Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-08-24
The Rnllenbnrgh Case.


The Buffenburgh poisoning case, as it
is already called, naturally excites great
interest in Cincinnati, where all the
parties concerned are well known. The
fact that Mrs. Colburn, the wife of the
late Mr. Peter Buffenburgh, is now
openly accused of having caused his
death by administering arsenic, in order
to gain undisputed possession of por-
ton of his large estate, leads many I'M
thinking people to believe that the lady
is really guilty. Tho more intelligent
portion of the community, however, con.
slider it only right to give the accused
the benefit of all doubts until some
specific evidence is presented against
her. All sorts of rumors have been atloat
concerning the developments in the case
but as yet there is no ground for any of
them.
It may be remembered that some time
prior to Mr.. Buffenburgh's death, he
gave his wife large farm for her per-
sonal property, and his death placed her
in possession of one-third of his personal
property, valued at over 100000. The
other two-thirds also came under her
control as guardian for her two children.
This furnishes the ground for the accu-
sation on the part of the other relatives
of Mr.. Buffenburgh, as they insist that
the possession of the estate was the
motive for the terrible crime of which
Mrs. Colburn stands accused The poison
said to have been used is arsenic, and the
whole case turns upon that, for if none
of that mineral poison is traced in the
organs already submitted to analysis by
the chemists, the accusation must fall tc
the ground, unless, indeed, that Prof
Wormlcy is prepared to say that there
are other indications of poisoning.
A year after the death of Peter Bulfen
burgh, which event occurred in Septem
bcr 1867, his wife married Mr. h. L
Colbun, journalist favorably known il
New York. Mrs. Colburn was a Mis-
Hudson when Peter Buifenburgh aban
doned his bachelordom and entered thu
marriage state, at an age when mos
men are thinking Of leaving this worl(
altogether, and their union appeared
quite happy. The very fact that Pete
BuAenburgh died intestate, and espe
cially in view of the fact that he knew
himself to be dying, and never spoke o
last dying will and testament, argue
strongly that his confidence in his wifi
was mistaken. The case has its mystic
rious aspects like all similar cases, TO
there is an under-current of suspicion
that some illegal means have been resort
ed to obtain or manufacture evldenc
against Mrs. Colburn.
Dr. Collins was Mr.. Buf1cnburgh'
family physician for about three year
previous to his decease, and states that i
his opinion the disease of which Nh
Bufenburgh died was consumption. Th
symptoms observed by him were such a
were manifestly produced by the disease
During the latter part of his illness tn
patient expectoratcd very freely. Thf
continued until about twcnty-four houu
previous to his death. If arsenic ha
been given to him it would have pro
duccd symptoms which the physical
would have discovered. He informe
Mrs. Colburn weeks before his deaf
that her husband must necessarily 500
die. DIR. Collins also says that M,
Buffcnburgh, always manifested the IL
most confidence in his wife. She ws
very devoted and faithful in her after
tons upon him.