Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-30
PARIS GREEN IN MILK CANS
The Lives of Many Citizens OF
Shamokln Jeopardized.
CRIME PROMPTED BY REVENGE
The Milk Served Unawares to
Customers.


Philadelphia Times Special.
Shamokin, Pa, Sept. %. Tho livea
OF many residents of this town were
placed in Jeopardy to-day by the act Of
a fiepd. who, after killing number
OF cows by administering paris green,
poured the same deadly poison into the
cans from which milk was distributed
10 a number nf patrons A courier on
bicycle, after no exciting rido of ak
miles, gave the alarm, and the patrons
were notified Of their danger before any
OF the milk was consumed. Issac Lap-
My has been arrested for the crime and
10 now in Jail.
Tho Inhabitants OF Shamokin are
wild with Indignation over tho devilish
plot, which was prompted by revenge.
y. Is, Sober owns dairy of 80 cows.
located in Shamokin township. Lew il
Sober ia agent. 1t is tbs custom every
evening to place strainers on three cans
into which the milk, fresh from tina
cows, is placed. The cans are carrinti
to milk house, whoro the milk is
stirred and allowed 10 cool nfter which
II 10 again put through strainera and
into cans that are loaded on the NJ ilk
wagon for this place.
When Lewis A, Softer arose TO dny he
found live sets of harness cut, five fly
nets rendered useless, the nuts OF a
buggy ami wagon removed and the 10
finest OF herd of IL COWS poisoned.
10 the wheat bran was large quantity
Of paris green. Mr.. Sober repaired u
milk wagon and Ellwood lIepner loaded
tine cans anu started for this place. Mr..
Sober also came to town to notify tho
authorities.
sumo time after tho departure Of
Messrs. Sober and lIepner, females went
to the milk house, az was thsir usual
morning duty, to procure tho milk
cans and clean them for the evenings
milking. They found the bottoms
covered with whitIsh substance.
Knowing that paris gruen bad been fed
the COWS, the womsn grew alarmed and.
making hnsty examination, discovered
that the fiend had alec poured lot of
poison into the cans since they bad
peen cleaned yesterday morning. The
poison had during the night thoroughly
mixed with tho milk, and, realizing tho
deadly peril Of people living here, an
alarm was given at the Sober farm.
George Sober, who happened to be
present, darted to tho house for his
bicycle, and then started on the swiftest
ride OF his life. lie feared that the
poisoned milk was 10y that time being
dealed out by the uususpecting Hepner.
ana to save a great loss of life the
young man sped along the dusty road
like mad. At times he almost fell, owing
to the terrific pace, but he managed to
reach town in an exhausted condition.
lot of milk had been served and the
wagon was at the Exchange Hotel when
the gallant young rider drew UP. LOWS
Sober WAS talking to Hepner. Young
Sober quickly told of the poisoned milk,
whereupon the elder Sober summoned a
numher of men and ran to the homes
OF patrons who had already leen served.
Doctors were also notified, 80 that if
any one swallowed tho milk, the proper
treatment could be given.
Mr.. Sober called on Attorney John
Gillespie, alter which they waited on
Justice Rowe, before whom warrant
was sworn out, charging Lepply with
having committed larceny, poisoning
COWS by sprinkling paris green in wheat
bran, malicious mischief. felonious
assault by placing paris green III milk
Guns FOR the purpose of murder Late
thle afternoon Constahles Klinger and
Gottshall arrested Lepply. 1t was made
without trouble. ll9 was in a fold
when the officers approached. He
seemed surprised when the warrant was
read.
10 Justice Rowe's office, while waiting
for Attorney Gillespie before the case
was heard, the prisoner told the Times
representative that his fingers had
been cut Monday evening whiio cutting
CORE. Lepply also said that he retired
last night at $50 aud arose this morn
ing at .. lie said that he was INNOCENT.
As Lenply resided at an adjoining farm.
blood marks were traceu early this
morning from the Sober stable to the
formers abode. Whoever cut the har-
ness had also sliced his fingers
Mr.. Sober stated before the Justice
that two years ago, IIepply, while in
his employ, had been arrested hy him
for larceny and settled by paying s7O
costs. The prisonor ia 10 years OF age
aud said to be worth 50. 600 in caoh
He denies all knowledge Of the accusa-
| ton.