The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-11-02
Another Chapter in the smith Champli,,
Scandal. mn
VERGENNEs, W., Oct. "a. 1871.

Ezra p. Smith and Mrs. Mary Champlin
on the grave charge of conspiring to re-
move by poison, or rather Of having re-
moved by poison, the wife of the form
er, whose death under suspicious cir
cumstances was duly chronicled in a
previous letter to the Globe. The cx-
humation of the body, the chemical an
alysis by Prof. Collier, the discovery of
unmistakabie evidences of poison and
the subsequent arrest of both the parties
accused were also duly noticed at the
time, so that these matters have become
the Legitimate property of the public and
the various phases of the case have been
discussed in the clubs, hotels, church
and family circles and by all classes of
persons in Addison county. There is
at present no attempt made to deny the
fact that the relations existing between
Deacon Smith and Mrs. Champlin. both
before and since the death of the dea-
cons wife, were of q suspicious nature
and matter of general discussion
throughout this city, though there is n
wide diversity OF opinion as to their ac-
tual guilt or participation in the death
of Mrs. Smith. Very little is known of
the details of the case; in fact nothing
beyond what was published in the Globe
of October ., and the dispatches which
followed detailing the arrest of the sus-
pccted parties. The main charge is will
full murder with the motive of subse-
quent marriage between the pair. Mrs.
Champlin is regarded by the prosecut-
ing authorities as the pcrpetrator of the
alleged crime, and Mr.. Smith is charged
with collusion and conspiracy. 1t is
not generally claimed that he perform
ed any act towards causing his wifc's
death, but he is set down as particeps
criminis, inasmuch rs, il is alleged, he
had an understanding with the woman
held for the act, that rs soon as his wife
was out of the way her place would be
supplied by Mrs. Champln. 1t is also
claimed that he was fully cognizant of
the intent and purpose of Mrs. Cham
pin and was aware, if the crime was
really committed, of its preparation.
In support of these charges the govern
ment will produce a series of letters
written by both, which, it is claimed,
will establish collusion before the act
and concerted effort after the commits
sion of the alleged murder to shield each
other and shut off all investigation. 1t
will also be claimed that Smith has con-
fcssed to an intimacy with the woman
and his intention to marry Mrs. Cham
plin, rs soon as his wife was out of the
way. 1t should not be forgotten that
Mrs. Champlin has a husband and four
children living in New York state, from
whom her alleged relations with Mr..
Smith have forever separated her. She
was q constant attendant at the beside
of Mrs. Smith during her illness, and
usually administered what medicine the
sick woman took. A bottle containing
poison, which is claimed to have been
in her possession, has been discovered.
and should the body of the deceased
contain any that agrees in its proper
ties with this the case will be very
strong against her. Prof. Collier has
not made his formal report, but he has
made the following statement: "Mv
own partial examination thus far made
although not as yet revealing poison,
nevertheless indicates that the stomach
had been subject to an irritant poison,
and although 1, of course, wish to main.
tain an unpreudiced mind, can say
this much confidentially; | should moi
be surprised at finding poison, and in.
deed expect to find it," The professor
therefore, states positively that poison
was administered, or in some way pot
into the stomach, but as to what its ma
ture was he has not as yet indicated thai
he has reached any conclusion. 1t will
be question to be settled by the court.
whether the presence of all the svmp
toms of poison, without any poison. i.
prima facie evidence of death by poison
and that must be settled before the GOV
ernmcnt can prove the cOl'puS delicti, OF
existence of the crime of murder. Prof
Collier states that poison administered
i'll Just sufficient quantity TO cause dcatl
remains in the stomach long enough tC
perform its work and then passes of
into the other parts of the body, chief,
the liver, and that if more than enough
is administered, what is needed remains
while the surplus passes into the liver
lie claims that poison may vet be dis
covered in some other organ than th,
stomach, and, as can be seen bv his state
ment, he expects to find it.
: LETTERS THAT WILL DE PEoDUCED.
On the 2lth day of September tn,
body of Cordclia Smith was exhumct
and the stomach taken to Burlington
and in letter written by the deacol
that day to Mrs. Champlin, who was a
Essex, n. Y, he cautions her not {,
leave anything about which would lool
suspicious. lie uses this language: 81
, we live through this | shall hold mvsel
; under obligation to you, and, rs yo,
know, we understand each other and
have perfect confidence in YOU, nv dea
Mary" And again: 81 am afrai
:, what the consequences would be, pro
, vided they should find the least thing
\ and if they do then it might have bee
!, some part of the medicine" Effort
q were at once set on foot to try and sto
: the investigation, and Mr. Smith ker
a Mrs. Champlin duly notified of all hi
I efforts, but the letters fell into the hand
y of the detectives, who profcssed to b
a aiding the deacon, but who were rcaIl
n leading him into the pit they were slow
. ly digging for him. Several letter
o were sent during that week containin
Y about the same sentiments, and as
5 sample send you the following, whic
5 has been in my possession some time:
g [coPY.]
NERGESNEs, Oct 3, -.
MY DEAR MARY want to see you so muc
and have talk with you. II appears as though
could not contain myself, So ! sOrta sit down I'M
S scribbe little. Everything is quiet in this Go
4 iorsaken hole. They have not heart anythir
from burlington yet hope and pray that ever
thing will prove favorable with lis. | went In
# the old house you en this morning. But that h,
IS nothing To 10 with our case. stood and look,
" the old house over, and no one knows what
y thought (but you), anil that is enough.
SUNDAY AFTER SUFFER-.
J. Mary and went to church. Every thing as us
al in Nergennes. have sold ont my interest
!, the shop. Was disappointed In the result VII,
u all bills were paid, had little short of $500
expected II would he double that amount. IT
N first opportunity get shall sell all that hay
" AMI donf you Forget IL. We have not heard an
Il thing irom Huntington yet l presume you ha
10 seen the Boston Globe. IL you have, YOU sec
e has come Dust down on us) but who cares for
IL string of cursed Qies)? The reporter went al
n saw Elias. So you can guess some things III
were in it, We have just come back from h
bnrying-ground. don't mean 10 Winooski NJ
Is Kinds Is just passing the house. He says he h
ne just had a talk with Nell, and fixed her. SO s
a will be all right after this Went 10 the Metho
" ist church this evening. They looked at me
le they would n Bare just broke cage, but l did n
In hurt them. Have not been there before since