Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-04-01


stomach; made examination of the
kidneys, liver and spleen, found them
in nearly normal condition; sawed
off top of skull, exposed uhe brain to
view, found small tumor on the brain,
this could not have caused death at
this time; the brain was taken out
and thoroughly examined. Saw a
bottle containing liquid in which
were small crystals which looked like
strychnine. My opinion on seeing the
body was that he died either from
strychnine poisoning or lock jaw
The stomach and heart were placed
in a glass jar, sealed and given to DIR.
Dow. Death may result from three
ways in strychnine poisoning: The
CONFUSION may be SO powerful as to
stop respiration, may die in convul-
sions, or rupture of blood vessels. A
deathly dose is from half grain up.
| Prof. E. j. Bartlett testified: Am a
| physician by education. Am Prof. Of
chemistry in Dartmouth College; have
made analysis in twelve cases of death
by poisoning Reed material the 18th
Mar. for analysis. 1t was delivered in
good condition. The bottle contained
an alcoholic liquid and some crystals,
which, by tests, were found to be
strychnine, to the amount of one
grain to the teaspoonful. The glass
jar contained one stomach and fluid;
one-half this fluid was examined and
obtained strychnine by eleven differ
ent tests. A frog was treated with
five drops of this fluid and died in
commissions. A less dose was given
to another frog, it had commissions for
% hours and recovered.
Prof. Bartlett and DR.. Sedgwick
agreed on the cause of death, and a
dose which might kill a person. DR..
Dow testified ]: Was called to the
Heath place, March 8, was notified by
selectmen found body resting on
back part of the head and heels, body
was dissected by DIR. Sedgwick; we
made thorough examination of all the
organs, also examined externally for
marks Of violence. There was no in
dication of death from natural caus-
es. The bent position of the body
and contraction of the muscles, the |
peculiar grin on the face were all in
dications of poisoning by strychnine.
Saw bottle containing alcohol and
crystals; the jars and bottle were all |
sealed and sent to Prof. E. j. Bartlett |
for analysis.
Have given arsenic to Mrs. Hollo- |
way for her boy. Told them it was
poison, Mrs. Ell. said, tam afraid to
take this home. Ell has threatened I
to poison himself" [ told her 9EDon't |
think he would be fool enough to do
that" She said, 81 would if I was in
his place, he is better off dead then
alive if he has got to act as he has,"
She had in mind his recent theft in
Barton. Cross examined by Mr.. Cook
Prescribed poison for skin disease.
Told her not to tell the boy it was ar
senic told them to take 4 to drops,
told them there was not enough in
the bottle to kill any one.
w. E. Sherburne testified Attend
ed the dance at Heath's. Holloway's
people were there when I arrived
Saw Holloway playing pede in the
evening did not see him dance; Mrs.
FL. danced with Mr.. Chase two or
supper think it was between II and
1 o'clock when [ last saw him. Did
not see Gilman out of doors that night.
Chase called me out into the
shed; asked me if [ didn't want to
take something; took the bottle and
drank a swallow, did not like the taste
of it. I found bottle in the snow next
; think it same bottle I drank
Of. [ gave the bottle to the officer
Mrs. II. was out of doors good deal
the last part of the night; Chase was
also out a good deal. Had conversa-
ton with Mrs. Holloway during the
evening, and she said she was going
to get rid of her man. I asked her if
she would come up and keep house
for me. She made no reply.
On cross examination Mr.. Sherburne
stated that he went to Bloomington
Center the day of the dance. Came
from Bloomington about Z o'clock.
the dance at Heath's. Mrs.
came in about 2 o'clock
and said, "Ell is drunk and Carlos is
him behind the barn. I be-
gan to feel sick from effects of drink
with Chase. Told Gilman I thought [
had been poisoned; went to bed at
o'clock in the morning. ate supper,
having good appetite. Gilman and I
went into the bedroom and stayed