Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-19
ATTEMPT TO POISON.
SIX PERSONS MADE Ill BY CANDY
SENT THROUGH THE MAIL.
An Appalling Tabieau in a ciay-street
Homc-The Police Looking for
the Guilty Person.

What appears 10 have been one Of the
most deplorable attempts upon life that
this city has known for many years was
made yesterday by some unknown person
or persons, who came pretty near succeed
ing in the murderous effort.
Mystery in the profoundest sense Of the
word seemed at first to surround the whole
ahair, bat at late hour last night the Off
GERS who had been detailed 10 investigate
the case discovered two OF three links in
what they consider a chain of evidence.
those who came near losing their lives we're
| mrs +. ID. Redd wife Of the well-known music
| teacher, who with her husband occupies rooms
~ the home OF Mr.. John II. MOuntcastle, No
~ east Clay street; Miss Mary Waddey, sister
OF mrs Mountcastle and the colored servant,
Jennie Thurston, and three Of her children.
~ was very fortunate that the other occupants
| OF the house were not AZ home when the contents
| OF the package were being generously dlstribu-
ted py Ars; Redd or they would also have been
| used.
IT CANE IN THE MAIL
| The facts OF the case as far could be learned
last night Indicate that the attempt was directly
| upon the life Of Mrs Redd, In that package Of
candy about three inches wide by four inches
! long, and which was simply addressed In o hand
writing that could not be considered "Spence-
rian," Mrs. Redd, 212 east Clay street, Rich
1
| MS early morning round yesterday.
| About 10 o'clock Mrs. Redd opened the box,
which was filled with luscious pieces of crystal
| hzed fruit and other confectioneries, and gave
| the others a few pieces each.
Those whose names are above mentioned ate
| OF the tempting candies, and by IL O'Clock they
| we're all taken sick at their stOmachs and sud
1 denly grew very weak.
WRITING IN PAIN.
| Within an hour all six were wrthing in pain,
| the effect OF the poison producing violent cramps
| through the abdomen, and In this condition they
| were found by young Mr.. Mountcastle when he
| went home a little after II O'Clock. He immedi-
| ately won't for a physician, and Dr. H. Wythe
Davis was soon administering antidotes TO the
| suffering ones.
| DIR. Davis soon ascertained that the Illness OF
| the half-dOzen patients was due 10 arsenical poi
! sOning, every symptom strongly indicating that
| this was the drug used for the deadly work. The
unfortunate persons, the physician says, were in
| a very dangerous state when he arrived, and had
| another half hour passed without medical treat
| ment they could not possibly have been saved.
| After working with his patient for three hours
| DR.. Davis saw that the desired result was ap-
| preaching and he grew hopeful that they would
| recover. Ho visited them again last night and
at a late hour reported that the most critical
| stage was nearly over and he did not anticipate
| fatal results unless from the inflammation that
| follows arsenical poisoning.
Miss Waddeys condition was more dangerous
| than that OF the others, as she is a robust and
| healthy lady The colored children seemed TO
| suffer less than any on account Of having eaten
very little Of the candy, though each one, the
! physician says, bad enough poison In the system
| 10 produce death In very few hours.
ANALYSIS OF THE MATERIAL.
| DR.. Davis took the box containing the remainder
| Of the confections and carefully examined the
contents, finding that by skilful slicng the crys-
tallized fruit had been cut about one-third open
and the poison Inserted In a careful way, so that
| IL could not be detected except by the closest
| scrutiny Of a medical man. he feels sure that
| he had eliminated all the poison from the sys-
FfW.rr q ltNGVF
| In speaking 70 a DISPATCH reporter last even-
| ing Dir. Davis asserted that the package con-
tanned enough arsenic TO Kill the whole house.
hold, and in fact 1t was only the good fortune OF
! the others that they were not at home when Mrs
| Ridd was giving away the candy.
AT WORK on THE CASE.
| As soon as IL was learned that an effort had
| been made 10 assassinate at least one occupant
| OF the house, the matter was placed In the hands
| Of the police and an investigation was HninelI-
| ately begun.
| II was not very long before the place where the
| candy was bought had been located, aud al-
| though there was no postmark on the PACKAGE
! IL is almost assured that IL was mailed here.
| 10 was also learned that the officers were conl-
| dent they were upon the track Of the person who
sent tho death-dealing sweets. II Is believed
| from what has been discovered that II was Ill
tended for Mrs. Redd, and no one else in particu-
| lar unless IL was thought she would invite her
husband TO Join her in eating the candy.
THE EXCITING RUMoRs.
| Even before It was announced by Dr. Davis
| that the people had been poisoned the fact had
| Leaked ont. and was not only known IN the i'm
| mediate neghbOrhood, but current IN several
/ sections Of the city
| in greatly excited state ana the runlOr on III
| sides were generally alarming
! The matter will be siited TO the bottom ana II
Is believed that deop scheme to take the nc OF
innocent persons viii be unriyalled. Captain
| Angle and Sergeant Tomlinson are inyesti-
! eating the matter.