The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-30
Of ARSEN|cAL POISON
There is no Doubt as to the Cause
Of the Death of Mrs.
Barnaby,
The Mysterious and Deadly Liquid
Contained no Whisky
at All.
Several Important Clues to the FIendish
Murderer-Arrival of Mrs. Con-
rad, of Billings. 5

rad, of Billings.
DENVER, April GA profound sensation
was created last Saturday by the exclusive
publication in The News of the death b,
poison of Mrs. j. b. Barnaby and the mar.
row escape of Mrs. Worrell from an un.
timely demise. Investigation of the case
WAS continued and many new facts which
will have an important bearing upon the
matter were brought to light. 1t was
learned that DR.. Sewall has not only found
enormous quantities of arsenic in the sup
posed whisky, but has determined that the
liquid was not whisky at all, but some solu.
tion tinctured SO as to look like that liquor
and somewhat resembling it in taste. The
interesting particulars will be found in his
interview herewith. Dr.. Bucknum, who
assisted in the autopsy. discovered
that there was clot of long stand
ing the heart of the deceased lady,
He says, however, that she died of
arsenical poisoning and not from the effect
of the clot. MIR. Schermerhorn tells of the
almost miraculous way in which the post
marked stamps were preserved. They fur
nlshed the most important direct clue vet
found. The friends of Mrs. Barnaby, it
may be said, have narrowed their suspicious
down to very few individuals who might
have motive for causing her death. There
are family secrets connected with past oc-
currences and the disposition of the lady's
property that throw light upon the case, but
their exact nature is kept secret.
Ihe case presents several points which
form important clues for the detectives in
the east to follow. The nalf-pint bottle of
fluid can surely be traced to some purticu-
lar seller, either in Boston or some other
city where the suspicious of the relatives
may have centered. There would be in all
probability an entry of sale of arsenic, if
furnish link. Then that curious number
of stamps. 95 cents, considerably more than
were actually needed. Surely the postofice
clerk who handed out that number of
stamps would have some recollection of it.
There are several points upon which the
case may be worked up at the other end ,any
one of which would furnish an almost ce-
tain clue. Y
In spite of the Indications which would
seem to point to Il criminal motive m the
part of an unknown schemer, it is still DOS
sible that a mistake was made by an east
ern pharmacist in bottling Fowlei's solu-
tion instead of whisky, which might have
been called for by customer. This, how
ever, is hardly probable unless / case of
gross carelessness has been recorded
Professor SeWall continued his inyestipa-
tion in the case, finishing Il partial ANALYSIS
of the contents of the mysterious bottle, al
legged to have contained whisky. The ex-
pert chemist was again seen by 1eporter
ur ha air,tY tp1 i1f Orr nf
startling character.
''.rhe bottle contained no whisky hs
said, NOR could find perceptible trace
of alcohol in the liquid. distilled ten
cubic centimeters of it and no Indication of
alcohol was discovered"
"What do you think the solution con-
tanned, professor?"
"Well. there is no doubt that arsenic was
present IN the form of a soluble salt, and
in fatal quantities. ! am concluding a
quantitative analysis, and. from Il rough
guess, would estimate that the liquid CON
tanned about two grains of arsenic to the
ounce.
"What was the color of the stuff in the
bottle?''
''That of whisky Upon looking at it
anyone ordinarily would say that it was
whisky. There is no trouble, you know,
in coloring water or anv aqueous liuuid so
us to make it look like whisky
There seems every reason TO believe that
the liquid which ended the life of Mrs,
Josephine B. Barnaby was diluted solution
of arsenlte of potassium, the we'll known
Fowler's solution. Fowler's solution is not
an uncommon article in the pharmacists
stock IN trade in spite of its poisonous
character. It. is frequently dispensed on
physicians prescriptions and is also sold
over the counter by some druggists in
manner only too careless. So, in the first
place. it is seen that a person with murder
in his heart, and dangerous knowledge in
his head, would have no trouble in prouur
ing the destructive agent with which to
carry out his evil designs.
Mrs. Barnaby and Mrs. Worrell had taken
n trip to California, and when Mrs. Worrell
was ready to return to Denver Mrs. Barnaby
decided to remain in California for medical
treatment. She did not expect to remain
over three weeks, and possibly might return
to Denver much sooner.
Mrs. Worrell arrived in Denver April g |
On April a package was received at Mr., |
WorrelPs office addressed to Mrs. Barnaby |
postmarked Boston, and the words "mer-
chandise only" written on one side, it be-
ing contrary to law to send liquors through |
the mail. The package was sent in care of |
Mr.. Worrell, his office address. 1926 Arapa-
hoe street, being marked upon it.
Mrs. Barnaby came back to Denver on |
April 9. The next day, having been in.
Formed of the arrival of a package for her, |
SIG Was SuFlOub UO EeG IL ana went to the /
office for that purpose A young man in |
The office was asked to open it, which he did |
in the presence of MIR. Schermerhorn and |
several other witnesses. Tearing off the
paper wrapper Il small wooden box was dis
closed, which was found to contain a pint
iask of dark glass, on which was white
abel with the words, Wish you "A happy
New Year. Please accept this fine old
whisky from your friends in the woods
1.-The bottle was taken home and not
opened until the 18th. On that day Mr..
Worrell had taken the ladies to his runch
lear Morrison. Mr.. WorrelI, wishing to
top at his office, put the two ladies OH their
,ar for home and with his wife went to the
,ffice and then home. arriving ten or fifteen
minutes after the others. He was told that
lis mother was very sick. He went TO the
bathroom and found her in great distress,
etching and vomiting violently. This con-
inued for fifteen minutes before any respite
yas obtained. At first il WAS supposed to
70 merely bilious attack. but soon alarm
vas felt and DIR, Bonesteel was sent for.
10 being in the east DIR. Holmes, who hns
harge of DIR. Bonesteel's practice during
lis absence, was told to come as quickly as
possible.
"Mr. Worrell hurried back to the house
nd found Mrs. Barnaby suffering similar.
v to his mother The susnieinn of fonl