Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-19
The Jennie Cramer Case,

The developments in the Jennie Cramer case have tended somewhat to change the standpoints from which it was considered in the first place. These changes up to this time relate mainly to the character of the unfor- tunate girl, and the drugs by which it was thought she had pet her death. AS to her character, 8 ealmer consideration of the fact that Jennie accepted the acquaintance of gen tlemen on the street without previous intro duction that she went on rides or to SUD- pers in public places at hours when respecta- ble girls are presumed to be at home and ID bed; and this without permission or the knowledge of her mother; that she associat- ed with New York prostitute for two weeks, and must have discovered the character of the woman and her relations to Walter Nal ley, if she had tithe of the sense claimed for her; that she permitted herself to be prevailed on to drink until boozy; that she consented under any circumstances to sleep in house with the young men, and the family absent-all these seriously mili- tate against the idea of her being girl of repute, or even caring for the goodness of her reputation. Let any one take the trouble to it these acts to any yonng woman of his acquaintance, and he will at once see that if he were sure she had indulged in them he would class her with bad girls. The tragic end of the poor Jennie throws O redeeming ray over her previous conduct, but that con duct considered by itself, was such as no good girl would indulge in.
 In regard to the drugs employed, it seems that both chloroform and cantharides have been ruled out thus far, and quantity of arsenic has been found. And yet the arsenic theory as cause of death does not fit very squarely. Arsenic is a corrosive poison in the first place; poison that burns the tis- sues with which It comes in contact Hence when arsenic is taken in deadly quantities. the throat, but chiefly the stomach, presents arY1An of 1nAo kl,aA
 ing thirst and pains, the violent vomiting which follow such g dose. Frequently much of the poison is thrown up by these efforts, and, if the person dies subsequently, it is in consequence of inflammation of the stomach. But if the poison is absorbed, ner- vous depression may speedily make an end much before the inflammation of the stomach proves fatal In Jennie Cra- mer's case arsenic has been found we'll ab- sorbed and largely distributed through the organs of the body, while the stomach was free of it, and showed no redness and no sign of inflammation. That would go far to prove that the poison had been taken gradu- ally, and in very small quantities at a time. For, thus taken, it would leave no evidence in the stomach, but be sure of full absorp- tion. And yet the girl is dead. Something or some one must have been the cause of it. But up to this time, no development of tes- timony throws sufficient light to construct even a plausible theory. The utter absence of motive in regard to the Malley boys con- founds suspicion in their direction. It is not possible to imagine what purpose was to be served or cad to be gained by them-or for that matter by anyone brought forward in the case by the death of this beautiful girl. If she had seeded to the demands of her suitor, as her conduct certainly led him to expect she would, or if she had refused him, in either case no reasonable reason for making away with her presents itself. And in human transactions it is usual to expect 8 motive underlying the actions of all but mad men. Hence the case remains puzzle and 8 mystery, very much as it was from the be- ginning Hartford Times.