The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-30
A POISON CASE
IN LYNCHBURG
Delay On the Part of the Coroner In
investigating.
MRS. THOMPSON THE VICTIM.
She Was New Orleans Lady of Prom
inence and Considerable Means.
Both Her Doctors Testified To the
Belief That Arsenic was Cause

IYNCHBURG. VA, June 29.-sueciai-
Reasons exist for suspecting that tho
death OF Mrs. Eliza 4. Thompson, which
occurred on May 18th. was caused by ar
seric poisoning.
The following notice of her death ap-
neared I'm the News Of Thursday, May
18th:
Mrs. Eliza 4. Thompson. who came
here TO reside a year or eighteen months
ago. died yesterday morning al sI|
O'clock at her home on Washington
street. after an Illness OF long duration.
Mrs. Thompson was lady Of prominence
and considerable means. She came here
for her health from the city Of New Or
leans. and purchasing the dwelling house
on Washington street. formerly owned by
Mr.. r. NJ Threadgill. resided there up 70
the time Of her death. she is survived
by one daughter Mrs. T. 3. Clark OF
Clarkton. Halifax county. Mrs. Thomp-
son was about sixty-fve years Of age
SUSPICIOUS CAUSES.
The funeral services took place Thurs
dav afternoon, May 18th. and the remains
were inferred in tho Presbyterian ceme-
terry.
soon after her death, one Of the two
physicians who had been attending MIS-
Thompson, reported To coroner John
walker. that there we're reasons TO sus-
pect that Mrs. Thompson had been pols-
oned. stating that while she had been I'M
well for some time. the maiady with
which she suffered was not OF serious
character, and that the symptoms OF the
fatal attack indicated thar she died from
tho effeots OF dose OF arsenic.
AS soon as he learned all the circum-
stances In the case, Or. Walker had a
consultation with a number OF city ON
cials. with a view 10 discussing the mat
ter and deciding as 10 what steps would
be advisable
BOTH PHYSICIANS.
Both of the physicians who attended
Mrs. Thompson In her dying moments
were present and repeated and corroDo-
rated the statement made 70 kne coroner
! I'm the first instance. no Definite course
OF action was agreed upon the matt
being left I'm the hands Of the coroner TOT
| n anal decision.
owing 10 a number OF circumstances
and particularly TO the difficulty OF as
certainIng just where ana now ana oy
whom the expenses are TO be betrayed
no formal investigation has as yet been
instituted by the Commonwealth.
II Coroner Walker should determine
| 10 institute an investigation, the remains
will be exhumed. and the stomach. a por-
| ton OF the small intestines and tho lVef
will be sent 10 an expert chemist PROB
| ably Or. Mallett. who viii analyze them
and the contents. and report whether or
not they contain arsenic poison.
ATTENDED BY SERVANTS.
,irs. Thompson was attended I'm her last
illness bv two servants. No relatives
were with her at the time Of her death.
I'm settling up the estate all OF her ac-
counts have been found strictly correct.
and. so far as known, none or her prop
erty OF any description, in ner residence
or anywhere else, has been found miss
| ms.
Tho authorities have been unable even
10 surmise any motive for crime hut
the circumstances Of Mrs. Thompson s
death and tho report Of her physicians
have convinced them that rigid inves-
| legation should be undertaken at once.