the hand of Elizabeth P. McCraney."
Elizabeth P. McCraney, so dnpleasantly
brought to the notice Of the public, was the
step-mother of the deceased. She is about
| fifty years of age, a woman Of unusually
| brilliant, not to say dashing, appearance,
| showing that she once possessed rather re-
| markable degree of beauty the remains Of
which still exist. Her features are clearly
cut and the expression Of her mouth indi-
Gates great decision of character and uucom-
non executive ability. Her eye is sharp and
penetrating. BY many, distinct and re-
narkable resemblance is seen between Mrs.
McCraney and Mrs. Cunningham.
She was married to Mr.. McCraney early
in 1852 taking 10 his house her own daughter,
Lucia Baker. Mr.. McCraney was her third
husband, her second, Mr.. Baker, having died
under rather peculiar circumstances. Of her
previous history very little is now known.
Her father is Methodist preacher, residing
| IN Wisconsin, at Prairie du CHEN. On her
mothers side she is said to be related to
| Aaron Burr -. .f. ..-. ..t aFr
She was one of the witnesses at the inquest
and her testimony was given in very calm
and collective manner, though from some ap.
pearances the spectators were led to believe
that her self-possession was assumed, anC
maintained by a severe effort. Her second
husband, Mr. Baker, whose death was just
now alluded to, was q resident of this county
and the fact adds to the excitement prevail
ing in the community. -, .,l, .....,.
Mrs. McOraney has already stated that
IIuldah McOra uey is the seventh person she
has been ac used of poisoning She wal
conveyed to Jail on last Sunday morning
where she III remain till the time of heI
trial. which will take place in December
next. Evidence has not yet been made pub
lie which points with much cearness TO tn,
motive for this last deed, but the skein will
probably be unraveed before long. In the
minds of those who know the accused, ant
not shadow of doubt that she is guilty, ant
guilty Of unnatural cruelty; for the testi
nony before the Coroner appeared to show
that she had daily administered poison while
pretending to nurse the daughter she wa
| murderinV -.... .... a