New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-08
4 POISONING CASE EXPLAINED.

PARIS GREEN FOUND To HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE
OF THE DEATHS OF SERVANTS SUPPOSED 70
HAVE DIED FROM EATING CHOw-CHOw.
An inquest was held by Coroner WOltman
Yesterday concerning the sudden deaths of three
sons JoDn and Ann Powers, brother and sister, and
Ellen Burke at No East Thirty secOndst fortnight
ago. At that time their death was supposed to have
| been caused by their eating a brand Of pickle;
| known as "chowchow" which by some chemical pro
| cess It was supposed. had become poisoned. Dr. L.
| Ogden Doremus testified at the inquest that an
ANALYSIS OF the chowchow revealed poisonous sub
stance; and that analysis OF the contents OF the
| deeeased's stomachs disclosed that they had been
poisoned with Paris green. The owner OF tho house
stated that he had found Paris green in corner Of
the kitchen and that it could easily have been swept
by some accident into the food John A. Ubste OF No.
East Thrtysecondst testified: left home Saturday,
Iulv IA: the family were away In the country; re-
turned the following Monday, and heard that the ser
want Ann Powers was sick; she was much worse the
next day: called in physician, but she died the
following Wednesday; Tuesday, July a. heard that
the cook, Ellen Burke, was sick; L called in
physician; she died the following Friday the other
servant sobna Bgler. little sick; on my family
returning they found Paris green scattered all over the
kitchen; some OF t found among the knives and
forks tho asked wife for the Paris green as'
Winter she said she wanted it to kill cockroaehes the
meal consisted OF cold roast beef boiled potatoes rice
away from the servants and was used by the family
was not aware Of any ilfeeling among the servants
Subina Bigler, servant IN the family, testified: On
sunday John Powers stad TO dinner ate some of the
chow-chow and then spat u out 1t tasted so badly; al
ways knew there was Paris green about the sink and
also in the dresser where the knives and spoons were
found.
Miss Harriet Cole testified: found Paris green,
least three spoonfuls in the closet; also found Paris
green In the sink; there also Paris green the
wood moldng; IL there was a strong breeze 1t might
nave been blown Off upon the meat and vegetables;
found Paris green in the dresser among the knives.
Ellen Batterslee testified a servant in the fam
ily Annie and John Powers there three weeks
ago at supper there was no argument az tho supper
and there quarrel there was nothing whcn Oc-
Cured (which would have led one from jealousy or
malice to attempt to poison any one there was no other
sick OF the nve persons who ate the meal except
the brother and sister. -.
DR. Passmore of No 2C6 East Twenty testified
was called into the house In the afternoon OF July Il
toms OF having taken poison could not learn the his
tory OF the case his respiration was dhcnlt he KEEP!
his eyes shut went there the following morning. ana
found him unable to speak; he died the following day
Dr. Hughes testified: was called to see Ann Powers
complained OF headache; the pupils OF her eyes we're
much dated she could and DID swallow the hr se
unable TO swallow; on the next morning sne d hse
posoned also saw her brothe believed that he
also had been poisoned at the time received INC ~
formation that they had swallowed Paris green do not
| life. ., Wa. T,a,,v
Frederick r. Sturgis, N. d., OF No 10 West twenty
ninth testified: called In 10 attenu 70 Ellen
| Burke: she complained OF having q headache; her
nuIse was good and she showed harlly any signs OF
nosoning; the next morning she complained Oh great
mniculty In swallowing; on the morning or the 2itn
there was a great change for the worse; she con-
srtous up to II IN; she died shortly before her
death IL had become difficult for her swallow that
she absolutely refused 10 attempt IT. think II possible
that il ;ne proper antdote had applied at once she
| might have recovered.
DR. X. Ogden Doremu5 testified: am professor OF
chemistry Bellevue Hospital; july II received
from Coroner Woltman the 9sophagus. stomach. and
arynx OF late John Powers; also received bottle,
one-quarter full OF a variety OF pickles marked chow
chow" winch deceased had partaken OF on the SUNDAY
previous; the pickles were first examined, aud they
| were found to be putrehed search Wa
] made for the various poisonous and c1rrosino
| acids, and for the metallic posOns, Dut w, ~
poison found; tho pickles were unwholesome' ou
they could have been the cause OF the a
innammatOry effects In the stomach OF tno uo
ceased an analysis Of the intestines OF tue ueeeaou
resulted In the discovery Of arsenic and copper to
sttuents OF Paris green Prof. Dorenus also stnou
that he analyzei the stomach, Intestines ana nsop
| gus OF Anu Powers and Ellen Burke, ana WIN .u
same result discovering both tue presence Oh rams
! green ,.. ..wa a,a
| The Jury rendered the following verdict we unu
that John Powers and Ellen Burke came 70 the
by the accidental introduction IN their fOou VA or,
green and we would caution tho pubic ADAMS. us'ss
paris green for the purpose Of destroying Insects
| small quantity ot tue poison wouiu pSV'9 uVa~"S''
La