Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-11-20
The North Carolina Poisoning Case
-Oischar0o Of the Accused Ladies
Novel Scenes In Court.


The following are the particulars of the collapse
OF the sensational charges Of poison alleged against
tho family Of the deceased clergyman, Rev. DIR.
Smith, in Raleigh, North Carolina, as reported by
telegraph:
At nine O'Clock. Saturday, Mrs. Mary +. Smith
and Mrs. Francis L. Mann, charged With the mur.
der: by poisoning, Of DIR. J. Brinton Smith. the
husband and father, were brought by Sheriff Lee
before Judge Watts, in Raleigh, on writ Of ha.
beas corpus: They were accompanied by N. II.
ana \. n. Battle, their counsel. by several lady
friends, three other daughters Of DR.. Smith, Revs.
Dr: SMedes and Mason, of the Episcopal Church,
and by Captain Smith. of Philadelphia, brother
OF the deceased. on whose arm tho widow leaned
There were present large crowd Of Interested
and their relatives and friends was noticeable.
The family were all dressed in deep black. aud on
the part OF the prisoners there was no utectation
OF gnef-it was deep and pure. Indeed, their
countenances bore evidently an expression Of res
igDation and also the indication Of conscious inno-
| cence.
THE FAMILY,
most interesting one, is Of high culture, and ap-
parenty knit closely together by ties of affection
Mrs. Mann Is lady apparently about 25 years Of
age, rather above tho medium height, resembles
her deceased ! father vey much; is pretty, and has
an amiable, Intelligent expression. Mrs. Smith is
about 5O years OF age. with gray hair; is dgn-
| he'd matron, whose bearing would at once inspire
respect. The bearing of the whole family through
out has been cemme mendabie
During the examination Mr.. Mann, the husband
OF one OF the accused, entered having Just arrived
His meeting with the family under the circum-
stances was most affecting and impressive.
The evidence adduced before the coroner's jury
and analysis OF Professor Genth, showing the
presence Of strychnine in the stomach. brain, &c,
were read. Mr.. r. II. Battle made IN eloquent
address III behalf OF the prisoners. lie raised no
question MS to the poisoning, but contenjed ne
motive existed to commit the crime Tho decea
sed was a salared man; his affairs were cinbar
rassed; his family were most deeply interested in
his living; the daughter was DR.. Smiths favorte
and the amible character OF both Offsets any pre-
sumption OF guilt.
CAPTAIN SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA,
brother of the deceased, testified to the high love
able character OF Mrs. Smith that her amabity
had been the subject of congratuation in the fam
lily, as we'll as the fact that his brother had beer
joined to ono who SO well understood and could SC
well endure and excuse his brusque manner ant
quick temper. When asked what were her prin
) ciPal virtues, he remarked, "All the Christia,
graces."
DIR. Smedes and DR.. r. Il. Saunders also testfe,
to the character OF the prisoners and the afeciona
relations existing between deceased and his family
Judge Watts then delivered his decision, tina
there was not the slightest evidence to sustain tn
charge against either prisoner, and ordered thei
discharge
I Tremendous applause fIom the audience fol
3 lowed the decision, while numerous friend
Q crowded around the prisoners congratulatins
Q them. The self-possesslon Sc long maintane'
e gave way at the last moment, and, dropping
h their heads with quick start, they both burs
: forth in audibly sobs. The spectators wer
deeply moved, and tears filed the eyes of neal
ly all the spectators in court The judges dc
cision was universally approved. Mrs. Manr
i her husband and the other daughter then pres
}, sed forward to thank the sheriff for his dellcat
kindness during their incarceration.
q THE wIFE's THEORY
: Her theory seemed to be that in preparing
- dose for some depredating animal, which Ii
sometimes did, sufficient quantity of TIL
deadly drug might have fallen upon the seid
" litz powder to have caused death. Almost IL
first thing he did after taking possession of I'll
9 property he occupied for the school and res
s dence and private grounds was to post notice
y warning off all trespassers and he was espec
y ally sensitive to the incursiOns OF animals, sue
y as dogs, hogs, &c, upon his premises. 1t WI
y to kill these that he procured the strychnir
y which caused his own death, and it Is said th'
!. the day before he died he poisoned q hog fonn
y trespassing on his land.