Evening journal., 1899-08-23
ARSENIC IN THE CANDY
That Intended for Mrs. Char
sha Examined BY DIR. Smith.
POISON IN LARGE QUANTITIES

WAS DISCOVERED TO BE IN THE
BOX OF BoNBoNs-THE CASE
PUT INTO THE HANDS OF DEP
UTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
COOPER.
Dr. Frank Roop Smith has eomplet-
ed his examination OF the contents of
the box Of candies, left on the porch
of Mrs. James C. Charsha, on Friday
morning, and found arsenic present
in large quantities.
The box containing the mixtures
was taken to DR.. Smith by Detective
Witsil for examination Immediately
after the detective took hold OF the
case. The physician carefully ana
lyzed the powdered substance found
within the box, and had no hesitancy
in pronouncing II arsenic.
He Immediately reported the result
of the examination to Detective Witsil,
who cautioned him to keep silent on
the matter, and the latter then laid
the case before Deputy Attorney-Gen-
eral Cooper for further action.
Both Mr.. Cooper and Detective Wit
sill are clam-like on the subject, es-
pecially the latter, who refuses " talk
on the subject until further action has
been taken. When approached
this morning, the deputy at
torney-general had but little to say,
otherwise than has already been pub
lished. He admitted, however that
poison had been found in the candy
box sent TO Mrs. Charsha and also that
several parties were under suspicion.
but refused to divulge any names, in
justice to the parties suspected
Considerable comment has arisen
upon the probable outcome Of the case
in the event Of any persons being ar
rested, in view of the fact that the box
of poisoned sweetmeats contained a
note of partial warning that the candy
IN eaten would prove fatal.
Just why any one desiring TO end
the life Of Mrs. Charsha, or any mem
Der OF her family, should accompany
the package with a note, advising hel
TO eat the candy and die, is not quite
clear. Mr. Cooper. in conversation
stated that it was hard to conceiv,
what was in the persons mind at tn,
time the note was written. and tha
it may have been penned with the ide'
that the party to whom it was address
ed would regard the lines in the ligh
Of a hoax and eat the candy accord
ingly.
"At any rate" said he, III the evi.
dence produced by Detective Witsll
who has charge Of the case, is suffi-
cient to cause the arrest Of any out
side parties, they will be prosecuted
on a charge OF intent to commit muir
der, the intent being established by tn,
fact that the candy contained poison
The intention Of the would-be poi
soner, II such a one exists. in tn,
minds Of many was not to reach Mrs
Charsha, particularly. but possibly on,
OF her children. who are unable tC
read. There is no evidence TO show
for whom the candy was intended
except that presumed from the anony
nous letters. which. however, do no
mention the candy.
Beyond stating shat The Morning
News was away on in that portion o.
the article regarding himself, whicl
appeared in this mornings issue, De
tective witsil, as above stated, refused
to talk.
The post Office authorities will taxi
no action in the matter, as lnspecto
Maxwell stated this morning that !
did not come under his jurisdiction, a
the letters sent to Mrs. Charsha con
tained no lewd, obscene or profan
| Language, or any language Whlcl
would come under the statute passe
in September, 1888, resarding the con
tents OF sealed letters.
Mrs. Charsha has stated that sh
had been accused Oy Pastor Ralph Z
Coursey, OF the Harrison Street n.
'lChurch. Of writing three anonymou
lletters to him. and that he brought tn
'lletters to her house and compare
the handwriting to those on the letter
received by her.
Mr.. Charsha arrived home yesteI
: day afternoon and received his frs
intimation Of the case. 1t rs nC
thought that any arrests will be mad
to-day.
In this case the charge would be a
. tempt to administer poison. The pun
ishmsnt. upon conviction, is fine
not less than $500 or more than $500
sixty lashes, one hour in pillory an
four years i'm jail
TOOK LAUDANUM BY MISTAKE.