New-York tribune., 1886-08-16
TIE SOMERVILLE POISONING CASES

NAMES OF THE DEAD-HOw EVIDENCE IN THE LAST
CASE WAS SECURED By A DOCTOR.
BOsToN, Aug. 10 (SpeciGl The SOmerville
police coming to think that Mrs Sarah j. Robinson
who s suspected OF tho murder Of some seven members
OF family is one OF the most adroit posones ard
criminals OF tho age itshe is guilty. Tboy find evidence
OF a fendsh shrewdness In the fact OF her engaging
different physician attend each person as soon as the
symptoms OF illness first became manifest and they
wonder skill with which she concealed facts and
symptoms which might lead to suspicion of poisoning
DR.. Emery l. White, tho Supreme Medical Examiner
Of the Order Pilgrim Fathers In which several OF the
victims were Insured, tells interesting story OF how
he camsfrst to suspect that the death OF "Wn" Rob
ipson the son, who died few days ago. was
caused by poison. For q long time Mrs. Robinson
tafed him his attempt to SECURE for analysis emitted
matter from the stomach OF the young man. wnen he
succeeded at last, DIR. White took his specimens TO
Harvard University for examination. On Monday
afternoon another visit made the conditions being
no better When the doctor arose to co. smith, who was
present at this time, he was frequently before aud
the mother followed DR.. White into the hall and asked
regarding tho specimens. The doctor shrewdy
answered that he found slight evidence OF oongesed
kidneys. DR.. White communicated with the police when
he was informed by Professor Wood that tho
analysis showed poison. One evening foiice oeigeAHs
Cavanagh walked into the room whers
Willie Robinson was dying ani announceh
himself as a nurse. Mrs. Robinson imagined that the
the United Order OF Pilgrim Fathers as watcher, Dr.
White being member OF that order. Sergeant Cavanisa
examined the medicine and read the directions on tho
bottles and told Mrs. Robinson he would relieve her
and thas she lie down and get some needed
rest She went to bed the lounge. and during tho
nj eht the officer says she sighed very heay
ily Suspicion aroused, however In few hours, aud
Mrs. Robinson finally summoned courage 10 ask Ser-
geant Cavsnagh by what authority no was In tue
house, He then replied that he was a poics
officer, and hs was there by orders OF Ms
chief Mrs. Robinson demonstrated and sent her sou
Charles Robinson, q boy eighteen years old. TO De-
White for explanation. This did no good as the ser
could keep sight OF the until such time ~ her
arrest should be required lie asked "Wil Robinson
about his medicine learned from his own lips las
no persons kept his mother ami Smith had gwen him
anything. food or mediclne. rhs he also told DIS.
some hours before no led his mind being clear ana no
Wednesday morning DR.. White wlh Drs. Hlldrosh and
Darrell called and found Linn much worse
symptoms. particularly as TO . corroded condition
OF the mouth; showing further and eonclusyey% % oaa.
poi son had been taken After c0nvusions ana COMA
the young man passed away early Innrsasy me u
Fathers OF those Of the supposed victims who were
msmbers or the society follows: " Prince Arthur
a ss sss OF OF height uSs
one hundred -and-thirty-echt pounds ln''ea Novem.
Ssa Der nns ns'2' 'ufssSa issS time member of Inc
order, years, seven months ana wsn ne LAYS
wcmbrr of Governor Dudley Colony, Boston. admitted
three years, nclgu nNe ifct shtVS
,nchss wscht one hund red-snd- iwent-four pounds.
,nIt,aed october 26 1855, died, February 22 1885,
,na me nber OF the order three months twenty seven
DAYS duration Of sickness four weeks five days, cause
of death Brights disease William j. Robinson mem-
her of General Prescott Colony No. 81 Charlestown
District, on entering twenty-five years, intatea
.nrii 1856: time member OF the order, months"
A slser-iu-las Mrs. Robinson when questioned TO-DAY
"a 10 whether lnity existed In the family. answered
fb.t ana knew Mrs. Robnson's surviving sou
saia " II my mother did anything OF this kind which
do not shc must have bssn out or her head sho
AWAY. a. been a kind and afccouatc mother 70
me aud not word TO say against her In any way.
| | don't understand IT,"
+" Did she ever have any trouble with Elizabeth T.
| Ono, always got along nicely, mother always
see,ned TO ike and all cared the world for ler