The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-30

cups were put in the hall, or by some ma
licious person. About the probability OF
any OF these theories / have no decided
opinion. BY DR.. Malle's analysis OF
Adams's stomach IL was ascertained that it
contained more than four-fifths OF grain
OF aconitine. The cup from which Adams
drank holds three fluid ounces. l think
three fluid ounces of tincture OF aconite
could not probably contain rs much aconi-
tine as was found in Adams's stomach.
The fluid extract contains more aconitine,
but how much more l cannot say. 1t is
more than probable that If Adams's stomach
alone showed follr-tiiths of a grain every
tissue OF bis body contained some more
OF it.
Question by Commonwealth: Is there
any other information you deem it neces-
sary to state which will throw light on the
poisoning?
Witness: would ask leave to state that
| formed high opinion Of DIR. Buffers
ability and fidelity during my stay at the
Asylum after he had charge Of the medical
dispensary. 1t is due to him to state this.
DIR. BUTLER RECALLED.
DR.. W. w. S. Butler being recalled tes-
titled: That he knew OF no tincture OF AGO.
mite being in the dispensary previous to
July. In July one pound OF fluid extract
was gotten, from which three ounces were
taken TO prepare eight ounces OF tincture.
OF the pound Of extract thirteen ounces
are still in the dispensary, and OF the
eight ounces Of tincture SIX ounces
are there unused. Ii there was any
tincture there previous TO July 1t was
thrown away with other drugs when
the dispensary was refurnished. 1t was
THROWN either out Of the window or into
the sink. There were two negroes assist
ing at the cleaning up. The old bottles
we're washed and used again. Witness did
not hear OF any of the patients finding any
OF the bottles. Witness described the dose
given by him to Windle, and ITS effects,
his evidence being Of the same tenor
with that OF Drs. Strain and Crockett. lie
thought il Windle had received any aconl-
tine in his dose il must have been in the
form of an alkaloid, aid even that was i'm
probable. From his observation OF Windle's
case he thought there was some latent
cerebral trouble, and the dose OF turpentlne
and opium produced congestion OF the
brain. With regard to the case OF Mrs.
McAlexander, who, like Windle, had an
attack the day before the fatal poisoning OF
the others, witness said she had not
taken any medicine during his admins
tration. Her symptoms. he thought, could
have been produced by fall she had, IN
which she might have struck her head.
Poisoning in her case would not have sug-
oosted itself 10 him but for the subsequent
fatal poisoning. The medicines, he said'
were diluted with water in the dispensary,
and mug holding three fluid ounces was
made two thirds full. All the drugs Tor
the ASYLUM were bought in Staunton.
DRUGGISTS on THE STAND.
DIR. Carter Berkeley, of the firm OF Berk-
lev, Allen e. Co., druggists, testified that he
had never seen aconitia in his life, and no
nrenaration of aconitc had been sold from
their store to any unknown party. Dr. N
Wayt, of Wayt g. Brother, druggists, tesli.
fed that at no time had any person obtained
aconitine in the alkaloid form from their
store. DR.. George S. Walker, at May q
Co. g, and b. F. Hughes, druggist, testified
70 the same import concerning their firms
A. did DR.. Wayt, and so did w. B. Logan,
OF the firm OF Logan, .Tyree d Martin
These witnesses represent the drugstore'
in Staunton.
THE SUPERINTENDENT RECALLED.
DIR. r. S. Hamilton, superintendent OF
the ASYLUM, was recalled, and testified thai
while Mr.. Windle, the patient mentioned
in the report yesterday, had improved, ht
was in his opinion by no means in condi
ton TO warrant his discharge. He could
not at present approximate time when Il
would be safe to discharge him. Witness
said he had examined the bills OF pur
chases by the Asylum as far back as 1879
and found no evidence Of the purchase o
acOnitlne. lie ala Hol thihN ~ P''''"
that at the reftting Of the dispensary POI
son could have been obtained by anybody
He knew of nothing he could tell the Jury
which would throw any light on the pol
soning.
THE VERDICT.
The testimony was here closed, ana I'M
,ury. after consultation Of several hours
returned verdict as follows (preliininarl
form omitted:
That the deaths OF the parties a'ore
mentioned were caused by some very &C
tive poison, which, in their opinion
was the alkaloid Of aconite, and they az
further say that said parties received sac
poison In the medicine taken BY them OF
the oath OF February last, but how sa''
poison got into the medicine they are IRON
the evidence unable to determine.
fsigncdl GEORGE HARLAN, Coroner;
r. NJ. YouNc, Foreman;
| N. p. FuEEHoUsER,
/ ~