Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-11-28

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The examination of Dea. Smith an
Mrs. Champlin for poisoning Mrs. Smit
at Vergennes last August commenced la!
Tuesday morning and continued till Fir
day afternoon.
The state was represented by States Al
torney George R. Chapman of Vergennes
assisted by ex-Gov. Stewart of Middle
bury and Hon. Mr.. Woodbridge of Vel
gennes. Col. Veazey of Rutland appear
ed for the relatives of Mrs. Smith. Dea
Smiths counsel were Mr.. Ballard of BuI
lington and Mr.. Lucia of Yergennes. MI
Hurd of Burlington was counsel for Mrs
Champlin.
On Tuesday morning States Attorne
Chapman stated what they expected t
prove. In the afternoon the examination
of witnesses began.
Dr. Arthur Homeopathic of Vergonne
was the first called He stated that b
was Mrs. Smiths attendant physician dur
ing her sickness. He gave her variou
medicines, among others one that con
tanned in inappreciable quantity of ar
scnic.
DR.. Hopkins (allopathic) of Vergenne
was the next witness. He said he hat
been called in counsel in the case of Mrs
Smith; thought she died of collapse, in
duced by Inflammation Of the stomach
and bowels; could not tell the cause of thu
Inflammation; thought arsenic would &C
count for the symptoms.
Dir. Kidder's testimony corroborated DR.
Hopkins.
Prof. Collier of Burlington said he ha(
analysed the stomach and viscera of Mrs
Smith; found nearly one.seventh of {
grain of white arsenic in the liver; somC
was lost in the analysis; perhaps not more
than two-sevenths of II grain present; al
indicated much larger quantity had beer
administered. He stated that he had an
alyzed the medicine administered by DR.
Arthur. There would not be as much ar.
senic in thousand million barrels Of it as
he found in the parts. He said Smith had
tried to have the analysis stopped; had of:
fered three hundred and fifty dollars if he
would stop it.
Prof. Golfers testimony occupied a
large part of Tuesday afternoon and
Wednesday forenoon.
Sheriff Drew of Burlington was the next
witness. He testified that he arrested Mr..
Smith, Mrs. Champlin and Mr.. Burroughs
in Peck's Block, Burlington; and that he
went with Mr.. Smith and Burroughs to
see Prof. Collier; was in another room and
did not hear what passed between them.
Wilbur Champln, brother-in-law to
Mrs. Champlin, was the next witness. He
had some arsenic, which he used for pre-
serving birds for slutfIng; kept it in II tin
box in small chest of tools in his room.
the whole family knew of it;
Mrs Champlin had access to it. Also testi-
fled to the intimacy between Mrs. Chaplin
and Mr.. Smith; he often used to come and
see her, generally staying as late as twelve
o'clock, sometimes later.
Mrs. Stewart was then called. She
with Mrs. Smith the night she
died; went to Mr.. Smiths room between
eleven and twelve and said she thought
Mrs. Smith could not hold out till morn
ing; Smith said he wished lie might not
see his wife again. She described Mrs.
smiths condition during the night; they
gave her preparation of beef tea which
Inc doctor and Mr.. Smith had prepared.
Several other witnesses We're called but
nothing of great Importance was added,
except to corroborate the testimony which
mad been given.
About the middle of the forenoon
Thursday Mr.. Burroughs was called. He
rad been working up the case as detect
We. and was for some Il partial confdant
If Smiths. He produced several letters
which passed between Smith and Mrs.
Jhamplin, which are very damaging TO
smiths case. He also testified to the init
macy between the respondents.
One or two other witnesses testified,
md Friday afternoon States Attorney
chapman and Mr.. Woodbridge for the
tate made their pleas and Mr.. Ballard
or the respondents.
Justice Knapp, before whom the case was
heard, bound them over to the December
erm of court, when, if the grand Jury
inds IL bill against them, they will proba-
Dly be tried.
The examination excited great interest,
he court room was continually full and
ONE of the time overlooking.
AS to the merits of the case, public
pinion seems to be divided Each side
as strong Sympathizers.
Throughout the trial Dea. Smith and
lrs. Champlin conducted themselves with
reat self possession. The examination
i witnesses was conducted in IN able
manner by States Attorney Chapman and
dr.. Neazey, for the prosecution; and
lr. Ballard for defense. W.