Daily globe., 1879-04-26

Cold Poison Mixed up in Hot Tea-The
Family Discover it In Time to Escape
Death.
peculiarly atrocious and partially sue
cessful attempt at wholesale poisoning was
developed in this city yesterday, the would-be
perpetrator of which is now the silent VIC
tim to her foolish and totally unintelligable
folly. A few minutes after O'Clock Thurs
day afternoon, middle aged and matronly
looking woman called at Dries & Mitchs
drag store, corner of Ninth and ST. Peter
streets, and requested to be shown ratbane
or exterminator, stating that her residence
was badly infected with rats, and that she
would like to purchase whatever would most
speedily result in their determination.
Several ratbanes were shown the customer,
none of which seemed to meet with her ap- |
probation, when the lady enquired concern
ing the efficacy of arsenic or strychnine, her
inclination being disposed toward trial OF
the former. The deadly nature of the drug
was explained by the clerk, Notwithstanding
which the lady insisted upon its purchase,
whereupon the clerk instructed her upon Its
proper usage, stating that when employed as
rat exterminator it should be mixed with
corn meal, the relative proportions OF the
mixture being properly elucidated
The lady purchased and paid for small
quantity of the poison, giving her name as
Mrs. Feeghan, which was entered upon the
book, provided in accordance with the law
regulating the sale of poisons. Nothing
further was thought of the matter until 8
o'clock Thursday evening, when ten-year
cid boy came to the drug store and enqulred
about the afternoons sale, stating that an at
tempt had been made by his mother to pois-
on her family, consisting of herself, four
children and the father. The father of the
family, Mr.. Terrence Feeghan, shortly after
wards appeared, reiterating the statement OF
the boy, explaining that Mrs. Feeghan had
inoculated the tea with arsenic, the presence
of which was detected by the oily nature
of the fluid as it was poured from the uten-
sil, in addition to which one of the children
had found an empty paper labeled arsenic
lying in the yard just before supper, which
was shown to the father upon his return
home from work. The family sat down to
supper about o'clock, the only absent mem
ber being Mrs. Feeghan, whom it was pre-
sumed was visiting some of the neighbors
MOVEMENTS OF THE WOMAN.
From subsequent developments it would
appear that after leaving Dreis & Mitsch's
drug store, Mrs. Feeghan repaired to Aliens
drug store, corner of Seventh and Jackson
streets, where she purchased more arsenic,
after which she came home and deliberately
prepared the tea which was designed to OK
terminate her entire family.
After preparing the evening repast, in
which was included the poisonous draught
Mrs. Feeghan left home, not returning until
8 o'clock in the evening, the family having
in the meantime detected her diabollcal in.
tentions. AS before stated, Mr.. Feeghar
enquired at the drug store concerning the
purchase, about 8 o'clock Thursday evening
when he was advised to call medical aid ii
case symptoms of poisoning were manifested
in the family.
FATAL RESULTS.
Nothing more was heard of the matte
until yesterday morning, when it was re
ported that Mrs. Feeghan was dying iron
the effects Of poison, the resul
of an overdose of arsenic
Medical aid was summoned, in despite Q
which the woman died few minutes befor
~ o'clock NJ, yesterday, death being super
indnced from arsenic, which was undoubteo
ly taken the night preceding, as the woma
intended to poison herself and entire family
her desire being fortunately frustrated in til
manner before mentioned. A few minute
before Mrs. Feeghans' death, yesterda..
Father Gallagher was called in, to whom tt
dying woman confessed to having poisone
the tea, stating at the same time that notl
ing else had been infected, and giving 4
reason for her desire to cause the death
herself and family.
THE FAMILY.
The family reside at No. 164 Cedar stree
and consisted of Mr.. and Mrs. Feeghan, tN
boys, aged respectively about 8 and 10 year
and young girl, to all of which childre
Mrs. Feeghan bore the relation of stel
mother. Mr.. Feeghan is reported as an ii
dustrious, sober and hardworking man, bein
employed as a tender at the City iron work
The deceased is about As years of age, an
no cause is assigned for her diabolical a
tempt at wholesale murder, except that fc
the past few weeks she has been drinkir
very hard, which undoubtedly had some il
duence in instigating the attempt
Fears are entertained by the family tn
her attempt at poisoning did not stop wit
doctoring the tea. One of the boys, chill
about ten years of age, was taken with fits
vomiting late yesterday afternoon, but as IL
family have made way with all the edible
that were in the house at the time of the a
tempt, it is to be hoped that the cons
quences of the villainous effort ceased wit
the death of the mother.