The morning call., 1892-07-05
POISONING OF PITCHER.
His Widow Tries to Kiss Some
of the Deadly Drug.
An Inquest on the Body Of the Leader Of the
Daring Dick Forgery-Verdiet Of
Suicide Returned.

The sensational circumstances surround
ing the suicide of William j. Pitcher soon
after his arrest in connection with the
daring Dick forgery were reviewed at the
Coroner's inquest yesterday morning. A
few minutes before the inquest began the
widow ard daughter of the deceased were
shown a paper containing crystal OF
cyanide of potassium which had been
taken from the clothing worn by Pitcher.
The weeping widow had previously kissed
everything belonging to her husband and
started to do the same with the poisonous
drug. AS she raised the paper to her lips
her daughter mist0ok her intention and
snatched it from her trembling hands. After
this exciting little incident the inquest was
commenced.
Mrs. Rose W. Pitcher identified the re-
mains of her husband and said he was aged
45 years. native of England and real
estate dealer by occupation.
'Did your husband ever make any threats
to end his life?" asked DR.. Garwood.
81 have heard him say that he woulc
The last time was two or three years ago."
was the reply. Mrs. Pitcher wept violently
as SHE left the witness-stand.
DIR. r. L. Williams depOsed that he made
an autopsy on the remains OF the deceased,
who came to his death on the 2d inst. from
the introduction into his stomach of cyanide
of potassium, poison.
Police Surgeon George B. Somers related
what occurred after Pitcher was carried
from the Office of the Chief of Police to the
Receiving Hospital Upon examination"
continued DR.. Somers, 81 detected the odor
OF hydroeyanic acid on his breath and re-
marked that the man must have taken
either the acid or the salt-cyanide of
potash Pitcher died 20 minutes after
entering the hospital"
Detective Joseph Bee told how ne had
Dfiphar m
2:45 o'clock Saturday afternoon. On the
way TO the old City Hall Pitcher asked
what he was wanted for. and his captor
told him that Captain Lees would inform
him. The witness related the tragic man
ner in which Pitcher fell unconscious in the
Chiefs Office. The prisoner died Just 20
minutes after his arrest.
Captain 1. w. Lees reviewed the circum-
stances of the forging of Miss Emma L..
Dicks signature to mortgage upon which
Oracle Gilbert, j. L. Wells and the deceased
obtained 5000 from Thomas Crane on
September 10, 1890. The witness was tell
ing about the manner In which the daring
trio had been connected with the fraud and
about the long search through the wiids of
Washington for the woman who had per-
sonated Miss Dick, when the Coroner grew
impatient.
'Cut it short. please" interrupted Dr..
Garwood; don't 60 into all those particu-
lars"
DelnR tUus aumODISueu captain Lees lOlu
about the arrest Of Mrs. Gilbert. her con-
fession and positive identification of Pitcher
as the man who induced her to commit the
forgery.
After celebrating few minutes the Cor
Oner's jury found that Pitchers death was
due to cyanide of potassium poisoning,
taken with suicidal intent The remains
were then sent across tile bay and turned
over to an Oakland undertaken. Arrange
ments are being made to hold the funeral
from the residence OF the deceased, at 1910
Thirteenth avenue.
A joint complaint charging Wells and
Mrs. Gilbert with forgery Will be fled to-
day. when the names of the surviving con-
spirators will be placed on the City Prison
register