Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-04-03
THE cALsBoARDs.
Members OF a Bohemlnn Family Poisoned
I5y Strychnlne.

by Strychnine.
0nERfIS, Kan, April About five
years ago Frank and Grocian chleboard,
a couple OF Bohemians, settled two
miles southeast OF Atwood and were
afterward joined by their father and
mother, two sisters and Joe.
In 1887 the mother died suddenly and
was buried by the family in great haste,
the neighbors knowing nothing OF the
affair until aftor the burial This ex-
cited much comment, but they were ex-
cused on tho ground that they we're an
ignorant set and unlearned in American
customs.
About year later tho father disap-
peared and was gone several weeks be-
fore II was known in tho neighborhood.
When the Chleboard's we're asked of his
whereabouts they said he had gone
back TO bohemia and that he had started
on foot
December 25, 1889. Mary, the wife Of
Grocian Chleboard, whipped Joe severe
ly. He complained TO a neighbor boy,
saying thatif they punished him again
that he (Joe) would tell how Grocian
anu mary Hou hilich Hln hVNhpA' ~ -
supposed that this threat reached
Grocian and his wife On the
afternoon OF December 20 Mary
went 10 neighbor's, lloseenick,
and while there got couple OF
apples. one OF which sho ate herself,
bringing the other home to Joe. IL was
now about sunset and Mary and Joe
went out 70 do the chores. Grocian
soon followed thom and Joe was told
that there was an apple in the house on
the table for him and boylike, he went
in, ate the apple and in fifteen minutes
was taken sick and laid down on some
chairs. Then he was seized with con-
vulsions and the rigidity characteristic
Of strychnine poisoning was manifest
Then Grocian took the boy on his
back and was met by noighbor on the
Atwood and Oborlin road, Of whom he
inquired: what is the matter with
my brother2 Ilo is as stin as -
board.
When asked whore he was going Gro
clan replied that he was going TO Mr..
Harpcr's for medicine.
On this same road near Harper's
house which was about one milo from
Chleboard's, was an old well known as
the "Ilorn we'll" long since abandoned
and 80 feet deep. Grocian at length
reached Harper's house with his brother
suffering terribly but unable to speak.
He at first refused to send for doctor,
but afterward yielded and DR. Mulugra,
OF A..ood, was called and sQon pro.
nounced it a case Of poisoning by strych-
nine. The coroner was notified ana an
inquest held, with the result that the
Jury found that Joe Chleboard died of
strychnine poisoning administered by
Grocian Chloboard, an elder brother,
and his wife, Mary, and both were held
for trial for murder in the first degree
A post norton examination was made
under the supervision Of the coroner,
and Matthews took the stomach OF the
deceased and sent part OF the contents
to Prof Bailey OF Lawrence, Kan, who
upon applying the tests found stryeh-
nine Prof Bailey came to Atwood and
gave testimony, taking part OF the con
tents OF the stomach which had been
preserved by Dr. Matthews and finding
strychnino again.
The trial of the couple began last
week and took FIVE days, and the jury
was out eighteen hours and brought in
verdict OF acquittal for Mary Chile.
board, but found Grocian guilty Of muir
der in the second degree. Groeian will
be sentenced to-day.
The theory Of the prosecution is that
Grocian intended throwing his brother
into the old Horn well and was on his
way there when intercepted by neigh
Dor on his way to a lyceum. This view
OF the case is strengthened when it is
remembered that three families lived
within half mile OF Grocian's house.
The body OF the old lady will be ex-
humed and newdevelopments are prom
ised.