Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-13
The Baltimore Mystery.

Other Suspicious against Mrs. Wharton, of Bdlti-
more, arrested for the Nar6er of Gen. Ketchum-
Sudden Deaths Of Mr.. Edodrd Wharton and has
DGughtcr, IF this city, at the WIDOW WhdrtOn'S
House IA BdlttmOre-A Sensation an Iris City
Are the Stories Truc-Stdtemenfs Of the Friends
of tie Wharton Family Of this CITY.
Since the arrest OF Mrs. +. q. Wharton, of
Baltimore, widow of the late Major and Pay
master Henry W. Wharton, of the United States
army, for the murder of the late Gen. VIM. Scott
Ketchum, and the attempted murder by means
of poison OF Mr.. Eugene Van Ness, of Balti-
more, there has been considerable talk in this
city relative to certain
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
WHICH occu red about four years ago. and with
which the name of the accused Is closely con-
nected. So grave were these whispered specu-
lations that reporter of The STAR was specially
detailed to unravel the mystery, and accordingly
called on prominent citizen who in former
years knew the family of Mr.. Edward Whar-
ton, living on Ak street, next door north of Rev.
DIR. Sunderland's church This gentleman in
formed our reporter that Mr.. Wharton was
that for many years he was clerk in the Coast
Survey Office. He had butone child, a daughter,
A YOUNG LADY OF PREPossEssINe APPEAR
ANCE.
who, at the time of her DEATH was about IS wears
of age. Mr.. Edward Wharton was a man of
about 80, and with his family moved in the
highest circles of .ociety.
TWO SUDDEN DEATHS.
About four years ago, according to our inform
ant, the young lady went to Baltimore to visit
the family of Major Henry Wharton and while
there died suddenly. About the same time the
father went to Baltimore, and also died very
suddenly at the house OF his cousin, Major w
The circumstances occasioned considerable sur
prise and comment at the time; but no suspicious
Of foul play were whispered until the publica-
ton of the arrest of Mrs. Wharton, of Baltimore
charged with murder by administering poison.
Those who knew the family and the circum-
stances then reviewed the latter, and many were
not slow to pronounce the belief that Edward
Wharton and his daughter
HAD BEEN POISONED
by the Mrs. Wharton, now under arrest in Bal
6more 1t was further reported that General
ketchum held certain mortgages on the estate
his last visit to that city was for the purpose of
obtaining a settlement. Thus rumor POUNDS an
object for his murder by the accused.
In prosecution of his inquiries our reporter
next visited gentlemen who was formerly on
terms of intimacy with the Wharton family
when they lived on Az street. This gentleman
believed the suspicious against the widow
Wharton, of Baltimore, groundless, at least 80
far as the family of Mr.. Edward Wharton were
concerned. The young lady, daughter OF Mr..
Edward Wharton, had been afflicted with con-
sumption for about year previous TO her death,
and her decease was matter of no surprise to
her friends and those acquainted with the cir
cunistances. In the winter of 1861 she went to
Baltimore on visit, and while there caught
severe cold, inducing pneumonia and ending in
death. To his personal knowledge she had had
eight hemOrahages prior to her visit to Balti-
more. The father died about two weeks before
his daughter, of what disease he did not know,
but he had never before yesterday heard any in
timation of foul play, and believed such ntima-
ton unjust The widow of Edward Wharton
now lives in Philadelphia.
MIR. EDWARD WHARTON
rented the house ON street from Mr.. John
Purdy. The latter gentleman speaks well of the
family. He says Mr.. Wharton went to Baltimore
about two weeks before his daughters death to
time before. The next day he sent spat sI te
his wife stating that the picture was not yet in-
ished, and he would have to wait several DAYS
dispatch in order that his wife might not wonder
at his delay in returning. Until yesterday, Mr..
Purdy said, he had never heard any intimation
that either Mr.: or Miss Wharton had been poi
soned. 1t would therefore seem that SO far as
Mr.. Edward Wharton and his daughter are con-
cerned, there IL scarcely ground to accuse the
widow Wharton, of Baltimore, Of their death.
have occasioned something like a sensation in
this city, where both the Wharton families were
quite well known.
MORE A OUT THE WIDOW WHARTON.
The Baltimore papers Of to-day give .ome adj
ditional particulars relative to the arrest of Mrs
Wharton. She still remains under the suryeil-
lance Of the police at her cottage, No: aes North
Wharton. and two of her servants have been in
formed that they will not be permitted to leave
the city, as their presence will be required before
the grand jury. The excitement in Baltimo. 9 is
still intense. !
The maiden name of Mrs. Wharton was Eliza
beth G. Nugent, and her family is among the
wGaithiest and most influential of philadelphia.
She has brother, who Is one of the leading
physicians Of Pittston, Pa. As member of St'
Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, Rev. G.
w. Rankin rector, she was regarded among the
most pious ladies of Baltimore, and received the
sincere sympathy Of her pastor and friends when
her husband and son died. The case is said (,
be one Of the most interesting which has ever
come before the Baltimore police, and the public
look forward eagerly to the full Developments.
which win show whether or not the charge can
be sustained. The agent Of the Mutual Life