The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-21
MARY KLEMAN'S CRIMES.
She POisons Her Father, Mother and Sister,
and Attempts the Lives Of Others.

CHICAGO, June 20.-Mary Keman, girl in
jail here, who has heretofore persistently assert
ed her innocence of the crime with which she is
charged-that of administering poison to the
family of Mrs Michael Freres her sister, with
whom she has made her home for a short time,
at Rose Hill-has confessed that she is guilty,
not only Of the attempt upon their lives, but of
causing the deaths of her mother, father,
and another sister, in Dubuque, Ia Her mother
died in July of last year, her sister Lena in
August, and her father. Michael, in
March Of this year. She assigns no
motive for her crimes other than that
she was compelled to commit them, and IS
evidently insane Mary KEENAN, is less than
twenty-five years old, slender, rather pretty,
progressing in manner, and an invalid. having
but partial use of her lower limbs and feet. She
has an innocent expression, and looks even more
youthful than she is Her eyes have the strange,
bright. fixed look so often seen with a diseased
mind. For the past two weeks she has lived
with her sister at Rose Hill, to whom she came
after the burial Of her father, in Dubuque.
Several times, since she has lived with her sister,
she has prepared the meals and on nearly every
occasion when she has done so the family con-
sisting of Michael Freres, his wife and two
small children, have been taken with vomiting
Immediately afterwards. Michael FrereS found
a package of grayish colored powder in the yard a
week ago last Tuesday morning. When he ate
his soup at noon, he was seized with vomiting
and observed a sediment in his soup plate
responding to it in appearance. Upon further
examination, more of the same substance was
found in his wifes and the children's plates He
carried both the powder found in the yard and
that in the plates to Evanston for analysis. and
called in a physician to attend to the family.
The result showed that tho powder was poison.
Mary Kleman was accordingly arrested. She
Iczx l. H.,
since her Incarceration, and asserted that her
sister had preferred false charge against her
for the purpose of getting small amount of
money, 500, which she claimed she had. When
her lawyer went to Rose Hill to take possession
of her effects, her money could not be found.
The girl, when seen by a reporter, lay in her
narrow cot in a very excited and rather hysterc-
al condition The youthful brows were wriuked
up in manner painful to look upon. "Did I
kill my father, my mother and Lena?" said she,
eyes were fixed on the wall She half screamed,
with her eyes dilating II couldn't help It'll I
couldn't help it, Something came to me and
made me do it." Soon she broke into a passion
of tears. II always loved my mother but she
was ailing and it kept at my side and whispered
in my ears all day and in the night, Let her
sleep in peace let her lie in the cool EARTH; SO
bought the poison and gave her little at a
time till she was gone. was very sad loved
her, except when it came to me. Then, when
Lena came here, it pointed its finger at
her all the time, and so / gave her little, too,
till it was over. When was taken sick, l didn't
always remember. but had medicine for my
head that brought my senses back. So, when
spring came, father wasn't we'll, and thought
he'd be better along with mother<y When came
to my sister got another box Of poison. put
it on my feet-it was good for the folks. to help
them to rest and thought 1T would be good for
my feet. 1t stood on the pantry shelf. couldn't
help putting it in the soup; couldn't help it. I
don't know why did it. There is nothing here
to tell me why did it. Sometimes there is"
''Was it to get the money that would come at
your fathers death?'
mo. no; hated that money. spent it as
fast as could. l cannot tell why-oh, l cannot
tell whv!"
Then, throwing her arms wildly over her
head, she cried Twill they put the rope on my
neck now and hang me? Will they hang me to-
morrow2 Send for priest, quick, quick. that
may confess my sins Don't let him wait min
ute. fmust have this blood away, and don't
leave me alone. am afraid to stay alone; oh,
I'm afraid" Then she flung herself on the cot,
weeping piteously, and the matron stole in,
bringing bottle of choral and a spooE Pres
emily, too, reverend father of the church came
and sSad IN tho oirlfc