New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-22
SULPHORTC ACID FOR THREE.
A DISPUTE ABOUT RELIGION LEADS TO THE
POISONING OF A FAMILY,
MISS o'KEEFE HAD BEEN woRsTED IN THE
QUARREL, so SHE PUT POISON IN THE
FooD-sHE CONFESSED AND
THEN FLED.
THEN FLED.

remarkable attempt to poison a family was
brought TO light in the jefferson Market Police
Court two days ago, and although detectives have
been searching for the poisoner. she has so far
eluded arrest She is Miss Lille O'Keefe, good
looking young woman who lived at No. 45 Sixth
ave, with Mrs. Jessie Elliott, dressmaker. Mrs.
Elliott her sister, Miss Florence Adams, and their
colored servant girl, Hattie Thompson, were the
victims of the attempt, and rough on rats, and
suphuric acid were the pOisons used.
Miss O'Kcefe who is q bonnetmaker by occupa-
ton. engaged room in Mrs Elliotts house about
four weeks ago; Mrs. Elliott seriously ill
at the time with heavy cold, and her sister MISS
Adams, was busy during the day at dreSsmaklng
Miss OKeefe offered to assist the coored GIRL
Hattie. in nursing Mrs Elliott. About two weeks
ago Florence and Lille began to discuss rciiSioh
Florence was an Episcopalian and Lille a
Catholic. The religious quarres between the TWO
oirls continued for two or three days. and ended
in general dispute in which Lille was worsted.
This was on Sunday, October II. On that day
Lille went to her fathers home, No 40 Waverlcy
Place She returned to Mrs. ElliottS house early
in the evening. and while waiting on Mrs. Elliott
said: 81 would like to give Florence a dose OF
slow poison She's terror Mrs. Elliott told
Lille that she ought not TO talk that way ana
thought no more of the remark.
Miss OKccfe looked after the cooking on Mon
day. and assisted the colorcd girl Hattie in pre-
pairing the dinner. Mrs. Elliott ate sparngy oil
toast and eggs but Was unable 20 retain the lood
on her stomach The seryantglrl Hattie ave
heartily of hash but all Florence Adams took was
n glass of milk. Monday night the colored girl
was taken suddenly ill with severe gripping pains
in the stomach. aud Miss OKeefe gave her Gun
of tea This only made her worse. and ABOUT )
| o'clock Tuesday morning Miss O'Kcefe gave her
. oIass Of cider. BY o'clock Tuesday morning
the servant-girl was half-dead Mrs. Elliott, who
had again tried to eat some eggs on toast, was
also I'LL and so was her sister, Florence, who had
drunk another glass of milk. A physician was
hastily summoned t. the house, and after examining
the three patients. he told Mrs. Elliott that they
had been poisoned. The remark made by Miss
O'Keefe on Sunday night, flashed across MIS- FL
! lott's mind and she told her suspicious to the
doctor The doctor gave his patients emeucs, ana
| applied the stomach pump to Mrs Elliott ana her
servantgirl with good effect after which he called
| in Miss O'Koefe and questioned her. Miss heele
denied that she had attempted to poison the fam
| Ily Aftcrward she confessed to Mrs. Elnote, IN
the presence of the doctor and Miss Adams that
shc had nut rough on rats" and sulphurlc acid In
| the food.
"Th, poison was for Florence, though" she said
ST only gave it to you and the servant-girl to
sea how much poison it would take to kill
The doctor went for an officer. but while he
was rome Miss O'Keefe made her escape through
| n window to the yard, and through new building
to West Fleventh-st The case was net reported
to the police until Tuesday ana then MISS ADAMS m
! ond Hattie Thompson appeared in court and Sc
cured cr warrant for the arrest of Miss O'Keete.
| Miss Adams and the servant-girl Hattie nave
entirely recovered from the effects of the poison
| uOte fortunate,
until Yesterday that the physician pronounced
/ her out Of danger