The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-05
A Series Of Grimes Brought to Light il
Wllkes-Barre.

WILKES BARRE, June 24.-The ar
rest of Edward Glynn and wife, of
Pittston, for the murder of their moth.
er, Mrs. Mary Craighen, which took
place to day, is the opening chapter of
a story of diabolical crime, the equal
of which has seldom been heard of in
thi. country. That Mrs. Craighen
died from arsenic poisoning is now ab-
solutely established, and the grounds
are strong for believing not only that
Glynn poisoned her for the sake of her
life insurance, but that at different
times within the past two years he has
also murdered in the same manner his
own father and mother for like object
As yet the latter belief is not confirm
ed by absolute knowledge, but fortun-
ately the poison used, if it was, was
arsenic and the presence of this drug
can be detected in human remains
years after they have been buried. The
corpse of one of the dead at least will
be disinterred and an examination
made. The story of Mrs. Craighen's
death is as follows:
Mrs. Craighen was resident of
Scranton, and on Saturday, June l5,
came to Pittston 10 visit her daughter,
Mrs. Glynn. She was about SO years
of age and strong, healthy woman.
Soon after dinner on Sunday, the 10th,
she was taken suddenly i'll. She had
burning pain and excessive vomiting.
Glynn did not want TO call doctor,
but she insisted He came and dd all
in his power to save her, but she died
the same evening. The doctor refused
TO give certificate of death and re
ported the case TO Coroner Mahon. III
held an inquest unknown to any, re-
moved the stomach of the dead woman
and sent it, 10 charge Of Dr. j. f. Bar.
ret, to Philadelphia for analysis. This
morning DIR. Barrett returned with the
certificate OF the analyst and chemist
that the stomach contained enouet
arsenic to kill three or four people
The Coroner at once issued his warrant
and this afternoon Glynn and his wifi,
were arrested. A search was made ot
their house and bottle was found full
of liquid containing large proper
ton OF arsenic The two were given a
preliminary hearing this evening and
committed to Jail without bail tn await
further developments. Mrs. Craigheu
was insured for $500 in the Metropoll
tan Insurance Company, and the policy
was in favor of her daughter, Mrs
Glynn.
Now is recalled the death of Glynn'r
mother and father. The latter, a Wig
orous old man of about 80, died nearly
two years ago in the same sudden
manner and the neighbors say with the
same symptoms as characterized Mrs
Craighen's death No doctor was call
ed and the remains were inferred the
next day. He was insured for 500 il
the same company and in his SON,
favor. Hardly year ago Mrs Glynn
mother Of the prisoner, Eiwin Glynn
followed in the same way. In her cas-,
an attending physician gave a certif
cate of death from cramp of tn,
stomach, but iG is believed that the sam,
poison was used. She also was insured
for S400 in the same company and il
her sons favor.
Twice within the past three year,
has Glynn's house burned down, anc
both times it was heavily Insured. The
arrest aud bringing 10 light of all these
facts has created the greatest excite
ment ia Pittston and throughout this
whole region, whore never b1fore was
known case Of murder by poisoning