The herald., 1893-02-05
BENTLEY HAD STRYCHN|NE.
A Bottle of 1t Found in the
Prisoners Trunk.
The Result of Search of the Rooms
He Occupied.
ofrs. Bentley's Body to Bo Again Ex-
humed Tomorrow and Further
Examination for Poison
to Be Made.

Nordholt-Bentley case is being solved.
A bottle of strychnine was found yes
terday in Bentley's trunk.
During the past two days an inventory
OF the effects of the estate has been in
progress. Public Administrator Kelsey
qualified last Thursday, and the inven-
tory began on Friday in presence of
himself, two of Lawson's detectives,
VIM. F. Nordholt, son of the deceased,
and George Hayford, attorney for the
accused, Henry Bentley.
The various rooms of the house were
visited, and every article itemized in
the presence of the public administrator,
the officers and witnesses. On yester-
day an examination was made OF the
articles in the room in which Mrs. Nord-
holt-Bentley died; which is also the
room occupied by Bentley after h er
death. In this room are several trunks,
in which were many articles OF the de-
ceased; and there was also found the
trunk OF Henry Bentley, in which was
supposed to be his personal effects.
This trunk was locked, and evidently
has 30 remained ever since the morning
of the arrest of Bentley. On the morn
ing OF the arrest Detective Lawson sta
toned two detectives in the room, who
have ever since constantly guarded the
room and the approaches to the house.
Detective Lawson evidently has taken
great care and precaution in maintain
ing strict guard in and around the
house until the inventory should have
been ordered and completed.
On Friday, while they were taking
ha hot
trunk be taken to the county Jail, 80
that he might get some clean clothes.
The request was refused.
Yesterday (Saturday) while the in
ventory was being continued, the room
in which Mrs. Nordholt-Bentley died
was visited In this room were the
trunks which had been packed by Bent
ley. These trunks contained articles
belonging to himself and Mrs. Nordholt-
Bentley. In the trunk belonging to
Bentley, and which contained his per-
sonal effects, was found lady's fur
handbag, or satchel, such as
ladies usually carry upon the
arm in the streets. The handbag
was locked, the lock being what is
known as spring catch. There was no
key found With some little difficulty
the handbag was opened, and in it was
found bottle nearly full of white sub.
stance. The bottle was about four
inches in length. The label had been
erased, and there were no marks or di-
rections showing what the bottle con-
tanned or where purchased. However,
local druggists never place their labels
upon bottles unless the bottles have been
opened and a portion of the contents
sold. If the bottle has been "broken,"
or opened, the local druggist puts his
label upon it. over that of the wholesale
dealer; otherwise the label OF the whole
sale dealer remains.
The substance having the appearance
of etrychnine, it was agreed by all par
ties that an analysis should be made.
Accordingly, the public administrator
took a sample from the bottle.
W. F. Nordholt took a sample, and
Attorney Hayford took sample also.
Each party had his sample analysed
by different druggist and in each in
stance the analysis showed that it was
etrychnine.
The bottle was sealed and left under
charge of the district attorney.
On the morning of BentleY's arrest,
the keys in his possession, including
that of his personal trunk. were taken
charge OF by Deputy Sheriff Macy, at the
county Jail. On Thureday laEt, upon
written order from the public admins
traitor, Deputy Macy gave the keys into
the possession of the public administra-
tor.
With the vigilant guard of Lawson's
detectives it does not seem possible that
access could have been had to the trunk,
had there been such a motive on tbs
part of others who might possibly have
conspired against Bentley. 1t is now
believed more strongly than ever that
Bentley is not alone in this plot, and it
seems to have been conspiracy from
the beginning to the end, with view of
securing the $4,000 worth of property
belonging TO the late Mrs. Nordholdt.
The prisoner WAS asked to account for
the presence of the bottle of poison in
his trunk. He stated that it had been
used on the premises for the killing OF
rats.
But the presence of this bottle of
strychnine in his trunk, together with
the finding of strychnine in the remains
Of the deceased, together with the we'll
known fact that Bentley married the
old lady solely to get possession of her
property, makes a very strong circum-
Htantia case against the prisoner.
Detective Lawson and his able as
sistants, it seems, are getting to the
bottom Of a case which seems darker as
the proceed, and, as outlined by the
HERALD few days ago, it may be
shown that Bentley was only the figure
head OF the conspirators, who remained
In the dark. black background, plotting
and showing him forward to execute.
The exhuming of the remains of the
late Mrs. Nordholt, which was to have
taken place yesterday, ordered by Jus.
tice Seaman, to be under the supervi-
sion of Coroner Gates, was postponed
until tomorrow. as DIR. Bridge, who is
to make an analysis of the heart and
kidneys, was called out of town yester-
day.
This analysis will be looked forward
to with much interest and may throw
additional light upon the case.
Judge Clark yesterday issued cita-
tion to Attorney George Hayford, attor-
ney for Bentley, requiring him to appear
In court for the purpose of being exam
iked as to the condition and status of
the property of the estate OF the deceased
Mrs. Nordholdt- dt-Bentley.
The citation was served upon Attor-
ney Hayford yesterday afternoon
Bentley has given to Hayford his
power Of attorney.
!. Nervous headaches promptly cured by
bromo.seltzer-lOc trial bottle.