The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-25
WAS THE JELLY POISONED?
GIRLS SUSPECT a WOMAN THHIR
FATHER WANTED TO MARRY.

A Pretty Mystery Afoot in Old Bridge, n.
J.-Little Proof of tho Alleged MUIR
derous Plot-A Doctor, n Chemist and
the Prosecutor Investigating the Case.
New BRUNSWICK. N. j.. June 24-Prosecutor
John S. Voorhees, was requested early this week
by a citizen OF Old Bridge. seven miles from
here, to investigate an alleged attempt by the
use OF arsenic concealed In jellies and other
delicacies to harm the family OF John L. Selover
selover is employed by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road at Camden. and lives at Old Bridge with
his three daughters. Mr.. Voorhees, secured
part OF jar OF jelly which had been sent to the
Selover family and submitted 1t to Prof Z. L.
Speyers, chemist, OF Rutgers College. for
analysis Prof Speyers finished his analysis
to-day. and informed the Prosecutor that there
was no evidence OF the presence OF arsenic
which was the poison he was told to look for
This has not settled the case. however for the
Prosecutor has decided to have an analysis
made OF other foods which were brought to
him to-day by Dr. J. G.. Denelsbeck. the ply
stefan OF the Selover family.
The girl who Ia said to be the object OF
poisoning plot is Cora Selover. 10 years old
1t is not clear that the POTTER II there really is
one. has aimed directly at Cora. however, for
the jellies. Jams and puddngs which have
been sent at intervals for months to. Mr.
Selovers home were not always addressed to
any particular person. and they were eaten by
any Of the family who cared to have them.
Cora has been sick with gastritls for several
months and during her illness delicacies have
been sent from Miss Conover's boarding
school. generally by a woman whom the Sell
over girls suspect OF hating them. The reason
for her hate they say. Is the fact that their
father. who is n widower, 80 years old. wished
to marry her. but was dissuaded by the oppo-
sition Of his daughters. This motive. they
have told Dr. Denelsbeck. they believe to be
sufficient to explain an attempt upon the Ii 70
OF Cora: All the facts in the case, however, do
The Seover girls first got the idea that there
was poison in the things which came to their
them and because they thought they uetected
small particles of glass. DR.. Denelsbeck eX;
him OF their, suspicious and found Just one
crystal. which flew away when he picked 1t
the s and fu after boiling %ef it found yei-
lowish sediment, which he thought might
produce nausea like that which had occurred
with SYMPTOMS q, poisoning and was in great
would die. but i got well.
Not long age ths presents Of Jelly, &C.. ceased
play Of iii feeIing between the girls and the
woman who has been referred to- This woman
bears an excellent character pr Depelsbe be-,
tons with the woman so that the Sits might
be resumed. and this was done He brought
to town with him to-day some specimens OF
food which had been sent to the Selover house
this week. These ne took to Prosecutor Eoor-
hees. and Mr.. Voorhees, sent him to Prof. E L.
up the work and the analysis was referred to
another chemist. who said that he would con-
suit with Prosecutor Voorhees, before acting.
Although DIR. Denesbeck has been active in
the case. he said positively to reporter to-day
that he had no good reason to suspect that
there attempt Inc
fact that little nephew Of the Selovers had
been seized with nausea after eating some Jelly
might have been the result OF oyereatinR. As
for the experience OF the cat, he did not regard
1t as important.
There is no doubt" said the doctor that
the jelly contained a substance II should not
have contained. That II was actively poison,
GUS am not con vinced. but It was deletertous. "
Asked for a theory as to how the poison got
into the jelly DR.. Denesheck said:
:" said to the girls when they were accusn q
person: There IL Just as much reason Tor
suspecting you OF putting the poison into the
Jelly to throw suspicion upon the person you
poison YOU.
Miss l. + Osborn. who has had charge OF tho
school since the death OF Miss A: E. Conover.
secuted the idea that there had been any at
tempt ut poisoning
and found candle burning with several news
papers and shavings at its base. II the candle
had burned down IL would have started blaze
which would probably have destroyed the
house. Mr.. Selover believed at the time that
he had some secret enemy. and he thinks that
, was the work OF the same hand that tried to
| burn his house.