The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-20
the GAMBLE POISONING CASE.
Mysterious Death Of a Wealthy
Lady in ROckland County.
The BODY Buried and subsequently
Exhumed.
Arrest Of Relatives Of the Deceased-CorO.
ner's Inquest-Interesting Testimony
Result of the Chemical Analysis Of
Professor DOremus Of this City.


The particulars have been briefly given to the
public of the death at Clarkstown, Rockand county,
N w. of Mrs. Margaret ]. Gamble under circum-
stances that gave rise to the suspicion that her de-
mise had been accelerated from other than natural
causes Her case was briefly this:-According TO
one account she was the widow Of Mr. Fulton, who
kent a saloon In Centre some years since. He LETT
her some money and leasehOld property, variously
estimated at from $4,000 to $l2500O. She after
wards married man named Robert G. Gamble,
who had particular occupation, and with whom
abe lived at No. 613 East Twelfth street. in this city,
for two years, until the LIST of last May when they
removed to Clarkstown, Rockland county, and pur.
chased farm from person named Mrs. Hujus
Towards the latter end of July she became exceed
1ngly unweI, and died the morning of the % of
August. Previous to her death her husband, Gam
bic, it Is alleged, preferred the company of Mrs
Hujus to that of his sick wife, and in her dying mo-
ments sent his servant girl to take diamond ring
OF her finger, which the girl refused to do. He
himself however, took it Off Immediately before she
died.
No funeral ceremonies or services were performed
over her remains, which were put in colin,
despatched to New York and buried in Greenwood
Cemetery without delay. The deceased had several
brothers in New York, to whom, however, Gamble
gave no information Of what had occurred and this
fact coupled with the sudden manner Of her death,
excited good deal of comment in the community of
Clarkstown. resident Of that place informed JUS
tce Stevens, of PiermOnt OF his suspicious and
Quested him to go to Clarkstown before the body
was taken away for interment.
The Justice went and requested Gamble to show
his burial permit. This was DONE and proving to
be satisfactory the body was allowed to 60. Event
ally on the representations of the brothers Of the
deceased the remains were eXhumed and placed in
the hands OF DR.. Shepard, Of Brooklyn who made
post mortem examination. Gamble and Mrs. Hujus
were arrested to await an investigation.
Several things had very suspicious look; so Cor
oner Flavin, of Brooklyn, had the body exhumed;
but as the post mortem by DR.. A. w. Shepard could
reveal nothing the stomach was sent to Professor
DOremus to be analysed. 1t was also said that both
before and after the death Of his wife Gamble had
been away with woman named Mrs. Huus. This
story was published in the HERALD at the time.
Since then Professor DOremus has partially COM
pleed his analysis and has found large quantities of
morphine in the stomach Upon this information
the Coroner went to Rockland county and COM
menced an examination. In the meantime Mrs.
Candles friends employed counsel and they aided
the Coroner in an examination into the case.
On the 9th Of September the examination was
commenced in Orangetown, county Of Rockand,
before Justice G. Bogart The prosecution was con-
Quoted by Mr. Daley Of New York, and Mr.. c. p
Holman conducted the defence The first witness
sworn was Michael Murphy, and the evidence was
a. follows:-
FOR THE PEOPLE.
Michael Murphy sworn. This witness was the
brother Of the deceased. He testified as TO his resi-
dence in Hudson City for three years. To his becom-
ing acquainted with Robert J. Gamble at the house
Of his sister in East Twelfth street two years ago.
Also to his not receiving the Of his sisters
death until it too late to attend the funeral He
also testified as to the good habits Of Mrs. Gamble
The cross examination developed nothing beyond
this.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. JULIA ANN sHAURMAN.
Mrs. Julia Ann Shaurman sworn-I live in Clarks-
known Mrs. Hujus twelve or thirteen years. she was
away couple OF years; have worked for her. but
not at the present tme left her about four or five
years ago; did not live with her, but In my own
house; know Mr. Robert j. Gamble by sight; first
saw him when he and his wife went to buy the Huus
place; first saw Mrs. Gamble in the spring of
this year; / have seen Mrs. Hujus and Mrs.
Gamble riding out together several times; l
s Save eS knew &r aGSe
by sight; her twice, when they stopped at
my house and once when MIR. and MRS. Gamble went
by in wagon, and third, she was dead; saw Mrs.
Gamble dead on Sunday mornng 1t was about three
O'Clock in the morning; Mr.. and Mrs. Hujus came
down; Mrs. Hujus said, 'Our woman died;n they
wanted me to go and lay Mrs. Gamble out before
she became cold; they both said she had drank her
self TO death; nothing more was said until asked
for help at the house; Mrs. Hujus said, Mr. Gamble
will help you' after a few moments she said the
servant girl will help; went up stairs and the SER
want girl was in the room where Mrs. Gamble laid
Mrs. Hujus did not 90 up to the room, but Mr. Hujus
and sSa should s ns heart beating
ts dead as hammer" the first time Mr. Hujus came
In right after me; went up stairs and he followed
look for a pipe; he went out right away; the
servant girl helped me to lay the body out; no
one else: IL took me about two three hours; the
body was swollen little than was natural; the
whole body or stomach was swolen; before leaving
me- me- mouse louise nad conversation with MT Gamble
about the colin; sherman brought the ice; was
not IN Mrs. CANDLES house on the following Mon
day In the daytime; was there on Sunday and Mon
day night; was there on Tuesday morning; 1t was
about six O'Clock when heard the hearse go; the
hearse belonged to Peter an Orden OF Spring Val
ley; stayed about one hour; they put her In the
coffin In the hall; il was then put into the box, and
J. M. Van Orden and Mr.. Palmer carried IL to the
hearse; Mr.. Gamble wanted to assist. but did not
when / said he should not; was near the hearse
when the coffin was put IN; Mrs iujus and Mr.. Gam
BILE in their carriage behind the hearse Mr. GAM
BILE when the coffin was put In the hearse, told the
person that he could drive as fast he chose, il
Mrs. Hujus and Mr. Gamble and the hearse started
together no one but Mr.. Van Orden who drove the
horse attached to the hearse went with Mr. Gamble
and Mrs. Hujus; have never been at the house of
Mrs. Gamble since; had heard when they bought
the farm 1t was done because Mrs. Gamble was sicky
before heard OF her death had not heard anything
about her being sick; Mr.. Gamble did not give Mrs.
Gamble any funeral before sending her to New York;
have had conversation with Mrs. Hujus since Mrs.
Gamble died: she talking about those that had
complained OF them she said "those people don't
ike II because / have sold the farm and can stay
there;' she said ~ am head instead of the woman;"
nothing else was said at that time; Mr.. Gamble was
not present at this time; have had further con-
versation with her; Mt this time Mrs. Huus gave
me the night gown that Mrs. Gamble died In,
chemise, sheet, pillow case and two
towels, and she promised me two of Mrs. Gambe's
dresses; also received SIS from Mrs. ujus for LAYING
out Mrs. Gamble and 81 for watching two nights
this Is all received from Mrs. Hujus or Mr. CANDLES
when was laying out Mrs. Gamble said to Mrs.
Hujus that the body swollen she said that dead
bodies would swel this was after had finished Law.
ing out the body; have spoken once TO Mrs. Hujrs
since then; II was on the public road opposite my
house: Mr. Gamble was with her: they then stopped
10 inquire where my son lived, and came down and
talked with them. told them that people said had
$50 and all Mrs. CANDLES clothing; they answered
that people talk great deal