The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27
A PROFESSIONAL POISONER
PittSburg Citizens Dragged 70 Death by q
Physician from the Penilentiary.
NAMES OF HIS ALLEGED VICTIMS.
Arsenic Found in Dead Patients
Stomach and the Quack
Sent to Jail.
PITTsBURG, Pa. ,. Jan. 26, 1874.

pITTSBURG, Pa, JAM 26, 1874
In She mighty river of crime there is every now
and then something noated to the surface so
dreadful In its nature as 10 interrupt its ordinary
steady current and cause mankind TO suffer a
faint shudder before its disappearance and passage
to iorgetfnlness. Something OF this kind was
brought to light In South Pittsburg this afternoon,
and which caused more than ripple OF excite
ment.
The number OF deaths in 0 particular portion OF
the city known as Temperanceville has led of late
to much gossip among the residents and soon
there were Whispers OF foul play, which by degrees
assumed the form OF direct charges; and the per-
son branded as being Instrumental in Fastening
of the population was a wel-known practising
physician called DR.. william Smith.
SUSPICIOUS FREQUENCY OF DEATH.
Two persons dying but two weeks apart and
exhibiting like symptoms was the first substantial
ground OF suspicion, and which In the second In
stance led to The analysis OF the stomach Of the
ceased, the result OF which was the discovery OF
arsenic in large quantities
Among those who are supposed to be victims Of
poisoning and have come to their death while at
tended by DR.. Smith ale the fo0wing:-
John Kenny, aged seventy-one. died November 8,
1873 He was reported as having died of pleurisy.
Rebecca White, aged fity-one, died November 20,
1873 Reported disease pleuro pneumonia.
James Mcdonald, aged sixtysev died Decem-
Der "a 1873; reported disease, acute gastrits..
Mary Ann Broad. aged eight, died about two
weeks since.
The causes of death assigned in the cases men.
toned above taken from the certificates OF DR..
Smith, in his report OF to the Board of Health.
There are several other persons In reference to
whose death there has arisen suspicion, but their
names at this writing are not available.
THE DEArHLY PHYSIC.
Asa Broad, q man about forty Of age. called
on DR.. Smith, and summoned his aid in the case
OF James Mcdonald, Mr.. Broad's iather-in-law who
was taken i'll with cholera mOrous. Smith pre-
scribed for him, and, among other things, sent up
some magnesia, which, by the physicians orders,
was administered to him. This was about eleven
O'CLOCK in the morning, and in six or seven
hours thereafter Mr.. Mcdonald died He had all
burning sensation IN the stomach, &C., but sus-
piclons, II any existed, were considered not well
enough grounded to cause an investigation.
A STOMACH FIRE.
Subsequently child OF MIR. Broad took SICK and
the doctor, being called IN again, pronounced
her ailment caused by worms He gave three
powders and bottle, which he said contained
magnesa. The three powders given to the
child nrst at intervals OF about three hours. There
seemed to be no perceptibe change In the con-
ditlOn OF the child from what 1t was that
was given to the little girl She at once commenced
vomiting violently and splitting blood ami COM
planned OF q painful burning sensation In the
stomach, at one time saying to her mother, who
was by her side, mother, my little stomach ia
complaining of her stomach burning until nine
O'Clock, an nour and half alter the dose was
given to her from tue magnesa bottle, when she
died.
THE CHEMIST CALLED IN.
NeighbOrs limited that the child had been poi
soned and thought the best thing the father could
| do would be to have the stomach anaiyZed. which
| he at length determined to do. The poor man was
| nearly crazed. and subsequently put the matter
into the hands OF three competent physicians, who
| removed the stomach and placed 1t in the hands
| o. Professor Wuth Tor analysis The result vas
| the finding Of large amount OF arsenic, and, In
| the Professors own words, " there never was o
| clearer case OF poisoning"
PHYSICIAN FROM THE PENITENTIARY,
DR.. Smith is man quite well along in years, and
commenced the practice OF medicine many years
ago. He arrested for Counterielting in Law
renceville some years since ana sent to the peni-
Tertiary. He served there term OF five years.
being released about one year ago, when he re
sumed the practice OF the medical profession.
private office OF the Mayor. where he lay red
morocco covered lounge. apparently quite in
different to the charges brought against
him. He would only converse with a
few persons, and. then very guardedly.
He stated thai the press was very severe on him,
| and asked your correspondent TO do him justice
by stating that he was innocent OF these crimes,
and that II the Elagnesia contained arsenic 1t was
NO fault his; that he did not prescribe 1t for the
child but that 1t was given her by the father with
out Instructions from him, and was out o. bottle
| prescribed for Mr.. Mcdonald. Soon after he was
taken to jail. II is understood tnat brother OF
| the deceased, Mr.. Mcdonald, will prefer second
charge for murder against Smith tomorrow.