The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-30
A DASTARDLY ATTEMPT
The Members of Two Families Pois-
oned by a Designing Villain.


An attempt was made Wednesday afternoon
to poison family in West Indianapolis, but the
matter was not made known to the public until
it was reported to the city health officer yester-
day. The attempt was or the most villainous
character, and, had 1t been effectual, would have
resulted in the death of a half dozen persons
About 1 O'Clock Wednesday afternoon, Willie
Ferger, small son of Mrs. Eliza Deschler, who
lives at No. 500 West Washington street, found
package hanging upon the knob OF rear door
which was addressed 10 an older brother, Louis
Ferger. The package wrapped in thick
straw paper, which inclosed a small pine-box
containing assortment of confectioneries, con-
sisting of oranges, cakes, colored eggs and cheap
Easter cards.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
The package was opened, the family suppos-
ing that it was simply an Easter gift, and it was
not suspected that there was anything wrong
about the goods Mrs Deschler, her son, Willie
Ferger, together with Mrs. Breahm and her
daughter Annie, who live near Crown Hill and
were guests at the house, partook of the cake,
each eating two or three pieces. Mrs. DR.. Par
| sons, living in the same building, was called in
and she, with an adopted child, also ate one or
two pieces. IL was noticed that the cake had a
strange taste, but nothing thought of the
matter at the time. An hour or two afterward
Mrs Parsons's little child became very sick and
began vomiting. Others were soon seized with
| severe pains in the stomach and the same symp-
| toms were developed in each. Mrs. Parsons
however, in the meantime had gone to a neigh
| boring store with lady who wanted to make a
| few purchases, and while there suddenly be-
came deathly sick. vomiting freely She had
! previously remarked that the cake she had
eaten at Mrs. Deschler's tasted strongly
| OF matches and sckened her. DIR. Parsons upon
| arriving home and finding the same symptoms
| OF illness in both his wife ana the child, CON
| cluded that they mad been poisoned and that
| the cake which they had eaten evidently con-
| tanned PHOSPHORUS. Mrs. DescEler and her son
also became violently sick, and throughout the
night each OF the persons suffered intensely,
| vomiting at intervals a green-coored substance
| Mrs. Breahm and her daughter left for home
shortly after partakng of the cake, complaining
at the time of feeling Ill, and nothing has since
been heard in regard to their condition. Mrs
| Deschler, Mrs. Parsons and the children had
| considerably improved yesterday, and were be-
yond danger.
The remainder of the cake was taken to the
city health Office yesterday morning, and an in
| vestigatlon into the case was instituted. The
| cake has strong odor of PHOSPHORUS,
and, while no analysis has yet been
| rat poison. The quantity was so large that it
| could not be retained by the stomach, and was
| thrown up before completely taking effect Had
there been less it Is thought that it would have
| resulted fatally.
ARRESTED ON SUSPICION.
| Several weeks ago, Mrs. Deschler was divorced
| from Chris Deschler, who was her second nus
band, on account of his bad treatment of her,
and in the separation she was given the posses
sion Of some property by the court. She is the
proprietor of bakery and small confectionery
store at No. SOB West Washington street. and
she says that Deschler has several times threat
ened to burn the building, or TO wreak vengeance
| upon her and the family in some manner. 1t is
also said that he has made the threat only re-
| Gently in the presence of her friends,
| that he would kill her He is n man of very
| vicious disposition, and the family has be en-
| living In fear that he wOuld attempt TO execute
| his threats About two years ago he poisoned
himself, and for nearly three days was In a
seml-cOnscious conCitiOn, but finally recovered.
He has been employed at the Malleable Iron
| Works for some time. Yesterday afternoon,
| Captain Campbell and Health Officer Gufin,
| upon the strength of the Information furnished
| by the family ARRESTED Deschler suspicion,
| and he is held on the charge of poisoning with
| intent to kill" He denies the charge, but the
officers claim that they have conclusive evidence
of his guilt. The address on the package bears
| a close similarity to his writing. The officers
| ara still investigating the case, and an analysis
| of the poisoned cake will be made.