The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-15
DISTRESSING SUICIDE.

A Cousin OF General Joseph HooEer Dies
from the Effects OF Poison Adnltnts-
tered by HSrseir-Ths Iaquest BY the
FrOnp ne Chicago Republican, 1871.
Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held
before Deputy Coroner Gustav Fisher. upon
the body of Jane M. Mitchell, woman of
about SO years of age who died in the morn
ing, at No. 130 Blue Island avenue, from the
effects of poison administered by her own
hand From the testimony elected before
the jury, it appears that the de-
ceased was born in Warren county.
Ohio. She was married at Keokuk. about
sixteen years ago, to James w. Mitchell. with
whom she resided at KeOlluk for twelve wears
In 1862 the ill-fated woman accompanied her
husband to Pixies Peak, where they lived for
about two years About this time, it is al
legged, the husband deserted his wife, leaving
her to struggle through the world unaided
and alone. She Immediately left Pixies Peak
and returned to her friends in Ohio In the
month OF September 1865, the deceased came
to Chicago, and, until the month of February
of the present year, resided in the family of
Mr.. James X. Martin, pork packer, living on
the Archer road. She then removed to the
house of Mr.. Leonard, No. 13O Blue Island
avenue, and with him she remained until
her death. On Monday last she was
taken sick, when the medical services of
DR.. Higgins were called to her relief
DIR. Higgins treated her two days without
learning the cause of the woman's diseases
and then the idea appears to have struck him,
for the first time, that she had taken posson
lie charged her with the act, and after some
little hesitation, she confessed that she had
swallowed quantity of arsenic two days be-
fore. The usual remedies under the circum-
stances were administered, but without avail
and the rash woman died yesterday morning
about o'clock The jury returned as their
verdict that deceased came to her death from
the effects of poison administered by herself
Under the impression that there is no State
law prohibiting the indiscriminate sale of
pOisons, the jury recommended the passage
of an ordinance by the City Council pro
hibiting such sale. The deceased appears
to have suffered from a settled melancholy
ever since her desertion by her husband.
This feeling is supposed to have been the
reason of her determination to terminate her
existence. Some time ago Mrs Martin took a
quantity of arsenic from her trunk and from
that time Mrs. Mitchell seems to have steadily
determined to die. Previous to her death, she
told her medical attendant that when she pur-
chased the poison she was suspicious that it
was not arsenic, and she accordingly repaired
to another drug store, and asked the keeper if
it was the genuine article. He convinced her
that it was and then she returned to her home
and swallowed it. The deceased was a woman
who was highly spoken of by all who knew
her. she was quiet and ladylike in her de-
meanor, and had many friends. She has two
sisters, now living in Iowa, and had three
brothers in the army. She claimed to be the
cousin of the wife of General Joseph Hooker,
and as such was always recognized by her
friends.