The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-09
VIRGINIA rOsr.oFFICE AFFAIRS.
Ehc yrias Of Mrs. sSharfOu-Third
Dny-Euteresttug Evidence Concern
ipS The Death of GeneraE gkcfchuRn.

inS The Death of GenerHE Ekcfchunl.
I'VE do not expect to publish the evil
dencc in this important and interesting
case; yet the following is so remarkable
that we deem it worthy of special notice: !
ANNAr0Ils, December 6.-Nlr>. Meta Hut
ton was next called by the prosecution
The witness is . sister OF Eugene Van Ness,
who was lying sick at Mrs. w barton's when
General ketchum arrived. She testified
that she had known the prisoner seven
wears was not acquainted with kctchum
untl saturday, june II, when she Just met
him Ut Mrs. Wharton's in the evening
about : O'Clock the General appeared
well saw him III the tea table witness
went into the room to get a cup Of tea for
her sister; she remained but few minutes ;
saw ne General Monday evening between
: and O'Clock; he was sick in bed; he
said he had been quite sick, but felt better !;
that Mrs. Wharton had poisoned him with
glass Of lemonade.
Counsel for defence objected % this de-
c'aralion it was jocular remark OF tue
old gentleman. and not evidence.
II WAS ruled out by the court.
illness next saw General hetchum on
" .dncsday morning about ~ O'Clock, in
his room; he was lying IN bed, his eyes
wide opcn, and his arms stretched out !;
witness began LII. w IL
lilmS came in !; witness remained until the
doctor cave her prescription for the Gen
oral when she left The room ard called Mr..
sargent, asking him u procure the medl-
cine, Offering him her purse; Mrs. Nhar-
ton sieppeu forward and said she wanted
il charged to her account ut Germans; wit
ness returned TO ketcbums room and
watched at the window until SARGENT re-
turn; he gave the medicine to Mrs. Eu-
gene Van Ness, who handed IL TO witness,
when she gave it to DR.. Williams the doc
tor dropped a portion of the medicine
in tablespoon and mixed with it
two tcaspu0niuls OF water; witness
asked the doctor il she should as
sjst him III giving the medicine, when he
answered M - witness then took a seat
by the Generals side; DR.. Williams gave
her directions for administering the next
dose of medicine at / O'Clock her husband
was present Mrs. Wharton came IN The
room and asked what the doctor was giving
rhc General, when witness replied she did
not know, but she had to give him dose at
| o'clock-!orty drops in two teaspoonluls
nj wafer. the General made some efforts to
rise. when Mrs. Wharton left the room TO
call Mrs. Snowdeu, who was IN her pro-
Tiers room; the General made several
efforts TO rise. and witness pushed him
back in bed when DR.. Williams recntered
the room with Mrs. Wharton, the doctor
told witness TO remove the bags oil ice from
kctchum's head, which she did, and he be-
came quiet.
Sir. Snowden entered the room; the doc
tor upajn told The witness TO give the medl-
cine at one o'clock; Mr.. Wharton was not
in the room ut this time witness was 60
ing to her sisters room when Mrs. W mar
ion entered, and said she would remain
while witness saw Mrs. Loney; witness
saw and conycrsed with Mrs. Loney; IL
was T. aud 1890 Mrs. Wharton came out
in the passage and asked Mrs. Loney II she
would take 4 telegram which she (Mrs.
Whuton) had written to General Bruce,
down town; the telegram was handed TO
Mrs. Loney witness returned TO the room,
when Mrs. W harton said :"l have dropped
the medicine for you. Mrs. Hutton, but II
j. not half-past twelve - witness went
20 the bureau and found the medicine
had been dropped into d tea-cup; witness
told Mrs. Wharton it was not the right
dose there were about two or three table.
spoonfuls in the cup; Mrs. Wharton remark
ed that it smclt so strong she had added
more water; witness said she did not tnlnk
the General could swallow so much, and we
had better drop him another dose; Mrs.
Wharton Insisted that the dose be gwen,
but witness did not recollect what words
MIS-. " NaTIOH useu hiCucsS tuSh 'S Lna n
ed, els il not time to give the medicine
yet!" witness took position by the side of
Ketchunl, Mr.. Snowden being on the other
side; after while Mrs. Wharton asked
witness the time she answered, twenty
minutes to ~; in minute or TWO MIS-.
Wharton again asked the time, and witness
answered, "eighteen minutes to -; In
short time Mrs. Wharton again asked The
time, and witness answered, $ fifteen min
utes to ~; witness then removed her
watch from her belt and passed 1t TO Nr.
Snowdcn to hand to Mrs. Wharton, re-
marking to her, "You had better keep
the watch; Mrs. Wharton said, Maybe
your watch is not right"
Witness said her wateh had oeea com.
pared with that of DR.. Williams, and 1t was
tight Mrs. Wharton kept my watch until
five minutes of one O'Clock, when she { Mrs.
Wharfon) said, Let Us give him the medl-
cine the iyst dose did him SO much good
uIn anxious he should have another; )" VII