The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-09-09
SCENE OF THE POISONING


public mind is filled with alarm at their re.
cltal.
SCENE OF THE POISONING.
The alleged Borgia in this poison hng affair
is Mrs. Martins Grinder, wife vi George Grin-
der, IA small dealer in oil, who BESIDES IN
house No. l, of court on Gra}'s alley,
Fourth Ward, Alle2 heny. Grays alley runs
from River avenue TO the canal, between an
derson and Morgan streets. There were STA
two story houses ia the row, which were com
petcd last fall, ana were first occupied III No
vember. George Grinder and family occu.
pied the first house, Mrs. S. Catotners the
second, and Mr.. Smith the third. DuIing
the present summer much sickness was ex-
perIencej among the residents of the row, all
exhibiting the same symptoms, those oi voin'
ling, pur.ing and spasms. The attacks,
however, were of different degree OF vio
lence, and The impression prevailed IN the
neighborhood that the tydrant water contain
ep poison, NO. the least suspicion attaching
To any person. The nu ncrous deaths occur.
RAG III the house ot Mrs. Grinder, anu IN The
vicinity oCcaslouej some remark. hut with
the interment ot the deceased the remarks
ceased, nutil the developments of Thursday
Embossed the tongues OF gossip. and stories
of the poisoner reached inuumerabie number.
SUDDEN pE,TH or MRS. MARY c. CAEorHsRs
Mr.. James 5. Carct'ers. formerly the
nei .hbor of Mr.. Griader, Is a young man
en- ploycd in the DRY goods establishment; of
Nj James NJ Carr. Federal street. Allegheny,
and had been recently married To Mis-, Caro-
line Phillips, of New Castle. with whom Mrs.
Grinder became iuiimt'e. On Tnesiay even
ing, June .,ti last, Mrs. Caroihers accepted
an invitation IL take tea with Mrs Gr,nier.
and shortly after her return hone she WAS
seized with violent purgIng and vomiting.
The next dav, however, she appeared 10 be
mach better, when her husband accompanied
her tn the country on a visit TO her relatives.
He returae, to tn. city on iae ne II Friday,
aud took supper y, Mrs., Grinders house.
when be was also seized with similar sick
ness. which confined him 10 the house for
sevcral weeks, his physician. ON ~ o occa-
siou.. entertaining no hopes for his RECOVERY.
His wife was sent for. but before her arrival
Mrs. Grinder visited him frequently. prepar-
ing hi, food. aud 81 iuC him much attention
He finally recovered, although shattered in
health and constitution, aud resumed his
business = usual. On the 18th of July last,
SIR. Caro'hcrs again took tea With Mr.. Grin
that Il phvsician vas seat for. who al ami MS
tered some medicine She continued H. grow
worse until the lSt inst. when she apued.
During her sickness Mrs Grinder WIS assidu-
Gus in her attentions, AID furnished u Ger with
many delicacies. Mrs Caroihers was young
and heal hy woman, aud, although her death
created great surprise, no suspicion OF foul
play was excited in the minds oil her friends.
MRS. JOHNSON POISONED.
Upon the death of Mrs. Caru,hers her hus
band relinquisbed housekeeping, aud rented
the premises to Mr.. james Jot q 'tos,, who
took possession on the 18th inst. 4 few dags
befo. e, Mrs. Johnston entered the house for
the purpose Of cleaning 1t, and al noo1 ac-
copied an invitation to take dinner with Mrs.
Grinder. Shortly aftcrward she seized
with spas ms. which continued during the
night DIR. Irish of this city was sent for,
who called IN DR. Wn. II. Heron Il ALE
gheny, in consultation, and through their
skiliul treatment she is getting better, and
hopes are entertained OF her recovery.
OTHER ALLEGED VICTIMS.
In March last, Samuel Grinder a brother.
in.aw of the suspected woman. visited her
house. He was h soldier in the army, but
owing TO sickness had been an inmate for
some time of the Military Hospital. in the
Ninth Ward. When he arrive at the house
he appeared to be in good health. but Il day
or two afterwards was taken suddenly sick.
4 lady. who resided in the ueighborhood
visited him, and found his suffering terrible.
She asked Mrs. Grinder what was the matter
with him, when she replied that he had an
attack CT the diphiberia The sick man call
ed repeatedly for water. when the lady hand, d
him drink. Mrs. Grinder, noticing the
movement, seized the tumbler and dashed il
upon the hearth, breaking it into pieces, say
ing at the same time that water would Kill
him. The poor fellow died the next day.
A soldiers wlGow, having with her Young
oh Id, stopped at the ho' Sc shortly afterward.
Tie same evening the child became sick and
died in a lew days. An in9ues. was held on
the body by the Coroner, and the jIry com.
plmeu'.d MIS-. Gri paer for the attention she
had paid the little sufferer. The poor moth
err was inconsolable at the loss OF her child,
and informed the neighbors that she feared it
had been poisoned. She lives in the vicinity
OF Alliance, Ohio.
An old lady named Gallagher died sudden
" at Mrs. Grinders house about the middle
OF last month, from symptoms which led TO
the belief that poison had been ad ninistered
Mrs. Shoemaker, n washerwoman living on
NJ re IN street, was taken suddenly sick n
lew days ago, after eating at Mrs. Grinders
house, but she is now convaescent. Mrs.
omlth S family partook OF some soup Prepar.
ed by Mrs Grinder, aud were Immediately
seized with violent purgins and vomiting.
Her own babe also died suddenly a few
weeks ago.
ANOTHER HORRIBLE CASE.
new development was brought to light
last nj sht, which will probably fix Mrs. Grin
der's guilt beyond all peradvenrure. young
IriSh nirl nnn,nd Lane r buchanan had