The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-04
ANNIE M'GRATH CASE.
Mystery Explained at the Coroner's In.
quest-Old Man Langdon Held by tho
Jury-Experts Puzzled.


Jury-Experts Puzzled.
Philadelphia, April 3.-The coroner's
inquest into the death Of Annie j. Nc
Grath was held today and the cause Of
the girls death is but little clearer
than when her body was discovered in
the house at 1926 Girard avenue on
March % last. The chemical expert
who made an analysis Of the girls
blood and viscera could only give 1t as
his opinion that the girl did not die
from chloroform or prussic acid poison
Ing, but .:oat her blood presented an
appeararoc similar to that Of persons
poisoned by water gas. Still, the indi-
cations of water gas in the blood were
not of sufficient quantity to have
caused death. The expert stated that
he was unable to give the cause of
death. but 1t might have been due to in
haltng Illuminating gas, a specific drug
or poison. At the conclusion Of the
inquest the jury rendered q verdict
that Annie McGrath came to her death
from causes unknown, and recon-
mended that Langdon be held for fur
ther investigation before the grand
jury.
Langdon was committed to prison to
await the grand jury's action. In
consequence of the publicity and SEN
sational features of the case only wit
nesses, police officials and newspaper
reporters were admitted to the cor
oner's office. Samuel P. Langdon came
in In charge Of two detectives a short
time before the hour set for the hear
ing. Langdon looked in much better
health than when he was arrested and
throughout the hearing was cool and
almost Indifferent in his manner. The
inquest was conducted by Coroner Ash
bridge. Henry H. McGrath, the father
of the dead girl, was the first witness.
He testified that his confidence in his
daughter was such that he never had
any suspicion Of her connection with
Langdon.
Mrs. Effie Butterield, Annie's sister,
testified that Annie had told her she
was engaged to be married to Langdon.
The witness objected to Langdon on ac-
count Of the difference in age between
him and her sister. A week prior to
her death Annie told her sister that she
was living with Langdon at 1926 Cir
ard avenue. The witness threatened
to tell their father and Annie begged
her not to, saying that she herself
would confess to him. Mrs. Butterfield
admitted that both she and her sister
had used chloroform on several occa-
siOns for toothache and she told of the
purchase of two ounces of the drug by
Annie a few days before her death and
of the questions Annie asked the drug
clerk concerning the effect of poisons.
AFRAID OF LANGDON.
Miss Florence Stewart. the next wit
ness testified that Annie had told her
that she was afraid Of Langdon, and
If he should discover that she went
with other men he might kill her.
Howard Sausser, a drug clerk en-
ployed at a drug store at 18th and
Norris streets, testified that he knew
Annie well. She came to his store and
asked him to sell her some chloroform.
The girl stated that she wanted to kill
a canary bird with It, but her manner
excited his suspicion and 1t was only
after repeated avowals on her part that
she intended to make no improper use
of the drug that he sold her two ounces
Of It, She then asked him what the
deadliest poison in the store was. He
told her prussic acid was and she in
quired as to the effect of this poison on
elderly and young people.
The detective who arrested Langdon
testified to the facts that have already
been published in that connection, but
brought to light a new phase Of Lang
don's life, when he stated that he had
discovered and talked with another girl
whom Langdon was about to set up in
housekeeping in New York.
Langdon was not permitted by his
counsel to take the stand or break the
silence he has maintained since the
girls death. The hearing consumed
three hours and at its COZ 'on the cor
oner charged the jury. 12e dwelt upon
the mystery Of the case; the efforts to
learn Of the cause Of death; their fulfil
ity and severely adverted to Langdon's
refusal to go upon the stand. The jury,
after fifteen minutes deliberation re-
turned their verdict and Langdon was
taken back to his cell In the city hall.
stated that they would apply for writ
of habeas corpus and have Langdon re-
leased ON hail aa early aa nnssihle