New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-14
A POISONING CASE IN OTSEGO.
A RESPECTABLE LADY ACCUSED.


Correspondence of Tho N. Y. Tribune.
MEDYoRD, Otsego Co., n. Y, July 10, 1860.
For the past four weeks, the hcCraney poisoning
case which occurred at Oreonta has created intense
excitement in this neghborhood.
The victim of the poisoning was Huldah Ann Nc.
Crarey, young lady of attractive personal appear
ance, of unusual beauty, indeed, sged at her death
about II years. She was girl Of most agreeable
manners, and possessing genial humor which en-
deared her to large circle of friends. On the 2Sth of
April, after slight illness physician was summoned,
and remedies were prescribed as for ordinary and
not serious disorder. The patient rapidly grew worse
till The lth Of May, and then died. She buried in
day or two but the suspeons of the neghbors caused
the body to be exhumei and a Coroners jury to be
summoned This consisted of Messrs. L. S. Osborn,
VIM. McCrum, T. Sabin, w. w. Fritts, Harvey Ba-
ker, E. B. Shove, Perry Bennett, NJ. B. Watkins, l.
II. Peters, p. Wright, and T. Mccall. An examine
ten as made by Drs. j. s. Sprague and Horace La
throp, jr of the Albany Medical College. The pres.
ence of arsenic was clearly shown.
The Jury held several long SESSIONS and examined
many witnesses, including several members of the fam
y of the deceased. At last on the ODD ult the fol-
lowing verdict was rendered:
"Tht Hudah Ann McCraney to her death by asencs
poison, and that such poison was gty and t0H'0uy admin
isered by the hand oil Elissbeth r. McCrshey
Elizabeth Z. McCraney, 90 unpeasanty brought "
the notice of the public. wss the spmother of the de-
ceased She is about so years of age, woman of
unusually brilliant, not to say dsshing, appearance,
showing that she once possessed rather remarkable
degree of beauty, the remains Of which still exist
Her features are clearly cut and the expression of her
mouth indicates great decision of character and un-
common executive ability. Her eye is sharp and PEN
4. rlrnIl
blance is seen between MIs. McCrsney and Mrs. Cum
ningham.
She was married to Mr.. McCraney early in 1859,
taking to bis house her own daughter, Lucia Baker.
Mr.. McCraney was her third husband her second,
Mr. Baker having died under rather peculiar crcum-
staHces 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 che is sad to be related to Aaron Burr.
She was one of the witnesses at the inquest and her
testimony was given in very calm and collective
manner though from some appearances the spectators
were led to believe that her selfpOssesson was as
sumcd, and maintained by severe effort Her second
husband. Mr. Baker, whose death was just now al
luded to- was resident Of this county, and the fact
adds TO the excitement prevailing in the community
Mrs. Mckinney has already stated that Huldah Nc
Crney is the seventh person she hss been accused OF
poeoning. She was conveyed to Jail on la.t Sunday
morning where she will remain till the time for her
trial. which will take place in December next. Evidence
hiss not vet been made public which points with much
carness 10 the motive for this last deed but the skein
viii probably be unraveled before long In the minds
OF those who know the accused, and who 50 her at
the inquest, there seems not to be shadow OF doubt
that she is guilty and guilty unnatural cruelty Tor
the testimony before the Coroner appeared to show
that she had daily administered poison while pretend
ing 10 nurse the daughter she was numbering