The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-13
MURDER BY POISONING.
Crime i'm High Life i'm
Baltimore.
The Widow of United States Army Officer the
Crimina,-A General of the United States
Army One Of Her Misunderstanding
Developments "A Frighrful
Record Of Crime.
BALTIMORE, july II, 1871.

BALTIMORE, July II, 1871.
The upper circles Of Baltimore society are fear
fully agnated to-day, and nothing OF a criminal
character which has occurred IN the Monumental
City for many years has produced so profound
sensation that which startled the community this
morning. There is everything In the unusual
character of the alleged crime and the proceedings
which have marked Its discovery and prosecution
to throw around 1t the most sensational interest and
Notwithstanding the concerted efforts Of friends,
counsel and officers of the law keep secrect the
| facts much has been developed. 1t is extremely
difficult to ascertain particulars, but enough Is
| known to satisfy the public That charge OF the
| gravest character now lies against
| LADY OF THE FIRST CIRCLES OF BALTIMORE so.
CIETY,
being nothing less than the charge OF murder and
attempted murder by poisoning The reporters for
the press have been denied ny the authorities the
usual means Of correctly informing themselves as
to the facts much less the particulars; but their
reoence and denials have only served to increase the
Bohemian desre and determination to know the
whole truth. The pubic are eager Tor the fullest
accounts, and great disappointment Will doubtless
be experienced when 1t is ascertained from to.mor-
rows prints what restrictions have been
put upon the work OF the reporters. The
tors. whose testimony is all-important; the
CLERKS of the Court the friends OF the family and
the counsel engaged are evidently bent upon having
As little made known through the press as possible.
The case is, hoYeyer, Of that allabsorong interest
which will rend> file any efforts to keep 1t SILENT
1t promises to edu III startling and irightIul de-
veopments the famous case of Mrs. Lydia Sherman
of Birmingham Conn., and Ia well calculated 10
awaken the most sensational emotions and to
create feeling oil adherence. AS far as your cor
respondent has been enabled to gather from the
most trustworthy sources and to determine from
the conflicting statements the following history of
the case may be relied upon:-During the late war
BREyET COLONEL HARRY W. WHARTON,
q native OF Philadelphia and graduate of West
Point stationed in this city Paymaster OF the
United States forces Of the military department OF
Maryland, ana after the war remained here on
similar duty until his DEATH In 1867. He was wen
known and made many friends His suavity OF
manner was unusual and he was conspicuous for
his handsome though dressy appearance. Ii is said
that no oficer OF the United States Army who ever
served at this post was more universally beloved.
His family was among the most influential in his
native city, his father having held high judicial
position, and Colonel Wharton was noied a Zeal.
GUS efficient. and unusually courteous officer. II is
now said by those who knew the circumstances
OF his death that they were suspicious, but that
time no one would have dared 10 breathe whisper
that his wire could have turned her hand
in murder. 1t remembered well, however,
that his death was very sudden and that his symp.
toms were peculiar His remains were taken to
Norristown, Penn, and inferred In his family
burial lot His family consisted OF wife, son and
daughter, whom he lett in very comfortable cir
cumstances and IN occupation Of the present resi-
de1ce OF his widow. Mrs. L. G. Wharton. No. 263
North Eutaw street, in what is fashionably known
in Baltimore a. Hamilton place." His son.
MAJOR HARRY W. WHARTON, JR.,
was also an officer OF the United States service,
about twenty-sevcn years OF age and OF very hand
some appearance. Soon after his fathers death he
resigned his commission and lived here with his
mother ana sister, About fifteen montns since he
died suddenly, ana II is said by those who are &C.
quainted with the family that his symptoms were
the same us those Of his father. 1t was remarked
at the time by persons intimately acquainted with
him that his sudden demise and the character
OF his sickness were very strange ont nothing
was thought then OF probability OF the
''deep dainnation Of his taking on" About six or
eight weeks beio re his death he insured his life for
$4,000, holding policy ia the Mu iua Life In.
surance Company OF New York and another in the
Equitable Life Insurance Company Of this city. He
died bachelor and MS mother received the full
amount OF the policies. 1t was considered at the
time one OF The most unusual losses Of life insurance
companies, but II was not nimated mat the mother
could nave poisoned her son. Under the develop
ments which nave been recently made the belief has
grown strong, however that Mrs. Wharton caused
the death or her husband ana son by the subtle hut
potent agency which 1t Is known she has exercised
enectuaily within The past month. 1t the death or
both her husband and she exhibited the greatest
grief and there was nothing IN her conduct TO lead
TO Suspicion. she continued 60 enjoy the friend.
ship and confidence OF large circle OF refined and
influential associates. and lived IN comparative
a1iuence, though IN IA rather retiring manner
HER DAUGHTER, MISS NELLIE WHARTON,
Vpl ~
taken suddenly Ill IN month two after her
brothers death, and continued IN critical condl-
ton for some time. u Is said now that the had
symptoms oil poisoning, and that her sunerings
were similar 10 those of her father and brother,
Nothing positive, however. can a. yet he ascertaIned
by the members OF the press III reference TO the
, causes of the deaths OF the husband and son and
,hc sickness OF the daughter, on account Of the
IRENE reucence observed by every member and
friend OF the family, ana the family physician,
Professor Ectaid Mcsherry OF the University OF
Maryland There seems to be on an sides dlspcsl-
ton TO suppress for the present al least The true
history ~ the case, and To risk the publication OF
erroneous accounts rather than enlignten the pubic
| by any disclosure The work or Mrs..W marion In
the destruction OF her family j. involved In mystery;
nut what she has erected within the past three
weeks IS ccar anu more within the reach OF legal
investigations After careful analysis OF the many
varying reports the foii0wing appears to your cor
| respondent 10 embrace the material points OF The
| case:-
Among the oldest and most Intimate friends OF the
! late Colonel Wharton was
GENERAL WILLIAM SCOTT kErCBUN
adstngnished ohlcer OF The Uniteisstates Army,
anu a brother.in-lAw OF Paymascr General Brlce,
but al the ume Of his death on the retired list.
His relations ot intimate friendship with the mother
| and daughter OF MS Old companion IN arms con-
! rinued after Inc death Of COlonel Wharton and his
son, and some time since lac advanced TO Mrs
| Wharton the sum VI $1,000, and took her note
Tor that amount On tue I'D OF last month General
| ketchum arrived IRON Washington and ilnmed-
| atcy went to the residence Of Mrs. Wharton in d.
tending 10 make her brief visit and 1t ~ said TO
24tn Of last month, the day after his arrival ne was
taken suddenly violently SICK. DR.. r. Z. Williams