The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-17

was as cordially received as on previoas occa-
sIons. Several others we're also present on
that occasion, and Mrs. Wharton offered to her
guests beer, in which she said had been put q
few drops Of gentlsn "a strong tonic).. All
drank except Mr. Van Ness Without experienc.
taken violently sick, and Dr.. Chew being SUM
moned, declared that he was too sick TO be
moved. a milk punch was prescribed andad-
ministered, by whom 1t has been impossible for
your correspondent to ASCERTAIN. After Mr.. Van
Ness had eIhptjed the cup 1t was noticed by q
person present that In the bottom lay white
sediment. Attention being called to 1t, alady
present {your correspondent was unable 70 as
certain positively that It was Mrs. Wmrtonl
said. sit is nothing but some white sugar.
a relative OF Mr.. Van Ness standing near then
tasted 1t, and. finding 1t unpalatable, set the
cup aside. When an opportunity offered.the
sediment was carefully removed and taken to
competent chemist, who, after examining It
well, pronounced 1t tartar emetlc. This fact
of Mr.. Van Ness, and he was treated accord
ingly. The discovery of the emetic and the
fact OF General KeIchum's sudden Illness and
death created suspicion Of crime. At that
time General Ketchum's remains were In
Washington, unburied, and by request Profess
sor William E. Aiken, OF the University Of
Maryland, proceeded to analyze the stomach
careful analysis he discovered
TWENTY GRAINS OF TARTAR EMETIc. :
This. was considered strong proof Of crime,
but, for reasons which are as yet known to
but q few, no further steps were taken. In
the meantime, Mrs. Wharton and her daughter
continued their preparations for European
tour, and had perfected their. arrangements to
leave New York on Wednesday; July IL. Last
night, however, the officers OF the law called
upon Mrs. Wharton with two bench warrants
issued by the Criminal Court IN this city for
her arrest upon the charge OF having mur.
dered General Ketchum BY poisoning, and
with having attempted the murder by poison
Ing of Mr.. Eugene Van Ness. She was In
formed Of the nature Of the charges against
her, and was notified that she would be held
as q prisoner In her house.: Robert Gilmor,
Jr., Judge Of the Criminal Court OF this city,
was requested yesterday morning by Messrs:
J.. Nevitt Steele. and John b. Thomas; counsel.
for Mrs. Wharton, to be present IN the city
Thought proper to make It, the warrants hay-
ing been issued in Chambers. Judge Gilmor
complied with the request and conference
was held yesterday between his Honor Judge
Gilmor, the assistant State attorney, Mr.. Fred
erick PInckney, and Messrs. Steele and
ThoDlas. What transpired at that time has
been kept strictly secret, but 1t was reliably
reported that the case had been referred LOT
further action to the grand Jury, which meets
on Saturday next pursuant to the order Of
their discharge. In the meantime Mrs Whar-
ton Is kept prisoner In her own house and 1s
under the constant surveillance OF the police.
Her daughter and two house servants have
been notified that they Will not be allowed to
leave the city until the case has BEEN fnyesu'
gated. a. they are regarded as material Wilt
I'esses. AS soones Mr.. Van Ness had recoy-
a3otn lD ho oxua
dence Of his relative, Mrs. FricE. on Monu-
ment street, near Howard street, Where ne
now lies In a critical condition.
MRS. WHARToNs PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
In personal appearance, manners and CON
versatien Mrs. W harton Is unusually repossess-
ing and attractive. Her height is above the
medium. her figure slender, but graceful, her
ewes dark, her hair black, the expression OF
the mouth pleasing, her countenance open,
her mannersTery easy yet not famlliar, anu
her conversation spirited and refined. 10
everything she appears perfect lady, ;ano
there is nothing In her personal presentation
to lead to the belief that she would commit
the fearful crimes with which she Ia now
charged. She has always held high position
in the social circles Of Baltimore, and, until
now. her character has borne no reproach
As a member OF St. Luke'e Protestant
Episcopal Church. Rev: @. W. Rankin
rector, she was regarded among the mosl @
pious ladies OF Baltimore, and received the
sincere sympathy Of her pastor and friends
when her husband and son died. Mrs. Whar-
ton, it is said, made persevering endeavors 70
obtain permission to proceed On her proleetsa
that She ought to see the propriety and neces.
slty of.remalniig in this city, within the jlris:
dictlon of the court, until the charges against
her were disposed Of. tits also stated that she
received information Of the charge without
manifesting any unusual excitement, Hel
friends insist that there is no evidence which
will sustain the charges against her.
Action OF the Grand Jury.
BALTIMORE, July Is.
Mrs. Wharton has been indicted for murde'
in the frat degree for poisoning Genera
Ketchum.