The New York herald., 1878-03-09
A DRUNKEN FIEND.

THE TERRIBLE DEED OF A JEALOUS GERMAN
HE PREPARES POISON FOR HIS FAMILY AND
WATCHES THEM DRINK IT.
Henry Schmidt, house carpenter. who resides with
his fnmiy on tho third floor of the tenement house
No. 81 Pitt street, between Rvinston and Stanton,
was yesterday arrested charge OF having
poisoned hrs vile and daughter aud his wlfe's
mother by mixing arsenic with the coffee which
had been prepared Tor dinner. Tho timely
arrival Of medical assistance saved the lives
OF tho wife and child, but the old lady, IL Is
feared cannot survive the effects OF the deadly Dose
1t appears that Tor somo time past Schmidt and his
wife, Barbara, have lived unhappily together, and
that the former has been in tho habit OF drinking
freely. He has not worked at his trade Tor some
months and said to have contributed nothing
toward the support OF his family. His wifes brother
was killed In the late war, and the mother Is in
receipt OF pension from the government
Of So week, on which tho little house.
hold mainly depended for Subsistence. The
old lady, whose name is Mrs. smitler and Mrs.
Schmidt yesterday morning paid a visit to the Pom
sion Office and received quarterly payment OF $24
They were accompanied down town by John Petsch,
o tailor, who lives in the same house with then
Schmidt when he learned that Petsoh had been with
his wife aud motber-in-law. became worry angry be-
cause not asked 60 instead, ana alter quar-
reing with his wife about 1t her return left
homo and continued spree which he had
already begun. Mrs. Schmidt who does washing
10 earn little money lett The house alter her hus-
and to deliver some garments which she had aun-
dried During her absence the husband returned and
waited with Mrs smitler and his daughter Catharine
bright child thirteen years OF age When Mrs
Schmidt returned at noon he told her to hurry Inc
dinner and she accordingly began 10 prepare IT, The
meal consisted oil bread and coffee. Schmidt laughed
In his drunken mood and watched eagerly
the earthen vessel In which the coffee was
any good spirits as the family down 10 their
simple meal, but declined 10 be helped TO anything
himself. Mrs Smitler hud finished second cup OF
coiiec, his w,ic had taken one and the little girl,
Catharne, about half cup. when Schmidt iaushingy
remarked you'll come away from II pretty soon,"
ana went down stairs lie returned In "A lew minutes,
pretended TO be astonished 10 ind them all purging
ana vomiting, and saying that ne would run Tor
doctor, hastily left the room. Before dong SO
hd It in bis pocket. Mrs. Smitler who now suspected
what he mad done, followed him down stairs ana
screamed Tor some Cne tn stop him. He made bis
escape the time, however. and word was sent to
the nearest drug store. DR.. Theoboid Frohwein
came response and administered strong antdotes,
which proved efectua IN tue cases oi the vile ana
child Mrs Smitler, who Is sixty years OF age and
who drank than the others, was found 10 be IN
Captain Cherry, OF tho Eleventh precinct. when
apprised OF what had occurred put Detective oConnor
on the track oil the fugitive OConnor found Schmidt
in an alley in WieIt street, and took him 10 tho
station house. On hts person were found the razor
which hs had taken from tho and = small beer
The coffee pot was also found 10 contain sediment
which is supposed to bo arsenic.
HE THE POISONING.
Schmidt was or pretended TO bc very much intox-
icated when arrested, after being locked up IN
cell acted like u madman. He Is u low sized but
strong looking fellow, and soon as tho door
closed alter him he clutched an iron water pipe that
passes through cell and torc It from It's asten-
ings He bent and broke the ppe allowing the water
to escape and flood the floor OF the prison.
Several officers summoned, VINO hand
cufed and then ohained him TO the iron
grating oi The eel door 10 prevent him from dong
further mischief During his cooler moments the
prisoner talked nationally and denied tnaG he had
poisone cd his family. He said that no and his wife had
not spoken for fortnight, and that q named
Pc, sch lad estraugcd from him. He admitted
that ne had put arsenic in the whskey which was
found in his possession and said no did II Intending
10 take his own ie HIS sister he said knew his
bles. Her name was Mrs. Ruooph and nor residence
No. 81 Columbia street.
A reporter called at the address given and found
middle aged German woman answering to tho name.
Tho prisoner her brother and lived very
happy life with his wife. When out Of work no
became dospondent and tooK to drink. That very
morning Mrs. Schmidt had called on her TO complain
of her husband. While Mrs. Schmidt there
Schmidt also In, and they began to quarrel and
slapped one another.
August Wcbcl, the landlord of the house Pitt
street. where Mr. Schmidt's family live, said yeser-
day that Mrs. Schmidt and her mother, Mrs Smiter,
are both exemplary women. He standing In the
hallway when Schmidt ran down stars followed by
Mrs Smitler, VINO cried out "Stop him he has
poisoned u.s. Z" He made an effort 70 hold him but
unable to do So