The south-western., 1870-10-12
The Poisoning Case at Rusk.

1ut 4U1oOAA0S SaoC oo ASeaAA'
Our readers will remember that we recently rcpuo
shed from the Rusk Observer an article charging that
suspicion pointed to J. W. johnson, of Jefferson, as
the poisoner of IA woman named Lula Reynolds, in
whose company he was travelling from Austin to JEFF
ferson lengthy report of the ease is published in the
Observer which concusiveiy shows that the woman
died from the effect of arsenic solution OF which
mineral was carried by her in bottle. This prepara-
ton she said Capt johnson had directed or requested
her to take.
The evidence goes to show that Johnson left this
woman at Mr. Tankersley's, nine miles from the town
of Rusk, on the Esd of August leaving $3.50 for her
and requesting if she recovered, that she should be
sent to Marshall ard if anything happened to write
to him at Jefferson She complained OF an intense
burning in the stomach and at times irrational.
We make the following extract from the testimony OF
Dr. Smyrl, the attending physician
She deceased, said to me that some man had come
to her door and rolled half dollar at her, and had
tried to make it appear that she was mean Wo'
man to injure her but she not mean woman.
She said that she had called Capt johnson cousin,
but that she was his cousin-that she was his pet
Deceased would talk few words, and then seem to be
in such pain from her stomach as to be unable 10
During the night she looked at me and SAID: capt
Johnson have not destroyed that medicine, as you
say have. am taking it you directed and II you
don't believe am Just look behind that SCREEN in the
fireplace and you'll the bottle-l have taken
about half the bottle" Something an hour, alter
deceased had slept, she opened her eyes and looking
at me exclaimed ooh !! Doctor, this ball OF fre J!
(placing her hand on her stomach) that potl'e
(pontng to the replace) "and this trip has been the
cause of my DEATH" Deceased seemed perfectly "a
tional except in taking for Capt. johnson, when
speaking 3f the bottle of medicine. Before day Mr.
Tankersy awoke and told me that there was bottle
behind the screen, in the fireplace, where deceased
pointed when speaking of the medicine and bottle as
before stated Mr.. Tankersly brought the bottle to
me. The bottle took to be champagne bottle
with string around the neck of it. suppose the
bottle would hold near quart. 1t was made OF 6
bueish green glass, and about half full OF liquid
colorless and almost tasteess, with some dark speckl
or dregs floating through it. 1t had very slight acic
taste awhile after taking it. do not know the name
the nature of the medicine though was satisfied
that it poisonous prohibited her taking 1T any
further. Deceased would frequently afterwards SPEAK
of the medicine and burning in the stomach conolntly
but do not remember that she afterwards said thai
the medicine caused the burning.
She died on the 2sth of August. Whether johnson
is responsible for her DEATH whether it cast
of suicide cannot be positively known. johnson is s
man of family, and is the Radical member of tht
Texas Legislature from Marion comfy. The Observes
thus comments upon the evidence in the case:
Such are the facts connected with this mysterious
affair."" and which, in noticing the in our issue
September TO- we promised to lay before the public
and claim that these facts justify all that we sait
about the affair at that time. The testimony estab
fishes frs that came to an unnatural deatf
at the house of acitizen of this county that she
there in company with Johnson; that bottle of poison
was found in her room which she declared johnson
had advised or directed her to take and finally, tht
Jury of Inquest after patient investigation, say upor
their oaths that the poison in that bottle caused he
death