Daily Republican., 1881-05-21
CARPENTER JAILED.
HE Is FOUND GUILTY OF CLARA
SMITHS DEATH.
A Most Careful Examination Into
the Case - No SMALLPOX - A
Unanimous Verdict.

The session of the Coroner's Jury in
the case of the death of Clara Smith
yesterday was not of long duration.
The duty of the jury was clear after the
examination Of Drs. Ogle and Springer.
and all suspicious of Carpenters guilt
had been proved with much positive
ness.
WHAT THE EXAMINATION SHOWED.
Some interesting points were shown
oy the physician s statement of the post
mortum examination. The body, the
doctor stated, was exhumed by Super
lntehdent Fisher Of the smallpox hos.
pital who had buried it. They found
on the body evidence of decomposition,
but no evidence of smallpox. On the
right side of the head were bloody eff
fusion and evidence of bruises. They
removed the skull-cap, but the brain
was so decomposed that nothing could be
determined from it. Internally the
stomach was somewhat congested, but
there was nothing apparently wrong
with other organs.
The doctor stated that all authorities
agreed that in cases of smallpox there
was nothing about the internal organs
to show the disease. Possibly, he said,
there might have been smallpox though
there were no external indications of
this; yet it could not be stated that she
had the smallpox. He could not saw
that the injuries on the head We're suf-
ticient to cause death, as sometimes
very slight injury to the head proves
fatal, while very serious one may not
The injury may have ruptured blood
vessel and caused bleeding.
In this case the doctor said the brain
was not in condition to Indicate
whether or not it had sustained any in
Jury. There was no evidence of anyin-
jury in the stomach. He expressed the
opinion that in an uncomplicatel case
OF smallpox death would not have oc-
CURED so soon as in this instance.
Doctor" asked one of the jury men,
from the appearance ofthe body would
you have for a moment dreamed of
had there not been much
talk Of that disease"
II do not think | would"
The question was very pointedly put
and can3idly answered as to the condi-
ton OF the body. The remains were not
iecOmpOsed although they had been in
the grave nine days. In fact, decom-
position had set in slowly. 1t was the
opinion Of the doctor that this indicated
absence ofsmall-pox. In cases of death
from smallpox, bodies deconpose very
rapidly.
DR.. Springer, who assisted DR.. Ogle
tolnake the examination, ,concurred with
him in every particular.
THE DOCTORS CERTIFICATE.
The jury then sent for the certificate
If the physician who had attended the
girl at her sickness. This was put in
evidence and critically examined
Accompanying the certificate was Il
lote stating that the disease was believ-
ID to be smallpox, and that he (the doc
orr had intended to report the case
leXt day. In the certificate itself, how
,ver, was foot noteto this effect, dur
ttion of disease, three days"
THE VERDICT.
The jury after deliberating a short time
endered unanimous verdict to this
fleet :
"After hearing the evidence in the
aSe, it is the opinion of the coroner'S
lqueSt that Clara Smith died from
'ounds and injuries inflicted on the
cad, i'll the opinion of the jury. by At
'ood Carpenter, on Saturday, May T."
TAKEN To JAIL.
In the afternoon Carpenter was taken {
4 "a n a 90 rri q nCrn hNt |
Veldin, accompanied by officer McIll-
emmy. Carpenter stands committed for
ourt without bail the otfense being a
ipital one. He has been in the city
Ills since last Monday when arrested