The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-24
Kunkel Poisoning Case on Trial
at Lawrence.
Taking of Testimony Begins
at Once.
MRS. KUNKELS' DEATH
Described by the Physician
Who Attended Her.
Nurse Testifies Regarding
Whisky Given Patient.

Lawrence, Feb. 24-The trial of J. ].
Kunkel for poisoning his wife began be-
fore Judge Samuel A. Riggs in the dis
trict court yesterday.
DR.. F. D. Morse was the first witness
introduced by the state. He had treat
ed Mrs. Kunkel in her last illness and
he described her symptoms. He was
called to treat her in pregnancy for
vomiting. She had a miscarriage, pro-
duced how he did not know. After this
her continual vomiting did not abate
and there was puffiness under her
eyes. These were symptoms OF arsen-
zeal poisoning.
In your opinion, what caused Mrs.
Kunkel's death?" asked Assistant Pros
ecutOr Bishop.
"Gastritis,'' replied DR.. Morse.
Mr. Bishop then started on a series
of hypothetical questions, based on the
finding of arsenic in the vomit of the
deceased, but the court sustained the
objection of the defense to these QueS-
lions.
questioned witness at length on the eff
fects of drugs used to produce abortion
upon the entire system-part1cularly
upon the stomach and abdomen. 1t was
evident that the defense was laying a
foundation to show that the gaStritlS
was produced by poisons used in abor-
ton.
Witness described the marked
changes in symptoms of his patient af-
ter the miscarria ge-she grew worse
and more depressed, was weaker, pulse
quicker, there was breaking out on the
body puffineSS under the eyes, COM
planned of an excessive thirst, and the
vomiting continued as before.
Witness said at the time of her last
illness he thought Mrs. Kunkel was SUI
fering from arSenical poisoning, but he
did not come to this conclusion until
shortly before she died, when it was too
late to give her antidotes. He then tried
to overcome the effects of the arsenic
by building up patients system
Under direct examination the doctor
made an admirable witness, but he
could not Withstand the cross. His
memory was poor, he contradicted vital
points in his testimony given at the
preliminary examination, and ''wobbled"
until his blood must have been at a fe-
yer heat.
nurse, told her story frankly and with
every indication of trying to hew to the
line of truth.
So did Mrs. Stella Remington. who
preceded Mrs. Hawkins as nurse, ana
Deputy Sheriff Myers.
The women and the doctor stated
that Kunkel was apparently assiduous
in his attentions to his wife: that he
was always kind and seemingly de-
voted to her when in their presence,
and Myers testified that when he went
to the Kunkel home to secure the med1-
cine used by Mrs. kunkel that kunkel
had suggested such a procedure and
had offered him the freedom of his
house in making the search.
Mrs Susan Hawkins was the second
witness She was called to nurse Mrs.
Kunkel on Wednesday before her death,
the first nurse being obliged to leave.
Witness described condition OF the pa
tent and her symptoms from day to
day.
Kunkel brought some powders he
said he had gotten from DR.. Morse
Mrs. Kunkel complained that the medi-
cine was bitter.
on Saturday, the whisky having
given out, Kunkel bought another bot
tie. Mrs. Kunkel did not take it, and
witness tasted it. 1t was bad, and she
told Kunkel that the druggist must
have put something in it.
Mrs. Kunkel told her to throw it out
and get some from a neighbours, which
she did. This took place in the pres
ence of Kunkel. When witness had
described this occurrence she turned
from the stand to the prisoner and in
nocently questioned:
That's right, isn't it, Mr.. Kunkel?"
On the evening preceding Mrs. Kun
kePs death, the patient having grown
worse, witness started for the doctor.
She met Kunkel at the door and told
him his wife was very bad. He said he
would go for the doctor himself. He re-
turned without the doctor, and brought
some powders he said the doctor had
given him. These witness administered
as directed
A neighbor who was present about 9
o'clock suggested to Kunkel that DR..
Morse should be called. Witness heard
him reply: mo; he can't do anything
for her.
Between 10 and IL o'clock witness, at
KunkeIs direction, entered the next
room, as Kunkel said he would take
care of his wife. About 1 o'clock Kun
KEEL called her, saying:
''She is nearly gone
No one else was in the sick room, and
Mrs. KunkeI breathed her last in few
minutes.