The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-04-19
A SENSATIONAL CASE.

Mrs Flora Adams Darling, tho Noted
Writer. Charges n Noted Physician aud
His Wifo with Poisoning Her Son
Edward.
NEw YoRK, April 1s.-Mrs. Flora
Adams Darling, wri,or Of war lotters
and ono OF tho founders OF tho Daush-
tors OF tho Revolution, 10 seeking the
indictment OF Or. Fraucis Xavier
Spranger and his wife, who was former
ly her daughter.in.law, Mrs. Edward
Irving Darling, by tho grand Jury OF Now
York county. Mrs. Darlings son, Ed.
ward Irving Darling, died on February
ID. 1894. at MI Clempns, Mich, from
what sho c!aima to hayo beon slow
poison.
Edward Irving Darling was a musical
composer and poot. Tho son met Boat.
rice Gay klinglo whilo In Washington
with his7nother in 1885. He fell In love
with tho girl, and thoy were married on
September 10 Of that year. A short
timo after their marriage ho met with
IN accident In falling out Of u window,
aud breaking several bones OF his body.
DR.. Spranger, then a recent graduate
from western college, was called in to
attend him. For many weeks the
young man lay in plaster casts, aud It Is
alleged now tha. during this time tho
doctor fell In love with his patients
wife.
On July 4, 1892, the younger Mrs.
Darling received word OF the death Of
her father in Washington. This left her
an estate valued at moro than Sl,000.-
900 consisting OF real estate In Washing.
ton and government bonds. Mr.. and
Mrs. Darling went to Washington to at
tend the funeral and stopped at the
Ebbitt House, in that city. While
there, the young man became violently
III after drinking glass Of milk. Dr..
Harrison, n physician OF the city, attri-
buted his illness to impure milk. Mrs.
Darling. tho mother, now claims that
the milk contained poison.
After the funeral OF Mr.. kiingle, Mr..
and Mrs. Darling returned to Detroit
and from that time it is said the hus-
band became an invalid.
On June 20, 1928, Darling invited his
mother to Mt. Clemens. While there
he was attended by DR.. Richard Loch-
ncr, who said that the Young man had
been under the influence OF violent
drugs, which had destroyed tho Tissue
Of tho body. and that hi, dcdth was
only a question OF short time.
The patient died on February l3, 1884,
and previous to his death he made q
statement that his wife and Dr.. Spranger
had systematically poisoned him and
that hs would die from tho effects OF the
drugs given him.
The body was cremated without q
post mortem examination at the re-
quest OF tho patient. who maintained
that he did not want his body 10 falI
into the hands OF his wife.
Tho motive according to the dead
mans mother has now been established
through the public marriage. OF DR..
Spranger TO Mrs. Darling at Baltimore
in March ofthis year.
As soon rs the marriage was an
nouuced, John Quincy Adams, a
brother Of the dead man, residing in
this city took the case before District
Attorney Fellows. Hc submitted
proof, as he claims, that poison
was administered to the son
by his wife while they were
stopping in this city il the early part OF
1898. District Attorney Fellows as
signed tho case to Assistant District
Attorney George G. Battele, who is
making n thorough examination of all
the circumstances attending the death
OF young Darling.
Several different medicines alleged to
have contained poison are now in the
hands OF Mr.. Bastelle and are being
analyzed by chemists.