The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-15
ALLEGED POISONING.
The Late General Ketchum-He is
Supposed TO Have Been Poisoned
A Prominent Lady Of Baltimore
Charged With the Crime.

FEO"buent Lazy OIL baIt1mOr<
Charged With the Crime.
From the Baltimore Gazette, July IL
On Monday bench warrants were is
sued from the Criminal Court in this
city for the arrest of Mrs. E. G. Whar.
ton, the widow of the late Major Harry
W. Wharton, of the United States army,
residing at No. 263 North Eutaw street,
in a locality fashionably known as
Hamilton Place, on the charge OF
the murder, at her residence, by poison
ing, OF General VIM. Scott Ketchum, a
retired officer OF the United States SER
vice, and also with the poisoning, with
intent to kill, Of Mr. Eugene Van Ness,
book-keeper in the well known bank
ing house of Alex. Brown Il Sons, cor
ner OF Calvert and Baltimore streets.
As vet but little action has been taken
in the matter by the officers of the law,
and the reporters of the press have been
denied the usual facilities for gaining
information in such cases. In fact, the
authorities have prudently refused to
afford any information, and what has
been gathered is in most part too unre-
liable for publication.
The lady charged with the crimes is
among the most highly respectable,
wealthy and influential in Baltimore,
and extreme caution has been exercised
by her friends and the officers OF the
law in keeping secret the facts of the
case, for fear, doubtless, that there
might be exaggerated and injurious re-
ports. On the 23d of last month, Gen.
Ketchum, an old army associate and
friend OF the late Major Wharton, and
intimate with his family. arrived at the
residence of Mrs. Wharton, on Hamil-
ton Place, intending to spend a few
days. On the 24th ultimo, the day
after his arrival, he was taken suddenly
i'll and died on the 2Sth. During his
illness he was attended by Dr. p. c.
Williams. While General Ketchum
lay i'll, Mr. Eugene Van Ness, for years
on intimate terms with the family,
callel to spend the evening. Shortly
after his arrival, Mrs. Wharton offered
him and several other persons who
were present glasses of beer, which she
said contained drops Of gentian Ia
strong tonic), and her hospitality was
accepted. In brief time Mr.. Van
Ness became very sick, and had to re-
main in her house His family was
notified and Dr. Chew Was summoned
10 attend him.
As the sudden death OF General
Ketchum had excited remark, the un-
expected illness of Mr.. Van Ness also
created suspicion Of crime. At this
time Gas far as the reporter of the Ga.
-eue can learn General X etchum had not
been buried, but his remains had been
removed to Washington by his friends.
Professor VIM. E. Aiken, Of the Mary
land University, was requested to ana
lyze the stomach, and upon careful
performance OF his work, discovered
twenty grains of tartar emetic. In the
meantime Mrs. Wharton had continued
her preparations to leave on last Mon
day night for Europe, via New York,
intending to sail to-day.
Shortly before the hour for her de-
parture the officers who had the war
rant for her arrest, notified her OF It's
nature, and that she was prisoner in
her own house. Judge Gilmor was yes
terday morning requested by her coun-
sci, Messrs. |. NevItt Steele and John
II. Thomas to be present in the city to
receive an application for bail, if they
thought proper to make it, the warrant
having been issued in chambers. His
Honor complied with the request, and
held a conference with the Assistant
States Attorney, Fred. Pinkney, Esq,
aud Messrs Steele and Thomas. What
facts were stated could not be asccr-
tanned, but il was reliably reported that
the case had been referred to the Grand
Jury, which meets next Saturday, pur.
suant 10 the order OF their discharge
In the meantime Mrs Wharton re.
mains at her residence under the sur
velllance oil police OinCers.
For several days past there has been
much talk in certain influential circles
OF the reports which were circulated,
and the steps which, it was said, were
contemplated against Mrs. Wharton,
and the subject OF her arrest has created
a great deal OF comment. Her social
position has always been high, and
heretofore her character has borne no
reproach. Her most intimate friends
we're unwilling to believe there existed
any grounds for suspicion, and action
has been taken against her with ex.
treme caution. She is well known in
the upper classes Of Baltimore society,
and has enjoyed the confidence OF
large circle OF friends. In personal ap-
pearance, manners; and conversation
she is decidedly prepossessing and at
tractive.
In heighth she is above the medium,
Of slender but graceful form, dark com
plexion, black hair, open and pleasant
expression Of countenance, easy in man
ners, affable in conversation, and with
more than ordinary conversational tact
and talent. There is nothing in her ap-
pearance which would lead to thought
that her hand could be turned in mur-
der, and the grave charge which has
been brought against her has shocked
and startled the society in which she
moved. Her husband died in this city
in 1867, and was well and favorably
known here. He was a graduate OF
West Point, and belonged to the Whar-
ton family Of Philadelphia, which is
among the most influential in the Qua
ker City, his father having been q judge
Of distinction. During the war he was
stationed here as paymaster and mus
tering-in officer, and was noted for his
handsome personal appearance and the
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