The daily gazette., 1883-01-29
A CRIME In CON CORD.
MARTIN BEACHAMP'S MYSTE-
RlOUS DEATH.
A DELAWARE MAN INVOLVED.
A Scandal With Two Young Men, Baby
Which Creates Talk, and d Dose OF
Strychniue.

DENTON, MD., Jan. 2S.--Carolihe county
Is still excited over the death Of Martin
Beachamp, q farmer living near Concord,
who died on December 81 under suspicious
circumstances. Yesterday jury pf Inquest
met at Denton and rendered q verdict that
his death was caused by poison, but by
whom administered was unknown. The
grand jury will carry the investigation
further.
Mrs. Belle Beachamp, wife OF the deceased,
and young man named James Ahearn, are
those whom public rumor connects with the
crime. She is the daughter of the late VIM.
NJ. A. Linden, at one time Judge of the
Orphans Couat Of Caroline County. About
ten years ago she married BeachRmp, who
came Of a family Of farmers of good stand
ing
After years of married life, being chidless,
Beachamp and his wife adopted little boy,
whose name is Homer Fleetwood. One of
the stores at Concord was kept Ny James
Carlyle, good-looking man. Rumor soon
linked the names of Carlyle and Mrs.
Beachamp, and neighborhood talk only
increased after Mrs. Beachamp gave birth
t. a child. 1t is said that a desire to
escape this talk is what caused Carlyle
to move to Delaware. Not long after
his departure James Ahearn, a tallcountry-
man, from Delaware, aged about a5 years,
went to Concord and built q new store.
Shortly afterwards rumor began 10 make
use Of Ahearn's name as it had Carlyle's.
On the Sunday when the announcement of
BeachamP's death flew through the village
of Concord the excitement was intense. The
friends of Mrs. Beacbamp defended her
stoutly. Contending opinions ran high.
Coroner Lockerman advised a post NOR
tenn examination by three physicians, but
Others said there ought to be an inquest.
Witnesses say that Ahearn declared an in
quest was unnecessary, and that Coroner
Lockerman was pushing things for the sole
purpose of making fee. Magistrates are
the eoroners in the counties, and are paid S.
for each inquest 1t is said Mrs. Beachamp
also protested against holding an inquest.
John W. Purte testified that she told him
she was afraid the people would talk. She
also told him that If her husband was poi
soned she did not do it.
The day after Beachamp's death a Jury
was summoned and evidence taken. Mean
time, Colonel j. w. Bryant, States attor-
ney, was consulted, and he advised that the
dead mans stomach be sent to Professor
Tonry of Baltimore, for an analysis. DIR.
William H. Downes went to Baltimore with
the stomach, carrying also, at the request of
Professor TOnry, the liver, kidneys and
spleen. Several adjourned meetings of the
yA3 WelC hOAh1 ~ NuiNh Aptb+ A(ontiCH AAAu
Hignutt gave it as their opinion that Bea-
champ had died of poison.
The final sitting Of the inquest was held
yesterday. II took place in the court room
at Denton, and attracted large gathering.
No arrests had been made nor any charges
brought against the suspected persons. Not
withstanding these facts Mrs. Beachamp and
Ahern had employed counsel. A telegram
was received from Professor Tonry as fol-
lows "Contents of stomach and liver
contained very small amount Of strIehnine.
The work on the rest has not been com
pleted."
The jury rendered the verdict already
given. Mrs. Beachamp says the rumors
were inspired by spite and malice, and that
they do not contain a particle Of truth.
Ahearn, who was spectator at the inquest,
makes similar declaration. Public Opin-
ion is in favor of a thorough investigation.