The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-04-12
DOSED TO DEATH
Was to Have Been the End of Mrs.
Froman's Husband.
Strange story Tod by Louisville
Nan of His Wife, Diabolical
Plot to Secure
Property.

LOUISVILLE, KY, April l2--Seated hover
ing over small monkey stove IN q rear
room of 2l17 West jefferson street was
found Solomon Fronan, IS years old,
and whose physical appearance was sad in
deed. This was the individual who entered
suit for divorce from his wife, Minnie, alleg-
ing that she had at divers times given him
slow poisons and that it was dangerous 70
live with her. These grave charges led
reporter to investigate the case, and this is
the Old mans story
Previous to October, 1879, l had a serious
spell of typhoid pneumonia, and woman
named Mrs. Minnie Niece applied here for
work in order to support herself and little
daughter. She was tidy looking, so | en-
gagged her as my nurse, and in course of time
/ recovered. She continued to remain in my
employ, and married her in the month
named We lived happily together until last
October, when | was again taken sick, since
which time my health has continued to fail.
Just before last Christmas a woman named
louisa Stewart appeared here, ami it was
soon apparent that she and my wife were III
innate friends, and their actions caused me
to suspect that every thing was not right.
Still later missed a gold watch from my
desk, asked my wife about it, ard she replied
that it was safely put away. Meantime
Louisa Stewart had left and sought other
quarters. The watch failing to turn mp, |, in
| company with Mr. Snyder, who lives with noe,
on Friday last started TO hunt Stewart up
so we found her passing along the street at
Fifth and Green. ! fastened and accused her
/ OF having the watch, to which she admitted
and promised if 1 woaid not prosecute her
she world make a confession. Accordingly
We took her to Squire Stephens ana sh9
made affidavit that my wife had pawned the
watch to her for services, and had con-
fessed 10 her that she had already given
me three doses Of slow poison, and would
continue TO dose me until lay death, when
she would secure my property and
marry Edward Ward Of Bowling Green.
| This confession startled me with fear, ana
when / came home and announced the Pur-
port of the affidavit, my wife fed the prem
iSes. and has never b zen heard Of since. The
woman SIC yart is in jail, as ! C.arge he's
| with stealing the watch, and expect to dis
| cover more particulars ut this jevihsh plot
on my lie through her. / own Twelve
| houses and lots en- this Liock, and
have considerable property elsewhere,
which is uLquestioHably her motive in
wanting me dead. Bat / d. net be
! lieve Edward Ward woal connivc in a con-
| spifacy with her, Tor he is son Of my first
wife's sister. Ny wife, in hag fight, left her
child, Mamie Niece, ba!,ind, who Is next
| door now, but what viii become Of ter am
unable TO say. On one occasion some weeks
| ago my wife accused me Of attempting rape
| on the ci.ild and the child by its own declara
ton, acquitted me. l thea REQUIRED its re-
moval from the premises
With tbs side Of the story the reporter
/ visited the jail, interviewed Louisa Stewart
who corro5ocatcd Froman's statement in
! every particular, and Snyder, who lives with
| the Old man, repeats the old particulars,
which combined produce a singular mystery
| in domestic affairs. There is no possible
chance Of discovering Mrs. Froman, as she i.
either secretei in the city Or left for part.
unknown. Her maiden name was Minnie
| White, s:ld her first husband was engaged in
the baggage department of the Louisville &
| Nashville railroad years age. Froman is III
| Old trader and has accumulated a large
| fortune