Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-16
BALTIMORE.
Poisoning as q Fine Art.

| Lndy Moving In the Best Circles
Charged witia a Horrible Series OF
Grimes. -'2} -af ~ tsaaa s+ ID
BALTIMORE, July l5.-In the Criminal
Court for Baltimore city to-day, Judge
Gilmore presiding, the Grand jury came
INTO court with two presentments sgainst
Mrs. Elizabeth j. Wharton; first, for
felOniously, wilfully and malice afore-
thought, killing and numbering Gen. VIM.
Scott Ketchum, United States Army, by
administering tartsric emetic or some
other poisonous drug on or about the 18th
of June, 1871; second presentment for
attempting to kill and murder Eugene
Van Ness, by administering poison about
same time. There were eighteen wit
nesses before the Grand jury, anon G
whom were Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene Van
ness, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Snowden, DR..
p. G. Williams, DIR. 8. @. Chew, Gen. W.
w. Brice, Psymaster United States Army,
and DR.. Aiken, Professor of Chimistery
of the University of Baltimore. The
Grand Jury was composed of some Of
the most influential citizens of Baltimore,
one of the members being prominent
State Senator. As the case is not bail
able the Sheriff will not take Mrs. Whar
ton into custody this evening.
The case causes intense interest. The ac-
cused has moved in the best society, sndis in
comfortable circumstances. Her husband
died under suspicious circumstances in
1867, but her high standing was q SHE Id
to investigation or even suspicion. About
Is months since her son, aged 81, died
suddenly of the same symptoms of those
Of his father. A few weeks previous to
his death he obtained policy on bis life
for $40, 900 in favor of his mother, and
the money was paid to her. Six or eight
weeks after her sons death he- only
daughter was taken suddenly and violent
| ly i'll, of precisely the same disease as
that of her brother, but after laying at
the point of desth for several weeks, f.
naIly rallied and recovered. Some time
after the death Of her son Gen. Ketchum
| advanced to Mrs. Wharton the sum of
| s2, 900, taking her note for the amount.
| Jupe 23d Gen. Ketchum left Washington
for Baltimore, and being intimate with
| Mrs. Wharton as friend of her bus
hands, went to the residence of Mrs.
Wharton's, intending to make her brief
visit, and, it is said, to request the pay
ment of the note he held. June "a, the
day after his arrival, he was taken sud
denly, violently sick. A physician was
called in, but his efforts failed to relieve
him. June 28th he died. His remains
were taken to Washington by his rels-
tives, and his funeral took place On the
SOth ult., full accounts being given in the
newspapers at the time.
Mrs. Wharton numbered among her
friends in this city young mau named
| Eugene Van Ness, 8 son of Col. Van
Ness. He had known Mrs. Wharton and
| her family for several years, and trans
acted much of her business for her. June
oath, while Gen. Ketchum lay i'll at Mrs.
Whar,on's residence, Mr.. Van Ness called
to nav him an evening visit, and was IS
cordially received as on previous coca
/ sions. Several others were also present
on that occasion, and Mrs. Wharton Of
fered to her guests beer, in which she
said had been put few drops of ge1iian
"a strong tonic). All drank except Mr..
Van Ness without experiencing any sick
ness. He, however, was soon taken vio-
lently sick. A milk punch was prescribed
and administered, by whom it was i'm
possible to ascertain. After NJ. Van Ness
| had emplied the cup il was noticed by q
| person present that in the bottom lay white
sediment. A relative of Mr.. Van Ness
sta lding near then tasted it, and finding
it unpalatable set the cup aside. WheI
an opportunity offered the sediment waS
carefully removed and taken to compe
tent chemist, who, after examining il
well, pronounced it tartar emetic. This
fact was communicated to the relative:
and friends of Mr.. Van Ness, and he wai
treated accordingly. The discovery OF
the violent emetic and the fact of Gen.
Ketchum's sudden illness and death crea
ted suspicion of crime. At that time
Gen. Ketchum's remains were in Wash
ington, unburied, and by request PROBES
sor William E. Aiken, of the University
of Maryland, proceeded to analyze the
stomach of the deceased officer. Aftel
q thorough and careful analysis he dis
covered twenty grains'uf tsEtsr emetic.
This was considered strong proof Of
crime, but for reasons which are as yef
known to but few, no further step
were taken. In the meantime, Mrs
Wharton continued her preparations for
European tour, and had perfected theI
arrangements to leave New York oil
Wednesday, July y. Tuesday night,
however, two officers of the law called
upon Mrs. Wharton with two bench war
rants issued by the Criminal Court for he
arrest upon the charge Of having muir
dered Gen. Ketchum by poisoning, anC
with having attempted the murder, b.
poisoning, of Mr.. Eugene Van Ness
The greatest excitement is manifest il
Baltimore, and steps are about to b
taken to ascertain the cause of her SON
and her husbands death.
Lodged in a FoIon's Cell.
LATER-Intelligence of the presentmen
by the grand jury was communicated I
| Mrs. Wharton by counsel shortly site
two O'Clock. Soon thereafter Sheriff Al
bert, accompanied by Marshal Gray an
Deputy Marshal Frey, in carriages, or
rived, the carriages stopping ia the rea
of the residence of Mrs. Wharton.
At twenty minutes to four O'Clock Mr.:
Wharton and daughter, with Mrs. Craw
| ford Nelson and Sheriff Albert took on
. carriage and the Marshals the other an
were driven to the city jail. Mother an
daughter were deeply veiled. Mrs.
Wharton was then handed to the custOd
of the Warden of the Jail She selecte
an empty cell, which she is permitted
furnish in the plainest manner, and hi
daughter was allowed the privilege OF r,
naming with her during the evening
I While the case has shocked the entil
community, the deepest sympathy
manifested for The unfortunate lady.