The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-19
EXTRACT.

-
DEAR Sir, -"I have today completed my ex-
animation of the stomach of Mrs. Parker, sub
mitted by you. 1 have tested for all the poi
sons commonly used, and in every case with
negative res ults."
The report alluded further to the natural
appearance of the lining membranes of the
stomach, showing no corrosive appearance or
discoloration such as is expected to be seen in
cases of poisoning.
DR.. Day then states as follows: "My opinion
is formed from this, as formed then at that
time, and the testimony of Drs. McCorrisoE
and Hanson, when seen by them, from all
which l am led to conclude that Mrs. Parker
died from paralysis of the heart, consequent
upon her extreme debility, and atrophy-a
shrinking of the brain. Her condition, as de-
scribed by her attending physician, would &C
count for all the symptoms from which she
complained"
Dr. F. B. Merrill said he concurred in the
opinion of DR.. Day, having assisted in the
post-mortem examination.
Here closed the testimony, and the jury re-
tired to prepare a verdict, the contents of
which the writer has not been advised.
The report of the State Assayer fully dis
poses of the poisoning theory" which is gem
orally believed to have been conceived in ill
will and influenced by unworthy, not to say
malicious, motives; not by relatives of kin to
the deceased, for none of them, (be it said to
their credit have shared the suspicious or fav-
ored the proceedings; but by connections VINO
should, from respect for the ashes OF that
worthy man,-the former husband-have pre-
served his burial spot from dissertation, unless
something stronger than groundless sur
mise, growing into suspicion, resting onno bet
ter foundation not allowing such suspicion to
be strengthened las saith the Press inform
anti by the declaration OF a so-called Indian
DOCTOR" who, by the way is an irresponsible
itinerant who happened to be present at the
funeral, and in sanderous brawl over the open
grave challenged bets and declared that poison
would be found in the stomach of the dec
eased. 1t is quite evident that the PRESS
informant's reports containing the slanderous
charges of unbecoming conduct commencing
with the Portsmouth, n. H.. item of Oct 81,
despatched to Boston aud Portland papers, and
continued in the DAILY PRESS item of Nov. 81
against Parker senior, and Parker junior, could
have been entirely explained by friendly in
quiry in a spirit void of ill-will
Additional to the ''poison' theory and after
it seemed quite sure to be pronounced by COM
petent authority groundless, the attempt and
seeming desire is not abandoned to fix upon
Mr.. Parker and his grandson the odium, if not
punishable crime, of indirectly causing her
sudden taking off, by the FOSTERING" process,
which in her case. tit is surmised) wrought her
up to thigh pitch of excitement and "agl-
tation,' upon which theory, the PRESS says,
"The doctor was of the opinion that death
was the result of complete nervous prostratton,
the effect of aqitation" And upon this opin-
of the coroner's jury, seems to settle down up
on this verdict to wit: sit is possible that
some poison may be found, but it is more prob
able that the case will turn out to be one OF
cruel and heart)ess conduct, rather than OF
MURDER
To meet and disprove all these slanderous
mputations, so unfeelingly made against the
character and reputation of Mr.. Parker and
his grandson who are so unjustly dealt with,
and nearly crushed, the unprej JUDGED public
will find in the sworn evidence of unbiased
witnesses before the inquest ample proof of
the physical situation and rapid decline of
Mrs. Parker for many months prior to her
sudden death, which was not at all unexpect-
ed by her attending physicians, nor its sudden
ness surprise. -,
AS to quarreling about "money matters,
the report is absurd and false, and could not
he proved at the inquiry, although attempted.
Mr. Parker was not (as stately "impecunious"
or extravagant, neither did his wife lack con-
fidence in his integrity, or place her purse be-
You'd his reach. Mrs. Parker las stated re-
ceived $4,000 by legacy in her former hus-
bands will. She received no interest out OF
his real estate. That was devised to his
heirs,--they having no children. Albert new
er had the $500 (alleged) to go into business
WITH" neither importuned her for money.
Neither did Mr.. Parker and Albert, or either,
Examine her effectssor rummage her bureau
drawers" (as charged) that "unbecoming con-
duct, was enacted the next day after her