The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-07
ARSENIC PLACED
IN THE CABBAGE
Mysterious Poisoning at
SutterVille.
CHINESE PEDDLER'S VICTIMS
SEVERAL PERSONS COME CLOSE
TO DEATH.
Mr.. and Mrs. James and Three Por-
tuguese Taken Violently Ill.
Case on Which Police
Are Working.
CHINESE PEDDLER'S VICTIMS
SEVERAL PERSONS COME CLOSE
TO DEATH.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SACRAMENTO, Sept. 6.-Poisoned
cabbage is responsible for the severe
sickness of a number of persons in Suit
terville, this county. A few days ago
several residents of that town bought
cabbages from a Chinese peddler who
claimed he was from Sacramento. After
eating the cabbage they became sick,
and as they exhibited symptoms of
poisoning doctor was sent for and
at once detected that they were suffer-
ing from arsenical poisoning and gave
them an antidote. One of the victims
was a woman named Mrs. James. In
telling the story of her illness to-day
she said:
Il had just left my home and was
walking down the road when l met a
Chinese peddler, who had a wagon
load of cabbages. He said he was
from Sacramento, and as the cabbages
appeared to be all right l bought one
of them and advised him to drive into
town, as 1 realized that he would be
able to sell the entire load. l took the
cabbage which L had bought to my
home and prepared to cook 1t. no
ticed several of the leaves were COW
cred with white substance, but not
thinking anything Of 1t at the time |
placed it in a kettle containing hot
water. My husband and l ate of the
cabbage and were at once seized with
violent pains.
Realizing that we were poisoned, we
sent for a physician, who after consid-
cradle trouble, relieved US. The follow
ing day we heard that three Portuguese
ranchers had purchased cabbages from
the Chinese peddler, and fearing for
them, we went to see them. To our
surprise we found them all ill-victims
of the poisoned cabbage. One of them
was seriously i'll, and for time we
thought he would die. He finally re-
covered, however, and now threatens
vengeance on the Chinese peddler on
sight.
Just what motive the Chinese had
1 am at loss to know. 1t is possible
that he was not aware that the cab
bageS were sprinkled with arsenic and
started out to sell them. 1t is strange
fact that he has not been here since he
sold us the cabbageS. Whether he knew
of our sickness and was afraid to con-
front us, l am at a loss to state. l
have endeavored through my husband
to find out if the cabbages were sent by
an enemy, but have been unsuccessful.
"a short time ago one If the Portu-
guese who had partaken of poisoned
cabbage received an anonymous letter
in which it stated that his life would
be taken. Thinking it a joke he paid
no attention to it until he was taken
Ia rum tAe eheclS Ol arsenic. L do
not think L have an enemy, but in
future l intend to closely examine
everything l buy to see whether or not
1t contains poison"
The police are investigating the case
and hope to be able to land the culprit
in a few days. They believe the pois
oned cabbages were given the Chinese
peddler to sell to residents of Suffer-
Vile. Whether the poisoner intended
TO kill one or more persons it is i'm
possible to tell The police, however.
believe that the Portuguese were the
intended victims and that the China
man was instructed to give them as
many of the poisoned cabbages as they
wanted