The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-23
IN CABBAGE.

At times it makes one shudder
to read of the horrible crimes
that are committed, and it seems
almost impossible to believe that
humanity would sink so low as
to take the life or seek to exter-
mine a whole family by the
cowardly and inhuman method
of poison. But right here in
Challis short time ago an at
tempt was made to poison Joseph
Rodgers and his whole family.
At first we could not credit the
story, for we did not think there
was any one in this country who
was so depraved as to seek to
take the life of innocent women
and children. From Mr.. Rodg-
ers we learn the following state
ment of facts
About six weeks ago Mrs.
Rodgers found a large, fine head
of cabbage lying on the back
door steps of their Challis resi-
dence. She had been out calling
and found the head of cabbage
on her return home. Supposing
that some friend had left it
there during her absence she put
the cabbage in the cellar, and as
she did so, in her own mind a
forewarning or suspicion, or
something seemed to warn her
against using the cabbage. She
told her neighbors of the strange
coincident of finding the cabbage
and the forewarning not to par
take Of it.
Mr.. Rodgers thought there
was nothing wrong with the
cabbage, although he advised
against the eating of it, and to
satisfy his wife's suspicion, he
cut off a piece of the cabbage
probably a pound-and sent 1T
to Salt Lake City to an eminent
chemist for analysis. After a
thorough analysis had been made
the chemist sent a letter to M &.
Rodgers stating that the small
piece of cabbage sent him con
tanned enough arsenic to kill
twenty persons.
Following is a copy of the let
ter from DR.. Waite
SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH. Dec. 18th, 1909.
MRS. Jos. RODGERS, Challis, Idaho.
DEAR MADAM:-The chemist that 1 gave
that sample of cabbage to when you sent it to
me- made report TO me yesterday and in that
report states that there was considerable
arsenic found in it when made into a solution
and evaporated, but he did not make a guam
tative analysis, as that would have been quite
expensive, and 1 did not think it advisable.
What you wished to know was ifthere was any
thing of the kind in it. and that is what he de-
termined, for me, am positive that he IS right
as he showed me the results with the deposits
in the test tubes. after making the tests in a
number of different ways.
am sorry, Mrs. Rodgers that there was any
thing found in the sample, for it naturally
makes one feel as il there was hidden enemy
somewhere, and it is very uncomfortable feel
ing. But If you win allow me to advise in re-
gard to the matter, would say that it will be
best to not say word about it in any wsy to
any person, in that way you may in short
time find out something about it when they gel
of their guard.
Yours Respectfully,
DIR. J. w, WAITE.
The matter was kept quiet un-
til last week in hopes that the
would be criminal might be found
and brought to justice, but Mr.
nor Mrs. Rodgers have no idea
who put the poisoned cabbage
head at their door step. 1t was
truly narrow escape for the
whole family, which consists OF
Mr.. Rodgers and his wife and
their two small children. The
forewarning also appeared as ii
it had come from some agency
higher than man. 1t is strange
affair, and seems as though i
was a hoax, but when such re
liable people as Mr.. and Mrs
! Rodgers related it, and have the
chemists certificate to substan
tiate them, we cannot doubt theil
statement.
1t was evidently the intention
: of the party who placed the cab
bage saturated with deadly pois
ion at their door, or who causeC
it to be placed there, to poisor
some member of the family, anC
the would-be murderer didn'
care if the whole family were
killed-innocent babes and all
just so the one they wanted t.
mete out their vengence upol
Il ate of the poisoned vegetable. 1
seems almost too horrible to re
late. 1t does not look as though
: any human being could becom
so depraved as try to kill his fel
low man, let alone a family, il
such q horrible death of agony
Ones heart to attempt such
S deed must be as black as hel
itcelf HanCjn y would he n mil