Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-07-19
BALTINoRE. July ID. ISL.

I'm.
BALTIMORE, July IL, 1871.
The upper circles of Baltimore So
ciety are fearfully agitated to-day, and
nothing of q criminal character which
has occurred in the Monumental City
for many years has produced so pro-
found q sensation as that which star
tied the community this morning.
During the war Brevet Colonel Har-
~ w. Wharton, q native of Philadel-
phia and q graduate Of West Point,
was stationed in this city as Paymast-
er of the United States forces of the
Military Department of Maryland,
and after the war remained here on
similar duty until his death, in 1867.
It is remembered that his death vas
very sudden and that his symptoms
were peculiar. His remains were
taken to NOrristown, Penn. and in
TERED in his family burial lot His
family consisted of a wife, a son and
a daughter, whom he left in very COM
Portable circumstances aud in Oecupa-
ton Of the present residence Of his
widow, Mns. E. @. Wharton, No. 283
North Eutaw street, in what is fash
iOnably known in Baltimore as the
Hamilton place" His son, Major
Harry W. Wharton, Jr., was also an
officer Of the United States service,
about twenty-seven years Of age, and
Of very handsome appearance. Soon
after his fathers death he resigned his
commission and lived here with his
mother and sister. About fifteen
months since be died suddenly, and
it is said by those who are acquainted
with the family that his symptoms
were the same as those Of his father,
Six or eight weeks before his death
he insured his life for $40, 900, holding
a policy in the Mutual Life Insurance
Company Of New York and another
In the Equitable Life Insurance Com
pany of this city. He died a bachelor,
and, his mother received the full
amount Of the policies. Under the
developments which have been re-
Gently made the belief has grown
stronger, however, that Mrs. Whar-
ton caused the death of her husband
and son by the subtle Eutpotent agen-
cy which It is known she has eEeE,
cised efectually within the past
month.
HER DAUGHTER, MISS NELLIE WAR
TON,
q handsome young lady of twenty
three years, vas taken suddenly i'll in
month or two after her bEo.her's
death, and continued in critical con-
ditiOn for some time. It Is said now
that she had symptoms Of poisoning,
and that her sufferings were similar
to those of her father and brother.
Among the Oldest and most init
mate friends OF the late Colonel Whar-
ton was
GEN. WILLIAM SCOTT KETCHUM,
a distinguished officer Of the United
States army, and a brother-in-law Of
PaymRstsr Ge1sr9l Brice, but at the
time OF his death was on the retired
list. His relations Of intimate friend
ship with the mother and daughter OF
his old companion in arms continued
after the death OF Colonel Wharton
and his son, and some time since he
advanced to Mrs. Wharton the sum Of
$1,000, and took her note for that a.
mount. On the 23d of last month
General Ketchum arrived from Wash
iDgton, and iHmediately went to the
residence of Mrs, Wharton Intending
to make her q brief visit, and, it Is
said, to request the payment Of q note
he held. On the oath Of last month,
the day after his arrival, he was taken
violently sick, and on the 18th Of
June, aboutS o'clock in t~heafternOOn,
be died. His remains were taken to
Washington by his relatives, and his
funeral took place on the S0th ultimo.
Mrs. Wharton numbered among her
friends in this city q young man
named
EUGENE VAN NESS.
On the oath Of last month, while
Gen. Ketehum lay Ill at Mrs. WhSF-
toms residence, VanNess called to pay
an evening visit, and was as cordially
received as or previous occasions, and
Mrs. Wharton offered 10 her g1ests
beer, in which she said had been put
a few drops Of gentiRn "a strong tonic).
All drank except Mr.. YANKEES with
out experiencing any sickness. He,
however, was soon tAkan violently
sick. After Mr.. VanNess had emptied
the cup, it vas noticed by a person
present that IN the bottom Of the cup
lay white sediment. When an oppOf-
tunity offered the sediment was care
fully removed and taken to a compe
tent chemist, Who, after examining it
well, pronounced it tartar emetic,-
This fact was communicated 70 the
relatives and friends OF Nh. VanNess,
and he was treated accordingly. The
discovery of the violent emstio, and
the fact Of Gen. Ketehum's sudden
illness and death, created q suspicion
Of crime. At that time Gen. Ketch-
mas remains were in Washington,
nnbuIled, and By request Prof. VIM.
i. Aiken, Of the University 81 Mary
land, proceeded 70 analyEs the stom-
ach OF the deceased officer. After a
thorough and careful analysis, be dis
covered