New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-15
THE BALTIMORE POISONING CAsE-INDICTMENI
OF MRS. WHARTON.
From The Baltimore CARTE. Aug Il.

The Grand Jury signed and presented, on
Saturday, indictments against Mrs Ellzabeth g. Whar-
and an attempt to poison Mr.. Eugene Van Ness The
indictment for the murder OF Gen. william Scott
Ketchum charges murder, in the first count by admins
tering tartar emetic in tincture OF yellow jasmine,
the 2sth June, 1871, and in the second count by
known. the manner. the day. The third
and fourth counts charge murder by three adminstra
in lemonade on the 24h june In tea the 26th June,
and in tncture of yellow jasmine the 2sth June ISL
The indictment for attempting TO poison Mr.. Eugene
Van Ness is in twelve counts and charges the actual
administration of tartar emetc and deadly poison OF
mingnQ such poison with beef tea the 2th June and
with milk punch OF which he was about to parake, ON
the 2sth june 1871, with intent 10 poison him.
yellow jasmine Is tncture knows to druggists as gel
seunum, and is prepared from the root OF the yellow
Jasmine, which is OF tine most beautiful climbing
plants of the southern States and in rich moist
soil along the seacoas from Virginia 10 the south of
Florida II il also often found among the highlands Of
the far Southern States Its valuable properties
have been known -but few years. though II has long
Western states 1t was prescribed In proper quantes
for Gen. Ketchum and Mr.. Van Ness by Dr. T. 9. Wiz
liams, who attended them, and the leading contri.
button to the March number OF The Bdmore Medical
Journal is1rom the pen of Dr. Williams on Gelsem,
mum and its Therapeutic Value" Prof WOrmley Of
Ohio who is the examining chemist in the Bufenoarger
case, in The Aneican Jonr'al Of Pharmacy thus de-
scribes OF poisoning by gesemnum On the 30th
OF January 1862 three easpoonfus OF the fluid extract
of gelsemnum were administered 10 young, healthy
pregnancy, who at the time complained Il OF
serious illness. In two hours after taking the
soon succeeded by great yestlessbess and inenec-
tual efforts toyom and free Precipitation over the
onn SpG Feeble regaar ana somewhat nt
there great prostitution with irregular breathing,
pupils expanded and insenslbe to light; the eyes fixed
with inability to raise the eyeds The vital powers
cured in about seven and half hours after
the poison had been taken. III -tt ~; eS:ss
death resulted In seven and half hours from
one-sixth of grain OF the alkaoid showing 1t To be
Of the most potent posons known -Four and half
were analysed, there were still unmstakabe evidences
Of gesemlnum." Dr, Davis OF Parkersburg, West Viz
uary 1901 gives another case OF death from this poison
He was called TO see young lawyer OF Park
ersDuFg ana supposed INN to be sHeng
brandy aud went to drug for medicine. While at
tablespoonful OF the fluid extract of gelseminn On re-
turning he found the lawyer III dying state, his pupils
almost imperceptibe, and entirely unconscious He died
two and ahalf hours after taking the poison The pa
tient, the physician says was killed by onetn OF
Since the removal Of Mrs Wharton to the tower of the
City JAIL she and her daughter have enjoyed much bet
ter health than when confined III the narrow ana close
cell In which she at first placed Her present quar-
tiers are OF the dimensions Of III ordinary size dwelling
house ROOM and apart from the restrictions imposed by
the prison regulations, are quite COMFORTABLE sue Is
frequently the recipient of fruits and flowers from ~
patnlzng friends ana is allowed 70 Lece.1 IA lne h
Ing matter she desires. Her daughter sti shares ner
prison yard. Mrs. Rosa Nelson OF Hari0rd COUNTY
visits her every week, and remains Win he SEVERN
hours. Many persons have called upon her since her l
prioument the Warden has granted admission 10
only OF her most intimate friends. Her pastor the
Rev Geo Leeds of Grace r. E. Church, visited her IRE
quently previous TO his departure from Baltimore and
In HE absence assistant Mr. Converse attends her at
her request Mrs. Wharton bears her imprisonment win
remarkable fortitude She conyerses but little the
subject OF the eharge~agans her, and contents herself
viii the quiet assertion in proper times OF her entire III
pucence and her confidence in ner ability 10 establish H.
The daily papers allowed her, and II Is said she reads
ali that appears in reference To her case
The result OF the analysis OF the remains or her son,
Major Harry W. Wharf n. has not yet been made known
by Professors Aiken and Miles no have them IN charge
MIR Van Ness recovered sufficiently to leave Balti
more for a trip to the country 1t is expected however,
that SOME time will necessarily elapse before he Will be
We'll enough 10 his duties at the oc, OF Messrs
Alex. Brown a sons.