Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-14
Conclusion of the Greble Poisoning Case.

Conclusion of the Greble Poisoning Case.
On Saturday afternoon, in the Police
Court, the trial of Joseph Greble, for poison
ing his wife, was concluded. On the part of
the prosecution Mrs. Broom, sister of Mrs.
Greble, was first examined. She testified
that she tasted the glass of water mentioned
by the preceding witness, DR.. Richardson,
that it was very bitter, and when the patient
complained of being unable to drink it, Gre.
BILE at once offered TO get another, which was
as bad, if not worse than the other. In refer
ence to the bottle of medicine which was
found TO contain arsenic, witness testified
that when she received it from the hand of
the accused, who brought it from the druggist,
he had piece of newspaper in his hand with
which he was wiping the bottle, saying that
some of the medicine had spilled.
John II. Gerhard sworn-Keep drug
store--sold the bottle of medicine; it con-
tsined no poisonous properties. Witness
corroborated the testimony of Dr. Richard
son. Gross examined; Had given to Mr..
Broom bottle of salve for the patient, con-
tanning beeswax, extract of beladonna, and
OIL BelladonnR was a rank poison, soluble
in water. The salve by external application
would not poison, taken internally might.
Witness was careful and obeyed the law reg
uAting the sale Of poisons; had not sold any
arsenic for year; did not sell it to the ac-
cused.
Sarah Martin, mother of Mrs Grehle,
sworn-OorIoborated the testimony of pre-
cediDR witnesses as to the ice. water, the bot
tie of medicine, finding the paper of arsenic,
&C.; testified also to finding two small sticks
Of nitrate of silver in the watch pocket OF
Mr.. Greble's vest which he wore on Sundays
IL was on Sunday the ice water was prepared
which was found TO contain nitrate of silver
No one was in the house besides herself, Mrs
Broom and the accused who could have given
poison
DR.. Richardson recalled-Testifed that the
effects Of belladonna, as a poison, were
directly opposite to those of arsenic and
directly opposite to the symptoms manifested
by the patient. DR.. Gordon and brother
and DR.. Foote, corrobOrated previous testi
mony to receiving and analyzing the watel
and medicine; tests perfectly satisfactory
and developed the poison with certainty.
In defense, Thos. Gilpin, the employer o.
the accused, J. +. Wellington, foreman il
the mill, John Spencer, Benjamin Laipe
Tbos. Morgan, Rev. Samuel Mease, hi
pastor, j. P. Foggy and John Fogleman
were called, who testified to an intimate &C
quaintapce with Greble for periods varying
from two to twelve years; that he had al
ways borne good character for honesty
sobriety, integrity, &c; that he had alway
appeared to have an affectionate fondness 70
his wife and child, never abusing them, bu
always kind and indulgent, and that he hal
been frequent attendant at church.
After arguments of Mr.. Powers, tn
Prosecuting Attorney, aud A. j. Prudeu
ESQ, counsel for the defense, Judge Safh
summoned up the evidence and held the &C
cused for trial in the Court of Common Plea
under bail of 81, 900.
Seldom or never before in the annals {
crime has such an act been perpetrated b
any human being, without the appearance {
even the slightest semblance of motive fo
the deed.