The record-union., 1893-08-18
MRS. WEBER CONVICTED.
She Scattered Poison on the Street
for Dogs,
BY Good Luck No Ones Children Got
1.-THE Prosecutors Ask for
Her Discharge.

Mrs. Ann Weber was arraigned in the
Police Court yesterday on a charge of Vi
olating Section 596 of the Penal Code,
which reads:
Every person who willfully admin
listers poison to an animal, the property
OF an other, or maliciously exposes any
poisonous substance with intent that the
same shall be taken or swallowed by such
animal, is punishable by imprisonment
III the State Prison not exceeding three
years, or in the County Jail not exceed
ing one year, and fine not exceeding
$780,"
The direct charge was that she poisoned
W. j. Halls dog. The real issue was
scattering poison where children and an
imals could get it.
w. j. Hall testified that he owned two
dogs of the st. Bernard breed. One of the
dogs was poisoned. He took its stomach
to Phillips drug store and had it an
alyZed. The dog came home and died
about ten minutes after he got there.
Frank Woodson testified that he went
with Mr.. Hall when he took the stomach
to the drug store. Mr.. Phillips said he
did not have facilities for analyzing it, so
witness took it TO +. 4. Ray for analysis.
f. E. Ray swore that stomach was
brought to him for analysis, which he an
alyzed and found strychnine in it. He
described the process of analysis, and
said that he analyzed both the fluid and
the food found in it, and found strych-
nine IN both of them.
Willie Gifrie testified that he knew
Mrs. Weber, and saw her one morning
come out of her door, go across Sixth
street, and lay something down by the
trunk OF a tree. He and his brother started
to see what it was, but Mr.. Hall's black
dog came up and swallowed it and ran
away into Nathan's place and in a few
minutes came out and went into Hall S
place.
Mrs. Weber took the meat out from
under her apron when she put if down.
He and his brother were standing in the
door of his fathers grocery-store. His
brother and Johnny Lyman went over to
see what it was, but the dog came first
and picked it up. He saw Mrs. Weber
drop the stuff.
Jake Gitfrie corroborated his brothers
testimony. He saw Mrs. Weber cross
the street and lay some meat down by the
tree. He went across the street and saw
that IT was piece of meat with some yell
low stuff on it, The black dog ran up
and ate 1t. He and Johnnie Lyman
thought from her manner in putting it
down that it was poison, and threw stones
ct the dog to prevent him from eating it.
She took it from under her apron
The witness was a bright little boy and
his testimony was not shaken, although
General A. l.. Hart, counsel for the de-
tense, roSs-eXamined him CLOSELY
y recess was taken till afternoon
At the afternoon session of the trial
Johnny Lyman testified to seeing the dog
take the meat beneath the tree, and run
with 1t, and soon after act strangely. and
rub in the mud, and leap into Nathan's
yard. Some hours later the boy found
piece of meat at the spot where the dog
took his piece. 1t was covered with a
powder like sugar and appeared bead
like and slightly yelloWish. He buried
the piece. He had had some difficulty with
Mrs. Weber and did not like her, nor
hate her.
Mrs. Cominsky testified that she lives
near Mrs. WeOerS. Her own cat and
pet dog We're poisoned recently, and on
her porch she picked up a handful OF
poisoned meat right where her baby was
playing. She told Mrs. Weber about it,
and the latter said there were too MANY
cats and dogs about, but expressed sur
PRISE about the poison at Mrs. .COmnSky's,
Mrs. Weber took the stand in her own
defense, after Chemist Ray had explained
further about the poison, and how long it
takes to kill, and how he found a few
small yelloWish humps, as if of chopped
up potatoes in the dogs stomach. Mrs.
Weber denied in toto that she ever had
or purchased any strychnine: or that she
had gone across Sixth street on the morn
ing named; or that she had poisoned any
animal, or had any reason or feeling to do
SO, or put out any poison.
She had risen at Z, got her breakfast
and gone to her neighbor's, Mrs. Wise,
for some financial advice. She said she
knew the dog of Mr.. Hall, and when il
had come on her side once or twice. she
had made as if to throw at the animal to
drive it of.
Mrs. Wise testified that Mrs. Weber
came to her house shortly after on the
morning of the poisoning, she thought it
not later tnan quarter after. She had
long known Mrs. Weber, and her repu-
tation was all around good.
II. +. Dillman and Mr.. Stein testified to
the good repute of the defendant, and the
case was argued and submitted, General
Hart attacking the boy witnesses, and
saying that he believed them preiudiced
had put up scheme to punish her. be-
sides their testimony did not hang to-
gether, and the defendant had not been
proven guilty by competent testimony.
City Attorney Post closed the case with
4 clear review of all the testimony. and
declared it to be invincible. IL was both
direct and circumstantial, and the very
fact that the boys testimony was not all
alike was the best evidence that it was
not an agreed story. Moreover, the de-
1endant's admissions correspondent with
the proofs OF the prosecution as to her
movements, dress, etc.
The court said it was convinced of the
truth of the boys testimony: that they
had been frank and truthful, and he must
hold the defendant to answer. The judge
was convinced that she put out the poi
son. Judge Buckley reviewed all the
testimony TO show why he reached the
conclusion of guilt.
Thereupon Mr.. Hall and Mr. Woodson
addressed the court and said that was all
the people who had suffered from the
distribution of poison wanted. They did
not wish the defendant further punished.
She was old, and they did not want to be
considered as following her revenpefully.
They both asked the court to discharge
the defendant. The court said the appeal
did honor to the prosecution, and was
chivalrous, and he would grant the mo-
tion. though clearly of the conviction
that the defendant was guilty. And so
the case ended.
A GROUNDLBSS PREJUDICE