The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-10
A LUCKY THEFT.


without issue.
Old Mr.. Courtney being one of the
halest of bachelors, when it was announced
not only that he was dead, but, that foul
play was suspected, when a post mortem
examination demonstrated that he had
fallen a victim to poison and when 1t was
given out that the hand that had admins
tered it was that of his favorite nephew,
the public mind was both surprised and
shocked.
1t was net until Edward Horton hao
been fully committed for trial for his un.
cle's murder that was retained for the
defense.
His own statement was, in substance,
this:
A physician had been called to see Mr..
Courtney on occasion of some apparently
trihing illness, requiring some simple
remedy, for which prescription was writ
ten and handed to the prisoner to have
made up. This the latter had carried to a
we'll known, competent druggist, who had
put it up in his presence. The medicine
consisted of three white powders each
folded in scrap of paper and the whole
inclosed in a single wrapper. They were
to be given at intervals of an hour and
had remained continuously in the prison
er's possession till the first was admins
tered, which was done by himself imme-
diately on his return from the druggists.
Mr.. Courtney grew rapidly worse, and
when, at the expiration of an hour, sec
end powder as administered, the symptoms
became so alarming that a messenger was
dispatched for the physician, who on his
arrival declared that the patient was suf-
fering from the effect of poison. An exam
ination of the remaining powder disclosed
the fact that it was pure arsenic. It was
too late for any anHdote to be available,
and in less than an hour death had re-
1ieved the sufferer. An autopsy of the
body and an analysis of the contents Of
the stomach left no doubt as to the cause
of death. The presence of arsenic in a nee
essarily fatal quantity was indicated by
every known chemical test. 1t was fur
Their admitted by the prisoner that he alone
had access to his uncle's apartment or had
handled the medicine from the time it was
compounded by the druggist till the COM
ing of the physician after the second pow
der had been taken.
The druggist, who was known to be a
man of extraordinary caution and thor
oughly skilled in his business, was ready
to swear that by no possibility could any
mistake have occurred in putting up the
medicine.
To make matters worse, it transpired
that the amicable relations between the
uncle and nephew had been somewhat dis
turbed of late, by reason of an attachment
of the latter disapproved by the former,
who had gone so far as to threaten to
change his will unless his wishes were re-
spected.
"Who was in company with you from
the time you received the medicine till
your return to your uncle's house?' asked
the prisoner, desperately cropping after
something to afford ray of hope
'No one, - he answered, "but my cousin
Charles whom met near the druggist S,
and who accompanied me i'm
1 drew from Edward that Charles saw
the medicine put up; walked with him a
little way, then went back for something
Edward awaiting his return; then walked
arm in arm nearly home, when Charles
left. L also reminded Edward that, his
uncle being dead, if he also should die
chiIdless Charles would inherit the whole
estate.
'He did It'll He did itI'' the young man
cried in paroxys1n of excitement too
earnest to be counterfeit. ''He went out
to get the poison when he left me waiting
He put it up to resemble the druggists
parcel, for which he substituted it as we
went along. I know it now I carried the
parcel in the right pocket of my overcoat,
and it was on that side he walkedl'
was seated in my private Office on the
day preceding that fixed for the trial, in
dulging in anything but sanguine expec-
tations, when tap at the door announced
visitor. 1t was the detective had en-
ployed.
''What is it9'' inquired after closing
the door.
81 made an arrest today he answered,
''and in the prisoners possession found
this overcoat, " undoing package he had
bought.
"Well?''
''In one of the pockets I found this, -
and he handed me small parcel, which I
opened. Inside were three papers, folded
as druggists put up their prescriptions.
1.-THE person with whom l found this
coat, " the detective continued, ''eonfesses
that he stole it from billiard saloon the
owner having laid it aside while playing,
and the date he fixes corresponds with Mr..
Courtney's murder. But, what is more
important, have ascertained that Charles
Courtney is the owner of the coatP'
Let US go at once to the druggist'sP'
exclaimed, springing from my chair and
snatching up my hat. We were soon there.
please examine that parcel" I said,
putting it into the druggists hands.
He did so, carefully opening the papers
and inspecting their contents. They con-
tanned three white powders.
Chow do they correspond with those
| you put up for Mr.. COurtneyY" inquired,
land for which others seem to have been
afterward SO mysteriously substituted?'
E'They do not correspond at all, - he an
swered; ''they are the same
'The same! How do you know that?"
''By these figures, - he replied, pointing
to the inside of one of the papers. ~ had
made a calculation that day on the sheet
of paper, part of which I used in putting
up the prescription bought by Mr.. Horton
The remainder have preserved, not know
ing but it might become important. Here
it is, and you see how this piece and the
figures fit it.
They did exactly. The chain Of evidence
was complete!
need hardly tell how the trial ended
Charles Courtney was put on the stand by
the prosecution to prove some unimpor
tant point. I asked him but three ques
| finr1S On cross examination.