The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-18
LOVE AND ARSENIC.

Marrying One Woman and Loving Another
A Bride groom POisOns His Nuptial Attendants
How the scheme was COucOcted and Carried
into Effect.
Saws the Warsaw Indidaian:--
During the three days of last and Monday OF this
week. the trial of John Vannatta for the attempt to
poison the party attending his wedding, has been
in progress the Court House in this place, before
Judge Whitesde. The facts elected are about as
follows:-
THE BRTDF's FAMILY OPPOSE THE MARRIAGE.
One year ago in Apr last John W. Vannatra was
married to Miss America Horn, OF this place. he hav
ing formerly been on occasional visits 10 the city.
but having no permanent abiding place among us,
nor, as far az able 10 learn having ever fol
lowed any legitimate business for support The
family of Mr.. Horn, almost without an exception
were opposed to the marriage, ana so expressed
themselves. However, the wedding took place, and
quite a number of our citizens were present as
guests. The same evening portion OF Ihe guests
were taken sick and on the next DAY n number more
were taken violently i'll, so that the whole number
taken sick was fourteen or fifteen nersons the
matter created much excitement ar the ume, ana a
number OF rumors ahoat in regard to the cause
OF the sickness.
THE BoRGIA DISCOVERED.
This however passed away and but little was
said about il until il was discovered that Vannatta,
notwithstanding his marriage VOWS, was still con-
ducting secret correspondence with young iaay iay
macy previous 10 his marriage. That TACT became
known to the parents OF the girl, and It was deter,
mined by them to get all the information that could
be obtained from him in regard TO the poisoning.
Accordingly letter was directed to him by the girl
in question: making 1t an ultimatum in regard to
future correspondence, that he must divuge to her
All he knew in regard to the poisoning of the guests
at the wedding This letter was sent TO Vannatta IN
the usual way, and in his answer he acknowledged
the crime stating that he administered the poison 10y
| depositing it in the tea-kettle.
THE TRAP EHTERRD-TnE BAIT BoLTED
To this letter Vannata sent the following response
which resulted in his arrest, trial. and cOnvicton:-
WEDNESDAY p. NJ, February 3, 1869.
NY DEAR ALICE:-I have just finished per sing
our long-l 90 ked- for letter 1t was welcome Yls
tor do assure you, but must confess It's contents
rather confused me. don't know whether under
| pNl
your letter or not. Whenever you say "dO intend
| TO pursue the same course with M" hope you
aid not think intended TO poison M, although !
| presume YOU must have thought intended such by
the way limited through my letter; but no. that was
not my intention could not do that, unless II was
| perpetrated on me; then might retaate; but !
| could not do such a thing in cold blood II would he
| a crime too dark for me TO commit
| THE KEY TO THE MYSTERY.
! But as yOu have demanded the key to the mys-
tery concerning that poisoning case on the eve oi
| my marriage, ! suppose am IN duty pound 10 glvs
| it. You recolect arrived here on Sunday, the 6th
| of March, 1865, visited the - Cnurcn as drecJet,
| while there ! was not recOgnized-left the church
with sore and aching heart. felt as II you hati
made me your dupe; but still mad felt faint spark
Of hope lingering within, me Ehconraged Dy una tat, .
messOge from you; but none came, nor cOulu
catch glimpse of you anywhere so, driven 10 'les
| peraton, scarcely knew what to do, but on recol-
I lecting that had promised 10 L. that would nOt
| fail TO call and make - visit, at once decided
10 90 and on Wednesday departed and arrived
there on the same day. L. gave me all the en-
eouragement that was possible, but could see ho
hope.
HE TAKES A FEARFUL LEAP.
On Thursday returned with my mind unsettled
thought possibly might receive Il letter; no token
Then ! felt satisfied that you had changed, ant
became determined what course TO pursue. your
seeming unIathIuIneas caused NJ 70 appear pi