Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-23
DALLAS.
An "Assisted, Emigrant to the Mysteri'
GUS Over Yonder.
seekinga wife's Hand and Finding a
Husbands Vengeance.
A Sensational Taking or That Promises
Ugly Developments.

Special to the Gazette.
DALLAS, June % "A murder or su
eide occurred here to-day that is crea
ing great deal of sensational interes
Jasper Wharton. native of Louisville
KY, aud residing at Dallas and Corsi
cana for several years past, came iron
the latter place to Dallas last Thursda.
and has spent most of his time will
Frank Conett and Miss Elma Mans
field. Wharton died at the ST. George
hotel about four o'clock this afternoon
from the effects Of poiso'.. 1t seems
he had been intimate with young
lady at Corsicana whom he had got
ten in a delicate condition.
He is said to have brought
her to Dallas and sent her
north with considerable money TO get
her out of the way. He has been anx-
ious to marry Elma Mansfield, and
went so far as to secure the marriage
license. 1t develops that Frank Co
nett married Elma under the assumed
name of Frank Mansfield at San An
tonic two years ago, in order that they
could live together without prosecu-
ton by law. When Wharton desired
to marry her two days ago, lawyers
were consulted and pronounced the
San Antonio marriage legal. Most
sensational scenes occurred this
evening and tonight in Coroner
Kendall's court, which will probably
be in session till near morning. Co
nett is suspected of having poisoned
Wharton and when States Attorney
Clint examined him on the point, he
tainted away and had to be given
stimulants, when he revived. Elma
Mansfield while being examined in
the same strain completely broke
down and wept bitterly. Conett's ex-
animation Was broken off in its midst
as he demanded lawyer and refused
to further testify until he bad secured
one, which he was allowed. The court
is still, at 8 p. M, examining Elma
Mansfield. County Attorney Clint
for murder and he will be jailed when
court adjourns.
Coroner kend.ll's court adjourned
at II p. m. till 8 "a. IN tomorrow. The
interest was so intense the courtroom
had to be cleared of all persons except
officers, witnesses, reporters and attor-
friends came up on the night train
from Corsicana. Judge Kendall on
adjourning court informed Frank CO.
nett that he could consider himself a
prisoner at least until this investipa-
ton is concluded. as there is
mystery hanging over
Wharton's death which apparently
SO closely connected him with it that
he (the court could not now allow
him his liberty. The prisoner, who
had regained his selfpossession, re-
ceived the announcement with cool
ness, saying he Was not surprised but
still he was as guiltless as the court it.
self. He was then taken to Jail.
The testimony of Conett and his
wife, Elma Mansfield, conhicted badly
in material points. He swore that
himself and deceased had never had a
hard word or i'll feeling. She swore
that on yesterday her husband in
formed her that he and Wharton had
quarreled and that Wharton
had threatened to take his
lConett's) lif. If he did not give Elma
Mansfield up. There were other Sc.
rious conflicts in testimony, but from
both 1t was decided that all three OF
them were together until near mid.
nSn. iast nlgh.. A twenty-grain
pnai ol inorphihe untouched was
louna IN Whartoh's room The poi
son ne took Is supposed TO have been
1piunl, ana no Trace could be found in
ms Ioom or elsewhere OF any of 1t oil
1u ahylnlng mat mad contained 1t
Inc doctor attending Wharton
30 Ar revived him this
si.erhooh as 10 nave him sitting W
aLinklhg coiiee ana eating soup, bu
Iaileo 70 learn now he received thu
poison. He then left him in conett''