The sun., 1893-08-15
MRS. SHANN'S DEFENCE.
Her Sons Body Mutilated Not by Her. But
to Conceal His Unntness for Insurnnce

TRENTON. n. j., Aug. 14.-Inerest in the trial
OF Mrs Martha c. Sham for the poisoning OF
her son. John F. Sham. increases daily. Tho
women who attend court bring their lunches
with them. Much OF the evidence to day was
unfit for them to hear. but. out Of nearly four
hundred. only two women left the room. The
State put another medical export on the wit
ness stand in the morning to prove that young
Shsnn had been dosed with poison. and at the
noon recess rested its case.
The public curiosity touching the character
OF the defence was manifested by the pig
crowd which focked into court in the after
noon session. Capt. Woodbury. d. Holt In his
opening address. outlined the defence fully
He said the state charged Mrs. Sham with
the murder OF her son. her motive being the
procuring OF $1,000 insurance OIL his life. The
state charged further that she removed. or
had removed. the viscera of her dead son to
conceal the murder OF which she was guilty.
That his internal organs were removed by
some one with strong motive for 80 doing
could not be denied and was not disputed.
What m otive the men had who did this would
The defence. Capt. Holt wont on. would show
that young Shann, while suffering from dis
ease other than that described by his physi-
clan. took mercury. and virtually dosed HIM
self to death. Regarding. the disemboweling
Of the Young man. Capt. Holt said the defence
correct. Who did it the defence would not say.
1t was not their bus n ess to do So But he want
ed the Jury to consider Life Insurance Agent
Frank c. Bordens connection with the case.
Borden had examined the deceased for life in
surance, and passed him as sound. Tho State
charged that the viscera were removed be-
cause they were poisoned: the defence holds
that they were removed because they were
diseased. and the object was to conceal the
fact that Shann was diseased. and unfit for the
insurance risk placed on his lie. 1t was not
held BY the defence that DR.. Bergen. the Shann
family physician. had removed the viscera,
but he. too, 1t would be shown. had examined
the youth for insurance little before he was
Frustrated with his illness. and passed him as
healthy man. In looking Tor motive this was
to he considered. Insurance companies dis
charge, il they do not prosecute. agents who
certify that unsound applicants for policies are
healthy and sound
Can't. Holt dwelt longer on the connection OF
Insurance Agent Cough with the case. This
man went to Princeton he said. in the Guise
the autopsy. He used threatening language.
and tho nght after his departure from Prince
ton. the dlscmtoweilinE took place. These
insurance men had As much interest in John
Shann's death as his mother. They were also
interested to the extent Of $1,000.
After several witnesses tor tho defence one
OF whom was the dead youths brother. had
given Evidence tending to show that young
Sham had disease for which mercury is
prescribed. Mrs. Harriet B. Grey and Mrs.
Isabella updyke. listers OF Mrs. sham. testi-
Their relations were very tender and loving.
Mrs. Sham waited on her son day aud night.
and never neglected him for a minute. Court
here adjourned.