The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-04-10

taken from the Crete Gl0JC:
Last Saturday the people of Crete were
startled by the news of the sudden illness
and then of the sudden death of Mrs. Mary
Lee, the wife of John S. Lee. Somewhere
about ten o'clock, in the forenoon of Satur
day, Allie Steidl and George Shimonek were
passing the residence of Mr.. Lee on their
way to the river, in quest of fish. When
opposite Mr.. Lees house, Mrs. Lee called to
them from the south porch, requesting them
to call Mrs. Baltzley and to run for the doc
tor. She appeared TO DO in great distress
and was very eager, almost frantic, in her
calls. The boys obeyed her calls and sum
moned Mrs. Baltzley, Miss Mira Lee, DIR.
Root, Mr.. Baltzley and Mr.. Lee. These per
sons were not long time in arriving, Mrs.
Baltzley and Miss Lee being about the first
to arrive. they found Mrs. Lee suffering
greatly from pains and perfectly helpless.
They carried her into the house and laid her
upon her bed. She called for water which
was given to her, and also for brandy, but
she declared that she would not take any
medicine. When questioned as to what she
had taken, she said that she had not taken
anything
In due time, Mr.. Lee came down. He
! took her in his arms and held her there
until she died, soon after IL o'clock. Before
her death, she clasped her hands convul-
sively and tightly, set her teeth and straight
ened her limbs. Doctors Root, Boice and
Conrad were present at her death and pro-
nounced it a case of poisoning.
The Coroner. DIR. L. L. Root, Of Pleasant
Hill, WAS accordingly sent for, and, on Sun
day, at p. M, jury was empanelled to de-
termine, in legal form, the cause of the death.
The jury consisted of s. H. Andrews, G. A.
Caldwell, w. J. Dawes, K. ID. Fay III. S. Full
Ter and j. Il. Neil. The examination of
witnesses began at once, upon their selec-
ton, and continued until Tuesday, about
noon when the finding was made.
! Twenty-seven witnesses were called and
examined, including Mr. Lee. From the
testimony given by those witnesses, the Globe
is enabled 10 present an authentic statement
OF the troubles between Mr.. Lee and his
wife, most of which, however, have been
matters of common report for several
months. Much OF il is testimony that could
not DO admitted upon the trial of cause in
court.
About three years ago, Miss Lizzie Logan
began to live with Mr.. and Mrs. Lee and to
attend school. Mrs. Lee very soon became
jealous of the girl. At about the same time
Mr.. Lee began TO abuse his wife. The abuse
and jealousy were 80 nearly simultaneous
that witnesses could not state which was
| first in point of time. The abuse increased
continually, frequently resulting in Mr.. Lee
kicking, striking, dragging, threatening, and
otherwise maltreating his wife. Upon sew
eral occasions, in cold weather, he made her
sleep in the barn. while he occupied the
house. If she went TO the neighbors for
protection and shelter. he would drag her
home. Soon after tie troubles began, he
discontinued the use OF tea and coffee, on
the pretense that they affected him niur-
iously. At the same time, she was always,
or nearly always, taken sick after drinking
either tea or coffee that WIS made in the
house when he was there.
She was not in good health, and she was
being treated by DIR. Root. Upon several
occasions, she found that while taking the
first half of the medicine prescribed, she
would receive benefit and that while taking
the remainder, she would be worse. Twice
she took the partly used bottles of medicine
SO affecting her, 10 the druggist who filled
the prescriptions for her. and tho medicine
was found to contain arsenic. Mr.. Lee was
heard, several times, to threaten her life,
and has been known to intimate 10 others
that she would not live long. When she was
sick and unable to work lie would not get
help for her. He would not permit her to
use the horse and buggy that they had for
merly used, nor would he provide funds for
her support. Even her millinery bill she
had to pay in work, after she left him.
She told several of her confidential friends
of her troubles, and how wildly she feared
for her life. In the meantime, the girl,
Lizzie, had been sent by Mr.. Lee 10 Lincoln,
where he occasionally visited her. furnish
ing money for her support. A few months
ago Mrs Lee left her house and went to re-
side with Miss NJ. a. Sheppard. and began
an action Of divorce. While at Miss Shep-
ards. she enjoyed much better health and
did not have any of those sick-spelis to
which she had been subject while ut home.
At one time there was q partial agreement
by MIR. Lee that she might get her divorce
and he would give her $4,000. OF this he
seems to have afterward repented, and he
told one of the witnesses that he cared more
for $4,000 than he did for anything else.
He then began to resist the suit FOR divorce.
On the 18th OF March Mr.. Lee induced
her to return to his house. She returned
on Tuesday and reported that all differences
mad been adjusted. One witness testified
that sometime before, she had stated that
she desired TO live to effect reconciliation
and that she would then be ready To go.
After the return there was an outward ap-
pearence of harmony, even on the morning
of her death she was seen TO be cheerful and
contented. At the death-bed Mr.. Lee ip-
formed an inquirer that he left her that
morning very icheerful and contented. In
reply to the inquiry of another, as 10 the
cause of her death, he said it was "that
stuff" meaning the medicine that she had
been taking The doctors, and some of the
other witnesses, testified that after diligent
search, they were unable to find any medi-
cine or poison in the house, or any package
that appeared to have contained any OF
either. Several witnesses testified that Mr..
Lee was not at all excited at the death-bed,
and did not appear to be anxious. From
the time that he arrived he objected 10 send
ing for a physician, alleging that she was
too far gone.
There was testimony that Mrs. Lee had
been subject TO fits or spells, and heart dis
ease for years, yet the physicians testified
that death was not caused by heart disease.
After her return, and but day or two be-
fore her death, she received intelligence of
the sudden death of one of her sisters, in
Kansas. This had depressing effect upon
her spirits and appearance.
The three physicians made an examina-