The times., 1899-12-11
AN ANALYSIS AT ONCE.
Chemist Hird 10 Investigate the Al
legged Poisoned Oysters.

legged Poisoned Oysters.
Prof. John D. Hird. District Chemist, in
whose hands the police have placed the
alleged poisoned oysters that were received
by Mrs. Martha E. Smith Monday, an
nounced last night that he would complete
the analysis this morning. tie stated that
he had been so occupied with other impor-
tant matters that he had rs yet been un-
able to give the oysters mucn attention.
There is no doubt that the oysters were
lampeTed with, but whether The whole af-
fair is some sort of a practical joke or an
attempt at secret poisoning is as yet d
mystery.
The police OF the Ninth precinct. and
particularly Policemen Emerson and Bobo,
who are detailed on the case, were at work
diligently all of yesterday. If they learned
anything new they declined TO say so.
Definite action, they said, would be taken
against three persons today should the re-
suit OF the analysis by Prot Hird show
that poison had been used.
The Smith family. at 81 il Street north
east, is on the lookout for any other rnys-
terious packages, and shoul auv arrive the
messenger is likely to meet NTH a lively
reception. Both MIR. and Mrs. Smith are
in a state of anxiety. Mrs Smith said
last night that had her husband been alb
sent she would undoubtedly have eaten
the oysters, as she suspected nothing. even
though there was great mystery surround
ing the messenger who brought them
Smith said that his wife declared her in
tention of going to South Washington TO
visit friends yesterday morning, but that
he had promptly ordered her TO remain at
home, as he was unable 10 accompany her.
He stated positively that she should not
leave the house at night alone. Mr.. Smith
stated that he did not want 10 unneces-
sarily alarm his wife, but that in view of
certain circumstances he considered ii poll
icy 10 be on the safe side. Smith admitted
that there was a possibility that the an
alysis OF Prof Hird would fail to reveal the
presence Of poison in the oysters He con-
tended, however, that if such should be
the case the circumstances surrounding the
receiving of the bivalves were sufficiently
suspicious and mysterious 10 warrant an
investigation of the matter,
There are several things about the
whole affair which l cannot understand" ="
said Mr. Smith Mrs. Smith asked the
coloTed man VINO brought the oysters if
man or woman had sent them. He did
not know. She asked him if the name of
the sender was repeated would he recOg-
nize it. He thought he would. and Mrs.
/ Smith mentioned the name of her son. He
Is son by former marriage. and has
name is Hugh Augusterfer The colored man
declared that TO be the name of the sender,
and yet one minute previous he could not
say whether the sender was a man or
woman Mrs Smith now knows positively
that her son did not send the oysters.
This son is greatly concerned for his
mother, and fears that something viii be-
/ fall her.
The colored man had a slip of paper
in his hand when he delivered the oysters.
/ On the paper was written the name and
! address of my wife Before she accepted
/ the oysters she asked the man to allow
/ her to see the paper, stating that possibly
he had made a mistake. The man refused
/ to allow the paper to leave his hands, say
ing that he had been warned not to give It
up. His instructions were in addition. he
said. to locate Mrs Smith, even if he had
to traverse the entire city.
When We examined the box containing
! the oysters we. Of course discovered the
name of an oyster dealer thereon. There
/ were two addresses below the name, show
ing that the dealer operated TWO establish
ments. From which establishment the
oysters were sold the police will endeavol
to learn
Both addresses are in the northwest
portion Of the city. That fact looks sus-
picious 10 me. ! should think that If {
friend wanted TO send my wife oysters
the numerous dealers in the northeast see
tion. or from a down town dealer Wha
would be the object in going away out il
the northwest? Then again a frienC
would naturally enclose a card in the box
or al least permit the messenger to stat
from whom the oysters came. It is eviden
that the man who delivered the oysters II
not employed by the dealer ! surmis
that because If the oysters contain poison
as We suppose, they We're not dOctored a
the place where they We're purchased. Tn
purchaser took them elsewhere TO trea
them and then emplowed the messenger [,
deliver them.
Mrs Smith, the supposed intended vic
tim, is q woman OF middle age. WorT,
has put lines in her face. She is com
fortably located with her husband and fam
lily, and until Monday night did not sup
pose she had an enemy in the world
Recently she has been a very busy wO
man Through her attorney, William B
Reilly, she is contesting a will submittel
for probate some time ago as that OF al
aunt who died in June last. The will dis
posed Of an estate. Its terms were no
satisfactory, il is said, to Mrs. Smith, an
for that reason the estate is now In liti
CATION Mrs. Smith says she expects
decision shortly. She also states that sh
is confident of a victory in the matter, an
that her husband and attorney are Of tn
same opinion.