The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-02-18
Double Death by Poison.
MYSTERIOUS POISONING OF TWO SISTERS IN
WASHINGTON

MYSTERIOUS POISONING OF TWO SISTERS IN
WASHINGTON.
Tie sudden death OF two young women,
Miss Kate Keefe and Mrs. Hannah Love
JOY, sisters, at their residence, southwest
corner Fourteenth and III streets, north
east, on Wednesday night, created much
excitement. This feeling increased yester-
day. when the runor became prevalent
that the deaths were the result Of poison
ing. DIR. Merriam, the attending physician,
was called in when the sisters were tir-t
stricken down on Monday, and was at first
OF the opinion that their illness was the re-
suit OF congcstive chill. During the
course Of the cases he was much surprised
at the peculiar symptoms developed in the
two sisters, and after the deaths occurred
he notified the coroner.
Upon inquiry it was ascertained that the
two sisters on Monday ate their breakfast
as usual, both being apparently in excel
lent health, and with good appetites. They
were going out TO collect some rents due
them. and Mrs. Loycioy was taken sud-
denly i'll after eating and did not 60. Her
sister, Kate Keefe, started out, but soon
returned home too i'll to attend to The blIsi-
ness. They grew worse, and Dr.. Me-
riam was called in. The symptoms We're
Similar-spasms and delrium-and the
doctor was finally forced to the conclu-
sion that they had partaken OF poison.
They were cupped OH the temples to
relieve their heads OF what appeared con-
gestion Of the brain, but as they grew
worse they gradually lost their senses, the
younger one, Miss Kate, appearing to SUI
fer most: she died ut G:30 O'Clock We'd
nesday evening, and Mrs. Loyeioy at
9:30-just three hours afterwards. At an
early hour Yesterday morning the coroner
visited the residence OF the deceased sisters
and examined those members Of the family
whom it was thought might throw some
light on the mysterious takin. of OF the
two women.
At noon. assisted by DR.. IIartigan, he
held an autopsy, and the contents OF the
stomachs OF both women We're removed for
analysis. DR.. Hartigan said it was plainly
evident that the two sisters had died from
poisoning: that the indications were that
some preparation OF arsenic had been adj
ministercd, but he had not yet sufficiently
examined the general symptoms to state
accurately what particular form OF the
deadly drug had been used. The authori-
ties are investigating the matter, and the
premises are now in charge of the police.
The story told by Mr.. Loveioy, the hus-
band Of the elder sister. is TO the effect
that considerable property was LETT by
Mr.. John kceic, when lac died, seyo-
raj years ago, which. according TO
the terms OF the will. was left 10
st. Aloysus church; that these two ciil-
dren and the children OF James and Michael
heefe, seven in number, joined together
10 break the will and recover the prop
crty from the church, which they succeeded
IN doing; that by decree OF the Orphans
Court these t%o children came in for their
share oil the estate, and that Mrs. Keefe,
the mother, WAS left oui altogether, as was
the brother OF The deceased Keefe, and
their wives; that since this decree there
has been great dissatisfaction existing rs 10
the result. Ii is not yet developed who Is
suspected OF administering poison, bat the
general belief exists in the neighborilood
that II crime lras been pcrpetratcsl by some
one nterested.-- PVdshiRgioa Posi-.