The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-25
INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS
Medical Science Begins the Work of I'm
rayeling the Vincennes Mystery.
Bloomington's Secret Society Damage Suit
Evansville Man Charged with Incendia-
ryism-Fatal Jump from Train.
INDIANA.
A Systematic Effort Unravel the Mystery
of Mrs. Bedelps Death.


of Mrs. Bedelrs Death.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
VIscENNEs. Feb 24-Another step in the
Bedeii case was taken to-day. DIR. A. W. Bray
ton and Prof j. N. Hurry arrived from Indian
apolis. and the remains of Mrs. Bedell were
exhumed and examined The heart, stomach,
spleen, liver, kidneys and portions Of the mus
cular system were taken to indianapolis for
analysis. All the organs were in excellent
state of preservation. and were not at all Often
sive The alleged cause of death was heart
disease but the heart found perfect in all
its parts The examination for metallic poisons
will consume several days. There is compli-
cation in the fact that the abdominal cav
ity had been injected with preventative
mixture containing arseniate of Soda but this
does NOT vitiats the proofs of the administra-
ton of arsenic before death, as in the latter
case arsenic would be found in all the tissues
and organs of the body. The almost perfect
state of preservation of the remains does not
necessarily imply the presence of arsenic; bodies
frequently found well preserved for three
months. or even year.
Wallace firmly believes he WAS poisoned by
DIR. Bedell, but. as all the medicines and vom-
tied. matters were taken away or destroyed.
there is evidence aside from the symptoms
of irritant poisoning, which he ex-
hibited under Dr. Bedell's treatment.
The whole affair is shrouded in mystery. The
main points duplicating DIR. Bedell are his state
ment that he gave his wife Fowlers solution of
arsenic, her constant symptoms of an irritant
poison. his false diagnosis of heart disease, his
recent inquiry of brother physician if it WAS
possible to detect the poison after her death,
and his precipitate flight, or hiding, at least,
from the public The accused has two children
a a
in the temperance movement They apparently
lived peaceably together, and there hardly seems
sufficient motive for her murder by her husband
II this fact can be established it will prove one
of the most brutal and cold blooded wife-mur-
ders on record, and unique, ALSO for the doctor
husband gave her repeated hypodermic injec-
TONS which caused her great pain, which is not
the case with injections of ordinary remedies az
anodynes and the like.
The exhumation and examination were car
ried on privately at the grave. under an awning,
in a cherries and drzzlineirain. The old ceme-
terry overlooks the Wabash, and is in sight of
the cathedral founded over a century ago. The
surroundings seemed strongly at variance with
the scene that was being enacted. but all the cir
cumstances of the case gave sufficient warrant.
Prosecutor Adams and Coroner Beard are deter
mined to take every step within the limits of
law and science to do justice to the husband if
wrongly accused, and TO society if murder has
been committed. and in this public sentiment
upholds them.
DR.. VIM. B. Bedell is young and we'll con-
a lucrative practice. He also filled the position
of local examiner on the pension board, secre-
tary of the board of health. and for terms filed
the office Of township physician for the poor.
For ak months past he has been accused of init
macy with tbs wife of George Wallace, an o. e
NJ engineer. though it never became more seri-
Gus than cosby rumor On Dec.
his wife died of heart disease, and
the doctor showed extreme sorrow.
On Feb. George Wallace. husband
of the woman with whom Bedells name was
connected, was taken suddenly i'll. DR.. Bedell,
who was the family physician. attended him.
worse. A brother of Wallace demanded anoth-
er physician. Dr. Smith was called and DR..
Bedell discharged The patient almost instant
ly began to recover, and is now fully restored.
declared his symptoms and hers were exactly
similar. This led to an inquiry,
and the prosecuting attorney and
the coroner found themselves justified
Bedell. Drs- Smith and Harris. who attended
Wallace, say his symptoms showed the presence
of rritant poison. Milk gum arabic, and
cslomel were alone administered to Wallace by
DR.. Smith-three of which are recognized as
antidotes to poison. Bsdell disappeared
several days ago, and his whereabouts is not
known. His friends attempt no further defense
than that he is FRUSTRATED with grief
views with several parties connected with the
scandal seem to bear out the charge of foul
play. Mrs. Wallace protests Der own innocence,
but has nothing to say for or against Dr.
Bedeil as to the graver charge. George Wal
lace. the husband, wan ted the matter thorough
ly sifted, and believes he was the victim of
damn able plot He has nearly $4,000 insur-
aucs his life in favor of his wife. He also the
possessor of several thousand dollars worth CT
property. This is the sole topic of conversation
in this city. All the parties to the scandal
well known, highly connected. and members of
church.