The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-25
EMMA BETHEL's ACQUITTAL.
The Jury Say that She did not Poison Mrs.
Bishop-Who Poisoned Mr.. Bishopf

CAMDEN, n. j.. May 2i.--Emma Bethel
was acquitted. this morning. OF the charge OF
having poisoned Hannah Bishop. She was inn
mediately placed on trial on the charge OF hav-
ing poisoned Reckless Bishop. the husband Of
Hannah. Thu Bishops were old folks who lived
in Berlin. " J. Mrs Bishop died on the 18th
Of March and her husband on the ith OF April.
both under circumstances that were suspicious.
Mrs. Emma Bethel. the divorced wife Of glass
blower living in Millville, Cumberland county.
\. j.. who had been living the life Of an adven-
turess at some Of the lower summer hotels AZ
Cape May and in Atlantic City met George
Bishop. the only son Of Reckless and Hannah
Bishop. in Camden. They became attached to
each other and lived togethera for year George
Bishop being wdower with four children. He
then persuaded his parents to take his children
and his housckcepcr as he called Mrs Bethel.
To- their home. He was an engineer on the Cam
len and Atlantic Railroad, and was AWAY from
his family great part of the time. Mrs. Bishop,
who was ignorant at first 81 the relations be-
tween her son and his housekeeper. soon dis
covered them, and was very indignant that Mrs
demanded that George should take her away.
rms he refused To- DO and much trouble fol-
lowed in lhe household. :, Last fall during the
to boar tho presence Of Mrs. Bethel. drove her
from the house, iorbidding hcr ever entering it
Mrs. Bethel. went away with threats. Re-
member me-, she said. III get even with
You and before I'm done with you. and before
III give George up. | II poison you aud burn
the house down over your head
Bytnking ny q mortgage upon the old home
stead George In January last, prevailed upon
the old folks 10 permit Mrs. Bethel to return.
but there were. no better feelings all around.
On the 2jth Of FEBRUARY Mrs. Bishop was taken
sick. and under Mrs. Bethels care grew grad
Mally worse until March 3, Then Mrs. Hattie
Willets. daughter. arrived and taking charge
OF her mother, Mrs, Bishop continued 10 i'm
prove until March II. when the daughter re:
turned to her own home. Mrs. Bethel resumed
the care Of the patient who grew worse imme-
diatey and died March 10.
An examination OF the stomach Of Mrs.
Bishop By Prot. Stevens ~ Girard College re-
yealed the presence OF arsenic therein. which.
considerable time.
On the 25th ~ March Mr. Bishop was taken
sick. He was alarmed and anxious that his
nrighbOrs should care for him They atched
hy turns at his bedside and kept close swell
lance over the behavior u Mrs. Bethel She was
made To taste every dish that she prepared Tor
him. H. died April 4. Mrs. Bethel quit the
neighborhood for few days. and returning.
attempted To talk with George Bishop, who re-
pulsed her, begging her not 10 be hounding his
path. She then went 10 the house Of n cousin
and wildly accused Frank Willeis Of having Of
tered her $500 to poison the old folks George
heard Of this and had her arrested. She WAS
taken before the Mayor where, in hcneNamina-
ton, she repeated the charge she had made
against Mlll"s. Arsenic in considerable guam
titles was found in the stomach Of Mr.. Bishop
George Bishop was also arrested IL appearing
bought some arsenic OF him, as he said, TO de-
stroN some rats
Mrs. Emma Bethel was the first woman ever
tried Tor murder in this county