Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-04-12

Ellie Whalen. alias Cox, and Mrs. Rose
Fournier of 36l North Winooski avenue
were arrested Saturday afternoon 10y Sheriff
Reeves, assisted by Deputy II. ID. Wheeler
on the charge of murder in the first degree
They were subsequently taken before
the City Court. Neither the prosecution
nor the respondents were prepared for a
hearing and the case was continued till Sat
urday for preliminary hearing, il one is to
be had.
The Indictment filed by States Attorney
Cushman charges in effect that Mrs. Nha-
/ len and Mrs Fournier caused the death OF
' the lattcr's husband, Alfred Fourner. on
| October 1ith last by poisoning him.
| Jt was stated at the time that he
died of gastro-enteritis which IN
common English. means Inflammation
| Of the lining membrane of the stomach and
| mtestiues His death was sudden and un-
expected by the physicians. He was under
medical attendance only two days and vom-
tied continuously, being in great distress
until death came to him. Drs. Prime and
Wheeler held post lnortem on the remains
lhe third dav after his death, removing the
ltomach and bowels The matter was then re-
ported to states Attorney Cushman and un-
der his direction the parts removed were sent
to Prof h. A. Witthaus of New York to be
analyzpd. which work he has completed.
Meanwhile it is understood that States At
tolnev Cushman succeeded in obtaining
enough evidence to warrant the arrest of the
two women. Mr.. Cushman refused last
evening TO divulge any of the evidence sup
posed to he in the possession OF the prosecu-
tion. saving be did not deem it to be wise
to do 50 now. He admitted however,
that be felt quite confident of his
ability to prove that Mr.. Fourner
was murdered and that his wife and Mrs.
Whalen We're implicated in the murder. 1T
Is stated, but Mr. Cushman would not YER
ify it. that Dr. Witthaus found enough poi
son in the dead mans stomach and bowels
to kill four men, DIR. Witthaus is probably
the most noted chemist in the United States.
He was the chemist for the prosecution in
the murder cases of Carlyle Harris and DR.,
Buchanan. recently tried in New York. both
respondents being convicted of murder in
the first degree, and Harris having since
been electrocuted. DR.. Witthaus will natu-
rally be one of the main witnesses for the
State in this case
\ motive that may have led Mrs. Fourner
and Mrs. Whalen to put Fournier out of the
way is in substance as follows Fourner and
his family lived at 36i North Winooski
avenue nearly opposite the street railway
cOmpany's housing station. and was a car
penter by trade He was about 40 years of
hge 1t is said that the relations between
him and his wife in his last years were not
happy He was her third husband. The
officers considered her reputation question
able before his death. At that time and for
eome time before and since Mrs. Whalen had
been a member of the Fournier family. Her
reputation is well-known. \ case against
her under the blanket act, is now pending
in County Court. She worked few
years for ono Mathew Bingham in South
burlington and caused Bingham to leave hi,
wife and atterward acted as his house
Keeper till his death last year The build
ing. on Bingham farm burned in the mean
mc and the Insurance company in which
hey wcrcinsured declined topay the amount
bf the policy alleging incendiarism.
Fournier was to be an important witness
against her in the case charging her with
adultery The neighbors i'll the vicinity OF
he city where Mrs. Fournier and the
Nhalcn woman lived expressed themselve,
ls glad they We're arrested. a fact which
woUld also seem to bear on their characters.
II is understood that they have engaged
Hon. Henry Ballard, whose reputation as a
riminal lawyer is second to that of no law
or in the state, and j. j. Enright as coun
] and trial is promised such as has not
occurred in this city since some f. year.
ago when Mrs. Smith of Wiiliston was ac
Quilted of the charge of numbering hel
husband. 1t might be added that Mr.. Bal
ard defended Mrs. Smith.