The Van Buren press., 1872-06-18
Death Of Mrs. n. H Eliason by Morphine
Birth and Death of her Chlld-In.
vestigation by Jury-Hsyor
Brooks 40 Coroner,

citement for the last few DAYS. in consequence
OF the sudden death of Mrs. NJ. II. Eliason, a
widow lady, who has hitherto borne a good
character, and moved in the best circles OF So
ciety. On Thursday Drs. Maine and DuVal
were call upon to visit her "a she was labor.
ing under the influence fsome powerful mar
cotlc. They both attended her through
Thursday night, and found that she had Ia
Ken large dose of morphine, and could no,
arouse her from its effects, although every
means was used known to the medical pro-
tession to restore her to consciousness. She
died on Friday morning. and was buried or
Saturday evening Rumors were afoat on
Sunday. that there was something wrong.an
on Monday morning an article appeared in
the New Era. speaking of double murder
suicide. etc. which created great excitement
Mayor Brooks Immediately issued an order
to Constable Dun to summon a jury to in
quire into the matter. The jury was impan'
neled on Monday evening, and several wit
nesscs were called and examined.
DIR. Maine testities that Mrs. White, the
mother of Mrs. Eliason. told him that or
Wednesday night Mrs. +. had child born
and that it died soon after its birth, that she
Mrs. w. had buried it in the yard at the re
quest of her daughter, so that her brother,
and sisters should know nothing of it-tha
Mrs. Il had taken a dose of Morphine to que
it. and that Mrs. f. said she would get little
sleep and she would soon be better, etc. Sew.
eral other witnesses were examined, and tn,
court adjourned, and ordered that the bod
OF the chilu be taken up and delivered to Drs
Maine and DuVal.
On Tuesday morning the examination wa.
continued, and the testimony of Mrs White
was taken, She stated, that she was uncon'
scious OF her daughters situaton-that the
child was born, and she did not know any
thing about it until some time after it wa,
born, and that no person WAS in the room
with Mrs. f. at the time-that the child re-
maned unattended from to 10 o'clock IA N
that it was dead when she first saw it-a'
night she buried it in the yard at the request
of Mrs. +. SO that her brothers and sisters
should not know it The child was examined
by Drs Maine and DuVal and we obtained
the following from DR.. DuVal.
Autopsy made at the office OF DR.. +. r. Du.
Val. by Drs. Maine and DuVal. Of a female
child, well developed, well grown, weighing
about So lbs,-nails upon hands and feet wei
grown-hair upon the heaa well grown-eyes
clear blue Body showed evidences of having
laid for several days upon its left side, as the
blood had gravitcd into cellular tissue OF the
parts. The lungs were found perfectly
healthy and inflated, and when taken out
floated freeley when placed in water. Heart
healthy-liyer somewhat enlarged Bowels
normal-stomach healthy. The conclusion
was that the child had breathed, and wa.
probably alive when born
The druggists of the town were all exam
ined. and the following Is q note sent by Mrs
Eliason to Mr.. w. Walton:
DEAR TWEEN
tity Of Ergot. there word is written hch coII not
be made out more than two doses. send ii to me
with the price and will send the money.
This note was received by Mr.. Walton, at
DR.. Smelser's drug store, about one month
ago.
From the above it is evident, that there was
an effort by Mrs e. to prod""S |hor,ion; a
great many other persons ser NGamined. but
their evidence made no new disclosures.
The following is the verdict of the jury:
The Coroners Jury in the case Of Mrs. Elia'on and
death by MOrphia administered by her own hand,
with suicidal intent. That the said female child
came to her death from want of proper attention.
Mrs. EliasOn was a widow with two chill
drrn the oldest about 10 or IL years OF age.
Her husband Mr.. Elason was murdered in
Texas. in the year 1865. lie wasa gentleman
and Nirginian. and Of an excellent family.
lie married his wife. who was Miss Mary
White, in New Orleans where she was born
and raised. She was young lady highly ac-
and was esteemed by all who
knew her.
The position that Mrs +. has always held
in society here, and the sudden death, togeth-
er with the birth of an illegtimate child. ere
atcd great excitement in the whole COM
munity.
There vas no evidence as to the father OF
the child, but, whoever he may be, the fact OF
the mother and child losing their lives, and
the making orphans of two innocent girls.
who are thrown upon the cold charity of the
world, he being the cause ofall of it, we think
would harrass his mind to the latest hour OF
his life.
We are gratifcd that the public mind was
so aroused on Monday, rs to cause the au-
thoritics Of the city to investigate this mat
ter; and this will serve rs a warning to others
not to bc led into the commission of such
crimes hoping to escape exposure and dis
grace. There has been disposition hereto
fore to covcr"p such cases, and let them pass,
but the work Of finding out crime has COM
whcucrcr "A necessity ariseS.-F s. Mdepend-
em.
The majesty of the law is sustained-a
crime has been traced and brought to light
4 hitherto highly respectable lady is COM
pclIed to hide her shame in death. rather than
meet the cold relentless world. And the deep,
accurscd scduccr is allow to stalk
about with head high, uumocsted in search OF
other victims. Yes, poor, crushed, forsaken
heart has given up an oyerburdcned life, the
morbid appetite of the community satiated,
and the strong protecting arm OF the law Is
satisfied