Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-06
Eyidence-A Narrow
Escape.

IF man OF an observing nature would
only jot down the many little incidents he
hears from the lips of the oldest citizens
where he resides he would, in the course
of time, accumulate enough matter to fill
II large-sized book, and it would doubtless
be far more interesting than three-fourths
of the trash" which is at the present day
offered for sale on the shelves and counters
of the city bookstores. The following in
cident was related to me some years ago
by an eminent physician of this city, who
has been called TO rest long since. I will
attempt to relate it as nearly in his words
as my recollection will permit;
In this country in the year 1S3- there
lived man who had removed from the
North with his own and his wife's rela-
tlons few years previously. His wife,
who had lived all her married life on very
indifferent terms with her husband, sud
denly died. AS she was in apparent per-
feet health on the day of her death, and
there had been violent quarrels between
them, the man was regarded with con-
siderable degree of suspicion. At the
burial of his wife her relatives attended
Toward them the husband had always en-
tertained great hostility; but on this oc-
casion he was particularly urgent that they
should return with him after the funeral
and partake of meal at his table. They
were not disposed to do this, both on ac-
count of the recollection of the treatment
of his wife, his uniform hostility to them,
and the very suspicious circumstances sur
rounding his wife's death. He continued
with so much earnestness to urge them to
return to his house and partake of his hos
pitality that at last they yielded. Their
meal was placed before them, at which a
dish of baked beans was abundantly
served. But short time elapsed after the
meal before every individual of the party
was taken sick-some so violently affected
that their lives were despaired of. These
very suspicious circumstances determined
the neighbors to have the man arrested,
and it was accordingly done.
The house was searched and quantity
of arsenic was found, of which it was
afterward ascertained he had purchased a
large quantity of an apOthecary q short
time before the death of his wife
Another corroborating circumstance was
that the accused had, on the day on which
his wife died. carried to her while in the
field glass of liquor, an act of courtesy
which it was quite out of his custom 10
proffer The man was placed in custody
and preparations were made for his trial.
The physician who attended the deceased
was satisfied that the death was from poi
son, and was willing to give his evidence to
that effect Public opinion was highly ex.
asperated on the subject, and the conviction
OF the individual was confidently antici.
pated at the approaching session of the
court Things being thus ciTcumstanced,
an eminent physician, who was personal
friend of the physician in charge of the
case, CHANGED to visit the place and sought
an interview with him. He inquired if the
| physician had examined the body internal
ly after death On being answered in the
negative, he placed before him in strong
manner the situation in which he would
| find himself when called on before cour
and jury for evidence of his assertion thai
the death was by poison. II was soon de
cided that disinterment and an examina
tion of the body should be made, and the
new physician, with another medical
friend, accompanied the first-named ply
sician to the place of the presumed muir
der The community expressed great sat
isfaction at the knowledge of this intention
and were eager to assist in the disinter
ment, assured that il would only add con
tirmation TO their belief in the guilt of the
accused. The body was quickly removed
from the earth. A question then arose
where tie examination should take place
for as the body had been buried tire,
weeks no one was willing that il should bI
brought into his dwelling-house. A neigh
boring barn was proposed, but TO this Tho
physician objected, on account of the wan
of sufficient light. The church building
was then named, and thither the body was
carried. Ii was placed on a table in the
center aisle, and the examination com
menced in the presence of the assembled
and eager multitude, who filled the pew
and galleries. The principal physician
prepared to open the abdomen, and tn
gentlemen who accompanied him under
took in the meantime the examination o
the head. To the abdomen of course th,
attention of all was chiefly directed. Tn,
operation of opening the head, however
advanced more rapidly than that of th'
abdomen, and the removal of the Uranium
discovered 10 the surprise Of the operation
and spectators suffusion of blood in thu
organ and all the unequivocal marks o
apoplexy, while the stomach and other di
gestiye organs were found 70 exhibit no
the slightest indication Of the presence o