Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-12
Was ff MurderT

.Sersoas CkaToe Agoins. a Baltimore LADY Of RssL
St9Hd rg--Sie IS Accassd 4 l,e hurisr u e.
gre On; W; SCOT AetehnHs GHd dts FJis0H.a =
# a w. TcH Ness.
The Baltimore papers o. to-day make public
very .cTiOus. charges against Mr.. r. q N-har-
ton, the widow OF the late Major HAIRY w
wharton, I. 3. A. On Monday last ben "a war-
rams were issued from the Criminal Court of
baltimore charging her with the murder 1f GEN
w. Scott hetchum, late Of the United States
army, and Dir. Eugene Van Ncss a boo A-keeper
IN the banking-hOuse OF Alexander Brown a
Sors, corner OF Calvert and Baltimore streets.
HIGH STANDING or THE ACCUSED.
TIE lady charged with the crimes = among
the most highly respectable, wealthy ana infiu-
entail IN Baltimore, and extreme caution has
been exercised by her friends and the ofiiosrs Of
the law i'm keeping secret the facts OF the case
on the sd OF last month General Ketrhurn an
Old army associate and friend Of the late n aior
" hartOn, and intimate With lis family. arrived
az the residence Of Mrs. Wharton, On hamilton
Place, intending 20 spend few DAYS. on tn
oath ultimO he was taken suddenly 'iIl 1rlf ,liei
on the ZSth. While General kefehum Jaw iH
M. Eugene Van Ness, Tor year, on intimate
terms with the family, called Il spend the even
ing. Shortly after his arrival Mrs Whart0n
offered him and several other persons who vvar.
present glasses Of beer, which she said contained
uIOI. OF gentan, "a strong tonic.) aud her hos
pitaltty was accepted. In a brief time SIR Van
Ness became very sick, and had 10 remain 4, her
house. The unexpected illness OF Mr.. Van Ne-s
also created
a SUSPICION OF CRIME.
AT this tine Genera ketchum h.l not been
buried, but his remains had been removed .
Washington by his friends. Prof. William =
A. Aiken, of the Maryland University. was re-
quested TO analyzc his stomach, and upon a care
ful performance Of his work discovered twenty
grains OF tartar emetic. In the meant me Mrs.
Wharton had continued her preparations . leave
ON last Monday light for Europe, via New York
intending TO sail to-day. Shortly before tbs hour
Tor her departure the officers, who had the wsF-
rant Tor her arrest, notified her OF lis nature. and
informed her that she was prisoner IL her own
house.
APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONER.
IN personal appearance, Mrs. Wharton T. de-
cldedly progressing. In height she j. above
the medium, OF slender but graceful form. .lark
compeXiOn, black hair, open and pleasant cx-
preston OF countenance, easy in manners. al
false in conversation, and with more than or
binary conversational tact andtalent. Her hu.-
band died in leo, and was Wen and favoratIy
Known. he was a graduate of MesJ POINT. and
belonged TO the Wharton family, OF Philalel-
phia, which is among the most infuen ial I'm the
Quaker City, his father having been n Judge OF
distinction. During the war he was stationed in
Baltimore "a pay master and M usterirg-in Ger
and was noted for his handsome persDnal an
pearance and the sUayity Of his manner.
SUSPICIOUS CIECUMsTANcF
About fifteen months since the only son OF
Mrs. Wharton, Major Harry W. wharton ir
aiso OF the nlted States service, died az his
mothers residence, on North Eutaw street His
life was insured for $4,000 i'm the Mutual Life
Insurance Company Of New York, aud the
Equitable Life Insurance Company of this cit,.
The full amount OF the policies OF insurance was
paid 10 Mrs Wharton. Her only remaining child
daughter of about twenty-tiiree wears OF are.
resides with her, and is well known in the Mon
umental CITY.
The condition of Mr.. Van Ness is considered
critical. His father wa Paymaster in die
United States service during the war, with the
rank of Colonel. -
The grand jury meets on Saturday, and WIN
investigate the grave charges preferred against
the prisoner, who meanwhile remains ar her res
idence under the surveillance Of the police.