The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-09
PLANZ AND POISON
San Jose's Mystery Under
a New-Old Theory.
TRYING THE DRUGGING CLEW.
Unwearying Detectives Erect Plausi-
Bile Construction Upon Deli
cate Foundation.

The mysterious death of Henry Planz at
San Jose on the night Of November 10 or
morning of November IL last is still piquing
the amour fropre of the detectives.
Planz, young brewery manager of great
sociability, was found at about a. NJ. sus-
pended to a tree on Julian avenue in that
city on the 11th of November. Different
theories of suicide and murder prevailed at
the time, but the inquest resulted in an open
verdict.
Now is resurrected the ancient theory
OF poison, by the conditions of which
Plauz must have been drugged by some
enemies and afterward strung up to the
pepper-tree branch to give the impression
of different kind OF death.
In support of this theory It is known
that Sheriff George Y. Bolinger of Santa
Clara has beer very anxious of late TO gain
possession of Henry Planz' stomach; also
lhat shortly after he secured that organ a
stomach was brought to distinguished
San francisco Psychologist and analyst, with
request that it be tested for poisons,
These two facts have been sufficient to
| start the theorists on trail which was ex-
plotted at the time of the inquest, but to
which the duration OF time lends basis Tor
revived hypothesis
Sheriff Bo!iinger is tall, thick-set man
with heavy mustache, and last Thursday
! w. ID. Johnston of the Cooper Medical Col
| lege at his Office and said:
want you TO test this stomach for
poisohs 1t belonged to man who died
| very suddenly.
II VIII not tell you the name OF the man
or the circumstances under which he died
or my own name, for fear that those facts
might unconscousy influence you, but |
! VIII return FOR results next Thursday"
Terms were agreed upon and the myste-
lHaN ha1 Tlr In.n 1-
novice at The business of testing organs for
poison. be was prominently concerned in
The Milton Bowers alleged poisoning case,
ana lie was rather pleased at the reserVa-
lions OF tie stranger than otherwise. A
knowledge OF the concurrent circumstances
OF the fatality might interfere with the tests
by producing some erroneous prejudice.
lie therefore eheerfully accepted the COM
mission.
In an interview with Professor w. d.
Johnston OF Cooper Medical College it was
acknowledged that he was at work on a
stomach which belonged to some person ua-
known to him, the party who gave it to him
Withholding all traces Of its identity The
doctor stated that owing to the large guam
uty OF alcohol IN which the stomach was
Immersed the analysis would necessarily be
SLOW and tedious
For instance. it has been alleged that the
dead mans muller was not creased rs it
must 'have been If caught by the dead
welent OF struggling man. This was the
| muller, ii will he remem bered, which was
used 10 connect Fred S. Potts with the
ease; Plaza succeeded Potts as manager of
| the frederlckS burg Brewery, and the latter
Identified the IN fflar as enc he had given to
IianZ. An attempt vas made to show that
PlanZ had not worn the muller on that
particular night preceding the discovery of
his dead body, but had protected his throat
with turned-up collar.
The detectives, who are responsible for
TINS poison theory, believe that they have
found indubltahle evidence of n certain
party or parties having purchased a drug.
which they expect TO hear has been found
in the stomach.
Their theory is that prussic acid or some
similar drug WAS used. Three men, they
think, met PlanZ at the corner Of San Pedro
and Julian streets and walked along with
hlm until the comparative ObScurity OF
the pepper tree was reached and there
they offered Planz a drink from a bottle
containing the poison. 1t is thought that
the hands were then tied and the body
dragged thirty yards to the tree to which it
was afterward suspended to give the idea of
summary execution or suicide.
The poison theory was supposed TO have
been exploded by the examination of DR..
johnson of San Jose, but recent investiga-
| lions have caused its revamping. The ex-
istence of $1,000 reward has. 1t is sup
posed, determined the haWkshaws upon
leaving no stone unturped.
OF course the tests applied by Professor
Johnston may dlSproYe this poison theory.
| Tho time which has elapsed handicaps him
| considerably in his researches and creates
some suspicion that this investigation is a
foriOrn hope as its suggestion at this late
| date certainly casts reflection on the
previous conduct OF the c-lSp. Only the
| residue OF the poison used. If any, would be
| discovered, the remainder being absorbed
into the system to effect lis deadly purpose.
Therefore the traces OF active poison that
the chemists report may reveal could only
no Fhnla fao
constitutes very frail and delicate founda-
ton for the elMe.datin OF The mXstary