Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-01-23

] ing tiecompositlon. There are cases where
| bodies have been found well preserved after
lapse of two months, but their preserya-
| ton, as rule, is not attributable to the
presence of arsenic. | did not make a
quantitative determination OF the arsenic,
cant say how much was found. the sum
ofmy testimony is that | found arsenic in
the remains | collected and analyzed, but
can say that arsenic was the cause OF death.
Death might have been produced by me
other cause. There are pecuiiarities abont
arSenical poisoning which differ from any
other misunderstanding Of the eyes and in-
lection Of the conjunctlya, and difference
in the burning feeling; the great disturb
ance of the nervous system, would not be
found in cases of vegetable poisoning.
By COns' 'h.-The opinions of experts as
to the cause of death in eases of poisoning
are founded on the symptoms, the post NOR
tenn appearances, and the results of the chem
ical investigation. | would not feel justified
IN predicating an opinion on the cause Of
death on the result of chemical analysis a.
lone. Arsenic exists in soils in an insolu-
bic combination with iron. The idea that
arsenic can not get into dead body from
the soil of a cemetery is matter of COM
mon authority. The general belief is that
the preservation of body is not due to the
antiseptic powers of the arsenic, but to the
nature OF the soil,
CHARLES 7. WILLIAMS, recalled. Prof.
Rand showed me slips containing arsenical
deposits. tSlips shown witness.) | find the
arsenical deposits upon Nos and 2-on
No. 4 see none. Have heard Prof Rand s
testimony as to the presence of arsenic in
remains he examined. Assuming that he
has made the examination as stated here it
would carry conviction to my mind. The
method OF examination is one recommended
by the best chemical authorizes.
Mrs. RACHAEL CRANsToN, affirmed. My
husband has a store in the vicinity of French
vile. In his absence | attend it. On the
llth of July, Mrs. Lena Miller came to the
store. | was not in when she came. but
when [ came in found there Squire Hall,
h1r. Schnarrs, my husband, Lena Miller and
her little boy. Mrs. Miller remained there
nearly an hour, after my husband had wait
ed on her, before she asked for anything.
All the persons went out except Mrs. Mil
Ter and her boy. She then asked me for
box of coffee essence. She then asked for
paper of arsenic-said the rats were so bad
that they were running over the floor In
daylight-that Joe had got paper-that
they had used part of it, and given the rest
to the neighbors She said the rats were
lying dead under the floor, and that Joe was
going to take up the floor to take them out.
L told her this was not the time of year to
poison rats [ then asked her if she knew
how to use it. She said she did, that she
put it on bread and butter, and then set it
in pan of dish-water. | gave her the pa
per of arsenic. She also got a broom from
me, paid for the arsenic and 10 cents on
the broom. [ think it was nearly three O.
clock when she left | think the arsenic
was in blue paper-they are all in colored
papers. Itwas marked ''Arsenc-Poison.
| gave a similar package since to Professor
Rand. The arsenic is put up in quantities
of about an ounce in Il paper, each labelled
IN the way stated
Cross -e.cnmined. We keep other medi-
cines. 1t was dinner when she came to the
store-left about three. She purchased
things there before; we had an account with
her husband. Did not observe any differ
ence in her conduct-had seen her before
but never spoke to her before. Think she
had bought vinegar, perhaps some sugar.
Didn't say anything to me about illress of
her husband. 1t is 3 miles from our store
to Millers She said the children were a
fraid of the rats The little boy said one
had bitten him or came very near biting
him. | believe | stated in previous state
ment, that one of the rats had bitten him
on the toe, or something TO that effect. The
arsenic was kept to sell for the purpose Of
killing rats Never said that if Mrs Mil
Ter had said that her boy was not along that
she was liar, and that she had poisoned
her husband. | said | believed she had got
the poison for that pdrpose
By Com h.-Said this since the investi
cation at the inquest Was not personally
acquainted with Mrs Miller prior to the
day she purchased the arsenic; knew her
only by sight. She paid for all she got ex
cept the balance of 30 cents on the broom
that was charged ID on the book.
PROF b. II. RAND, re-called-I have
the package given me by Mrs Cranston.
tWitness produced package [ have exam
ined the contents and found it TO contain ar
senious acid. 1t is a commercial acid do
not know that it is entirely pure. Should
think this was an averdupois ounce-think
probably it would kill hundred men-take
them all the way through, man here and
there might escape, but L shouldn't like to
take the chances OF escaping.
Mrs. RACHAEL CRANsToN, re-called.-I
wish to make an explanation. | was mista-
ken as to the color of the paper. it was
not blue, but like the paper exhibited to the
Court and Jury.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
DR.. j. G. HARTswICK, re-called-Was asked
question similar to that propounded to Professor
Rand. and said he would attribute the death of
the patient to the effects of arsenious acid.
CrOSs-eraBifAed.--Itw would not change his opin
ion If he had taken two bites of Indian turnip
lor arum triphyllum) 24 hours previous to death.
If the symptoms described existed and arsenic
were found in the remains would not reced G
from the above opinion. Chooratic symptoms
are, IN some respects, analogous The condition
of the atmosphere during the past summer pre-
disposed to attacks of this nature. The average
period in which death ensues after arsenical poi
sonng is from Is hours 10 3 days but the time al