The Shasta courier., 1867-11-02
STARTLING CHARGES OF MURDER IN MARI.

l.
PosA CouNTY.-We have refrained hitherto.
says the Stockton Independent, from pub
fishing the vague rumors circulating in the
community, charging two reputable residents
of MarIposa county with murder, believing
that the gentleman, well know to Stockton
ians, stood so far above suspicion of such
crime that it seemed impossible that he could
be guilty. We cannot express any opinion
unfavorable to the parties alluded to until
more reliable evidence is produced than the
thousand conflicting stories now current. and
we express the hope that they are based upon
suspicious which have no foundation in fact.
The Herald of October 2Sth gives the follow
ing synopsis of circumstances that tend to
incul pate the accused:
A most astounding affair has occurred in
Mariposa county. James W. Scale, an old
and prominent citizen of that place, died very
suddenly on the night of the 30th of Septem-
Der last, as was supposed at the time, of
paralysis. Deceased was buried without
post mortem examination, although there
were vague suspicious of foul play. These
suspicious were so greatly strengthened by
some things discovered after the bu ial as to
demand Investigation. Some five davs after
the burial of Scale the body was exhumed by
the Coroner, DR.. Turner, and the stomach
taken out by several members of the medical
profession. The necessary chemical agents
for analyzing the contents of the stomach not
being accessible there, they were sent for at
San Francisco. On their arrival. Drs.
Turner, Bedford and Smile, on Wednesday
night last, proceeded to analyze the contents
of the stomach, when prussic acid was found
on four separate and distinct tests. This
discovery strongly confirmed the previous
presumption that poi on had been admins
tered and that that poison was prusslc acid,
that warrants were Immediately issued for
the arrest of the suspected parties. The sus
pected parties were Scales wife, who is re-
garded the belle of Mariposa county. and
is only 10 years of age, and Swaney, editor
of the Mariposa Gazette. The evidence
against those two was so strong that letter
received yesterday in this city states that the
jury charged both with murder in the first
degree, and they were sent to Jail, no bail
being admitted. Scales wife gave him some
Hamburg tea to drink and in few minutes
afterwards he was dead man. 1t is sup
posed that she attempted twice before to
poison him, but gave him too strong doses,
as he vomited each time previous to the third
and last, when she gave him medicine. A
bottle that contained prussc acid was found
III tne prlNy Oi ner residence. IN tne room
of Swaney was found bill for prussic acid
purchased in this city. Upon being ques
toned, Swaney acknowledged having pur-
chased prussic acid in Stockton, but said he
intended to take it himself; but upon further
questioning, could not tell what disease he
desired it for, and said he had dropped tie
bottle but upon being taken to the place he
mentioned no bottle could be found.
short time since the wife of Swanpy died
suddenly, about ten days after child birth,
when she was considered out of danger, and
grave suspicious are entertained regarding
her death. An improper intimacy between
Swaney and Mrs. Scale has long been sus-
pected in Marippsa. 1t is now the inten-
ton to examine the body of Mrs. Swaney,
to ascertain the cause of her death.