The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-17
Correspondence Of the New York Herald J

criminal character which has occurred In the
Monumental City for many years has produced
so profound a sensation as that which startled
the community this morning. There is every
thing In the unusual character OF the alleged
crime and the proceedings Which haye marked
its discovery and prosecution to,throw around
It the most sensational interest, and notwith-
| standing the concerted efsrts of friends, coun-
sci and officers of the law to keep secret the
facts, much has been developed. It is extreme
ly difficult to ascertain particulars, bat enough
is known to satisfy the public that charge of
the gravest character now lies against
A LADY OF TIE FIRST CIRCLES OF BALTIMORE
| SOCIETY,
being nothing less than the charge of murder
and attempted murder by poisoning. The re-
porters for the press have been denied by the
authorities the usual means of correctly inform
Ing themselves as to the facts, much less par
tieulars, but their relicence and denials have
only served to increasethe Bohemian desire
and determination TO know the whole truth.
The public are eager for the fullest accounts,
and great disappointment will doubtless be ex-
perienced when 1t is ascertained from to-mor-
rows prints what restrictions have been put
upon the work Of the reporters. The OH.
GERS who made the arrests the doctors,
whose testimony Is all-important; the clerks
of the court, the friends of the family and
the counsel engaged are evidently bent upon
upon having as little made known through
the press as possible The case is, however,
of that all-absorbing interest which will rem
der futile any efforts to keep 1t silent. It PRO.
misses to equal In startling and frightful de-
yelopments the famous case Of Mrs. Lydia
Sherman, of Birmingham, Conn.,, and is well !.
calculated to awaken the most sensational
emotions and. to create feeling OF abhor-
renee. AS far as your correspondent mas
worthy sources and to determine from The
conflicting statements, the following history OF
the case may be relied upon:. During the late
BREyET COLONEL HARRY W. WHARTON,
q native OF Philadelphia, and graduate of
West PoiaA was stationed In this city as pay
master of the United States forces OF the mill
tary department OF Maryland, ana aiter tne
war remained here on similar duty until his
death dn 1867. He was well known, and made
many friends. His suavity of manner was un
usual, and he was conspicuous for MS mana,
some though dressy appearance. 1t ls SAID
that no officer Of the United States army VINO
ever served at this post was more universally
beloved. His family was among the most IN
| Huential In his native city. his father
having held q high judicial position, and Col
\ 6nel Wharton was noted as q Jealous. el-
clent and unusually courteous ofhcer. IL Is
now said by those who knew the circumstances
| of his death that they were sus2 oious out at
that time no one would have dared to breathe
a whisper that his wife could have turned her
hand in murder. It Is remembered well, how
ever, that his death was very sudden and that
his symptoms were peculiar. His remains
were taken to Norristown, Pennsylvania. and
Inferred In his family burial lot. HIS family
consisted OF a wife, a son and daugnter,
1 lo 1,et w.,
stances, and In occupation Of the present resi-
| dence of his widow, Mrs. E. G. Wharton, NO.
/ 263 North Eutaw street, In what Is fashiona0y
| known In Baltimore as Hamilton place." His
| son,
| MAJOR HARRY W. WHARTON, JR.,
| was an officer of the United States service,
about twenty-seven years OF age, and OF very
handsome appearance. Soon after bis fathers
death he. resigned his commission. Lam ana aitea apeu
months since he died suddenly, and 1t is said
by those who are acquainted, with the family
| that his symptoms were the same as those OF
his father. It was remarked at the time Dy
persons intimately acquainted with him that
| his sudden demise and the character OF hls
sickness were very strange, but nothing ea sa was
damnation OF his taking Off" About six or eight
weeks before his death he insured his life for
$40 900, holding policy IN the Mutual lille In
surance company OF New York and another IN
the Equitable Life Insurance Company OF this
city: He died bachelor, and his mother re-
! cefved the full amount OF the policies: 1t was
considered at the time one OF the most unus-
ual losses Of life insurance companies, out IL
was not intimated that the mother could have
poisoned her son. Under the Developments
which have been recently made the belief mas
grown strong, however, that Mrs. wharton
caused the death of her husband ana son 1y
the subtle but potent agency Whlch LIS H. Is
known she has exercised effectually WITHIN
the past month. at the death OF both her
husband and SON she exhibited the greatest
grief, ana there was nothing In her conduct 10
lead to o suspicion. She continued to enjoy
the friendship and confidence OF large circle
of refined and Influential associates, and lived
In comparative afluence, though In rather
retiring manner. =
HER DAUGHTER, MISS NELLIE WHARTON,
handsome young lady of twenty-three years,
was taken suddenly Ill In month or two alter
her brothers death, and continued IN crld-
cal condition for some time. 1t Is said now
that she had symptoms OF poisoning, and that
her sufferlpgs were similar to those OF her
father and brother Nothing positive. how
ever, can as yet be ascertained by the mem.
bers OF the press In reference to the causes OF
the deaths of the husband and son and the
sickness of the daugeter, on account OF the e3-
treme relicence observed by every member
and friend OF the family, and the family physi-
clan, Professor Richard McSherry, OF The Uni-
versty of Maryland. There seems to be on
all sides disposition to suppress 1or the pres
ent at least the true history of the case, anu TO
risk the publication OF erroneous accounts
rather than enlighten the public by any Gus:
closures. The work of MIS-. Wharton IN tne
destruction Of her family IL involved IN mys-
tery, but what she has effected within the past
three weeks Is clear and more within tne
reach of legal investigation. Alter carelli an-
alyss of the many varying reports the Iollo"-
ing appears to yonr correspondent 10 enoIace
the material points ofLhe case:
Among the oldest and most Intimate lrlenos
of the late Colonel Wharton was
GENERAL WILLIAM SCOTT KETCHUA,.
a distinguished officer of the United States
army. and brother-n-law of Paymaster Gene
raj Brice. but at the time Of his death was on
the retired list. His relations OF intlmate
friendship with the mother and daughter OF
his old companion in arms continued after Inc
death of Colonel Wharton and MS son, anu
some time since he advanced to Mrs. wharton
the sum of $2600, aud took her note for tnat
amount. On the 23d OF last month General
Ketchum arrived from Washington, ana I'M
medIately went to the residence OF MIS- Wnar-
ton, Intending to make her g. brlef VISIT, anu,
IL is said, to request the payment OF tne note
he held, On the oath of last month, t1e day
| after his arrival, he was taken suddenly
Violently sick. Dr.. P. G. Williams was called
in. as the family physician was absent from
Baltimore, but his efforts failed to relieve MIN,