The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-16
IN DEFENSE OF mrs. SHANN.
Affectionate Relations Existed
Between Mother and Son.
Why the Stomach Was Removed-The
Prisoners Counsel Claims That it Was
Done to Hide the Fact That Insur-
ance Agents Had Passed IL Man Who
Was Not n Safe Risk.


Wetherill, of Trenton, was put on the wit
pess stand by the prosecution in the Shann
murder trial yesterday. He has had
fifteen years experience as q practitioner,
and he gave it Us his opinion that young
Shann's death was due to chronic mer-
curial poisoning. This opinion was based
on the assumption that his symptoms and
Treatment were as described by his own
physician, DIR. Bergen, and other wit
nesses.
DR. Arthur r. Mcdonald. of Princeton,
testified that he examined Sham for the
Manhattan Life Insurance company last
November, and that he found him to be
sound and well. He was under the re
quired weight for his height; but, as that
was family characteristic, he was passed.
Witness admitted under cross examine
tlon TINT his examination for disease was
not complete
Coroner Coulter testified that he had
been opposed by Mrs. Sham in the per
formance of his duties
Captain Holt, who has assumed the bur
den OF the work for the defense, made on
It's behalf the opening address to the jury.
Captain Holt outlined the defense fully,
saying that the prisoner at the bar was
not a murdereSs. All her acts in this
matter were consistent with innocence
and honest intent The boy died leaning
on the breast of his mother and giving her
his last thought.
The state charges that she administered
to him the poison from which he died; that
her motive was the procuring of So, 600
insurance on his life; and that for weeks
while he was langushing and PROSTATE
she fed him daily the drug that finally
robbed him of his life. The defense would
show that young Sham did not die of moi
son, but was afflicted with disease, for
which he WAS treated with mercury, other
than the disease that he is said to have
died Of
The state charges that the mother re-
moved or had removed the viscera of her
dead son to conceal the murder of which
she was guilty. The defense holds that
they were removed because they were dis
eased; and the object was to conceal the
fact that Sham was diseased and unfit
for the insurance risk placed OH his life.
Ealns'lrance companies discharge, if they
40 not prosecute, agents who certify that
unsound applicants for policies are healthy
and sound. Captain Holt dwelt longer on
the connection of Insurance Agent Cough
with the case, who went to Princeton, he
SAID, in the guise of a detective and who
demanded the autopsy. He threatened
MIS- Sham, and the night after his de-
parture from Princeton the disembowelinQ
"ae CoillulltteC. IncSe insurance men had
IS much interest in Johns death as his
mother
James Packer, an intimate friend of
John Sham, was the first witness for the
defense. He testified to having visited
houses of ill fame in Trenton in company
with John. William McVey and Hugh
Sham, the latter a brother of the dead
man, testified that John was afflicted with
private disease
Mrs. Harriet b. Gray, a sister of Mrs.
Sham, testified that she visited Mt her
house almost every day during Johns
illness. His mother gave John most loving
care. John could not bear to have her out
OF his sight and wanted her always to &C.
cupy certain seat, so that he could see
her when he awoke. Mrs isabella Up
dyke, half sister of Mrs Sham, also
testified that the latter was devoted to her
sick son. Their relations were very tender
and loving. Mrs Mamie Kelly, n daughter
OF Mrs. Sham. testified that she fire.
quently saw John take medicine during
the months of January and February last.
His mother wasalways kind and affection
ate to him. DR.. Bergen said his sickness
was due to several causes, but one of them
he did not care to tell the family. Mrs.
Kelly repeated the story of the three mys-
ferrous men who mutilated the BODY. as it
was told by her mother