The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-23
A PECULIAR CASE.
John KohIer Arrested on Sus-
picion of Numbering G. Fred
Harmon.
An Analysis of Mr.. Harmon's
Stomach Necessary.
The Motive for Such Crime in
Doubt.

1a0 MOIlVO 1OI 0uCu d Or1Au0 III
Doubt.
Yesterday afternoon Deputy Marshal Crowel'
arrested John Kohler, on suspicion of causing
the death OF Mr.. G.. Fred Harmon In this city
in February last. Mr.. Kohler, who was on
the way to his boarding house, No AZ Myrtle
street, when the Deputy told him he was
wanted, turned and accompanied the Deputy
to the station. The reporters for the PRESS.
on hearing of the affair, interviewed the fol-
lowing persons and received the accompanying
information:
THE MARsHAL's ACCOUNT.
Marshal Andrews spent the evening in bis
Office. In conversation with a reporter he said
that Kohler claims to be 40 years of age, says
he was born in Cayenne, French Guiana, of
G, rmaD father and French mother; that be is
hat molder by trade, and came to this coun-
try from Cayenne about eleven years ago. He
came to Portland about two years ago and en-
gagged with VIM. FL. Somers, the Middle street
halter, for whom he worked some time, when
he went TO Boston and remained there until he
returned to Portland in October last when
he again entered Mr.. Somerss employ. Mr..
Somers went to San Frsnciso and promised
him, he said, that when he returned he would
raise his (Kohlers) pay. Mr.. Somers did not
keep his promise, and 80, about four weeks
ago. Kohler left his employ and has been doing
nothing since. He engaged board in this city
at No AZ Myrtle street, boarding house kept
by Mrs G. Fred Harmon, Mr.. Somers assisting
him in procuring this boarding place. A
week ago he went to Boston to procure work,
but returned TO Portland, and when arrested
last night his trunk was packed, as he in
tended to visit Boston again when arrested.
While Kohler was boarding at No. AZ Myrtle
street, Mr.. Harmon, the husband of the lady
who keeps the house, was taken sick and was
under the care of DIR. James Buzzell, and later
under the care of DIR. A. V. Thompson. While
the latter was attending him, DR.. Gsrrish was
called in for consultation. The doctors treated
their patient for gastritis, but their medicines
failed of the desired effect. They were
puzzled, for they could not see why the man
did not get we'll. On February 22d Harmon
died suddenly. The doctors desired post
norton examination, which Mrs. Harmon
seemed willing to have made, but later she
objected, the reason given being that Mr..
Harmon's aged parents, who lived in Standish,
were opposed to the cutting up of the body.
Mr. Harmon had been sckly had had a Sc
we're rheumatic attack two years ago, which
had parayzed one arm. The Marshal, on be-
ing asked what motive, if any, Kohler could
have had in numbering Harmon-proyided the
suspicious we're true-couldn't say. He did
not believe there had been any connection of
NJ TT. II.
murder had been committed. Only three days
ago was it ascertained that Kohler had been
buying arsenic, for which he seemed to have
no use. If the stomach OF the deceased should
be- exhumed and its contents analysed, show
ing arsenic therein, then suspicion of Kohler,
in his opinion, would be very strong. Mr..
Harmon the deceased was born in Standish,
was a carpenter Dy trade, but had not done
much work since his disabement.
THE PRISONER.
While the reporter was at the station, Koh-
Ter was brought out of the cell, and appeared
an olive comprehend fellow, with black
moustache and hair, keen eye an erect car
riage, and is said to be apparently a shrewd,
bright fellow
DIR. BUzzELL's STATEMENT.
DIR. James Buzzsll was the FIRST physician
called. Kohler came to his house on the
morning of the 4th of February and said that
Harmon was sick and wished to see him. DIR.
Buzzsl visited the house and found that Har-
mon was suffering, as he supposed, from bill
ious emesis. He gays the customary remedies
for stomach disorder and repeated his visits
almost daily until the twelfth when DR.
Thompson, who was the Harmons' family
physician, took charge of the case. Il seems
that Harmon had been deprived OF the use of
his arm by large abscess which had been
under treatment during the past two years,
and he imagined that this might haV8 been
the source of this ttonble. In desctioing the
manner IL VII Oh he ees taken III 10 the doc
tor c.. accas 4 o. his frat ieit. harmon
remarked tbas AZ had firsG ielt sick directly
after drinking his coffee in the morning. DIR.
Buxzell did not regard the case as serious and
was greatly surprised when he learned of Har
mons death He said that Kohler appeared
to be in complete charge OF ths sick room and
impressed him as kind man. He made, to
all appearances, good nurse and seemed on
the best of terms with his patient DR., Buzz
cell knew both Mr.. and Mrs Harmon, having
living near them both before and after their
marriage.
The Doctor said that although he thought of
nothing irregular at the time, the symptoms
of Hsrmon's illness were like those of poison
ing. During the illness, Mrs. Harmon APP
peared to be suffering from severe cold and
sat in an adjoining room to that of her hus-
band.
DR. THoMPsoN's STATEMENT.
DR.. A. V. Thompson, who attended Harmon,
was seen last night, and stated that he was
first called on Feb. 18th, and attended Har.
mon until the 22d, when the man died. DIR.
Thompson found harmon suffering with in
fammation of the stomach accompanied by
severe vomiting. He pronounced the sickness
to be gastritis, and applied the usual remedies.
On the 14th and 10Th days OF February DIR.
Frederic Henry Gerrish visited the patient in
company with DIR. Thompson, and concurred
in his opinion Of the case. 1t wasIthought
that Harmon would recover, provided there
was no disorganizaton of the stomach and
other organs. From the time the physician
made his FIRST visit until his last on the evening
before the death, there was nothing to cause
any serious apprehensions of fatal result
The temperature was but slightly above the
natural degree, and the pulse only slightly &C.
tolerated.
On Saturday evening at about half past eight
when the doctor made his last visit, the pa
tisnt complained of feeling paralyzed from his
throat downward and was very thirsty, but al
though the change was slightly for the worse,
no danger was apprehended and DR.. Thomp-
son left the house, supposing that his patient
was comfortable. The next morning, Sunday,
the 22d, the doctor was telephoned just after
breakfast that Harmon had died.
When DR.. Thompson made his first call he
found Kohler in charge of the sick room, and
he was present with two exceptions at all the
doctors calls. he seemed on good terms with
his patient. Mrs. Harmon was sometimes in
the room. Dr. Thompson did not see her